There is no doubt Russia tried to involve itself in the 2016 presidential election, but it is “disgraceful” that former President Barack Obama’s administration allegedly tried to suggest there was collusion between President Donald Trump’s campaign and the Russians, former Rep. Pete King told Newsmax on Sunday.

Russia, the New York Republican told Newsmax’s “Wake Up America Weekend,” involved itself in every presidential campaign dating back to the end of World War II, but it was a “lie from beginning to end” to say that there was contact between the Trump campaign and Russia.

“I would say [Russian President Vladimir] Putin was the most surprised person in the world when [former Secretary of State] Hillary Clinton lost on election night,” said King. “They wanted to damage Hillary Clinton a bit only because they wanted her to be a weaker president. They never thought that Trump was going to win. They made no effort. Or maybe they had made an effort, but they were never successful in establishing any contact or collusion with the Trump administration.”

Read more at Newsmax© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.