Donald Trump backs Vladimir Putin, not US intelligence, on election meddling at Helsinki summit
ABCStanding side-by-side with Vladimir Putin, United States President Donald Trump has refused to blame the Russian leader for meddling in the 2016 elections, casting doubt on the findings of his own intelligence agencies and sparking a storm of criticism at home. Key points: Donald Trump's performance denounced as "treasonous" and a "tragic mistake" Vladimir Putin says allegations of election interference "complete nonsense" US President says Putin is a "competitor" rather than adversary On a day when he faced pressure from critics, allied countries and even his own staff to take a tough line, Mr Trump said not a single critical word about Moscow on any of the issues that have brought relations between the two powers to the lowest ebb since the Cold War. James Comey, the FBI director fired by Mr Trump, tweeted: "This was the day an American president stood on foreign soil next to a murderous lying thug and refused to back his own country." "Missed opportunity by President Trump to firmly hold Russia accountable for 2016 meddling and deliver a strong warning regarding future elections," Senator Graham said on Twitter. US made to look like a 'pushover' The Republican head of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Bob Corker, said Mr Trump's comments at the joint media conference made the United States look like a "pushover".