A Running List Of Republican Responses To The Trump-Putin Summit In Helsinki

Days after Russians were indicted for election interference, President Trump sided with President Putin over the United States. What are Republicans saying?

by: Zak Ali on July 16, 2018

US President Donald Trump And Russian President Vladimir Putin holding a press conference after their one-on-one meeting in Helsinki, Finland

Today, President Trump held a press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland where he failed to challenge Russia on their interference in the 2016 election. Instead, Trump attacked the Democrats, panned the Russia probe as a witch hunt, and called the U.S. “foolish.”

As members of the media and Democrats condemned the press conference, most Republicans remained silent in the immediate aftermath. Some responded.

Here’s a running list of Republican reactions to the Trump-Putin presser:

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC)

Missed opportunity by President Trump to firmly hold Russia accountable for 2016 meddling and deliver a strong warning regarding future elections.

This answer by President Trump will be seen by Russia as a sign of weakness and create far more problems than it solves. (1/3)

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) July 16, 2018

Senator Jeff Flake – (R-AZ)

I never thought I would see the day when our American President would stand on the stage with the Russian President and place blame on the United States for Russian aggression. This is shameful.

— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) July 16, 2018

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R – WI)

STRONG statement from Paul Ryan:

“There is no question that Russia interfered in our election and continues attempts to undermine democracy here and around the world. … The president must appreciate that Russia is not our ally. There is no moral equivalence …”

— Aaron Blake (@AaronBlake) July 16, 2018

House Representative Justin Amash – (R-MI 3rd District)

A person can be in favor of improving relations with Russia, in favor of meeting with Putin, and still think something is not right here.

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) July 16, 2018

Senator Ben Sasse – (R-NE)

Ben Sasse: “When the President plays these moral equivalence games, he gives Putin a propaganda win he desperately needs.” pic.twitter.com/U0VdZACcPQ

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) July 16, 2018

Senator Bob Corker – (R-TN)

Republican Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman @BobCorker: “The President’s comments made us look like a nation more of a pushover.”

— Josh Rogin (@joshrogin) July 16, 2018

Senator John McCain – (R-AZ)

Today’s press conference in #Helsinki was one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory.

My full statement on the #HelsinkiSummit: https://t.co/lApjctZyZl

— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) July 16, 2018

Senator Orrin Hatch – (R-UT)

Hatch on the Trump/Putin summit in Helsinki:

“Russia interfered in the 2016 election. Our nation’s top intelligence agencies all agree on that point. From the President on down, we must do everything in our power to protect our democracy..” (1/3)

— Senator Hatch Office (@senorrinhatch) July 16, 2018

Senator Susan Collins – (R-ME)

Susan Collins: “The President’s statements today in Helsinki demonstrate his continued refusal to accept the unanimous conclusions of U.S. intelligence leaders and the bipartisan findings of the Senate Intelligence Committee.” pic.twitter.com/J1dWQv1aEI

— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) July 16, 2018

House Representative Trey Gowdy – (R-SC 4th District)

Chairman Gowdy criticizes President Trump/Putin presser & says confident advisors “will be able to communicate to the President it is possible to conclude Russia interfered with our election in 2016 without delegitimizing his electoral success” pic.twitter.com/vkfXYtNL7J

— Alex Moe (@AlexNBCNews) July 16, 2018

House Representative Darrell Issa – (R-CA 49th District)

amazing. rep darrell issa says Trump is right to cast doubt on FBI in front of Putin. Later says that Putin is evil and we need to be like ronald reagan. pic.twitter.com/9PNxmXAux2

— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) July 16, 2018

House Representative Ron DeSantis – (R-FL 6th District)

Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Florida), who’s running for governor, defends Trump’s behavior in Helsinki against criticism, instead blaming “Obama’s weakness over eight years” for Russia’s belligerence.

“I don’t think that there’s any Trump-Russia collusion.”

— Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) July 16, 2018

House Representative Elise Stefanik – (R-NY 21st District)

Russia has a track record of meddling in elections – not only ours in 2016, but around the world. I support the Mueller investigation in getting to the apolitical truth.

— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) July 16, 2018

Governor John Kasich – (R-OH)

We need to be clear. Russia is our foe. Putin is actively trying to hurt our country. America needs to speak with one voice AGAINST Russia.

— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) July 16, 2018

Former RNC Chair Michael Steele:

“My people came to me…they said they think it’s Russia. I have President Putin. He just said it’s not Russia. I will say this, I don’t see any reason why it would be.”
–Trump

That’s how a press conference sounds when an Asset stands next to his Handler.

— Michael Steele (@MichaelSteele) July 16, 2018

Conservative Commentator Joe Walsh

Look, I’m no big deal, but today is the final straw for me. I will never support Trump again. If that makes me a NeverTrumper, so be it.

I am a tea party conservative, that will never change. But Trump was a traitor to this country today. That must not be accepted.

Speak out.

— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) July 16, 2018

Meghan McCain

I don’t have anything quippy to tweet. I’m horrified – and have never been more proud of the fact that Putin hates my father so much he personally sanctioned him on Russia’s enemies list.

— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) July 16, 2018

Fox Business

Reaction on Varney’s Fox Business show after the press conference is critical of Trump.

Guest Mark Weinberg: “Putin won. Trump missed the opportunity.”

Fox Biz’s Ashley Webster: “He outmaneuvered our president. I was very surprised. I thought Trump was going to push hard.”

— Max Tani (@maxwelltani) July 16, 2018

Conservative Commentator Ben Shapiro

So that was a disgrace. With that said, the real question is how seriously Putin takes Trump’s verbiage. My guess: not very. This is the chief benefit of a White House that often runs independent of the president.

— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) July 16, 2018

Mike Murphy

Just saw the most depressing, disgusting, toadying, weak, moronic, lie-stuffed, and damn near traitorous public hour in the long history of the American Presidency. A dark day. 1/2

— Mike Murphy (@murphymike) July 16, 2018

Rick Wilson

If you needed any other evidence that this President is completely owned, you just got it.

— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) July 16, 2018

Tim Miller

That presser did a nice job of revealing once again pathetic anyone who puts on a tough guy/alpha act is.

Imagine what “Liddle Marco” or Carly/Hillary would’ve done standing next to Putin and compare it to the sniveling submissive display in Helsinki by Trump.

— Tim Miller (@Timodc) July 16, 2018

Abbey Huntsman