*Administration of Donald J. Trump, 2018 *

**Remarks in an Exchange With Reporters in Charleston, West Virginia **

*August 21, 2018 *

*Q*. Mr. President, any reaction to the news out of the Manafort trial? Or to the Michael Cohen?

*Q. *Any reaction to Michael Cohen, Mr. President?

*Verdict in Trial of Former Trump Presidential Campaign Manager Paul J. Manafort, Jr./Investigation Into Russia's Interference in 2016 Presidential Election *

*Q. *Mr. President, any reaction to Paul Manafort?

*The President.* Yes, it's too bad. I feel badly for both. I must tell you that Paul Manafort is a good man. He was with Ronald Reagan. He was with a lot of different people over the years. And I feel very sad about that.

It doesn't involve me, but I still feel—you know, it's a very sad thing that happened. This has nothing to do with Russian collusion. This started as Russian collusion. This has absolutely nothing to do—this is a witch hunt, and it's a disgrace.

But this has nothing to do what they started out, looking for Russians involved in our campaign; there were none. I feel very badly for Paul Manafort. Again, he worked for Bob Dole. He worked for Ronald Reagan. He worked for many, many people. And this is the way it ends up. And it was not the original mission, believe me. It was something very much different.

So—had nothing to with Russian collusion. We continue the witch hunt. Thank you very much.

*Q*. Mr. President, what about Michael Cohen? Any comment on Michael Cohen?

NOTE: The President spoke at 5:38 p.m. at Yeager Airport. In his remarks, he referred to former personal attorney to the President Michael D. Cohen; and former Sen. Robert J. Dole.

*Categories:* Interviews With the News Media : Exchanges with reporters :: Charleston, WV*.*

*Locations: *Charleston, WV.

*Names:* Cohen, Michael D.; Dole, Robert J.; Manafort, Paul J.

*Subjects:* Communications : News media :: Presidential interviews; Russia : 2016 U.S. elections, interference; Russia : Relations with U.S.; West Virginia : President's visits.

*DCPD Number:* DCPD201800542.