Trump 'doubts' US intelligence on Russian hacking scandal
Trump 'doubts' US intelligence on Russian hacking scandal
President in waiting Donald Trump has rejected claims by US intelligence that Russian hacking affected the results of the nation's election.
2 min read
Trump has repeatedly defended Russia [AFP]
President-elect Donald Trump again cast doubt Saturday on a US intelligence finding that Russia meddled in the US election through computer hacking.
"Well, I just want them to be sure, because it's a pretty serious charge, and I want them to be sure," Trump told reporters at his estate in Mar-a-Lago, Florida.
He noted that US intelligence had erred when it said Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction - the pretext for the US-led invasion in 2003 - calling this "a disaster, and they were wrong".
He said it was "unfair" of the United States to accuse Russia of hacking if there was any doubt.
"And I know a lot about hacking. And hacking is a very hard thing to prove. So it could be somebody else. And I also know things that other people don't know, and so they cannot be sure of the situation," Trump said.
Asked what he knew that others did not, Trump said, "You'll find out on Tuesday or Wednesday."
"Well, I just want them to be sure, because it's a pretty serious charge, and I want them to be sure," Trump told reporters at his estate in Mar-a-Lago, Florida.
He noted that US intelligence had erred when it said Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction - the pretext for the US-led invasion in 2003 - calling this "a disaster, and they were wrong".
He said it was "unfair" of the United States to accuse Russia of hacking if there was any doubt.
"And I know a lot about hacking. And hacking is a very hard thing to prove. So it could be somebody else. And I also know things that other people don't know, and so they cannot be sure of the situation," Trump said.
Asked what he knew that others did not, Trump said, "You'll find out on Tuesday or Wednesday."
Trump was also asked how important cybersecurity would be to his administration after he takes power on 20 January.
"It's very important. If you have something really important, write it out and have it delivered by courier, the old fashioned way because I'll tell you what, no computer is safe. I don't care what they say, no computer is safe."
The scandal has led to damaged relations between Washington and Moscow with the US adding more sanctions on Russia and expelling a number of Russian diplomats from the country.
Follow the Middle East's top stories in English at The New Arab on Google News
