12:17 p.m. Trump is wrapping up, but not before again refusing to answer a question about Russian hacking. Earlier in the news conference he acknowledged he believes Russia was behind the hacking of the DNC. If that's the case, Trump was asked, why did he spend weeks and months denying it to be true?
Trump did not answer, instead reiterating his belief that U.S. intelligence agencies are leaking details of the top-secret briefings he has received.
But, the president-elect did say Russia and its president, Vladmir Putin, should not be hacking American computers.
"He shouldn't be doing it," Trump said. "He won't be doing it. Russia will have much greater respect for our country when I'm leading it."
12:11 p.m. Trump is refusing to call on a CNN reporter in the front row of his news conference, labeling the network "fake news." The CNN reporter, Jim Acosta, repeatedly asked to be recognized to defend his outlet as Trump surveyed the room for another questioner. "Don't be rude," Trump said.
12:06 p.m. Trump reiterated his vow to build a wall along the Mexican border and says again Mexico will pay for it via "reimbursement."
Trump also promises to make his first Supreme Court nomination within two weeks of the Jan. 20 inauguration.
Noon: Trump vowed to "repeal and replace" the Affordable Care Act quickly and simultaneously.
"We're going to be submitting, as soon as our secretaries are approved, a plan," Trump said, likely referring to Georgia U.S. Rep. Tom Price, his nominee for Health and Human Services secretary. "It will be repeal and replace. It will be essentially simultaneously ... likely same day or same week."
11:56 a.m.: Dillon says Trump will donate all profits from foreign hotels to the U.S. treasury.
11:44 a.m.: Trump attorney Sheri Dillon is detailing how Trump will distance himself from his massive business dealings. The Trump Organization will be turned over to his two sons, Don and Eric and Trump himself will resign from any leadership position. His personal business assets, such as personally branded golf courses, will be put into a trust for the duration of his presidency.
Ivanka Trump will also have no role in the businesses.
The Trump Organization will make no foreign deals while Trump is president and will have no role in any deal-making domestically.
11:38 a.m.: Trump continues to refuse to release his tax returns, which he says are still under federal audit. Nobody cares, he said, except reporters.
11:34 a.m.: Again on Russia, Trump is asked if accepts the agencies' conclusion that Putin personally ordered the hacking to help Trump.
"If Putin likes Donald Trump I consider that an asset not a liability," Trump said. "We have a horrible relationship with Russia. Russia will help us fight ISIS.
"If Putin likes Donald Trump, guess what folks? That’s called an asset, not a liability. Now I don’t know I’m going to get along with Vladimir Putin. I hope I do. If I don’t, do you honestly believe Hillary will be tougher on Putin than me?"
11:29 a.m.: First question to Trump if accepts the opinion of intelligence agencies that Russia was behind the hacking of the DNC and the attempted hack of the RNC.
"It think it was Russia," Trump said. "I think we also get hacked by other countries, other people."
He refused, however, to say if he received the two-page summary of the Russian intelligence dossier that contained the unverified, salacious details that have dominated the news.
"I think that is a disgrace that information was let out. I read the information outside of that (intelligence) meeting. It's all fake news. It's phony. It didn't happen."
11:25 a.m.: Trump is again referencing the F-35 fighter, which is partially built in Cobb County, and promising to reduce its costs. It's a big deal in Metro Atlanta.
"We're going to do big things on the F-35 program," Trump said. "We're going to get those costs way down. And we're going to get them to be even better."
11:21 a.m.: Trump is speaking now. Slams the release of the intelligence dossier says it was "maybe released by the intelligence agencies."
"I just want to compliment many of the people in the room (for not publishing the documents). I have great respect for the news and freedom of the press and all that, but I will tell you there were some news organizations ... that were so professional, so incredibly professional I've just gone up a notch in what I think of you."
11:17 a.m. Vice president-elect Mike Pence now speaking. Says Trump's "energy and vision" during the transition has been "even more inspiring."
He, too, takes a shot at BuzzFeed: "With freedom comes responsibility. And the irresponsible decision of a few news organizations to run with a false and unsubstantiated report … can only be attributed to media bias and an attempt to demean the president elect."
11:15 a.m.: Here we go. Trump press secretary Sean Spicer opening the event by slamming the BuzzFeed report on the Russian intelligence dump.
"It's outrageous and irresponsible for a left-wing blog ... to drop highly salacious and flat out false information on the internet just days before he takes the oath of office."
11:09 a.m.: More from the pool: "At 11 am, three men brought stacks of files on a small table right next to the podium from where the president-elect will be speaking.
No details at this stage about their content."
10:59 a.m.: The pool reporter with the Trump transition reports at least 250 journalists are packed into the lobby of Trump Tower.
original post:
President-elect Donald Trump is set to meet with reporters at the top of the hour.
Given the news of the past 24 hours -- from leaked intelligence reports to dramatic confirmation hearings -- it will surely be of interest to many.
It is Trump's first news conference in nearly six months and his first as president-elect.
Stay with us as we keep you updated on it all.
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