Former Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele said President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden on Trump's refusal to commit to peaceful transfer of power: 'What country are we in?' Romney: 'Unthinkable and unacceptable' to not commit to peaceful transition of power Two Louisville police officers shot amid Breonna Taylor grand jury protests MORE sounded like an “asset” standing next to his “handler” during a joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday.

When asked whether he would condemn the Russian government for election meddling, Trump said: “I don't see any reason why it would be” Russia who hacked Democrats during the 2016 election.

“That's how a press conference sounds when an Asset stands next to his Handler,” Steele said in a tweet weighing in on the president’s remarks.

"My people came to me...they said they think it's Russia. I have President Putin. He just said it's not Russia. I will say this, I don't see any reason why it would be."

--Trump



That's how a press conference sounds when an Asset stands next to his Handler. — Michael Steele (@MichaelSteele) July 16, 2018

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The former RNC chairman’s remarks came shortly after Trump in Helsinki downplayed the Russian government’s interference in the 2016 presidential election and slammed special counsel Robert Mueller Robert (Bob) MuellerCNN's Toobin warns McCabe is in 'perilous condition' with emboldened Trump CNN anchor rips Trump over Stone while evoking Clinton-Lynch tarmac meeting The Hill's 12:30 Report: New Hampshire fallout MORE's investigation.

“The probe is a disaster for our country. I think it’s kept us separated. There was no collusion at all. Everybody knows it,” Trump said just days after Mueller indicted 12 Russian intelligence officers for allegedly hacking Democratic servers during the 2016 campaign.

“It was a clean campaign,” Trump continued, describing the margin of his electoral victory. “I beat Hillary Clinton easily… We won that race and it’s a shame that there can be even a little bit of a cloud over it.”