Trump told Putin not to meddle in the 2020 election. It looked like an inside joke.

Trump laughs at Russian election meddling

(Image credit: Screenshot/YouTube/CNN)

published 28 June 2019

Before departing for the Group of 20 summit in Osaka, Japan, reporters asked President Trump what he would discuss with Russian Preisdent Vlaidimir Putin in their one-on-one meeting, specifically if he would tell him not to interfere in the upcoming U.S. election, as he did to help Trump in 2016, according to Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report. "What I say to him is none of your business," Trump said.

Trump was a little more forthcoming when he sat next to Putin in Osaka on Friday. He said he and Putin have a "very, very good relationship," and "many positive things are going to come out of the relationship." The two leaders "have many things to discuss, including trade and some disarmament, some little protectionism, in a very positive way," he added. And when a reporter asked, again, if Trump would warn Putin not to meddle in the 2020 election, Trump laughed. "Yes, of course I will," he said, turning to Putin with a smile. "Don't meddle in the election, president. Don't meddle in the election."

Chris Cuomo taken aback by Trump appearing to share a joke with Putin about Russian election interference. "Look, fact is stranger than fiction these days," he said on CNN. Election security is "clearly not a subject that the president of the United States takes seriously," added CNN's Jim Sciutto. "So here he sits next to the Russian president and makes a joke about Russian interference in the election. I think it's a remarkable moment." You can watch a more in-depth discussion of that moment below. Peter Weber

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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.