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Speaking to reporters at an impromptu press conference at a New Year’s Eve party at his Mar-a-Lago estate, the President-elect announced that it could have been “somebody else” other than Russia. Talking about the US intelligence services, the Republican tycoon added: "I just want them to be sure, because it's a pretty serious charge, and I want them to be sure.

GETTY Donald Trump told reporters he knows things about the hacking others do not

GETTY Donald and Melania Trump appeared before reporters at his Mar-a-Lago estate

I think it's unfair if they don't know. And I know a lot about hacking. And hacking is a very hard thing to prove Donald Trump

"And if you look at the weapons of mass destruction, that was a disaster, and they were wrong. And so I want them to be sure. “I think it's unfair if they don't know. And I know a lot about hacking. And hacking is a very hard thing to prove." Around 800 people attended the President-elect’s party at his Palm Beach estate, and with wife Melania by his side, he again refused to acknowledge Russia may have played a part in hacking the Democratic National Convention to help give him the upper-hand in the election.

Kanye West meets president-elect Donald Trump Thu, December 15, 2016 Kanye West met up with president-elect Donald Trump and broke his social media silence as he hinted at his own presidential bid in 2024. Play slideshow Getty 1 of 11 Kanye West and Donald Trump met up at the Trump Tower

Barack Obama expelled 35 Russian diplomats from the US as part of sanctions against the Kremlin for their perceived roll in influencing the outcome of the US election. Putin was widely expected to retaliate to US sanctions but has instead said he will wait until the inauguration of Donald Trump before taking any further measure. On December 30, Trump tweeted: “Great move on delay (by V. Putin) - I always knew he was very smart!”

GETTY Obama has expelled 35 Russian diplomats from the US