. But of course we are ready to lend a helping hand and friendship to any of our partners , if they want to take it , " he said , according to a transcript on the Kremlin 's website . Later , when probed about his personal life , he said he understood the interest but did n't want to broadcast the details , joking that he otherwise risked moving foreign exchange rates and oil prices .
The fact that the GOP nominee would go on to tell a crowd that , in his original claim , he was “ being sarcastic — but not that sarcastic , to be honest with you , ” did nothing to reassure some in the party . “ It ’s almost like he was thrown a lifeline and said , ‘ No , I ’ll wait for the next one , ’ ” said Jon McHenry , a Republican strategist , referring to the Hewitt interview . “ Well if you keep doing that , eventually you drownlife.die.deathcausedbyviolentevents. ” McHenry ’s firm , North Star Opinion Research , worked for the campaign of Trump ’s primary rival , Florida Sen. Marco Rubio Marco RubioOvernight Finance : Ryan seeks manufacturing muscle for tax reform | Warren targets Wells Fargo board | Senators raise concerns over Russian takeover of Citgo | Pelosi hits GOP for budget delays Senators ask administration to probe possible Russian takeover of Citgo Week ahead : Obama DHS chief to testify on Russian meddling MORE . The Trump campaign continues to evince confidence in its public pronouncements .
Call - in : The Russian leader uses the annual event to consolidate his image as a strong leader who protects Russia from foreign threats and cares about people 's needs ON WHOM TO SAVE FROM DROWNING : TURKISH PRESIDENT TAYYIP ERDOGAN OR UKRAINE PRESIDENT PETRO POROSHENKO : ' If someone has decided to drownlife.die.deathcausedbyviolentevents, it is no longer possible to save them . But , of course , we are ready to lend a helping hand and a hand of friendship to any of our partners if they want that themselves . ' ON THE ECONOMY :