Cnn newsroom starts right now. Our top story, a wide ranging eye opening and some would say surprising interview with u. S. President donald trump. He sat down with the New York Times at his resort in florida on thursday. Perhaps the most interesting point, President Trump said that he believes the special Counsel Robert Mueller will treat him fairly in the rub shah probe but the president was still defiant insisting 16 times that there was no collusion between his team and russia. However, the president did say this, there was tremendous collusion on behalf of the russians anddemocrat. There was no collusion with respect to my campaign. He went on, i think ill be treated fairly. Timing wise, i cant tell you. I just dont know, but i think well be treated fairly. He said the sooner the probe is over the better. Everyone will probably agree to that. Scott lucas, professor of International Politics at the university of birmingham joining us from england. Scott, glad to have you with us. F