While answering a question from MSNBC's Katy Tur about why he is confident that President Trump will stand up to Russia, Rep. Francis Rooney (R-FL) referred to President Obama "leaning over to Putin and saying he'd have more flexibility to give you what you want after the re-election."



"I'm sorry, I don't know what you're referring to," the host said.



Rep. Rooney explained: "Remeber when he leaned over at a panel discussion or a meeting, and he said 'I'll have more flexibility' after the election. No one really ever pushed the president on what he meant like that, but I can only imagine for a thug like Putin, that it would embolden him."



The host repeated the guest's name and ended the segment.



At a nuclear disarmament summit in Seoul in March 2012, President Obama was caught on a hot mic talking to Russian President (at the time) Dimitri Medvedev. "This is my last election," Obama said. "After my election I have more flexibility."



"I understand," Medvedev is recorded replying. "I will transmit this information to Vladimir."



Via RT:







Published on Mar 27, 2012

On Monday while President Obama was taking part in a global nuclear security summit in South Korea, he was caught on tape asking for Russian President Dmitry Medvedev for "space." "This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility," Obama implored. Obama assured the departing Russian President he will have the "flexibility" required to deal with missile defense issues after the 2012 presidential election.