Trump: ‘Do You Really Think I’d Call Russia to Help Me with an Election? Give Me a Break,’ ‘It’s So Ridiculous’

RUSH TRANSCRIPT:
STAHL: "Do you believe that the Russians interfered in the 2016 campaign election? Our election--"
TRUMP: "They-- they meddled. But I think China meddled, too."
STAHL: "But why do you--"
TRUMP: "And I think other countries--"
STAHL: "--Say China meddled, too?"
TRUMP: "And you want to know something?"
STAHL: "Why do you say chi-- why don't you just say the Russians meddled?"
TRUMP: "Well, let me ask you-- because I think China meddled also. And I think, frankly, China--"
STAHL: "This is amazing."
TRUMP: "--Is a bigger problem."
STAHL: "You are diverting the whole Russian thing."
TRUMP: "I'm not doing anything."
STAHL: "You are, you are--"
TRUMP: "I'm saying Russia, but I'm also saying China."
STAHL: "But it's the investigation of Russia's intervention in the 2016 election that hangs over his presidency, and caused a rift with his attorney general Jeff Sessions, because he recused himself from the inquiry. What about the attorney general, Jeff Sessions?"
TRUMP: "Well, we'll see what happens come midterms. But--"
STAHL: "But everybody thinks, given the things you've said--"
TRUMP: "I was disappointed that he recused himself, and many people think I was right on that. I was very disappointed. Why should he have recused himself? So I was very disappointed, but we'll see what happens."
STAHL: "So-- so can I assume-- can I assume he's gone?"
TRUMP: "No, no. You can't assume that."
STAHL: "Will you-- will you pledge-- pledge that you will not shut down the Mueller investigation?"
TRUMP: "Well, I-- I don't pledge anything. But I will tell you, I have no intention of doing that. I think it's a very unfair investigation, because there was no collusion of any kind."
STAHL: "But you won't pledge--"
TRUMP: "There is no collusion. I don't want to pledge. Why should I pledge to you? If I pledge, I'll pledge. I don't have to pledge to you. But I have--"
STAHL: "Well--"
TRUMP: "I have no intention of doing that."
STAHL: "To date, 32 people have been charged or pled guilty in special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation. President Trump's campaign chairman, top campaign aide, former national security advisor, and longtime personal attorney are all cooperating in the inquiry the president calls a "Witch hunt."
TRUMP: "Do you really think I'd call Russia to help me with an election? Give me a break. They wouldn't be able to help me at all. Call Russia. It's so ridiculous."