Donald Trump defends Vladimir Putin from allegations that he killed journalists

Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump defended Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday, following Putin's praise of Trump on Thursday. This Week host George Stephanopoulos asked the billionaire what he thinks about the widespread allegations that Putin has had journalists who disagree with him killed.

"If he has killed reporters, I think that's terrible," Trump said. "But this isn't like somebody that's stood with a gun and he's, you know, taken the blame or he's admitted that he's killed. He's always denied it."

Trump had argued Friday on Morning Joe that Putin's alleged tactics aren't so different from what he sees happening in the U.S.

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"I think our country does plenty of killing also, Joe, so you know," Trump said. "There's a lot of stupidity going on in the world right now, a lot of killing, a lot of stupidity."

Trump's support for Putin has rankled Democrats and Republicans alike, including former Gov. Mitt Romney (R-Mass.). Julie Kliegman