WATCH LIVE: Trump to talk Russia, conflicts of interest in first news conference since election
In his first press conference in nearly six months, President-elect Donald Trump is expected to field questions on a new report claiming Russia has compromising information on him.
The Wednesday presser with reporters comes amid cabinet nominee confirmation hearings, one day after President Obama's farewell speech, and almost a week after U.S. intelligence chiefs briefed Trump on Russian involvement in the election.
On Tuesday, CNN reported that classified documents presented last week to the president-elect included allegations that Russian operatives claim to have compromising information.
Trump took to Twitter on Wednesday morning, saying the "unverified report is "utter nonsense."
Russia just said the unverified report paid for by political opponents is "A COMPLETE AND TOTAL FABRICATION, UTTER NONSENSE." Very unfair!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017
Russia has never tried to use leverage over me. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA - NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017
I win an election easily, a great "movement" is verified, and crooked opponents try to belittle our victory with FAKE NEWS. A sorry state!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017
Intelligence agencies should never have allowed this fake news to "leak" into the public. One last shot at me.Are we living in Nazi Germany?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017
The news conference was originally planned as a time for the president-elect to tackle questions over conflicts of interest, as he transitions from spearheading his global corporate operations to serving as commander in chief from the Oval Office.
After this week's announcement that Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, would be named a senior adviser to the president-elect, questions arose over whether Kushner's White House role violates an anti-nepotism statute. Kushner announced plans after the announcement to divest much of his holdings in preparation for assuming his White House position.
Wednesday's conference will be held from the president-elect's home base of Trump Tower in New York. The event is expected to begin at 11 a.m. EST.
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