Mr Trump, in his first question from an American reporter, was pressed to explain why earlier in the day he had tweeted out that US was to blame for the current tense state of US-Russia relations.In his answer, he stood by his earlier comments and said he held "both countries responsible".

Political consultant (and Jeb Bush advisor) Mike Murphy called it a "dark day", after tweeting a string of invective. Former 2008 Republican presidential candidate John McCain said it was "one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory".BBC

Sen. John McCain delivered the strongest broadside, describing it as “one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory.”
House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) said in a statement that “there is no question” that Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election and continues to work against democracy in the U.S. and around the globe.“The president must appreciate that Russia is not our ally,” said Ryan, who is retiring at the end of his term. “There is no moral equivalence between the United States and Russia, which remains hostile to our most basic values and ideals. The United States must be focused on holding Russia accountable and putting an end to its vile attacks on democracy.”