Live Blogging Trump Press Conference – Part 1

As we begin Donald Trump’s first press conference in over five months and since he was elected President, it should be noted that a new Quinnipiac poll shows his approval rating at 37%, an abysmally low number during any President’s term, much less for an incoming President enjoying a traditional, but now almost non-existent, honeymoon period.

Sean Spicer starts with blistering attack on Buzzfeed and CNN, saying the release of the documents was an”outrageous and irresponsible from a left-wing media outfit”, “a sad and pathetic attempt to get clicks”, and “a political witch hunt by some in the media”.

Interesting that a press conference has a cheering section.

Pence speaks first, praising Trump and the pace of the transition. He continues the attack on the media, saying it is a “concerted effort by some in the media to delegitimize this election” and attackes media bias.

Trump speaks!! Trump starts off by thanking the news organizations for not running the Buzzfeed story and then suggests that the intelligence community might have released these documents.

Methinks he doth protest too much!

Talks about businesses bringing jobs back to the US, mentioning Fiat Chrysler, Ford. Wants to bring drug industry back. Wants to be able to bid on drugs, attacking big Pharma. Mentions the F-35 plane debacle. “I will be the greatest jobs producer that God ever created”. Now segues into the beautiful inauguration with great bands and massive crowds, because he has created a movement. Announces David Shulkin as head of the Veterans Administration. Repeats the myth that veterans can’t get appointments until their cancer has become terminal. Says veterans have to wait sometime 14 or 17 days to get an appointment. Has he ever tried to get a doctor’s appointment himself?? Talks about privatizing the VA.

Question: First question on the Russian allegations, was he briefed and does he believe Russia influenced the meeting.

Trump: The meeting is confidential and says he did receive the documents outside the briefing. Admits that Russia did hacking but other countries hack as well. “We have much hacking going on”. Takes a shot at the DNC for lacking proper hacking defense.

Question) How will this effect relationship with Russia?

Trump: Trump would have fired Podesta for what he said about Hillary. But we learned from hacking, for instance that Hillary got questions for the debate.

Question) does he accept Putin helped Trump.

Trump: If Putin like Trump, that is an asset. He will be tougher on Putin than Hillary.

Question) does he regret any actions he made in Moscow?

Trump) Says you better be careful when you go to Russia because they have cameras in the hotel rooms. Says does anyone really believe this story and the he is a germaphone.

Question) Was the hacking is justified and will he release tax returns.

Trump) Says he has no dealings, no loans, no nothing in Russia. Says he turned down a $2 billion deal in Dubai and he turned it down. Reiterates that a President has no conflict of interest problem. Says he could do it but he will choose not to do it. Questioner follows up asking if he will release his tax returns. He refuses to release tax returns because he is under audit and announces that he his turning over the Trump Organization to his sons and he will have nothing to do with the business and that his sons will not discuss the business with Trump himself. Says he doesn’t have to do this because the conflict of interest laws do not require him to d this but he is doing this voluntarily. Then he turns the podium over to the lawyer who crafted the arrangement for Trump to distance himself from the Trump Organization.