TBT: Paul Manafort’s Guilty Non-Answer on Trump’s Russian Financial Ties

In light of the new CNN report alleging former Donald Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort was wiretapped by US investigators due to his Russia dealings, it seemed appropriate to make that time he gave the guiltiest non-answer ever our #ThrowbackThursday of the week.

While appearing on CBS This Morning in July 2016, Manafort swore that the now-president had no — none, zero, zilch — financial ties with Russia, but the delivery of his Trump-Russia denial was a little less than convincing.

“Mr. Trump has no financial relationships with any Russian oligarchs?” Asked CBS News’ Norah O’Donnell.

“Th-that’s what he said. I da’, that’s what I said. That’s, uh, obviously what the — our position is,” stammered Manafort — with the poker face of a man ready to lose millions in Vegas.

WATCH: In light of AP story re Manafort – take a look at his response to a simple question re Russian oligarch ties https://t.co/getQDJUZZG pic.twitter.com/Ic85K4fAE0

— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) March 22, 2017

And yet, his eyebrow raising answer just leaves us with more questions — why couldn’t Manafort just respond with a simple yes or no? Was his cryptic three answers to one question a way to legally cover his bases? Or could he have been playing the classic ice-breaker game Two Truths and a Lie?

Unfortunately, no further light was shed on the issue during this interview, as he was able to pivot to answering questions about the minimum wage and Hillary Clinton’s electability.

With things heating up in special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe into Russian election involvement, the disreputable lobbyist’s future is not looking good. Additionally, as more information is released regarding Manafort’s role in Trump’s campaign and his involvement with Russian oligarchs, this cringey denial clip may prove valuable.

Plus, at least we can all chuckle at his comically terrible bluffing.

Watch above via CBS.

[featured image via screengrab]

Follow Caleb Ecarma on Twitter.