Trump backs Putin, attacks Americans on Super Bowl Sunday

Fox News has released a clip from Trump’s Super Bowl Sunday interview with Bill O’Reilly, and Trump exceeded his own low standards. When O’Reilly pointed out that Russian President Vladimir Putin “is a killer,” Trump turned on his own country to defend Putin:

O’Reilly: “Putin’s a killer.”

Trump: “…we’ve got a lot of killers. What do you think—our country’s so innocent?” pic.twitter.com/OVR4XBJq1b

— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) February 4, 2017

O’REILLY: Do you respect Putin?

TRUMP: I do respect him.

O’REILLY: Do you? Why?

TRUMP: Well, 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, major fight, that’s a good thing. Will I get along with him? I have no idea. It’s very possible I won’t.

O’REILLY: He’s a killer, though. Putin’s a killer.

TRUMP: Lot of killers, we got a lot of killers. What, you think our country is so innocent?

There is little wonder that Trump would go to such lengths for a man who was personally involved in helping him achieve his ill-gotten victory, but this will be yet another test for Republican leaders: Will they stand by and watch Trump malign this country in such a nonchalant manner, or will they finally begin to speak out against him?