Former special counsel Robert Mueller has confirmed US President Donald Trump’s claim of “total exoneration” is false and reiterated that it’s not what his Russia report said.

Republicans rushed to frame Robert Mueller’s testimony to the US Congress as an “epic embarrassment,” but others argued the hearing was a win for the Democrats.

The former FBI director and special prosecutor, 74, who led the two-year investigation into 2016 election meddling, appeared uncharismatic and curt, giving frustratingly short answers during the five hours of questioning from the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

David Axelrod, a former strategist for president Barack Obama, described the hearings as “very, very painful to watch” and said Mr Mueller “clearly was struggling”.

Filmmaker Michael Moore panned the proceedings, describing Mr Mueller as “a frail old man, unable to remember things, stumbling, refusing to answer basic questions”.

A frail old man, unable to remember things, stumbling, refusing to answer basic questions...I said it in 2017 and Mueller confirmed it today — All you pundits and moderates and lame Dems who told the public to put their faith in the esteemed Robert Mueller — just STFU from now on — Michael Moore (@MMFlint) July 24, 2019

Trump must be gloating in ecstasy. Not because of the failure that is Robert Mueller — his Report is still a damning document of crimes by Trump—but because Trump understands the power of the visual, and he understands that the Dems aren’t street fighters and that’s why he’ll win — Michael Moore (@MMFlint) July 24, 2019

“Trump must be gloating in ecstasy,” Moore continued.

“Not because of the failure that is Robert Mueller — his Report is still a damning document of crimes by Trump — but because Trump understands the power of the visual, and he understands that the Dems aren’t street fighters and that’s why he’ll win.”

Meet The Press moderator Chuck Todd claimed the hearing was a “disaster” for Democrats.

“On substance, the Democrats got what they wanted,” he said during a panel discussion anchored by NBC’s Lester Holt after the testimony.

“But as they (Democrats) were using him for clarity, he’d somehow fog it up in how he’d do certain things. So look, on optics, this was a disaster.”

This is very, very painful. — David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) July 24, 2019

an exhausted professor mueller discovers nobody did the assigned reading pic.twitter.com/8t7J9rcaNR — David Mack (@davidmackau) July 24, 2019

Others defended Mr Mueller’s apparent lack of enthusiasm, arguing he appeared intelligent, measured and dignified.

Actress Mia Farrow praised Mr Mueller, saying he “embodies a couple of things GOP (politicians) have forgotten: decency, integrity, honesty”.

Mueller embodies a couple of things GOP lawmakers have forgotten- decency, integrity, honesty pic.twitter.com/uc7YbvVhNw — Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) July 24, 2019

Maria Shriver hit back at claims Mr Mueller seemed slow and senile, countering “we are simply witnessing a man with deep integrity who is cautious with his words”.

Could it be we are simply witnessing a man with deep integrity who is cautious with his words and that we are comparing his style to the way people scream and yell today? Could this be two different styles, two different generations? #MuellerHearing https://t.co/PDavuVLyfx — Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) July 24, 2019

MSNBC presenter Joy Reid said Mr Mueller “did not have to be Robert De Niro”, referring to the Hollywood actor’s portrayal of him on Saturday Night Live.

“He just needed to make clear that the only reason Trump was not indicted is because he is president,” Reid said. “He did that.”

Robert Mueller did not have to actually be Robert Deniro. He just needed to make clear that the only reason Trump was not indicted is because he is president. He did that. Be blessed. — Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) July 24, 2019

Novelist Stephen King argued some Republicans were disrespectful in their questioning.

“The Republican excoriation of Robert Mueller, who has been over backward to be fair-minded and thorough, is one large reason why so many fundamentally decent men and women now eschew public service,” King said.

The Republican excoriation of Robert Mueller, who has been over backward to be fair-minded and thorough, is one large reason why so many fundamentally decent men and women now eschew public service. — Stephen King (@StephenKing) July 24, 2019

Anyone criticizing Mueller for his hesitation to answer certain questions doesn't know what it's like to try to keep thousands of details straight in your mind and answer questions accurately on the fly when the consequences of an inaccurate answer are significant. — Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) July 24, 2019

Even if some who had hoped Mr Mueller would shed more light on his report were disappointed by his performance, he still made several significant statements.

Avengers star Chris Evans was stunned by the moment Republican Ken Buck asked Mr Mueller: “Could you charge the President with a crime after he left office?” and Mr Mueller replied: “Yes.”

Meanwhile Alyssa Milano highlighted the moment when Mr Mueller was asked: “The reason you did not indict Donald Trump was because of OLC opinion stating that you could not indict a sitting president, is that correct?” and he replied: “Yes.”

Actor John Cusack argued Mr Mueller made it plain to see President Trump had obstructed justice, tweeting: “Obstruction all day long.”

Lieu: “The reason you did not indict Donald Trump was because of OLC opinion stating that you could not indict a sitting president, is that correct?”



Mueller: “Yes” — Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) July 24, 2019

Yup obstruction all day long - RT @joshtpm: This. Basically the whole thing. https://t.co/UMs3vmC872 — John Cusack (@johncusack) July 24, 2019

Bette Midler and John Cryer were equally convinced.

Try to keep this foremost in your mind for the next year and a half. https://t.co/c7jfZIhBbT — Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) July 24, 2019

Chelsea Handler, meanwhile, was anxious throughout the five-hour testimony.

This is how I feel watching the Mueller testimony. pic.twitter.com/5ksK9ZN4ji — Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) July 24, 2019

The White House was predictably damning of the testimony. Mr Trump and his allies did not wait for Mr Mueller to finish testifying before framing the moment as a victory for the White House, mocking the former special counsel’s findings and performance.

The President tweeted several times during the first half of Mr Mueller’s testimony, largely quoting Fox News coverage of the hearing before adding his own take when the special counsel was set to appear before the House Intelligence Committee helmed by Adam Schiff, a California Democrat.

“I would like to thank the Democrats for holding this morning’s hearing. Now, after 3 hours, Robert Mueller has to subject himself to #ShiftySchiff — an Embarrassment to our Country!” the President tweeted.

I would like to thank the Democrats for holding this morning’s hearing. Now, after 3 hours, Robert Mueller has to subject himself to #ShiftySchiff - an Embarrassment to our Country! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 24, 2019

His eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., tweeted repeatedly, mocking Mr Mueller’s lack of familiarity with some aspects of the investigation and accusing him of playing favourites.

“Funny, Mueller can’t understand the Republicans but he can totally understand the Democrats questions. This is a disaster for dems,” Trump Jr. wrote.

Funny, Muelller can’t understand the Republicans but he can totally understand the Democrats questions. This is a disaster for dems. — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) July 24, 2019

And the President’s lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, blasted Mr Mueller’s frequent stumbles and calls for questions to be repeated, tweeting the former FBI director was “being destroyed on credibility, knowledge, competence and numerous ‘ahs’, pauses and excuses like beyond my purview”.

Pathetic! Whatever Bob’s past it’s being tarnished by being a LAP DOG for Dems. Then being destroyed on credibility, knowledge, competence and numerous ahs, pauses and excuses like “beyond my purview.” It’s clear his purview was what his 18 Angry Dems wanted-to get Trump. — Rudy Giuliani (@RudyGiuliani) July 24, 2019

White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham issued a terse verdict at the midpoint of the hearings: “The last three hours have been an epic embarrassment for the Democrats. Expect more of the same in the second half.”

The last three hours have been an epic embarrassment for the Democrats. Expect more of the same in the second half. — Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) July 24, 2019

Mr Mueller’s nationally televised appearance on Capitol Hill was long anticipated as a potential inflection point for the presidency, one that could galvanise more House Democrats towards impeachment or help dispel the investigatory cloud that has shadowed the White House for more than two years.

Mr Trump in recent days had claimed that he would not watch much, if any, of the back-to-back hearings. But before Mr Mueller even took his seat to testify, the President had tweeted nine times about the investigation, making clear he had his mind focused squarely on the proceedings unfolding at the other end of Pennsylvania Ave.