Trump on new 'Russian asset' claims, says "Hillary's gone crazy!"

Donald Trump empathised with Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Green Party's Jill Stein after "Crooked Hillary" accused them of being Russian tools. In a tweet, the US President lambasted his former competitor saying, "Hillary's gone crazy!" while admitting his fondness for Russian people, rather "all people". Trump even reminded people of the infamous Russiagate, and accused Clinton of calling him a "big Russia lover."

Trump said: So now Crooked Hillary is at it again! She is calling Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard “a Russian favorite,” and Jill Stein “a Russian asset.” As you may have heard, I was called a big Russia lover also (actually, I do like Russian people. I like all people!). Hillary’s gone Crazy!

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The 'Russian puppet' accusation 

Without naming Tulsi Gabbard, Clinton on Thursday claimed that Kremlin is now "grooming" a Democrat presidential candidate, to place inside the White House. "I'm not making any predictions, but I think they've got their eye on somebody who is currently in the Democratic primary and are grooming her to be the third-party candidate. She's the favorite of the Russians." Clinton said in a podcast with former US President Obama's advisor David Plouffe. 

"They have a bunch of sites and bots and other ways of supporting her so far," Clinton added. Gabbard has been repeatedly accused of being favoured by the Russians after the Democratic member has been accused of being inclined more to the right-wing than her own party-members. 

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In response to the allegation, Tulsi Gabbard snapped back saying Clinton "the queen of warmongers, the embodiment of corruption, and personification of the rot that has sickened the Democratic Party for so long." "From the day I announced my candidacy, there has been a concerted campaign to destroy my reputation. We wondered who was behind it and why. Now we know — it was always you, through your proxies and powerful allies in the corporate media and war machine, afraid of the threat I pose," she added. 

The suspicion comes amid concerns of Acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire statement that it is likely for Kremlin to meddle in the US elections again in 2020. Trump is already facing the flak of Ukrainegate, raising concerns of the US Presidential elections being influenced by foreign powers in 2020.   

Last week, President Donald Trump had teased Hillary Clinton on joining the race. Clinton, who ran unsuccessfully in 2008 and 2016 for the White House, has so far said she is not planning a third-stint at the US presidency. Interestingly, both Clinton and Tulsi Gabbard have a massive following among Indian-Americans. Tulsi Gabbard is one of the more-than-dozen Democratic leaders who have thrown their hats in the party's 2020 primary race. While she has managed to appear in the presidential debates, her current polling is very low.

(With PTI inputs)

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