Donald Trump pushes back against New York Times story involving Russia payment

President Trump on Wednesday pushed back against a story that he said falsely mischaracterized a speech he gave during the presidential campaign.

“The Failing New York Times wrote another phony story. It was political pundit Doug Schoen, not a Ukrainian businessman, who asked me to do a short speech by phone (Skype), hosted by Doug, in Ukraine. I was very positive about Ukraine-another negative to the Fake Russia C story!” Mr. Trump tweeted.

The story describes a $150,000 payment made from the Ukrainian group to then-candidate Donald Trump. Mr. Trump did not know of the negotiated payment, according to the report, but longtime attorney Michael Cohen negotiated the deal with Democratic strategist Doug Schoen, who had approached Mr. Trump about the opportunity to speak.

The payment has become of interest to special counsel Robert Mueller as he continues his investigation into claims of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. Mr. Cohen could also face a criminal investigation after Mr. Mueller made a referral to investigate him to federal prosecutors in New York.

The president also said part of the problem with the Russia investigation was Mr. Mueller and deputy attorney general Rod Rosenstein, who signed the letter for the surveillance warrant on former Trump aide Carter Page.

“Much of the bad blood with Russia is caused by the Fake & Corrupt Russia Investigation, headed up by the all Democrat loyalists, or people that worked for Obama. Mueller is most conflicted of all (except Rosenstein who signed FISA & Comey letter). No Collusion, so they go crazy!” Mr. Trump tweeted.

The Failing New York Times wrote another phony story. It was political pundit Doug Schoen, not a Ukrainian businessman, who asked me to do a short speech by phone (Skype), hosted by Doug, in Ukraine. I was very positive about Ukraine-another negative to the Fake Russia C story!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2018

Much of the bad blood with Russia is caused by the Fake & Corrupt Russia Investigation, headed up by the all Democrat loyalists, or people that worked for Obama. Mueller is most conflicted of all (except Rosenstein who signed FISA & Comey letter). No Collusion, so they go crazy!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 11, 2018