Former Trump adviser Michael Caputo described President Donald Trump's campaign operation as a "---- show" — as it was in such disarray that no one could think of meeting with any Russians.
"There's no question about it," Caputo, who left the campaign in June 2016 after six months as a communications adviser, told CNN in an interview broadcast Friday. "But that was always to be expected.
"He's not a politician."
Caputo, who frequently clashed with former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski before he was replaced by Paul Manafort, testified in classified session before the House Intelligence Committee in its Moscow probe.
His ties to Russia date back to the 1990s, when Caputo worked as an adviser to former President Boris Yeltsin, helping him to win a second term.
In 2000, he worked for Moscow-owned Gazprom Media, working to improve the image of Vladimir Putin in the U.S.
Caputo then returned to the U.S., established a public relations firm, and then moved to Ukraine to work on a candidate's campaign for parliament.
He joined the Trump campaign during the New York primary, helping the Republican win the state in its April 19 election.
CNN interviewed Caputo on Monday — and he denied any campaign collusion with the Kremlin.
"No one ever breathed the word 'Russia' to me," he said.
When asked whether he heard of anyone within the campaign discussing help from Moscow, Caputo said: "I heard nothing of the kind.
"In fact, we were so busy just trying to keep up with the sun rising and setting on that campaign that I can't imagine anyone had the time – nor the wherewithal to go out there and even do something like this.
"Anybody who covered the Trump effort knew this was a pell-mell operation from the moment he woke up in the morning until the moment he went to bed," Caputo added.
"The idea that somebody at that campaign would have had the forethought and the treachery ... or the resources to go out and do this is laughable."
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