Trump-Putin Helsinki Summit and Controversial Press Conference

President Trump met with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki for a private 2-hour meeting with only interpreters present. At the subsequent press conference, Trump stunned observers by siding with Putin over U.S. intelligence agencies regarding Russian election interference, stating "I don't see any reason why it would be" Russia. The remarks sparked bipartisan outrage, with Senator John McCain calling it "one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory." Trump later claimed he misspoke, saying he meant to say "wouldn't."