Trump called the Russia investigation a 'Democrat hoax,' and Fox News' Shep Smith answered: 'It is not'

(Image credit: Screenshot/Twitter/Fox News)

Fox News correspondent John Roberts asked President Trump at a news conference Wednesday afternoon if he would agree to be intervened by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, and in a response that roped in Hillary Clinton and the FBI, Trump called the entire Russia investigation "a Democrat hoax," insisted that "virtually everybody" agrees there was no collusion between his campaign and Russia, and because he said there was no collusion, "it seems unlikely that you'd even have an interview."

Directly after the press conference, Fox News anchor Shepard Smith decided to tackle that claim head-on. "The president again calling the Russia investigation 'a Democratic hoax.' It is not," Smith said. "Fox News has been reporting and will continue to report that two people have pleaded guilty" of "lying to the FBI about matters Russia," and "the investigation continues, reportedly, into Trump team ties to Russians and potential money laundering and all the rest."

In any case, regardless of what Trump says or believes, Mueller doesn't seem to be treating the idea that Trump's campaign actively sought a helping hand from Russia as a hoax, partisan or otherwise.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.