search
Sections List
American Journal News

ALARMING: Russian government media offers praise for Trump during White House briefing

President Donald Trump has faced a snowballing crisis of legitimacy that involves, among other things, his professed affinity for the Russian government that coincidentally aided his electoral victory, and which multiple agencies are investigating for possible collusion with Trump associates. Against that already-surreal backdrop, Tuesday’s White House briefing provided a stunning reminder of the baffling […]

By Tommy Christopher - January 24, 2017
Share
Russia Putin

President Donald Trump has faced a snowballing crisis of legitimacy that involves, among other things, his professed affinity for the Russian government that coincidentally aided his electoral victory, and which multiple agencies are investigating for possible collusion with Trump associates.

Against that already-surreal backdrop, Tuesday’s White House briefing provided a stunning reminder of the baffling reality in which the country now finds itself.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer has already shown a willingness to solicit questions from unusual sources, but it was the substance of the question he took from Andrei Sitov, a reporter from Russian government news agency TASS, that was truly eyebrow-raising. On live television, in the actual White House, Sitov expressed happiness that the new president “stands firm” against the “vicious attacks” Trump has endured over his “attitude to Russia.”

And Spicer happily accepted the praise:

SITOV: …the President has been what I can only describe as viciously, viciously attacked for his attitude to Russia, by his opponents here. He has withstood those attacks. So, I’m from Russia —

[laughter]

SPICER: I can tell.

SITOV: — and I ask you for my audience. Please explain us to why, what is his logic? Why he doing this? Why he is standing firm on wanting to improve? We are happy that he stands firm on that. But please explain to my audience his reasoning for believing that we can do it together.

Spicer: Because I think he is a great deal maker. And he’s going to do what he can to fight on behalf of this country. And if a deal can be found, whether it’s fighting for American taxpayers or working with another country to protect our national security interests or economic interests, he’s gonna make a deal that’s in the best interest of this country.

Even if you cast Sitov’s praise as recognition merely of what Trump has done and said openly, that includes weakening the Republican Party platform’s stand against Russia’s actions in Ukraine and open solicitation of espionage against the U.S. State Department.

This stunning scene is yet another vivid and disturbing reminder of just how much of the current catastrophe occurred completely out in the open. Accountability for Trump has been late in coming, but this brazen display crucially underscores the degree to which that accountability must not falter.


AJ News
Get the latest news here first.

Tai News

Newsletter
Read More
105 Republicans voted to expel Santos for things Trump has also done

105 Republicans voted to expel Santos for things Trump has also done

By Jesse Valentine - December 05, 2023
Biden campaign pivots to focus on healthcare

Biden campaign pivots to focus on healthcare

By Kim Lyons - November 30, 2023
U.S. Sen. Tim Scott drops out of 2024 presidential race

U.S. Sen. Tim Scott drops out of 2024 presidential race

By Robin Opsahl - November 13, 2023
Biden infrastructure law helps Pennsylvania’s small manufacturers

Biden infrastructure law helps Pennsylvania’s small manufacturers

By Oliver Willis - October 20, 2023
Republicans continue their unpopular attempts to abolish the Department of Education

Republicans continue their unpopular attempts to abolish the Department of Education

By Will Fritz - October 20, 2023
GOP presidential candidates use Israel-Hamas war to stoke anti-immigrant sentiment

GOP presidential candidates use Israel-Hamas war to stoke anti-immigrant sentiment

By Oliver Willis - October 20, 2023
AJ News
Latest
Texas governor and attorney general do little to curb state’s chemical plant crisis

Texas governor and attorney general do little to curb state’s chemical plant crisis

By Jesse Valentine - December 08, 2023
Likely GOP Senate candidate Eric Hovde proposed tax hike for poorer workers and retirees

Likely GOP Senate candidate Eric Hovde proposed tax hike for poorer workers and retirees

By Jesse Valentine - December 07, 2023
Whitmer signs specific criminal penalties for assaulting health care workers into law

Whitmer signs specific criminal penalties for assaulting health care workers into law

By Anna Liz Nichols, Michigan Advance - December 06, 2023
105 Republicans voted to expel Santos for things Trump has also done

105 Republicans voted to expel Santos for things Trump has also done

By Jesse Valentine - December 05, 2023
For Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, another Trump term is another chance to kill Obamacare

For Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, another Trump term is another chance to kill Obamacare

By Jesse Valentine - December 04, 2023
Florida Sen. Rick Scott backs Donald Trump in revived push to repeal Obamacare

Florida Sen. Rick Scott backs Donald Trump in revived push to repeal Obamacare

By Jesse Valentine - November 30, 2023
Tate Reeves took donations from power company that hiked customer rates

Tate Reeves took donations from power company that hiked customer rates

By Jesse Valentine - November 06, 2023
Daniel Cameron ran on depoliticizing the Kentucky AG’s office. He made it more political.

Daniel Cameron ran on depoliticizing the Kentucky AG’s office. He made it more political.

By Jesse Valentine - November 03, 2023
Republican operatives sound every alarm on current trajectory of 2023 governor’s race

Republican operatives sound every alarm on current trajectory of 2023 governor’s race

By Adam Ganucheau, Mississippi Today - October 24, 2023
Wisconsin’s fake electors settle lawsuit, acknowledge Biden won in 2020

Wisconsin’s fake electors settle lawsuit, acknowledge Biden won in 2020

By Henry Redman, Wisconsin Examiner - December 06, 2023
NH Supreme Court closes door on partisan gerrymandering cases, taking lead from SCOTUS

NH Supreme Court closes door on partisan gerrymandering cases, taking lead from SCOTUS

By Ethan DeWitt, New Hampshire Bulletin - December 05, 2023
Missouri abortion-rights amendments face ‘torturous’ process to make it to 2024 ballot

Missouri abortion-rights amendments face ‘torturous’ process to make it to 2024 ballot

By Anna Spoerre, Kansas City Star - December 05, 2023