President-elect Donald Trump has for the first time since Russia was accused of hacking ahead of the US presidential elections of last year, admitted
President-elect Donald Trump has for the first time since Russia was accused of hacking ahead of the US presidential elections of last year, admitted that Russia was responsible for hacking but has however rejected allegations that Moscow mounted a campaign to compromise him. In his first news conference since winning the election, a combative Trump finally conceded he believes Russian President, Vladimir Putin’s intelligence agencies were behind hacks on Democratic computers ahead of the but denied that he had links with Russia over the hacking to sway the election in his favour.
“I think it was Russia,” Trump said.
When asked what he would say to the Russian President about the hacking, he responded,
“Putin should not be doing it. He won’t be doing it. Russia will have much greater respect for our country when I am leading it than when other people have led it.”
He added that Russia is not the only nation that hacks US targets and accused Democrats of not having sufficient cyber-security programs.
“As far as hacking, I think it was Russia. But I think we also get hacked by other countries and other people”, he said.
He promised to protect the U.S. cyber space when he assumes presidency on Jan. 20.
“We’re going to put those minds together, and we’re going to form a defense. And I have to say this also, the Democratic National Committee was totally open to be hacked.
“They did a very poor job. They could have had hacking defense, which we had. They tried to hack the Republican National Committee, and they were unable to break through. We have to do that for our country. It’s very important.”
Trump described Putin’s likeness for him over Democratic Hillary Clinton as an asset.
“Well, if Putin likes Donald Trump, I consider that an asset, not a liability because we have a horrible relationship with Russia.
“Russia can help us fight ISIS, which by the way is number one tricky. I mean, if you look, this administration created ISIS by leaving at the wrong time. The void was created, ISIS was formed.
“If Putin likes Donald Trump, guess what folks? That’s called an asset not a liability. Now I don’t know that I am going to get along with Vladimir Putin,” he said. In addition, he attacked the publishing of an alleged Russian report stating that it was something Nazi Germany would have done. Referring to the allegations in the 35 page dossier, part of which alleges that he paid hookers to defile the bed the Obamas slept in just because he reviles them, Trump called the report fake news and an attempt at political witch hunt.
“Does anyone really believe that story. I think it was disgraceful that the intelligence agencies allowed any information that turned out to be so false and fake out there.
“In those rooms, you have cameras in the strangest places. I am not only wary of cameras, I’m a pretty high profile person. Second, I am very much of a germophobe,” he said.
Source: CNN.com
