GOP nominee Donald Trump's recent comments on Russian hacking have been "the most tremendous gift to Russian propaganda," said Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff, who sits on the House Intelligence Committee.
"I don't think anybody knows it was Russia that hacked into the [Democratic National Committee]," Trump said during the first presidential debate. "[Hillary Clinton is] saying Russia, Russia, Russia, but I don't know. Maybe it was. It could be Russia, but it could also be China. It could also be lots of other people. It could also be someone sitting on their bed that weighs 400 pounds."
"What Trump has been doing actually has been the most tremendous gift to Russian propaganda by coming out as he did in the debates saying — 'it could be Russia, it could be China, it could be a 400 pound man' — that's exactly what Russia wants," Schiff said on Sunday, reports The Hill.
"I have no doubt [this is Russia]. And I don't think the administration has any doubt," he continued.
Schiff is a leading voice for the Obama administration to publicly name Russia as responsible for hacking the DNC.
During a speech in late September, U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper suggested that Russia was behind the attacks, saying "it shouldn't come as a big shock to people," according to The Wall Street Journal.
"It is a question for the administration of, do they do more than name and shame, what are the repercussions, are they playing into the Russian hands by sowing doubt," Schiff said.
"The Russians respect one thing and that's strength — if they see an open door, that's an invitation to do more."
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.