Trump did not win in 2016, full Russia probe would show

Jimmy Carter told a crowd Friday that a full investigation into Russian election interference would show President Donald Trump did not win the 2016 election and that he ascended to the presidency by way of the Russians.

The 39th president made the remarks during a panel discussion on human rights with his former Vice President Walter Mondale.

Historian Jon Meacham, the moderator, asked Carter about Russian meddling in the 2016 election, which American intelligence agencies have confirmed did occur.

"The president himself should condemn it, admit that it happened," Carter said. "There's no doubt that the Russians did interfere in the election. And I think the interference, although not yet quantified, if fully investigated, would show that Trump didn't actually win the election in 2016, he lost the election, and he was put into office because the Russians interfered on his behalf."

Meacham then asked if Carter thought Trump is therefore an "illegitimate president."

"Based on what I just said, which I can't retract," said Carter, drawing a laugh from the crowd in Leesburg, Virginia.

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Former special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation also found Russia interfered in the election in order to help Trump win. Mueller's report revealed that members of Trump's campaign showed interest in benefiting from Russian government efforts but investigators did not find evidence that their conduct amounted to a crime.

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The event was hosted Carter's humanitarian organization, the Carter Center.

Source: USA Today

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