Trump Rejects CIA Report That Concludes Russian Hacking Intel Helped Him Win The White House
Donald Trump and his transition team have dismissed the “consensus” of the CIA assessment which claimed Russian hackers have interfered with the U.S. Presidential election.
According to the Washington Post, the CIA has come to the agreement that Russia has intervened in the 2016 election to help Trump win. Trump’s transition team responded promptly and pointed out that Central Intelligence are “the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.”
President Barack Obama ordered U.S. intelligence agencies to deliver all evidence from the Russian government allegedly used in cyber-attacks and other means to interfere with the election, a senior administration official told NBC News. Trump has consistently disputed reports that Russian intelligence worked to help his presidential campaign.
“These are the same people that said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. The election ended a long time ago in one of the biggest Electoral College victories in history. It’s now time to move on and ‘Make America Great Again.'”
CIA 'believes Russia intervened to help Donald Trump win Presidential Election and now has the pro: https://t.co/x6gDHrAbDd via
— DailMail Official (@DailyMailOffic) December 10, 2016
A senior U.S. official briefed on the CIA presentation made to U.S. senators and gave the Washington Post more details into the assessment.
“It is the assessment of the intelligence community that Russia’s goal here was to favor one candidate over the other, to help Trump get elected… That’s the consensus view.”
Trump made it clear that he doesn’t believe the Russian government interfered in the election. Donald was most recently on the cover of Time magazine and named “person of the year” in their current issue. President-elect Donald Trump previously told Time that he believes the U.S. government’s assessment is false.
“I don’t believe they interfered… That became a laughing point — not a talking point, a laughing point. Any time I do something, they say, ‘Oh, Russia interfered.’
“It could be Russia. And it could be China. And it could be some guy in his home in New Jersey.”
When Trump was asked if he thought the CIA’s “consensus” was politically driven, Trump responded, “I think so.”
Retired General Michael Hayden was critical of Trump’s refusal to accept the consensus of the intelligence community. Hayden served as CIA director during the Bush administration, according to USA Today.
“To have the president-elect of the United States simply reject the fact-based narrative that the intelligence community puts together because it conflicts with his a priori assumptions. Wow… The data matters.”
Trump Says CNN’s Report On His Involvement With ‘The Apprentice’ Post-Election Win Is ‘Fake News’
Donald Trump made a statement about the fake news controversy that was recently addressed by Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Trump made a statement on Twitter in response to claims he would be working on his hit television show, The Apprentice, during his term as President of the United States.
Reports by @CNN that I will be working on The Apprentice during my Presidency, even part time, are ridiculous & untrue – FAKE NEWS!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2016
Trump adamantly stated that he would spend “zero time” working on the television show.
I have NOTHING to do with The Apprentice except for fact that I conceived it with Mark B & have a big stake in it. Will devote ZERO TIME!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2016
Hillary Clinton And Barack Obama Address ‘Fake News’ On Social Media After Trump’s White House Win
In a rare public appearance since her shocking loss from Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton warned the public about the risks of fake and misleading news on social media, according to the Huffington Post. Clinton said leaders in both the public and private sector should act promptly to “protect our democracy” and “innocent lives.” The former Secretary of State relayed the message during a portrait unveiling for retiring Nevada Senator Harry Reid, at the Capitol on Thursday.
Hillary Clinton decries fake news in first speech since election loss https://t.co/Ruiorp07QZ pic.twitter.com/uB7puv2y7G
— FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) December 9, 2016
“The epidemic of fake news and false propaganda that flooded social media over the last year ? it’s now clear that so-called fake news can have real-world consequences.
“This isn’t about politics or partisanship… Lives are at risk, lives of ordinary people just trying to go about their days to do their jobs, contribute to their communities. It’s a danger that must be addressed and addressed quickly.”
Clinton was a hot topic of alternative news websites throughout this year’s presidential campaign. A Buzzfeed analysis found that “fake election news” stories outperformed verified election news stories on Facebook. It has been reported that false stories of Clinton and her team were presented as verified news.
Below are Clinton’s full remarks on the fake news issue, according to the Washington Post.
“Let me just mention briefly one threat in particular that should concern all Americans, Democrats, Republicans and independents alike, especially those who serve in our Congress: the epidemic of malicious fake news and false propaganda that flooded social media over the past year. It’s now clear that so-called fake news can have real-world consequences. This isn’t about politics or partisanship. Lives are at risk, lives of ordinary people just trying to go about their days, to do their jobs, contribute to their communities.”
“It’s a danger that must be addressed and addressed quickly. Bipartisan legislation is making its way through Congress to boost the government’s response to foreign propaganda, and Silicon Valley is starting to grapple with the challenge and threat of fake news. It’s imperative that leaders in both the private sector and the public sector step up to protect our democracy and innocent lives.”
Russia has denied being behind the malicious cyber-attacks. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has denied the possibility of his organization has being used by the Russian government, according to NBC News.
President Obama hopes the full review of attempts by foreign hackers to influence the U.S. elections can be completed before he leaves office on January 20, 2017.
[Featured Image by Alex Wong/Getty Images]
