 "Donald Trump says he doesn't have tapes of James Comey's meetings")
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he did not have recordings of his meetings with former FBI director James Comey, after weeks of speculations that the Republican billionaire leader himself fueled.
"With all of the recently reported electronic surveillance, intercepts, unmasking and illegal leaking of information, I have no idea whether there are 'tapes' or recordings of my conversations with James Comey, but I did not make, and do not have, any such recordings," Trump said on Twitter.
The announcement came after weeks of challenges to the president to prove his assertion that he might have recordings of his private conversations with his former chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, whom he fired on May 9.
"James Comey better hope that there are no 'tapes' of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!" Trump tweeted three days later.
Trump's claim became the focus of allegations that Comey's firing was an effort to obstruct the FBI's investigation into possible collusion between Trump's presidential campaign and Russian interference in last year's election.
In a June 8 hearing in Congress, Comey said he hoped there were tapes to support his view that in their discussions, during which he said Trump had pressured him over the Russia probe.
"I've seen the tweet about tapes. Lordy, I hope there are tapes," he told the Senate Intelligence Committee.
"With all of the recently reported electronic surveillance, intercepts, unmasking and illegal leaking of information, I have no idea whether there are 'tapes' or recordings of my conversations with James Comey, but I did not make, and do not have, any such recordings," Trump said on Twitter.
The announcement came after weeks of challenges to the president to prove his assertion that he might have recordings of his private conversations with his former chief of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, whom he fired on May 9.
"James Comey better hope that there are no 'tapes' of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!" Trump tweeted three days later.
Trump's claim became the focus of allegations that Comey's firing was an effort to obstruct the FBI's investigation into possible collusion between Trump's presidential campaign and Russian interference in last year's election.
In a June 8 hearing in Congress, Comey said he hoped there were tapes to support his view that in their discussions, during which he said Trump had pressured him over the Russia probe.
"I've seen the tweet about tapes. Lordy, I hope there are tapes," he told the Senate Intelligence Committee.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
SAVE 25%
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Subscribe
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
SAVE 25%