He noted Putin’s high approval rating was at 82% and told moderator Matt Lauer he was a better leader than President Barack Obama. “Does that not give you cause for concern?” she said. “I think maybe the Democrats are putting that out”, Trump said.
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“On the other hand, let’s face it, over the last several years, President Putin has operated in ways that very much have been against our interests and I think we have to recognize that’s just a fact”.
Trump’s campaign responded to Clinton’s broadside with a statement saying that at the forum “she was unable to answer for her bad foreign policy judgment, mishandling of classified information and claims that the VA wait time scandal was overblown”.
The billionaire businessman, who has closed the gap on Hillary Clinton according to recent polls, praised Mr Putin for maintaining “great control over his country”.
When King asked about reports that US intelligence agencies are investigating whether Russian Federation is trying to disrupt the election, Trump said that he’s skeptical. At Wednesday’s forum, Trump said his friendly words to Putin were simply part of negotiation.
Clinton began the forum saying her long experience in government as a USA senator and secretary of state made her uniquely qualified to serve as president.
Meanwhile, Obama offered his own blunt criticism of Trump, saying the billionaire real estate tycoon proves he isn’t qualified to be president “every time he speaks”. “They have been reduced to a point that’s embarrassing for our country”, Trump said at NBC’s “Commander-in-Chief” forum in NY attended by military veterans. Asked how he would de-escalate tensions between the USA and Russian Federation if he’s elected to the White House, Trump said he’d “have a very good relationship with many foreign leaders”, including Putin.
“It has been a memorable and at times moving visit”, the president said.
Earlier, Mr Trump pledged to increase USA military spending – already much higher than any other nation – with an active army of about 540,000 troops, an air force of at least 1,200 fighter jets and a navy of 350 ships. It certainly appears that he is conducting state-sponsored cyber-attacks on what appears to be our political system. The issue has raised questions about whether she can be trusted to serve as president.
In addition, the former first lady said that on Friday she will meet with experts and top bipartisan security and defense officials to analyze strategy options for dealing with the IS.
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Correction: An earlier version of this article and the headline incorrectly quoted a remark President Obama made about Donald Trump.
