In a tweet that I highly doubt he personally constructed or wrote, Donald Trump refuted the claim that he possesses secret recordings of his meetings with former FBI Director James Comey, whom he unceremoniously fired over the “Russia thing” last month. “With all of the recently reported electronic surveillance, intercepts, unmasking, and illegal leaking of information I have no idea… whether there are ‘tapes’ of my conversations with James Comey, but I did not make, and do not have, such recordings.’” he wrote in two tweets. Let’s not forget, though, that it was Trump himself who first suggested that the White House may have taped the conversation when he threatened Comey on May 12, tweeting, “James Comey better hope that there are no ‘tapes’ of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!” During his damning testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Comey said that Trump asked for his loyalty and confirmed that the Trump campaign was under investigation for potential collusion with Russian officials. [Donald Trump Twitter]
On that note, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says that Trump’s tweets cause a “new wrinkle in international diplomacy.” You don’t say![Politico]
Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke announced that the Yellowstone Grizzly Bear has been taken off the endangered species list. The bear’s population has increased to 700 from 150 when it first appeared on the list in 1975. The decision is controversial among conservationists and Native American tribes who argue that the bear is geographically isolated and may not be able to adapt to environmental changes, including climate change. [The New York Times]
Here are some tweets the president was allowed to publish:
