By Dustin Rowles | Politics | July 16, 2018 |
By Dustin Rowles | Politics | July 16, 2018 |
I don’t know what the politics of CNN’s John King are — he’s pretty good about remaining objective — but my wife always complains that King gives her bad Republican vibes. Nevertheless, I think here he summed up the Trump/Putin summit as well as anyone:
John King: "I have never seen an American president simply surrender to the leader of Russia. You should call this 'The Surrender Summit.' pic.twitter.com/j7H1bkvskb
— Greg Hogben (@MyDaughtersArmy) July 16, 2018
The one thing that’s kind of heartening (at least, in the early hours) is that most folks — on both sides of the aisle — seem to be lining up against Trump and his performance. I’m sure that a handful of Republicans and Fox News will endeavor to spin Trump out of this disaster, but for the most part, it’s nice to see that the reaction from lawmakers, reporters, and U.S. officials has been to criticize Trump on a bi-partisian basis.
It’d be nice if they did something about it. It’d be even nicer if someone in the Administration had the balls to resign over this.
This is a Fox News pundit and the daughter of Jon Huntsman, the United States ambassador to Russia.
No negotiation is worth throwing your own people and country under the bus.
— Abby Huntsman (@HuntsmanAbby) July 16, 2018
This is one of the guys who ran Jon Huntsman’s Presidential campaign in 2012.
@JonHuntsman Resign, if you have any honor.
— John Weaver (@JWGOP) July 16, 2018
The former head of the CIA:
John Brennan: "I'm at a loss … One can only conclude that he fears Vladimir Putin and that one-on-one discussion — who knows what was discussed there — and how Mr. Putin now is the master puppeteer of Donald Trump, the person who is in our oval office. Outrageous." @MSNBC
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) July 16, 2018
A U.S. Official:
A US official directly involved with Helsinki summit sums it up like this: “This was not the plan.” — reports @jeffzeleny @cnni
— AnneClaire Stapleton (@AnneClaireCNN) July 16, 2018
Republican Senator from Utah:
Hatch: “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 … regardless of what Vladimir Putin or any other Russian operative say”
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) July 16, 2018
Democratic Senator from Connecticut:
If you're on the Trump national security team, and you've been out there saying how strong Trump is on Russia and how serious our commitment is to NATO, how do you not resign after the last four days?
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) July 16, 2018
Republican Senator from South Carolina:
Missed opportunity by President Trump to firmly hold Russia accountable for 2016 meddling and deliver a strong warning regarding future elections.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) July 16, 2018
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)
Republican Senator from Arizona (retiring):
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
Democratic Senator from Virginia:
For the President to side with Putin over his own intelligence officials and blame the United States for Russia’s attack on our democracy is a complete disgrace.
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) July 16, 2018
Indiana Congressman:
I want President Trump’s diplomatic efforts to be successful, but I’ll take the word of a Hoosier over Vladimir Putin any day. We must take seriously the warnings of Director Coats and the American intelligence community. Russia is not our friend.
— Jim Banks (@RepJimBanks) July 16, 2018
Chuck (fucking) Schumer:
A single, ominous question now hangs over the White House: what could possibly cause @realDonaldTrump to put the interests of Russia over those of the United States
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) July 16, 2018
Hillary’s Communications Director and former Obama comms official with a 100 percent accurate tweet:
I have never thought that Putin’s hold on Trump relies on Russia having compromising evidence of a sexual adventure. Trump would not fear that, he would be proud of it. What Trump really fears is the hit to his ego if Putin ever told the world Trump really didn’t win.
— Jennifer Palmieri (@jmpalmieri) July 16, 2018
Connecticut U.S. Senator:
American Presidents take an oath to defend the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic. President Trump unequivocally failed to defend the United States today when he refused to hold Russia accountable for aggression.
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) July 16, 2018
Nebraska GOP Senator:
The U.S. intelligence community knows that the Russian government attacked the U.S. This is not a Republican or a Democrat view — it is simply the reality. All patriotic Americans should understand that Putin is not America's friend, and he is not the President's buddy… pic.twitter.com/GfgtDKKtSF
— Senator Ben Sasse (@SenSasse) July 13, 2018
North Carolina Congressman:
President Trump is compromised. He places his trust in a former KGB thug over his own hand-picked Director of National Intelligence and blames the U.S. for poor relations with Russia. Any thoughts @HouseGOP? pic.twitter.com/0kDPY46xx7
— David E. Price (@RepDavidEPrice) July 16, 2018
Paul Ryan:
Paul Ryan’s statement. pic.twitter.com/j5doFcTZ1S
— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) July 16, 2018
And finally, Hillary Clinton:
Great World Cup. Question for President Trump as he meets Putin: Do you know which team you play for?
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 16, 2018