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Ploy or Fact? Trump Responds to Russia Hacking Charges

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President-elect Donald Trump made another stop on his "thank you" tour, this time in Pennsylvania. He also continues to build his cabinet, nominating his ambassador to Israel.

The news comes amid ongoing charges that Russia interfered with the U.S. presidential election.

Speaking in Hershey, Pennsylvania, the president-elect thanked voters for making him the first Republican presidential candidate to win the state since 1988.

"Thank you to the different places where we won, swing states mostly, but different places that we won, and by the way, we won in a landslide. This was a landslide victory," he told the crowd.

Trump's "thank you" tour continues Friday night in Florida and concludes Saturday in Alabama.

His tour comes as the White House says it's "fact" that Russian hacking assisted Trump's campaign against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.

White House officials, like press secretary Josh Earnest, say Trump must have been aware of Russia's interference.

Trump criticized the White House spokesman in Pennsylvania.

"Although this foolish guy, Josh Earnest, I don't know if he's talking to President Obama," Trump said. "You know, having the right press secretary is so important because he is so bad, the way he delivers a message. He can deliver a positive message and it sounds bad."

Both Trump and his supporters say the outrage about Russia on the part of Democrats is really a ploy to discredit his election victory.

"If Russia, or some other entity, was hacking, why did the White House waited so long to act? Why did they only complain after Hillary lost?" Trump tweeted.

Critics say Russia did some hacking, but there's no conclusive evidence they were trying to help Trump or hurt Clinton.

Meanwhile, Trump is making some of his final choices for the new administration, nominating David Friedman, a bankruptcy attorney, as his ambassador to Israel. 

Friedman served as one of Trump's main advisors on American-Israeli relations during the campaign. He questions the need for a Palestinian state. His appointment could also contribute to the decision to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Former Israeli Finance Minister Yair Lapid says Trump's pledge to move the U.S. embassy to Israel is an "excellent idea."

"It's about time," Lapid said. "We are sitting now in Israel's capital."

 Friedman issued a statement referring to Jerusalem as the site of the U.S. Embassy.

The Jerusalem Post quotes him saying he plans to "strengthen the unbreakable bond between our two countries and advance the cause of peace within the region – and look forward to doing this from the U.S. embassy in Israel's eternal capital Jerusalem."

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat says he's been in touch with Trump's staff on the issue and he also expects the president-elect to move the U.S. Embassy to the holy city.

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About The Author

Mark
Martin

Mark Martin currently serves as a reporter and anchor at CBN News, reporting on all kinds of issues, from military matters to alternative fuels. Mark has reported internationally in the Middle East. He traveled to Bahrain and covered stories on the aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Dwight D. Eisenhower. Mark also anchors CBN News Midday on the CBN Newschannel and fills in on the anchor desk for CBN News' Newswatch and The 700 Club. Prior to CBN News, Mark worked at KFSM-TV, the CBS affiliate in Fort Smith, Arkansas. There he served as a weekend morning producer, before being promoted to general