Spicer Claims Trump Was ‘Joking’ When He Asked Russia to Hack Clinton’s Emails – Video Proves Otherwise

This Is Not What Joking Looks Like

Sean Spicer insists then-candidate Donald Trump was just “joking” last year during the race for the White House when he stood before cameras at a press conference and publicly asked Russia to hack his Democratic opponent’s emails.

“He was joking at the time. We all know that,” the White House press secretary told reporters in Monday’s off-camera press briefing during which only audio recording for later use was allowed, as Talking Points Memo reports.

Spicer was responding to NBC News’ Kristen Welker, who asked Monday if the President was being hypocritical earlier that morning by claiming then-President Barack Obama had “colluded or obstructed” with Russia.

In July of 2016, Donald Trump said: “Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you can find the 33,000 emails that are missing. I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press.”

Candidate Trump later picked a fight with NBC News’ Katy Tur, telling her to “be quiet” when she had pressed him on the stunning invitation or request to attack Hillary Clinton. 

This video, of Trump last year in July angrily brushing off and arguing with Tur, proves Trump was not “joking,” as Spicer insisted:

“Does that not give you pause?” Tur asked Trump.

“Nope. Gives me no pause,” he responded. “If they have them, they have them. We might as well find them.”

“Be quiet,” Trump demanded. “I know you want to save her,” he said, presumably referring to Hillary Clinton.

“That a person in our government, Katy, would delete or get rid of 33,000 emails. That gives me a big problem,” Trump continued. “After she gets a subpoena. She gets subpoenaed, and she gets rid of 33,000 emails,” he claimed, “that gives me a problem.”

“And to be honest with you,” Trump admitted, “I’d love to see them.”

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