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US President Donald Trump has made a reversal on what he said about Russia and its alleged meddling in the 2016 elections.
Trump now says he accepts US intelligence agencies’ conclusion that Russia interfered in the election. This is a reversal on what he had said on Monday.
He said he had misspoken on Monday and had meant to say he saw no reason why it was not Russia that meddled.
The original comments, after he met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, drew a barrage of criticism.
According to reports, his allies had even urged him to clarify his stance.
At a news confrence on Monday followng the summit with Putin in Helsinki, Finland, the following conversation ensued:
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.
But on Tuesday, 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.