In an interview with Fox News, President Trump suggested that America didn’t necessarily have any moral high ground over Russia.
Speaking to Bill O’Reilly before the Super Bowl on Sunday, Trump was asked if he respects the Russian President Vladimir Putin. “I do respect him,” Trump replied.
“I respect a lot of people, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to get along with him. He’s a leader of his country. I say it’s better to get along with Russia than not.
“And if Russia helps us in the fight against Isis, which is a major fight, and Islamic terrorism all over the world, that’s a good thing.”
O’Reilly then pressed Trump on Putin, saying that the Russian President is a “killer”.
“What do you think, our country’s so innocent?” came Trump’s reply, implying that there’s not that much difference between the two nations.
His response drew swift condemnation from prominent Republicans and the wider political community. Senator Marco Rubio tweeted: “When has a Democrat political activists [sic] been poisoned by the GOP, or vice versa? We are not the same as Putin.”
When has a Democratic political activists been poisoned by the GOP, or vice versa? We are not the same as #Putin. MR
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 5, 2017
Representative Liz Cheney said Trump’s words were “deeply troubling and wrong.”
In response to the backlash, Trump tweeted that “the haters are going crazy” and went on to criticise former President Obama.
I don't know Putin, have no deals in Russia, and the haters are going crazy – yet Obama can make a deal with Iran, #1 in terror, no problem!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 7, 2017
Feature:Â Drew Angerer /Â Sean Gallup / Getty Images
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