WATCH: Newt Gingrich Just Explained How Trump Could Work With the Russians Right Out in the Open, Just Like He Did

Is It Collusion If Done Out in the Open?

Former Trump advisor Newt Gingrich has defended President Donald Trump on practically every issue, and on Fox News’ “Hannity” Thursday night the disgraced former Speaker of the House did what he does best: spin. 

For example, in 1998, as Speaker, Gingrich led the impeachment proceedings against President Bill Clinton. Among the charges, for which Gingrich voted, was obstruction. Despite having voted that Clinton obstructed justice (he was not convicted) Gingrich one week ago insisted that technically, “the president of the United States cannot obstruct justice.”

(Gingrich, years later, also admitted to having an affair while prosecuting the impeachment of Bill Clinton.)

Last night, Gingrich, whose wife Callista was just nominated to become Trump’s ambassador to the Vatican, tried to cover for the president once again.

But did it backfire?

Sean Hannity asked Gingrich a hypothetical: If he were working for the Trump campaign and asked the Russians to expose damaging information they had on Hillary Clinton, would that be a crime.

“It’s not a crime,” Gingrich said (that’s up for debate), “but you wouldn’t have said it directly to the Russians.”

“All you have to do is say it on television,” the former Speaker continued. “I mean, just say on television, if they have anything, feel free to let it go,” meaning, feel free to release it to the public.

“You have to assume the Russian Ambassador’s people watch TV,” he concluded.

Does that ring a bell?

“Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing,” Trump announced at a July 27, 2016 nationally televised press event. “I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press.”

So the question becomes, is that collusion?

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