WASHINGTON _ In a rare appearance before reporters at the White House, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner said Monday he "did not collude" with Russia and doesn't know of "anyone else in the campaign" who did.
Kushner spoke in front of the doors to the West Wing within an hour of being interviewed on Capitol Hill by investigators and members of the Senate Intelligence Committee looking into Russia's meddling in the election.
"Let me be very clear: I did not collude with Russia, nor do I know of anyone else in the campaign who did so," Kushner said, reading from a prepared statement. "I had no improper contacts. I have not relied on Russian funds for my businesses and I have been fully transparent in providing all requested information," he said.
In advance of his interview with Senate investigators, Kushner released an 11-page account of his contacts with Russians during the campaign and the transition. He described four meetings with Russian nationals, including two with Ambassador Sergei Kislyak. Those meetings were not initially included on forms he submitted to get a government security clearance. He has since revised those forms several times.
Kushner insisted his father-in-law won the election because of his promises to voters, not because of help from any foreign government.
"Donald Trump has a better message and ran a better campaign and that is why he won," Kushner said. "Suggesting otherwise ridicules those who voted for him."
After reading his prepared remarks, Kushner turned stiffly and walked back into the West Wing. He did not respond to questions shouted by reporters behind him.
