Trump believes China also meddled in 2016 US presidential elections
US President Donald Trump has alleged China, in addition to Russia, meddled in the 2016 US presidential elections. Last month, chairing a UN Security Council meeting, Trump had alleged that China was trying to interfere in the 2018 mid-term polls and that it didn't want him to be the President. However, for the first time, Trump said China meddled in 2016 elections too.
"They (Russians) meddled. But I think China meddled too," Trump told CBS News's popular '60 Minutes' in an interview. "I think China meddled also. And I think, frankly, China... is a bigger problem," Trump said and denied that by saying so he is not trying to divert the entire Russia thing. China denied the allegations after his statement in the UNSC meeting.
But it is the investigation of Russia's intervention by Former FBI Director Robert Mueller in the 2016 election that hangs over Trump's presidency and caused a rift with his Attorney General Jeff Sessions, because he rescued himself from the inquiry. Trump expressed disappointment over it. "I was disappointed that he rescued himself and many people think I was right on that," he said.
Trump said he has no intention of shutting down the Russian investigation. "I think it's a very unfair investigation because there was no collusion of any kind," he said. To date, 32 people have been charged or pleaded guilty in Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. President Trump's campaign chairman, former national security adviser, and longtime personal attorney are all cooperating in the inquiry.
Trump questioned the very proposition that he called Russia to help him in the elections. "Do you really think I'd call Russia to help me with an election? Give me a break. They wouldn't be able to help me at all," he said.
