‘Natural enemies’ China and Russia brought together by US Democratic leaders: Donald Trump

US presidential candidate Donald Trump accused American Democratic leaders of driving “natural enemies” China and Russia together while suggesting he would “get along great” with Chinese President Xi Jinping if he wins back the White House.

Speaking at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump described his once and possibly future relationship with China’s leader in positive terms while in the same sentence blaming him for the coronavirus pandemic.

The press conference on Thursday was his first since US President Joe Biden bowed out of the election campaign and endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris.

In his opening remarks and exchange with reporters that ran more than an hour, Trump bounced between biting criticism of his opponent and her running-mate selection, unfounded allegations that Biden’s replacement in the race was unconstitutional and pledges to undertake mass deportations of illegal immigrants.

He also asserted that no one died in the January 6, 2021 assault on the US Capitol by his supporters, an issue for which Trump was indicted and faces a legal case that has involved the US Supreme Court and is central to Democratic election campaigns.