Trump: If Russia 'had anything on me, it would have come out a long time ago'


President Trump declared Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation a "cloud" that has now been lifted in his first interview since the probe's completion.
Trump told Sean Hannity in a Fox News interview on Wednesday night that the investigation was a "ridiculous thing that happened," adding that he's "getting to the bottom" of how it started and promising to release documents related to the probe, including the FISA warrants he previously said he would declassify.
This interview came after Attorney General William Barr told Congress that Mueller did not find evidence that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia, but that Mueller did not reach a conclusion on whether Trump obstructed justice. In light of Mueller's findings, Trump told Hannity that if Russia "had anything on me, it would have come out a long time ago, probably a long time before I ran."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
That, he argued, is because Russia would have been "better off" with Hillary Clinton as president. In fact, Trump argued, Russia was not even really in favor of him winning the 2016 election. Moscow was "for and against both" candidates, he said, and "would much rather have Hillary than Donald Trump." This contradicts the conclusion of federal investigators that Russia wanted Trump to win the 2016 election, notes Politico.
The president spent much of his interview attacking his enemies, such as House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who he said should be "forced out of office" because "it's a crime, what he did," referring to his suggestions that Trump colluded with Russia. "He knew he was lying," Trump claimed. He also again accused former FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page of treason and likened the whole Russia probe to an "attempted takeover of our government." Watch the full interview below. Brendan Morrow
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
The Miami Showband massacre, 50 years on
The Explainer Unanswered questions remain over Troubles terror attack that killed three members of one of Ireland's most popular music acts
-
Tea app hack: user data stolen from women's dating safety app
In The Spotlight Data leak has led to fears users could be targeted by men angered by the app's premise
-
The Assassin: action-packed caper is 'terrific fun'
The Week Recommends Keeley Hawes stars as a former hitwoman drawn out of retirement for 'one last job'
-
Judge halts GOP defunding of Planned Parenthood
Speed Read The Trump administration can't withhold Medicaid funds from Planned Parenthood, said the ruling
-
Trump contradicts Israel, says 'starvation' in Gaza
Speed Read The president suggests Israel could be doing more to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians
-
Trump executive order targets homeless
Speed Read It will now be easier for states and cities to remove homeless people from the streets
-
Columbia pays $200M to settle with White House
Speed Read The Trump administration accused the school of failing to protect its Jewish students amid pro-Palestinian protests
-
Florida judge and DOJ make Epstein trouble for Trump
Speed Read The Trump administration's request to release grand jury transcripts from the Epstein investigation was denied
-
Trump attacks Obama as Epstein furor mounts
Speed Read The Trump administration accused the Obama administration of 'treasonous' behavior during the 2016 election
-
Trump administration releases MLK files
Speed Read Newly released documents on the 1968 assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. did not hold any new revelations, King historians said
-
Japan's prime minister feels pressure after election losses
Speed Read Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to remain in office