At a news conference this morning, Donald Trump offhandedly quipped that he wished Russia would “find the 30,000 emails that are missing” from Hillary Clinton’s server. The media took his comments *very* seriously.
Donald Trump calls on Russia to find missing emails https://t.co/pmKOWddaVe pic.twitter.com/9ubu8h77e3
— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 27, 2016
Liberal news outlets like the New York Times and the Washington Post started beating their war drums, accusing Trump of asking a foreign power to spy on an American presidential candidate.
Donald Trump’s comments essentially sanction a foreign power's cyberspying https://t.co/UUuaBt4FVB
— The New York Times (@nytimes) July 27, 2016
Donald Trump just encouraged Russia to spy on Hillary Clinton https://t.co/EbX12D7IMX
— Post Politics (@postpolitics) July 27, 2016
Even some conservative outlets got overly concerned.
“Are you there, Putin? It’s me, Donald.” https://t.co/AwgJbaKF6g
— Brandon Morse (@TheBrandonMorse) July 27, 2016
Although Trump was likely being facetious, poking more fun at the media’s obsession with his alleged ties to Russia, Trump’s somewhat un-funny running mate, Indiana governor Mike Pence, soberly walked back Trump’s statements. He ensured voters that both parties believe hackers should face “serious consequences.”
Inbox: Statement from Mike Pence (that distances himself somewhat from Trump on DNC hack) pic.twitter.com/yXjowVxJL6
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) July 27, 2016
The statement comes on the heels of Trump’s lengthy social media response to allegations that he has close business ties with the Russian government. Trump has spent much of the last day using his Twitter account to dispute claims that he has Russian investments and a working relationship with President Vladimir Putin.
