Trump says Obama knew of Russian election meddling but 'did nothing'

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After months of denying Russia's interference in the 2016 election, US President Donald Trump has finally appeared to acknowledge Russian involvement did exist – but this time, he directed the spearhead at his predecessor Barack Obama.

In a tweet on Saturday, Trump asked why the Obama administration did nothing, as they "knew far in advance of November 8th about election meddling by Russia".

Screenshot of Donald Trump's tweet. /CGTN Photo

The president continued his question by releasing two further tweets, asking if the Obama administration's inaction was trying to protect Hillary Clinton, who lost the 2016 presidential election to Trump.

Screenshot of Donald Trump's tweet. /CGTN Photo

Trump's comments followed an interview with Fox News, in which he said the CIA gave Obama information on Russia long before the election, but said "it's quite sad" that he didn't do something about it.

A Homeland Security Department official on Wednesday told US Congress that Russian hackers targeted 21 US state election systems in the 2016 presidential race and a small number were breached. The official however noted that there was no evidence any votes were manipulated.

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump (L) speaks as Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton listens during the Presidential Debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, US, on September 26, 2016. /VCG Photo

US investigators are looking into whether Russian cyber hackers targeted US electoral systems to help Trump win.

Russia has repeatedly denied attempting to interfere in the US election.

Allegations of collusion between the Trump team and Russian officials during the election have cast a shadow over Trump's first five months in office. Trump has called the collusion story a "total hoax."

Earlier in May, Trump fired FBI director James Comey, who had been leading the agency charged with investigating his campaign's ties with Russia.

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