Donald Trump defends presidency, says he has 'inherited a mess'

Trump insisted that his new administration is a 'fine-tuned machine'

President Trump on Thursday dismissed reports about his associates’ contacts with Russia last year and vigorously defended his performance in his first four weeks in office, in a contentious news conference that showcased his unconventional and unconstrained presidency.

At a hastily organised White House event — ostensibly to announce a new nominee for labour secretary, R Alexander Acosta — Mr Trump engaged in an extended attack on the news media and insisted that his new administration was not a chaotic operation but a “fine-tuned machine.” Any challenges, he said, were not his fault. “To be honest, I inherited a mess,” he