In what was either an attempt to raise a laugh, or more likely distract attention from his own woes, Donald Trump has suggested that Chuck Schumer should be investigated for his links to Russia.

He made the suggestion by posting an image of the Democratic senator eating a doughnut - or a donut according in American English - with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

“We should start an immediate investigation into @SenSchumer and his ties to Russia and Putin,” he said. “A total hypocrite.”

Mr Trump’s administration is under intense attention amid allegations of its links to Russian officials.

This week, Mr Trump’s Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, was forced to recuse himself from an overseeing an ongoing probe into those alleged links after it emerged he had twice met with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the 2016 election campaign.

Trump says he still has 'total' confidence in Jeff Sessions

He had previously said under sworn testimony to senators on Capitol Hill that he had not had any meetings with Russian officials.

Mr Schumer, the Democratic leader in the senate, was among those who said the recusal was insufficient.

He has called both for Mr Sessions to resign, and for the appointment of an independent prosecutor to lead a probe of alleged Russian interference in the election and links between Moscow and Mr Trump’s campaign. Mr Trump has repeatedly denied any such links.

The photograph tweeted on Friday - apparently from an iPhone used by Mr Trump’s senior aides rather than his own Android phone - was of Mr Schumer welcoming Mr Putin during a visit to New York in 2003.

Mr Schumer was quick to respond to Mr Trump’s jibe. “Happily talk re: my contact w Mr Putin & his associates, took place in ’03 in full view of press & public under oath. Would you &your team,” he wrote.