Timeline: Key moments between Trump and Putin

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Bluesky
• Share on X
• Copy Link

American intelligence agencies believe that Russian intelligence penetrated the Democratic National Committee networks this month and continued to have access until at least June 2016.

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: September 3, 2026

2h ago

1000 Ways to Heal

1000 WAYS TO HEAL: We were never meant to carry it alone

3h ago

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: More child care on school grounds coming to B.C.

Sep 02, 2026

July 27, 2016

Trump, who repeatedly blasted his opponent Hillary Clinton for use of a private email server, invites Russia to hack into her emails. In the final full press conference of his campaign, Trump declares “Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing,”

Oct. 7, 2016

The Department of Homeland Security and the director of national intelligence release a statement saying they are confident Russia is behind the email hacks. That same day, just hours after Trump’s “Access Hollywood” tape is released in which he brags about women letting him grab them, WikiLeaks publishes its first batch of emails belonging to Clinton’s campaign chairman John Podesta.

Dec. 30, 2016

President-elect Trump praises Putin — “I always knew he was very smart!” — for not retaliating against sanctions imposed by President Barack Obama for Russia’s interference in the election.

Jan. 11, 2017

In a news conference, Trump denies that he has any contacts with Russia and denies salacious allegations made against him in a dossier compiled by a former British intelligence officer.

Jan. 25, 2017

Five days after Trump’s inauguration, congressional investigations are opened into Russia’s meddling in the election. Several Trump campaign and administration officials have testified or are expected to do so.

Feb. 13, 2017

National Security Adviser Michael Flynn resigns after misleading administration officials, including Vice-President Mike Pence, over contacts with Russian officials.

March 20, 2017

FBI Director James Comey confirms in Senate testimony that there is a counterintelligence investigation into ties between the Trump campaign and Russian officials.

May 9, 2017

Trump fires Comey. The next day, during an Oval Office meeting with Russian officials, he calls Comey “a nut job” and says his dismissal relieved “great pressure” due to the Russian investigation, according to The New York Times.

June 2, 2017

Putin ridicules the allegations of Russian meddling in U.S. elections, accusing the Democrats of trying to shift blame for their defeat and likening the accusations against Russia to anti-Semitism.

June 23, 2017

Trump, in a tweet, casts doubt on the assessment made by U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia was behind the election hack. He has done this repeatedly since the election.

July 6, 2017

In Poland a day ahead of his first meeting with Putin since taking office, Trump criticizes Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and its support for regimes in Iran and Syria. But he stops short of condemning Russia for election meddling — again casting doubt on the claim — and refuses to say whether he will bring it up with Putin.

The Associated Press