The former Republican governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has also joined the chorus of criticism about Mr Trump's post-summit performance.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, left, during the joint news conference following their meeting in Helsinki. Photo: AFP
"You stood there like a little wet noodle, like a little fan boy," Schwarzenegger said in a Twitter video directed at Trump.
"I was asking myself when you are going to ask him for an autograph or a selfie or something like that."
President @realDonaldTrump, remember, America first. pic.twitter.com/JDEm2rR50G
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) July 16, 2018
US President Donald Trump arrived home from his one-on-one meeting with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki to a wave of criticism that has crossed party lines.
Mr Trump has been slammed for the comments he made at a press conference after the two leaders had met, in which he appeared to take the side of Mr Putin and Russia over his own FBI in regard to Russia's alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential election.
Standing alongside Mr Putin, Mr Trump steered clear of any confrontation with the Russian, going so far as to question American intelligence and last week's federal indictments that accused 12 Russians of hacking into Democratic email accounts to hurt Hillary Clinton in 2016.
"I have great confidence in my intelligence people, but I will tell you that President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today," Mr Trump said.
As I said today and many times before, “I have GREAT confidence in MY intelligence people.” However, I also recognize that in order to build a brighter future, we cannot exclusively focus on the past – as the world’s two largest nuclear powers, we must get along! #HELSINKI2018
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 16, 2018
His scepticism drew a quick formal statement - almost a rebuttal - from Mr Trump's director of national intelligence, Dan Coats.
"We have been clear in our assessments of Russian meddling in the 2016 election and their ongoing, pervasive efforts to undermine our democracy, and we will continue to provide unvarnished and objective intelligence in support of our national security," Mr Coats said.
The fallout to the meeting and press conference has called the conduct of both Mr Trump and Mr Putin into question, with the Russian President again denying the Russian state had any part in influencing the US election - even as a Fox News journalist tried to hand him the indictment documents of 12 Russian intelligence officials during an interview.
Politicians from both major parties and former intelligence officials appeared shocked, dismayed and uneasy with Mr Trump's suggestion he believes Mr Putin's denial of interfering in the 2016 elections.
It was a remarkable break with US intelligence officials and the Justice Department and, just as alarming for some, Mr Trump also put the two countries on the same footing when casting blame for their strained relations.
Senator John McCain called it, "one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory", while Senator Ben Sasse called it "bizarre".
Today’s press conference in #Helsinki was one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory.
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) July 16, 2018
My full statement on the #HelsinkiSummit: https://t.co/lApjctZyZl
Senator Jeff Flake called the press conference "shameful" and Senator Lindsey Graham tweeted that it was a "bad day for the US".
"This was a very good day for President Putin," said Senator Bob Corker, the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. He said Mr Trump's refusal to condemn Russian interference in the 2016 election made the US, "look like a pushover".
Republican Will Hurd said he had seen Russian intelligence manipulate many people in his earlier career as a CIA officer.
I've seen Russian intelligence manipulate many people over my professional career and I never would have thought that the US President would become one of the ones getting played by old KGB hands.
— Rep. Will Hurd (@HurdOnTheHill) July 16, 2018
US President Donald Trump has arrived home from his one-on-one meeting with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki to a wave of criticism that has crossed party lines.
Mr Trump has been slammed for the comments he made at a press conference after the two leaders had met, in which he appeared to take the side of Mr Putin and Russia over his own FBI in regard to Russia's alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential election.
Standing alongside Mr Putin, Mr Trump steered clear of any confrontation with the Russian, going so far as to question American intelligence and last week's federal indictments that accused 12 Russians of hacking into Democratic email accounts to hurt Hillary Clinton in 2016.
"I have great confidence in my intelligence people, but I will tell you that President Putin was extremely strong and powerful in his denial today," Mr Trump said.
"He just said 'it's not Russia'. I will say this - I don't see any reason why it would be."
His scepticism drew a quick formal statement - almost a rebuttal - from Mr Trump's director of national intelligence, Dan Coats.
Speaking to the ABC from an undisclosed location, Bill Browder, who helped blow the whistle on rampant corruption in Russia, slams the Trump-Putin summit which has now put him in the middle of negotiations between the two leaders.
"We have been clear in our assessments of Russian meddling in the 2016 election and their ongoing, pervasive efforts to undermine our democracy, and we will continue to provide unvarnished and objective intelligence in support of our national security," Mr Coats said.
The fallout to the meeting and press conference has called the conduct of both Mr Trump and Mr Putin into question, with the Russian President again denying the Russian state had any part in influencing the US election - even as a Fox News journalist tried to hand him the indictment documents of 12 Russian intelligence officials during an interview.
Politicians from both major parties and former intelligence officials appeared shocked, dismayed and uneasy with Mr Trump's suggestion he believes Mr Putin's denial of interfering in the 2016 elections.
It was a remarkable break with US intelligence officials and the Justice Department and, just as alarming for some, Mr Trump also put the two countries on the same footing when casting blame for their strained relations.
Senator John McCain called it, "one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory", while Senator Ben Sasse called it "bizarre".
Senator Jeff Flake called the press conference "shameful" and Senator Lindsey Graham tweeted that it was a "bad day for the US".
"This was a very good day for President Putin," said Senator Bob Corker, the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee. He said Mr Trump's refusal to condemn Russian interference in the 2016 election made the US, "look like a pushover".
Republican Will Hurd said he had seen Russian intelligence manipulate many people in his earlier career as a CIA officer. But, he tweeted:
House Speaker Paul Ryan weighed in to say there was "no question" Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election and "no moral equivalence" between the US and Russia.
"The President must appreciate that Russia is not our ally," Mr Ryan said in a statement.
"[Russia] remains hostile to our most basic values and ideals."
Much of the Republican rebuke came from politicians who have been willing to openly criticise the President, a group that remains a minority in the GOP.
Many top Republicans remained on the sidelines after the Justice Department on Friday indicted 12 Russian intelligence officials for election-related hacking.
But several Republicans who do not typically buck the President raised concerns, shocked by Monday's performance.
Trump ally Newt Gingrich called it, "the most serious mistake" of Mr Trump's presidency - and one that, "must be corrected immediately".
President Trump must clarify his statements in Helsinki on our intelligence system and Putin. It is the most serious mistake of his presidency and must be corrected—-immediately.
— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) July 16, 2018
Democrats pleaded with their GOP colleagues who have majority control of Congress to rein in the President and become a stronger legislative check on the executive branch.
Senator Chuck Schumer, the minority leader, said never in the history of the country had an American president supported an adversary the way Mr Trump sided with Mr Putin.
He challenged Republicans to move beyond words and to confront the President directly by increasing sanctions on Russia and requesting testimony about the summit from Trump administration officials, among other things.
"We need our Republican colleagues to stand up for the good of this country," he said.
And House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said Mr Trump's weakness in front of Mr Putin was not just "embarrassing" but also, "proves that the Russians have something on the President, personally, financially or politically".
Republicans have been hesitant to fully confront the President, who remains popular among GOP voters back home. But Mr Trump's hold on the GOP is being put to the test by his willingness to align with Mr Putin, a leader whom Republicans routinely describe as an enemy of the United States.
- ABC
