WHO SAID WHAT TO WHOM: It probably should come as little surprise that there is a notable lack of clarity about what President Trump said to Russian President Vladimir Putin in their private tête-à-tête when the White House disputes what reporters thought they saw and heard with their own ears.

According to the video of the brief interchange at start of yesterday’s Cabinet meeting a reporter is heard asking Trump, “Is Russia still targeting the U.S., Mr. President?” Trump, arms crossed, replies, “Thank you very much. No,” Seeking clarification the reporter asks, “No? You don’t believe that to be the case?” Trump says again, “No,” before launching into a defense of his summit with Putin. “We’re doing very well, probably as well as anybody has ever done with Russia,” Trump said. “And there’s been no president ever as tough as I have been on Russia.”