Living in deniAl

Donald Trump and his top aides have consistently denied claims of collusion with Russia during the 2016 US presidential polls. Here are some of the “memorable” denials by Team Trump

DONALD TRUMP Jr, PRESIDENT’S ELDEST SON

July 24, 2016: Asked about a suggestion by the Hillary Clinton campaign that Russia is trying to help his father's election, Trump Jr calls it “disgusting, it's so phoney” March 2017: Trump Jr tells the New York Times: "Did I meet with people that were Russian? I'm sure, I'm sure I did... But none that were set up" July 8, 2017: After news of the meeting with a Kremlinlinked Russian lawyer emerges, Trump Jr says the talks were about a programme to adopt Russian children July 11, 2017: Trump Jr tweets the email correspondence arranging the meeting with the Russian lawyer

MIKE PENCE, VICE PRESIDENT

January 15, 2017: On CBS' Face the Nation, Pence denies any member of the Trump campaign had contacts with Russians, terming them "bizarre rumours that have swirled around the candidacy". July 11, 2017: Pence's spokesman says Trump Jr's meeting with the Russian lawyer happened before the vice president joined the ticket

KELLYANNE CONWAY SENIOR WHITE HOUSE AIDE

December 18, 2016: When asked if the Trump campaign had any contact with Russians, her answer is "absolutely not"