'NUCLEAR HOLOCAUST LIKE NO OTHER'
DONALD Trump has said the world faces a "nuclear holocaust like no other" if the US cannot maintain a good relationship with Russia.
In a dramatic conference at the White House this evening the scandal-hit president told reporters: "Don't forget, we're a very powerful nuclear country and so are they - there's no upside.
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He continued: "Nuclear holocaust would be like no other.
"If we have a good relationship with Russia - believe me that's a good thing."
The conference has come amid allegations Trump's campaign team had regular contact with Russia during last year's election campaign.
His national security adviser Michael Flynn resigned this week over claims he discussed US sanctions with Russia before the president took office.
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Trump stood in front of a gold curtain today as he appeared to suggest the media had whipped up a lie about a Russian military provocation.
Putin's army are said to have had a spy vessel "loitering" 30 miles off the coast of Connecticut that deployed cruise missiles in breach of international agreements.
Trump said: "When did it happen?"
"If you were Putin, you would say 'we're back to the old games with the United States'.
"There's no way Trump can ever do a deal with us."
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He continued: "I don't know that we're going to make a deal.
"But it would be much easier for me to be so tough on Russia.
"The tougher I am on Russia the better, but you know what? I want to do the right thing for the American people and the right thing for the world."
Trump denied that he had knowledge of his campaign staff having contact with Russian officials during the presidential run-in last year.
He added that disgraced Flynn had been "unfairly treated" by the media.
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During a lengthy and rambling conference Trump also bragged that he had achieved more than any other president in his first weeks in office.
He also said his administration is a "finely tuned machine" - despite Flynn's resignation and his nomination for labour secretary withdrawing himself from consideration.
Under pressure Trump also turned his fire on the press and said: ""The press has become so dishonest that if we don't talk about it, we are doing a tremendous disservice to the American people.
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"I turn on the TV, open the newspapers – and I see stories of chaos, chaos. Yet it is the exact opposite."
Singling out CNN the president said "I mean, I watch CNN. It's so much anger and hatred, and just – the hatred! I mean, I don't watch it anymore.
"You have a lower approval rating than Congress."
Even the BBC came under attack, with Trump exclaiming "here's another beauty".
North America editor Jon Spel responded: "Impartial, free and fair." to which the President said: "Yeah, sure. Just like CNN, right?"
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