Donald Trump has been talking a lot about WikiLeaks on the campaign trail, while accusing the mainstream media of not talking about it enough.
During a rally on Tuesday, Trump said, “WikiLeaks has provided things that are unbelievable.” He went on to blame the media for not doing devoting more coverage to the hacked emails from Hillary Clinton campaign chair John Podesta that are being incrementally released by WikiLeaks — emails that sometimes illustrate cozy relationships between both reporters and the campaign and the Obama administration and Clinton officials.
“The media, you have to remember, is an extension of the Hillary Clinton campaign,” Trump added. “It’s an extension. And without that she would be nowhere.”
Trump has also downplayed the possibility that Russia is involved in the hacks, saying during the second presidential debate that “maybe there is no hacking.”
“They always blame Russia,” Trump added. “And the reason they blame Russia because they think they’re trying to tarnish me with Russia. I know nothing about Russia.”
But other Republicans are more skeptical about using the emails for their political benefit.
In the wake of the Obama administration announcing earlier this month that it has concluded Russia is involved in hacking emails from Podesta and the Democratic National Committee, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) said he won’t talk about WikiLeaks.
Marco Rubio statement to NBC: I will not discuss Wikileaks and neither should my fellow Republicans. pic.twitter.com/YeQZHQYR5j
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) October 19, 2016
Gov. Mike Pence (R-IN), Trump’s running mate, also takes Russia’s possible role in the hacks seriously. During an appearance on Meet the Press last Sunday, Pence said, “I think there’s more and more evidence that implicates Russia, and there should be serious consequences if Russia is violating the privacy and security of the American people.”
Pence then dodged a question on why Trump is more dismissive of Russia’s role.
Trump was reportedly briefed about Russia’s role in the WikiLeaks hacks. On July 27, he encouraged Russia to hack Clinton’s emails.
“Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 e-mails that are missing,” Trump said. “I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press. Let’s see if that happens. That’ll be next.”
Meanwhile, the Ecuadorian government announced Tuesday it has cut off WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s internet access from its London embassy because of WikiLeaks’ efforts to impact foreign elections.
BREAKING: Ecuador admits it cut off Assange's internet due to his use of it to interfere in the U.S. election. pic.twitter.com/VNJ6sdHhHj
— Eric Geller (@ericgeller) October 18, 2016
On Wednesday, Czech officials announced they have arrested a Russian citizen suspected of hacking target in the United States in Prague. A statement released by Czech authorities says the FBI was involved, and the suspect might be extradited to the United States.