Collusion claims ridiculous: Trump Jr

Donald Trump Jr says he never told his father about a meeting he had with a Russian lawyer who promised him compromising information on Hillary Clinton.

Donald Trump Jr

Donald Trump Jr denies telling his father about his meeting with a Russian lawyer. (AAP)

Donald Trump's son says his meeting with a Kremlin-connected lawyer is the extent of his formal contact with Russia officials and associates.

Donald Trump Jr allowed on Tuesday night in an interview with Fox News "he has probably met with other people from Russia" but insisted he did not attempt to co-ordinate to influence the presidential election or try to damage Hillary Clinton, his father's Democratic rival for the White House.

He repeatedly suggested the charges of collusion were "ridiculous" and "overplayed" and insisted his father knew nothing about the June 2016 meeting.

"It was such a nothing there was nothing to tell" his father, Trump Jr said.

However, he said "in retrospect I probably would have done things a little differently".

"For me, this was opposition research," Trump Jr said.

The younger Trump did the interview hours after he released an email chain in which he said he would "love" to receive damaging information about Clinton from the Kremlin-connected lawyer.

The emails are the most concrete evidence yet Trump campaign officials welcomed Russian help to win the election.

Earlier, Trump tweeted encouragement to his son: "My son, Donald, will be interviewed by @seanhannity tonight at 10:00 P.M. He is a great person who loves our country!"

Trump also released a statement saying his son was a "high-quality person".


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Published 12 July 2017 1:20pm
Source: AAP


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