Donald Trump Jr. demanded lawmakers stop gloating over his potential downfall in the Russia investigation after NPR walked back a report that mischaracterized an answer he gave Senate investigators.
NPR reported earlier Friday that Trump Jr. testified last year to Congress that his family’s real estate business stopped negotiations on a possible Moscow deal in 2014, which contradicted what President Trump’s former longtime lawyer Michael Cohen admitted in his guilty plea on Thursday.
Hours later, NPR corrected the report to say Trump Jr.’s comments referred to “a different set of negotiations — not to a deal Cohen was reportedly pursuing.”
The story, headlined “Cohen’s account of Russia talks raises questions about Trump Jr. 2017 testimony,” was shared by Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif. before the correction was made. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., shared a Vox story titled, “Michael Cohen’s plea agreement is bad news for Donald Trump Jr.”
“A good lesson for all kids (and for anyone in the White House): the truth always comes out,” Swalwell tweeted.
Trump Jr. responded: “You were saying Eric? Maybe you should read the correction issued rather than chasing yet another shiny object. After 2 years of fails it just makes you look stupid (a fitting look for you). Obviously the truth isn’t convenient for your objective so I imagine you’ll stay quiet!”
You were saying Eric? Maybe you should read the correction issued rather than chasing yet another shiny object. After 2 years of fails it just makes you look stupid (a fitting look for you). Obviously the truth isn’t convenient for your objective so I imagine you’ll stay quiet! https://t.co/VKpgPcZ8Tj
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) November 30, 2018
Leahy accused Trump Jr. of misleading Congress and demanded that he testify in public about any Russian connections.
“You were saying senator???” Trump Jr. said. “Please correct this immediately so you aren’t misleading many people now that even NPR corrected their sloppy attempt to smear me.”
You were saying senator??? Please correct this immediately so you aren’t misleading many people now that even NPR corrected their sloppy attempt to smear me. https://t.co/dm8np9RIcN
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) November 30, 2018
Trump Jr. himself has been criticized for spreading misinformation, sharing a photo in September suggesting CNN anchor Anderson Cooper was faking his coverage of Hurricane Florence and incorrectly saying 180,000 noncitizens voted in the 2018 midterm elections in Florida.
