Trump Defends Helsinki Performance, Says Russia Is No Longer Meddling In U.S. Elections

Following severe bipartisan backlash over his performance at the Helsinki Summit, President Donald Trump has dismissed critics as “haters” who suffer from “Trump Derangement Syndrome” in new tweets.

Some people HATE the fact that I got along well with President Putin of Russia. They would rather go to war than see this. It’s called Trump Derangement Syndrome!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 18, 2018

Following the joint news conference, critics swiftly admonished the president over his refusal to pointedly confront Russia on a number of hard-line issues. They also pointed out how the president even seemed to side with Russian President Vladimir Putin over his own intelligence agencies when discussing Russia’s alleged interference in the 2016 election. In light of the media frenzy, the president has been unclear on his stance with regard to the election. On Tuesday, Trump claimed he misspoke at the summit and did in fact accept the U.S. intelligence agencies’ findings of Russian interference. When later asked by reporters Wednesday if Russia is still targeting the U.S., Trump shook his head and answered “no.”

Despite widespread disapproval, Trump has since attempted to spin the narrative in his favor. Rather than reflecting on his actions, he instead made the claim that only those “at the higher ends of intelligence” would appreciate his conciliatory attitude towards the Russian autocrat.

So many people at the higher ends of intelligence loved my press conference performance in Helsinki. Putin and I discussed many important subjects at our earlier meeting. We got along well which truly bothered many haters who wanted to see a boxing match. Big results will come!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 18, 2018

His “haters” include several top congressional Republicans, including Sen. John McCain who regarded Trump’s performance as “disgraceful.” The president then went on to attack the “Fake News Media” for criticizing what he otherwise considered “a great success.”

The meeting between President Putin and myself was a great success, except in the Fake News Media!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 18, 2018

The last tweet comes as a surprise since he was also harshly criticized by a number of traditionally Trump-friendly, conservative news outlets that he formerly lauded. A number of Fox anchors condemned the president’s behavior, including Fox News host Abby Huntsman.

No negotiation is worth throwing your own people and country under the bus.

— Abby Huntsman (@HuntsmanAbby) July 16, 2018

In an editorial, The Wall Street Journal also declared the Helsinki summit’s press conference “a personal and national embarrassment.”

This from the conservative, pro-Trump Wall Street Journal editorial board: “Monday’s joint press conference was a personal and national embarrassment.” https://t.co/aDG5rA6MJh

— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) July 17, 2018