USA: Trump claims Putin calls him 'brilliant'

02:11

USA: Trump claims Putin calls him 'brilliant'

United States, The Woodlands

June 18, 2016 at 05:30 GMT +00:00 · Published

Presumptive Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump claimed to a rally of supporters at Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center in The Woodlands, Texas, on Friday, that Russian President Vladimir Putin had praised him.

According to Trump, the Russian leader said, "Donald Trump is brilliant. Essentially, he will be the next leader, but Donald Trump is brilliant." Trump appeared happy about Putin's alleged statement, refusing to disavow it.

In the aftermath of the Orlando shooting, Trump also used the rally to tout gun rights. He concurred with the argument that an armed person could have prevented the massacre at the LGBT nightclub that left 49 people dead and another 53 wounded. Trump said to the crowd, "Right smack between the eyes of this maniac. If some of those wonderful people had guns strapped right here, right to their waist or right to their ankle, and this son of a bitch comes out and starts shooting."

While the rally took place, thousands took to the streets outside the convention centre to protest the Republican candidate. Trump's appearance at the rally was his second in the Houston area on Friday. Earlier in the day, he attended a fundraising event in the Oak Hills Country Club, San Antonio.

USA: Trump claims Putin calls him 'brilliant'

02:11

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Description

Presumptive Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump claimed to a rally of supporters at Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center in The Woodlands, Texas, on Friday, that Russian President Vladimir Putin had praised him.

According to Trump, the Russian leader said, "Donald Trump is brilliant. Essentially, he will be the next leader, but Donald Trump is brilliant." Trump appeared happy about Putin's alleged statement, refusing to disavow it.

In the aftermath of the Orlando shooting, Trump also used the rally to tout gun rights. He concurred with the argument that an armed person could have prevented the massacre at the LGBT nightclub that left 49 people dead and another 53 wounded. Trump said to the crowd, "Right smack between the eyes of this maniac. If some of those wonderful people had guns strapped right here, right to their waist or right to their ankle, and this son of a bitch comes out and starts shooting."

While the rally took place, thousands took to the streets outside the convention centre to protest the Republican candidate. Trump's appearance at the rally was his second in the Houston area on Friday. Earlier in the day, he attended a fundraising event in the Oak Hills Country Club, San Antonio.

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