Conway: Trump camp comfortable using info stolen by Russian agents

Donald Trump’s campaign is comfortable leveraging stolen information from Russians against Hillary Clinton, his campaign manager said Thursday.

“I am,” Kellyanne Conway told Nicolle Wallace during an interview on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” when asked whether she is “completely comfortable” with the campaign using information stolen by Russian agents.


“And Donald Trump, he addressed that last night. I thought that Secretary Clinton, in some of her answers on that topic, was almost presuming that Donald Trump had access to this information or knew for sure what the source of the hacking is,” she continued. “And I really take personal offense every time I hear somebody on Team Clinton — a bunch of great professionals over there whom I respect — or Secretary Clinton herself saying the, quote, Trump campaign knows this or somehow is colluding with Russia. I’m the campaign manager, and that is simply not true.”

Trump has repeatedly seized on the WikiLeaks hack of Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta’s personal email account, encouraging his supporters at rallies to explore the trove of documents and blasting out headlines from stories that have emerged from the hacks to his 24 million followers on Facebook and Twitter.

In one of the more explosive and bizarre exchanges during Wednesday’s presidential debate, Clinton challenged Trump to “admit and condemn that the Russians are doing this” and disavow any assistance from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Putin, from everything I see, has no respect for this person," Trump replied.

"Well, that's because he would rather have a puppet as president of the United States," the Democratic nominee interjected.

"No puppet. You're the puppet," Trump protested.

"It is pretty clear you won't admit that the Russians have engaged in cyberattacks against the United States of America," Clinton charged. "That you encouraged espionage against our people."

"She has no idea whether it is Russia, China or anybody else," Trump shot back, though U.S. officials have said on the record that they are "confident" Russia is behind the recent hacks of emails from U.S. political figures and institutions. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that their suspicion extends to the Podesta hack as well.

Moderator Chris Wallace then asked Trump, "Even if you don't know for sure whether they are, do you condemn any interference by Russia in the American election?"

"By Russia or anybody else," Trump responded. "Of course I condemn, of course I condemn."

He then added: "I never met Putin. This is not my best friend," and went on to argue that the Russian leader had "outsmarted" Clinton and President Barack Obama "every single step of the way."

Earlier Wednesday, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio urged Republicans not to give credence to hacks from foreign agents, warning that while Democrats are the victims today, it could be Republicans tomorrow.

“I understand what Senator Rubio is saying, and I think he makes great points that we certainly abide,” Conway said. “I just would take issue with the 2020 field, because I think Donald Trump will be running for reelection then.”