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Trump-Putin summit: US president reverses remark on Russia meddling Trump-Putin summit: US president reverses remark on Russia meddling
(35 minutes later)
US President Donald Trump has said he accepts US intelligence agencies' conclusion that Russia interfered in the 2016 election - despite declining to do so just a day ago.US President Donald Trump has said he accepts US intelligence agencies' conclusion that Russia interfered in the 2016 election - despite declining to do so just a day ago.
After meeting Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin he said he could not see why Russia would meddle. He said he had misspoken on Monday and had meant to say he saw no reason why it was not Russia that meddled.
The comments drew outrage even among his supporters. The original comments, after he met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, drew a barrage of criticism.
But he told reporters that he misspoke and had meant to say he saw no reason why it was not Russia that meddled. Even some of Mr Trump's allies had urged him to clarify his stance.
He said he had full "faith and support" in US intelligence agencies and would take "strong action" to secure the US election process. In his latest remarks, he added he had "full faith and support" in US intelligence agencies.
Mr Trump said that the interference had no impact on the election, which saw him defeat Hillary Clinton. What he said then...
The controversy centres on a response he gave to a question at a news conference on Monday following the summit with Mr Putin.
This is an extract from the transcript posted by the White House.
REPORTER: President Putin denied having anything to do with the election interference in 2016. Every US intelligence agency has concluded that Russia did. My first question for you, sir, is, who do you believe?
TRUMP: 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.
.... what he says now
Mr Trump said he had reviewed the transcript and realised he needed to clarify.
"In a key sentence in my remarks, I said the word 'would' instead of 'wouldn't," he said.
"The sentence should have been: 'I don't see any reason why I wouldn't' or 'why it wouldn't be Russia'. Sort of a double negative."
The US president added: "I accept our intelligence community's conclusion that Russia's meddling in the 2016 election took place. Could be other people also. A lot of people out there."
Mr Trump said that the interference had had no impact on the election, in which he defeated Hillary Clinton.
However, he did not respond when reporters asked him if he would condemn Mr Putin.However, he did not respond when reporters asked him if he would condemn Mr Putin.
At the summit in Helsinki on Monday, Mr Trump was asked if he believed his own intelligence agencies or the Russian president when it came to allegations of meddling in the 2016 presidential vote. Why the outrage?
"President Putin says it's not Russia. I don't see any reason why it would be," he replied. Republicans and Democrats alike were dumbfounded that Mr Trump sided with Russia over his own intelligence officials after Monday's summit.
He also upset some in the US by refusing to offer specific criticism of Russia, instead saying he held both countries responsible for their poor relations. The US and Russia have been long-term adversaries, and remain far apart on major issues. Some lawmakers were also upset that he refused to offer specific criticisms of Russia and Mr Putin, instead saying both countries were responsible for poor relations.
The Helsinki press conference drew strong condemnation: one of his Republican supporters, Newt Gingrich, said it was the "most serious mistake of his presidency" and Mr Trump had been urged to clarify his comments. Even one of his most loyal Republican supporters, Newt Gingrich, said the comments were the "most serious mistake of his presidency".
After the reversal, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer accused the US president of cowardice.