President Trump’s joint press conference with Vladimir Putin on Monday didn’t exactly get the reaction Trump probably hoped for. Unless what he wanted was for a trending topic to be the word “treason.”
During the presser, held at the start of a US-Russia summit in Helsinki, Trump, among other things, called for an end of the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. He suggested that U.S.-Russia tensions were caused by the U.S., and even kicked around the idea of the two countries working together on cyber security. He said this all while standing next to Putin.
By the time the conference ended, the hashtag “#TreasonSummit” was a trending topic as a wide cross section of Americans blanched at Trump’s display of comradeship with the Russian leader, including both Democratic and Republican members of congress. Joining the condemnation of the event were celebrities including Jefferey Wright, Josh Gad, John Cusack, Ellen Barkin, Judd Apatow, Bette Midler, Rob Reiner, Roseanna Arquette and more.
“Kim Jong-un, please come through those doors, join @realDonaldTrump & Putin on this #TreasonSummit stage and take this song & dance show over the top,” Wright, a star on HBO’s “Westworld,” tweeted.
“Frozen” star Josh Gad wrote: “Right now, a KGB trained operative who’s been President of Russia for close to 20 years and who every intelligence angency [sic] said undermined our election is alone in a room with the Host of Celebrity Apprentice. What could possibly go wrong?”
Meanwhile, Zach Braff noted that “Treason is trending.”
Reporters and TV anchors also slammed the presser. “You have been watching perhaps one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president at a summit in front of a Russian leader truly that I’ve ever seen,” CNN’s Anderson Cooper said.
And MSNBC’s Joy Reid tweeted: “Donald Trump was just asked directly if he would denounce Russia’s attack on our election ‘with the whole world watching’ and he refused. He pivoted to attacking Clinton, demanding to know where her server went, and said he doesn’t know why Russia would attack our election.”
See star reactions below:
Right now, a KGB trained operative who’s been President of Russia for close to 20 years and who every intelligence angency said undermined our election is alone in a room with the Host of Celebrity Apprentence. What could possibly go wrong?
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) July 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/zachbraff/status/1018903462875205633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1018903462875205633&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Ftoofab.com%2F2018%2F07%2F16%2Ftrump-putin-treason-summit-disgraceful-meeting-hollywood-anderson-cooper%2F
Those two facts – anyone care to dispute ? https://t.co/paDJlI9Iei
— John Cusack (@johncusack) July 16, 2018
We don’t have to imagine anything. no new news here https://t.co/Ty67JGl6c0
— Ellen Barkin (@EllenBarkin) July 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/andylassner/status/1018858142413701120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1018858142413701120&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Ftoofab.com%2F2018%2F07%2F16%2Ftrump-putin-treason-summit-disgraceful-meeting-hollywood-anderson-cooper%2F
Tomorrow, @realDonaldTrump is meeting with Putin—who attacked our democracy and 2016 election. Yet Trump is backing out of meeting w/ Mueller, who is investigating the conspiracy. Watch my video w/ @MoveOn & sign my petition demanding Trump #MeetMueller! https://t.co/oIvXhdeCXC https://t.co/omgrFks3mM
— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) July 16, 2018
The DOJ indicts 12 Russians for interference in the 2016 elections, and Trump meets Putin and blames the US for tensions. An outright traitor who disparages his own country. What good is he to us??
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) July 16, 2018
He didn’t believe it could happen, and it did happen. He did not stop them, so by taking no action whatsoever, you are carrying on the legacy of your favorite president, Barack Obama. While you’re blowing your boyfriend Putin at your summit, know that evil villains fall hardest. https://t.co/KwEzu5lohr
— Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) July 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/RoArquette/status/1018911234706423808
I don’t want to be Russian.
— Ken Olin (@kenolin1) July 16, 2018
This was just tweeed by The Official Twitter account of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.
I’m dumbstruck. pic.twitter.com/fsAmmblnm6
— Piper Perabo (@PiperPerabo) July 16, 2018
The point it’s confirmed: ur Pres is moonlighting as Putin’s spokesperson. https://t.co/r8d7kod1nv
— Chris Meloni (@Chris_Meloni) July 16, 2018
Kim Jong-un, please come through those doors, join @realDonaldTrump & Putin on this #TreasonSummit stage and take this song & dance show over the top.
— Jeffrey Wright 🥜 (@jfreewright) July 16, 2018
#TreasonSummit #ImpeachTrump pic.twitter.com/5jWqT48oQg
— ROSIE (@Rosie) July 16, 2018
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) July 16, 2018
Unless one of the translators talks, we'll never know what went on in that Helsinki meeting. Putin's a liar and Trump's another. They are both showmen, and this is made-for-TV entertainment.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) July 16, 2018
The exclusive Trump/Putin meeting now makes perfect sense. Today another shoe dropped. Undeniably, Trump’s first allegiance is to Russia
— Mia Farrow 🏳️🌈 🌻🇺🇸💙 (@MiaFarrow) July 16, 2018
Whatching Trump denigrate our FBI 's report on Russian collusion to get him elected as he praised Putin, started my shaking in disbelief which now, many minutes later, is stilll shaking.
— carl reiner (@carlreiner) July 16, 2018
Trump is taking the word of a lying dictator over the word of US Intelligence only after placing blame on the US for its poor relationship with Russia. Trump is Putin’s puppet. https://t.co/LVkxIw5mHS
— Adam Rippon (@AdamRippon) July 16, 2018
Donald Trump’s press conference performance in Helsinki rises to & exceeds the threshold of “high crimes & misdemeanors.” It was nothing short of treasonous. Not only were Trump’s comments imbecilic, he is wholly in the pocket of Putin. Republican Patriots: Where are you???
— John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) July 16, 2018
Once again, @realDonaldTrump takes to the international stage to embarrass America, undermine our institutions, weaken our alliances, & embrace a dictator. Russia interfered in our elections & attacked our democracy. Putin must be held accountable – not rewarded. Disgraceful.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) July 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/JoyAnnReid/status/1018886579870404611
We just witnessed the President of the United States abdicate his national security responsibilities as Commander-in-Chief. When he was given the chance to hold Putin accountable and condemn Russia's interference in our elections, he refused.
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) July 16, 2018
I never thought I would see the day when our American President would stand on the stage with the Russian President and place blame on the United States for Russian aggression. This is shameful.
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) July 16, 2018
Every single day, I find myself asking: what do the Russians have on @realDonaldTrump personally, financially, & politically? The answer to that question is that only thing that explains his behavior & his refusal to stand up to Putin. #ABetterDeal
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/RBReich/status/1018910567363272704
This is what anti-Putin bravery looks like … https://t.co/tWlBaYL8GI
— Lawrence O'Donnell (@Lawrence) July 16, 2018
Can we impeach the @GOP ? #TreasonSummit https://t.co/BsPNmZcxva
— themocollins (@THEMOCOLLINS) July 16, 2018
Here's the video. Trump, asked whether he believes in his own U.S. Intelligence Community or Putin on Russian hacking, Trump responds: "I don't see any reason why it would be [Russia.]" (via ABC) pic.twitter.com/sKLSeVaqlS
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) July 16, 2018
I feel a physical sickness, Putin has won, mission accomplished – Trump Denies Election Interference, Putin Says He Wanted Trump To Win In 2016 – https://t.co/gvdLPX5uU8
— Clint Watts (@selectedwisdom) July 16, 2018