Shameful. Disgraceful. A tragic mistake. And that’s what Donald Trump’s own party thought of Putin summit

“Bizarre”. “Shameful”. “Disgraceful”. That’s the swift and sweeping condemnation directed at US President Donald Trump after he sided with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a stunning appearance in Helsinki – and that’s just from Trump’s fellow Republicans.

Lawmakers in both major parties and former intelligence officials appeared shocked, dismayed and uneasy with Trump’s suggestion that he believes Putin’s denial of interfering in the 2016 elections.

It was a remarkable break with US intelligence officials and the Justice Department. And just as alarming for some, Trump also put the two countries on the same footing when casting blame for their strained relations.

Republican Senator John McCain called it “one of the most disgraceful performances by an American president in memory”.

Senator Ben Sasse called it “bizarre”, Senator Jeff Flake called it “shameful”. And Senator Lindsey Graham tweeted that it was a “bad day for the US.” All are Republicans.

“This was a very good day for President Putin,” said Senator Bob Corker, the Republican chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee.

He said Trump’s refusal to condemn Russian interference in the 2016 election makes the US “look like a pushover”.

Republican Representative Will Hurd said he’s seen Russian intelligence manipulate many people in his earlier career as a CIA officer.