Trump Says He Discussed ‘Russian Hoax’ with Putin, Avoided Talk of 2020 Election Meddling

What’s the story?

• President Donald Trump said he discussed the “Russian Hoax” with President Vladimir Putin on Friday, the first conversation between the two leaders since the release of the Mueller report, which found that “the Russian government interfered in the 2016 presidential election in sweeping and systematic fashion.”

“Had a long and very good conversation with President Putin of Russia,” Trump wrote in a mid-day tweet. “As I have always said, long before the Witch Hunt started, getting along with Russia, China, and everyone is a good thing, not a bad thing....We discussed Trade, Venezuela, Ukraine, North Korea, Nuclear Arms Control and even the ‘Russian Hoax.’ Very productive talk!"

• Talking to reporters in the Oval Office following the call, Trump was asked if he warned his Russian counterpart not to meddle in the upcoming election.
• "We didn't discuss that. Really, we didn't discuss it. We discussed five or six things. We also went into great detail on various things," Trump said. He added:

"[Putin] sort of smiled when he said something to the effect that it started up as a mountain and ended up as a mouse. But he knew that because he knew that there was no collusion. Pretty much that's what it was."

• Some Democrats were not sort of smiling.

“Of course you had a very good conversation with Vladimir Putin – you referred to foreign interference in our election as the ‘Russian Hoax,’” tweeted Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI). “Some might say that is treason.”

What do you think?

How do you feel about Trump talking with Putin? Should Trump have warned Putin not to meddle in the 2020 election? Does the U.S. need to do more to prevent Russian interference? Should the U.S. impose sanctions on Russia? Take action above and tell your reps, then share your thoughts below.

—Josh Herman