US

Chris Ruddy Stands By Mueller Comments, ‘They Never Denied My Underlying Report’

No featured image available

Chris Ruddy, CEO of “Newsmax Media” called in to CNN’s “New Day” and spoke with Chris Cuomo about his assertion that President Donald Trump was thinking of firing special prosecutor Robert Mueller.

Ruddy doubled down on his comments and defended his actions despite noting that he was speaking only for himself and not the president, when he made the original announcement Monday night.

WATCH: 

Ruddy claims he speculated in an interview with PBS when he implied that Trump was considering removing Mueller as special counsel. “I’m a journalist, I run Newsmax,” said Ruddy. “I never said that the president told me. I never said I had a conversation, I never implied … interestingly enough they never denied my underlying report.”

“I always speak for myself and not the president,” he added. “He has his own spokesman.”

He then called Mueller “illegitimate” as special counsel and said that there had been no discovery of wrongdoing, collusion or obstruction.

Cuomo challenged Ruddy’s characterization of Mueller and reminded him that Republicans praised the special prosecutor when he was first selected by Trump. Ruddy responded by saying that Mueller was an unethical pick because he had a private conversation with Trump about becoming FBI director, and continually stated that the lack of evidence in the case is troubling.

Cuomo stipulated that there was still no evidence of collusion but maintained that there were elements worth investigating.

“There are enough questions about people around Trump, and about how Russia did this and how to stop it, that it required investigation,” said Cuomo. “And remember when you make a political argument to try and get this away from the president you are also creating a disadvantage for this democracy.”

You can Follow Nick on Twitter