Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Charlie Neibergall/PA Images

Donald Trump says he does not have tapes of that secret meeting with Comey

Trump had previously hinted that he had tapes of a private conversation with FBI director James Comey.

US PRESIDENT DONALD Trump has said that he doesn’t have recordings of his private meeting with former FBI director James Comey, contradicting suggestions that there were tapes of the one-to-one meeting.

“With all of the recently reported electronic surveillance, intercepts, unmasking and illegal leaking of information, I have no idea whether there are “tapes” or recordings of my conversations with James Comey, but I did not make, and do not have, any such recordings,” Trump said on Twitter.

The controversial private meeting between Donald Trump and James Comey concerned the ongoing FBI investigation into Russian links with the Trump administration and interference in the US election.

Comey alleges that during that meeting, Trump pushed him to drop the investigation into former national security advisor Michael Flynn, who was removed from his position as a result of the scandal.

Trump, meanwhile, denies trying to influence the FBI investigation. In a tweet last month, he suggested that there were recordings of the meeting in a warning to Comey:

“James Comey better hope that there are no “tapes” of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!”

Afterwards he clarified that he would reveal whether he had recordings of the conversation at a later date.

During a Senate hearing that emerged as a result of the conflicting statements, James Comey said that he ‘hoped’ there were recordings of the meeting.

Read: Secret Service says it has no tapes of Trump’s Comey conversations

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
46 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Davin Ryan
    Favourite Davin Ryan
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 6:34 PM

    Of course there are no recordings….anymore…

    181
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ianglen
    Favourite ianglen
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 7:09 PM

    @Davin Ryan: It seems that either it was a cheap, cowardly attempt to intimidate Comey, or else he did have tapes and they were destroyed when he knew they’d be sub-poena’d by the investigation committee. Either way, he’s a joke.

    160
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Harry Whitehead
    Favourite Harry Whitehead
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 7:21 PM

    @Davin Ryan: He mangled them with his tiny little hands.

    46
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colin Moran
    Favourite Colin Moran
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 7:58 PM

    @Davin Ryan: the man is a buffoon. A charlatan. A bu//sh/t artist. A con man. A joke. A disgrace to the presidency. The sooner he leaves his momentary glory the better for us all.

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gus Sheridan
    Favourite Gus Sheridan
    Report
    Jun 23rd 2017, 12:06 AM

    @Davin Ryan: probably got lessons on how to make things disappear, eh Noirin?

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute alphanautica
    Favourite alphanautica
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 6:47 PM

    Trump, he really is a card.

    I haven’t yet met an American who isn’t embarrassed by him, though I’ve only been meeting the 10% who have passports and know where Europe is.

    113
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Deborah Behan
    Favourite Deborah Behan
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 8:04 PM

    @alphanautica: shockingly he waited until the health bill was finally published to disclose this. Distract, distract, distract while he removes health care from 23 million Americans.

    42
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute The Dunes Of Inchy
    Favourite The Dunes Of Inchy
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 8:17 PM

    @Deborah Behan: Take healthcare from the poor.Give wealth to the rich.#Trumpcare

    29
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O Keeffe
    Favourite Dave O Keeffe
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 8:44 PM

    @The Dunes Of Inchy: don’t worry, epic fail already in the way: Senate Health Care Bill Could Be In Jeopardy As Conservatives Announce Opposition http://n.pr/2tT7uIv

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Nyland
    Favourite Michael Nyland
    Report
    Jun 23rd 2017, 12:37 PM

    @Dave O Keeffe: don’t hold your breath. This piece of shameful legislation will likely get passed the republican opposition is fake.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O Keeffe
    Favourite Dave O Keeffe
    Report
    Jun 23rd 2017, 9:00 PM

    @Michael Nyland: four have said they can’t vote for it as is and two haven’t committed. The four came out as a group so no doubt they just want something in return. But they are far right. The other two are more centre so they could be even more determined to vote against after seeing what the group gets offered. It is a disgusting piece of legislation. The only thing they changed is the time frame for implementation. It’s not even a repeal of anything. It’s a gutting

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ianglen
    Favourite ianglen
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 6:45 PM

    Trump could trip over his own feet and fall on his face and the cultists will say “Congratulations, Mr. President! That was quite a victory! You’re so graceful!”

    95
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Francis Mc Carthy
    Favourite Francis Mc Carthy
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 6:57 PM

    @ianglen: Those cultist gave him a standing ovation last night at his ‘campaign’ rally,when he promised them that he would “very shortly” pass a law that would ban immigrants from receiving welfare benefits for “at least five years.”

    I wonder did someone tell the POtuS afterwards that it was already law ? \O/

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frederic Slimane
    Favourite Frederic Slimane
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 7:24 PM

    @Francis Mc Carthy: isn’t he the son or grandson of german immigrants??

    30
    See 5 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ianglen
    Favourite ianglen
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 7:45 PM

    @Frederic Slimane: His mother was a Scottish immigrant afaik

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O Keeffe
    Favourite Dave O Keeffe
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 8:35 PM

    @ianglen: and his grandfather was German

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry Doyle
    Favourite Larry Doyle
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 9:28 PM

    @Dave O Keeffe: His paternal grandmother was a German named Elisabeth Christ.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O Keeffe
    Favourite Dave O Keeffe
    Report
    Jun 23rd 2017, 12:06 AM

    @Larry Doyle: and her husband was born in Germany

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larissa Caroline Nikolaus
    Favourite Larissa Caroline Nikolaus
    Report
    Jun 23rd 2017, 9:22 AM

    @Dave O Keeffe: Just wondering what Trumplethinskin’s ancestry has got to do with him being an idot, it’s irrelevant

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Daly
    Favourite Tony Daly
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 7:40 PM

    I believe Comey; I disbelieve Trump.

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Newnewman
    Favourite Tom Newnewman
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 11:05 PM

    @Tony Daly: Trump said he hoped there were no tapes and there were none. No wonder he treats the media as fakers.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bridget O'Hanlon
    Favourite Bridget O'Hanlon
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 11:50 PM

    @Tom Newnewman: what’s the media got to do with this? He hinted there might be tapes and then said there weren’t.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Daly
    Favourite Tony Daly
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 7:17 PM

    The President who can get away with absolutely anything.

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Deborah Behan
    Favourite Deborah Behan
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 8:17 PM

    He recorded every meeting he had so I don’t believe there was never tapes. But I’d believe they don’t exist anymore just because it would prove Comey right.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O Keeffe
    Favourite Dave O Keeffe
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 8:40 PM

    @Deborah Behan: he didn’t. The tapes thing is a common lie he has told throughout the years, mainly to journalists and authors. He’d often reveal to them after they published that there was no tape.

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute B Ó Raghallaigh
    Favourite B Ó Raghallaigh
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 7:10 PM

    Donald Trump lied… Shocking stuff…

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Harry Whitehead
    Favourite Harry Whitehead
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 7:20 PM

    @B Ó Raghallaigh: He didn’t lie. ALTERNATIVE FACTS! Get with the program!

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tommy Browne
    Favourite Tommy Browne
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 7:27 PM

    OK, the tapes were as real as those imaginary Russian tapes the Democrats were banging on about so.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O Keeffe
    Favourite Dave O Keeffe
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 8:49 PM

    @Tommy Browne: you mean the ones that have neither been confirmed nor denied? See the difference? The Comey tapes are confirmed not to exist. The others may or may not exist.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave O Keeffe
    Favourite Dave O Keeffe
    Report
    Jun 23rd 2017, 9:33 AM

    @Dave O Keeffe: by the way, thanks for reminding me about them, I had forgotten. Seems the right wing is clinging to them.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Daly
    Favourite Tony Daly
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 7:23 PM

    Trump personally did not make any recordings. That leaves plenty of others.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Carnac
    Favourite Carnac
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 7:12 PM

    Ha Ha , Lying Hillary. Trump Making America Great Again.
    Thank you. Mr. President.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rob Cahill
    Favourite Rob Cahill
    Report
    Jun 23rd 2017, 10:33 AM

    @Carnac: Jesus trolling isn’t that hard and you managed to be bad at it.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Foot
    Favourite Paul Foot
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 6:49 PM

    Hope Trump can fit us in after his stay at Windsor Castle – which our own President thoroughly enjoyed, and appreciated.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Davin Ryan
    Favourite Davin Ryan
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 6:55 PM

    @Paul Foot: Guess you’ve not heard that he put his trip off because people in the UK don’t like him..

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Foot
    Favourite Paul Foot
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 7:00 PM

    @Davin Ryan: HRH’s invitation stands m8.

    8
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Davin Ryan
    Favourite Davin Ryan
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 7:08 PM

    @Paul Foot: I can guarantee you she won’t be meeting him.. mate…

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dante Marquinhos
    Favourite Dante Marquinhos
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 7:36 PM

    He’s coming here instead and Michael Noonan is going to show him the sights of Limerick.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Boganity
    Favourite Boganity
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 6:29 PM

    Tapes are a double edged sword

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Kerry Blake
    Favourite Kerry Blake
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 7:03 PM

    @Boganity: A Trump adviser possibly actually listened to the tapes and realised that those tapes would do damage to POTUS……

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute JJ Ryan
    Favourite JJ Ryan
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 11:50 PM

    He’s been a bully all his life . He can’t change just because he is POTUS. Intimidation has worked for him all his life so he thinks he can carry on.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ossi Fritsche
    Favourite Ossi Fritsche
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 8:29 PM

    The name Trump sounds like a?????

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bridget O'Hanlon
    Favourite Bridget O'Hanlon
    Report
    Jun 22nd 2017, 11:47 PM

    Did anyone ever think he had?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jackson Bollovks
    Favourite Jackson Bollovks
    Report
    Jun 23rd 2017, 9:56 AM

    Wish he would stop doing that thing with his right hand when he talks, like he is asking for the bill at a restaurant, very annoying

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anthony Ross
    Favourite Anthony Ross
    Report
    Jun 23rd 2017, 2:12 AM

    Trump he just wanted everybody like us to talk about him he is a bozo

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Knight
    Favourite David Knight
    Report
    Jun 23rd 2017, 11:21 AM

    Of course there were no tapes. Why would he empty the room, and then say what he is alleged to have said, if he was going to tape it?

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds