Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden hit President Trump’s attorney Rudy Giuliani during the presidential debate Thursday night, claiming that Giuliani has been “fed” Russian disinformation.
Kristen Welker asked the candidates about foreign interference efforts, after Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe warned late Wednesday that Russia and Iran are behind efforts to sway public opinions in the 2020 presidential election.
“They’re interfering with American sovereignty. That’s what’s going on right now. They’re interfering with American sovereignty. To the best of my knowledge, I don’t think the president’s said anything to [Russian President Vladimir Putin] about it,” Biden said.
“His own national security adviser told him that what is happening with his buddy — well I shouldn’t, well I will, his buddy Rudy Giuliani,” Biden added, “He’s being used as a Russian pawn. He’s being fed information that is Russian, that is not true. And then what happens? Nothing happens. And then you find out that everything is going on here about Russia is wanting to make sure that I do not get elected the next president of the United States because they know I know them, and they know me.”
The Washington Post reported earlier this month that intelligence officials warned the president that Giuliani was the target of an influence campaign conducted by Russian intelligence officials. Officials said U.S. intelligence officers were worried that Giuliani was being used to pass along Russian disinformation.
National security adviser Robert O’Brien warned the president about the alleged campaign, saying that information from Giuliani following trips to Ukraine should be considered tainted by Russian officials.
O’Brien was reportedly unsure if his message was communicated to Trump, who “shrugged his shoulders” in response and said, “That’s Rudy,” the Post reported.
Ratcliffe said Wednesday that Iran is behind spending spoofed emails aimed at intimidating voters, stirring social unrest and damaging the president. He has also said Russia and China have separately obtained voter registration information.