Obama attacks Trump over ‘bromance’ with Vladimir Putin
Barack Obama has mocked Donald Trump’s “bromance” with Vladimir Putin.
Republican Presidential nominee has promised close relations with the Russian leader, recently insisting he would meet with Putin before even being sworn in, if elected next month.
Trump has praised Putin as a leader with “great control over his country” despite overseeing a corrupt and oppressive regime that introduced anti-LGBT laws.
After allegations earlier this year that the Russian government was trying to influence the US election, Trump responded with gay innuendo.
Despite bragging about their “great relationship” previously, he joked: “I don’t have a relationship with him. I didn’t meet him. I haven’t spent time with him… I didn’t have dinner with him. I didn’t go hiking with him.”
Today Barack Obama hit out at the pair’s “bromance”.
Addressing Republicans, the US President said: “If you’ve made a career of idolising Ronald Reagan, then where were you when your party’s nominee was kissing up to Vladimir Putin, the former KGB officer?
“You used to criticise me for even talking to the Russians, now all of a sudden you’re OK with your nominee having a bromance with Putin.”
Senior Democrats have recently flagged concerns about apparent Russian interference in the election process.
However, Trump was less concerned.
After a number of Russia-linked cyber attacks that were highly damaging to Hillary Clinton earlier this year, Trump openly invited Putin to “help find her missing emails”. Further hacks have indeed taken place.
Reports have also suggested that a shadowy pro-Putin internet comment troll army has been re-mobilised, backing Donald Trump.
