Trump’s Russia hit

Delayed denial adds to pressure on embattled US President

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Monday denied he ever worked for Russia against US interests, addressing an extraordinary question that has haunted his presidency and shows no sign of going away.

Speaking from the White House, Trump issued a flat denial: “I never worked for Russia.” He blasted former FBI and Justice Department officials and repeated his claim that the investigation into his ties to Moscow is a hoax.

Trump raised eyebrows over the weekend when he didn’t directly answer the Russia question in an interview with Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, a personal friend.

He was asked about a New York Times report that law enforcement officials began investigating, in 2017, whether Trump had been working on behalf of Russia against US interests.

Trump said the question was “insulting” but did not directly deny it. Monday’s clear denial demonstrated the unprecedented pressure Trump faces as the special counsel’s Russia investigation shows possible signs of wrapping up.

After two years in office, the president is still being questioned about whether he was compromised by Russian intelligence agencies and he is still struggling to answer clearly.

White House aides expressed regret over the weekend that the president did not more clearly and forcefully deny being a Russian agent on Saturday when asked by the usually friendly Fox News host, according to three White House aides and Republicans close to the White House. The three spoke on condition of anonymity.

When Pirro asked if he had ever worked for Russia, Trump said it was “the most insulting thing I’ve ever been asked”.

“If you read the article you’ll see that they found absolutely nothing,” he said.

Trump went on to add that no president had taken a harder stance against Russia than he has.