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President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday adamantly denied reports that Russia had obtained compromising information about him, calling news reports "a disgrace." He also acknowledged Moscow was likely behind the hacking of the DNC. (Jan. 11) AP

While offering a vigorous defense against claims that Russia has dirt on him — and blasting the news media along the way — Donald Trump left his news conference Wednesday with a few questions unanswered, or half-answered.

Among them (on camera at least): Did any of his associates have specific contacts with Russian officials?

(Some reporters who pursued Trump after the news conference reported that he provided a one-word response as he entered a Trump Tower elevator: "No.")

.@Acosta says that as Trump was going to elevators, he said "no," that his team didn't have contact with Russia
— Ashley Killough (@KilloughCNN) January 11, 2017

Another unanswered question, as phrased by a reporter: "Did the heads of the intelligence agencies provide you with the two-page summary of these unsubstantiated allegations?"

Trump neither confirmed nor denied in a lengthy answer, but he did suggest they did not: "I saw the information; I read the information outside of that meeting. It's all fake news. It's phony stuff. It didn't happen. And it was gotten by opponents of ours, as you know, because you reported it and so did many of the other people."

Also: "I'm not allowed to talk about what went on in a (classified) meeting."

The president-elect also declined several opportunities to say whether he would reduce or end sanctions on Russia, including those President Obama imposed last month over the hacking episode.

Trump also demurred, somewhat, when asked whether he accepted the intelligence community's findings that Russia engineered the hackings of Democrats close to Clinton.

"As far as hacking, I think it was Russia — but I think we also get hacked by other countries and other people," Trump said at one point.

Later, Trump again suggested Russian involvement, "but — you know what? — it could have been others also."

Also unanswered:

• What a new Republican health care plan might look like, essentially referring the issue to Health and Human Services-designate Tom Price. "So as soon as our secretary is approved and gets into the office, we'll be filing a plan," Trump said at one point.

• Details of a capital repatriation plan and proposed corporate tax cuts. Trump did say, "there will be a major border tax on these companies that are leaving and getting away with murder."

One thing Trump flatly refused to answer: A question from CNN, the news organization that did the story on Russian intelligence gathering on Trump.

"Not you," Trump told CNN's Jim Acosta. "Your organization is terrible ... You are fake news."

Read more:

USA TODAY

First Take: Amid explosive controversy, Trump goes on offense

USA TODAY

Wide-ranging news conference finds Trump confident, combative and optimistic

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President-elect Donald Trump: A look at his career and 2016 campaign

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Donald Trump claimed a stunning victory after a long and contentious 2016 campaign. Here's a look back at his career and path to the presidency. John Locher, AP

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Donald Trump stands next to one of his three Sikorsky helicopters at New York Port Authority's West 30 Street Heliport in March 1988. Wilbur Funches, AP

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Heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, right, speak at a news conference while adviser Donald Trump looks, after announcing a settlement between Tyson and his manager, Bill Cayton, on July 27, 1988. Richard Drew, AP

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Donald Trump, right, waits with his brother Robert for the start of a Casino Control Commission meeting in Atlantic City on March 29, 1990. Trump was seeking final approval for the Taj Mahal Casino Resort, one of the world's largest casino complexes. AP

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Donald Trump stands next to a genie lamp as the lights of his Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort light up the evening sky marking the grand opening of the venture in Atlantic City on April 5, 1990. Mike Derer, AP

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Donald Trump and architect Adrian Smith unveil an artist rendition of Trump Tower Chicago at a news conference on Sept. 23, 2003. Scott Olson, Getty Images

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Donald Trump signs autographs for a crowd prior to the demolition of the old Chicago Sun-Times building on Oct. 28, 2004. Jeff Roberson, AP

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Donald Trump on the set for his show, "The Apprentice" in 2006. Virginia Sherwood, NBC

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Ann Romney looks on as Donald Trump and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney shake hands during a news conference held by Trump to endorse Mitt Romney for president on Feb. 2, 2012, in Las Vegas. Ethan Miller, Getty Images

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Eric F. Trump, Donald Trump and Donald Trump Jr. attend the "Celebrity Apprentice All Stars" Season 13 Press Conference at Jack Studios on October 12, 2012, in New York City. Slaven Vlasic, Getty Images

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Donald Trump and Miss Connecticut USA Erin Brady pose onstage after Brady won the 2013 Miss USA pageant, on June 16, 2013. Jeff Bottari, FR170524AP

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Donald Trump and Ivanka Trump watch as the ceremonial starter hits to start the first round of the WGC-Cadillac Championship golf tournament at TPC Blue Monster at Trump National Doral on March 5, 2015, in Miami. Jason Getz, USA TODAY Sports

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Donald Trump reacts alongside wife Melania Trump before the welterweight boxing fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao on May 2, 2015. Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports

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Donald Trump speaks during the Freedom Summit on May 9, 2015, in Greenville, South Carolina. Richard Ellis, Getty Images

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Donald Trump speaks to guests gathered for the Republican Party of Iowa's Lincoln Dinner at the Iowa Events Center on May 16, 2015, in Des Moines, Iowa. Scott Olson, Getty Images

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Trump announces his presidential run on June 16, 2015, at Trump Tower in New York. JUSTIN LANE, EPA

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Trump holds up documents from a poll that shows him running in second place among Republican candidates as he speaks at a meeting of the City Club of Chicago on June 29, 2015. Tannen Maury, European Pressphoto Agency

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Trump greets the crowd before speaking at the Phoenix Convention Center on July 11, 2015. Cheryl Evans, The Arizona Republic

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Trump speaks at the Family Leadership Summit in Ames, Iowa, on July 18, 2015. Nati Harnik, AP

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Trump arrives at the airport for a visit to the U.S./Mexico border in Laredo, Texas, on July 23, 2015. LM Otero, AP

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Trump drives his golf buggy during the second day of the Women's British Open golf championship on the Turnberry golf course in Turnberry, Scotland, on July 31, 2015. Scott Heppell, AP

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Trump, alongside fellow Republican presidential candidates Ben Carson and Scott Walker, participates in the first prime-time presidential debate hosted by Fox news and Facebook at the Quicken Loans Arena on Aug. 6, 2015, in Cleveland. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

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Trump delivers the keynote address at the Genesee and Saginaw Republican Party Lincoln Day Event on Aug. 11, 2015, in Birch Run, Mich., his first campaign event since his Republican debate debut. Bill Pugliano, Getty Images

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Trump greets fairgoers while campaigning at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 15, 2015, in Des Moines. Win McNamee, Getty Images

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Trump greets supporters after his rally at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Aug. 21, 2015, in Mobile, Ala. Mark Wallheiser, Getty Images

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Trump fields a question from Univision and Fusion anchor Jorge Ramos during a press conference held before his campaign event at the Grand River Center on Aug. 25, 2015, in Dubuque, Iowa. Earlier in the press conference Trump had Ramos removed from the room. Scott Olson

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Trump asks a supporter, Mary Margaret Bannister, check to see whether his hair is real during his speech to supporters at a rally at the TD Convention Center on Aug. 27, 2015, in Greenville, S.C RICHARD SHIRO, AP

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Trump looks at his signed pledge during a conference

Trump looks at his signed pledge during a news conference at Trump Tower on Sept. 3, 2015, in which he vowed to support the Republican Party's nominee, whoever it may be. Richard Drew, AP

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Trump speaks at a rally organized by Tea Party Patriots on Capitol Hill on Sept. 9, 2015, to oppose the Iran nuclear agreement. Carolyn Kaster, AP

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Jimmy Fallon and Trump appear in the "Trump in the Mirror" skit during a taping of "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Sept. 11, 2015, in New York. Douglas Gorenstein, AP

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Trump speaks during a campaign event aboard the USS Iowa battleship in Los Angeles on Sept. 15, 2015. Kevork Djansezian, AP

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Trump speaks during the CNN Republican presidential debate at the Reagan library on Sept. 16, 2015, in Simi Valley, Calif. Mark J. Terrill, AP

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Trump high-fives homecoming king Austin Cook as queen Eylse Pescott looks on during a rally at Urbandale High School on Sept. 19, 2015, in Urbandale, Iowa. Charlie Neibergall, AP

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Trump announces his tax plan during a press conference at Trump Tower in New York on Sept. 28, 2015. Dominick Reuter, AFP/Getty Images

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Trump answers a reporter's question prior to a town hall event at Keene High School on Sept. 30, 2015, in Keene, N.H. Darren McCollester, Getty Images

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Trump invites Myriam Witcher, 35, of Las Vegas on the stage during a campaign rally at the Treasure Island Hotel & Casino on Oct. 8, 2015, in Las Vegas. Isaac Brekken, Getty Images

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Trump leaves the stage following a campaign rally at Burlington Memorial Auditorium on Oct. 21, 2015, in Burlington, Iowa. Scott Olson, Getty Images

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Trump is questioned by the media after the CNBC Republican presidential debate on Oct. 28, 2015, in Boulder, Colo. Jeremy Papasso, AP

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New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner watches at left as Trump fills out his papers to be on the New Hampshire primary ballot on Nov. 4, 2015, in Concord, N.H. Jim Cole, AP

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Trump speaks alongside Marco Rubio and Ben Carson during the Republican debate on Nov. 10, 2015, in Milwaukee. Scott Olson, Getty Images

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Trump addresses supporters during a campaign rally at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on Nov. 23, 2015, in Columbus, Ohio. Ty Wright, Getty Images

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Donald Trump waves to the crowd after participating in a campaign event in Aiken, S.C., on Dec. 12, 2015. Erik S. Lesser, European Pressphoto Agency

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Trump speaks during a campaign stop at Winthrop University on Jan. 8, 2016, in Rock Hill, S.C. Rainier Ehrhardt, AP

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Trump arrives at Muscatine Municipal Airport for a rally at Muscatine High School in Muscatine, Iowa, on Jan. 24, 2016. Andrew Harnik, AP

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Trump walks down the steps after speaking at a caucus site on Feb. 1, 2016, in Clive, Iowa. Jae C. Hong, AP

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Trump greets people as he visits a polling station on Feb. 9, 2016 in Manchester, N.H. Joe Raedle, Getty Images

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Trump acknowledges cheering supporters celebrating his victory in the South Carolina Republican primary in Spartanburg, S.C., on Feb. 20, 2016. RICHARD ELLIS, EPA

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Trump speaks during a rally on Feb. 23, 2016, in Reno, Nev. Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP

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Trump talks to a boy at the end of a rally at the Peabody Opera House on March 11, 2016, in St. Louis. Michael B. Thomas, AFP/Getty Images

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Trump addresses the media at a press conference following his victory in the Florida primary on March 15, 2016, in West Palm Beach, Fla. Rhona Wise, AFP/Getty Images

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Trump and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie disembark from Trump's plane during a campaign stop on March 1, 2016, in Columbus, Ohio. John Minchillo, AP

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Trump speaks at a campaign rally in New Orleans on March 4, 2016. Gerald Herbert, AP

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Trump speaks to supporters at his primary night event at Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Fla., on March 15, 2016. Gerald Herbert, AP

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Trump tours the Old Post Office Pavilion, soon to be a Trump International Hotel, on March 21, 2016, in Washington. Alex Brandon, AP

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Trump waves as he gets into his vehicle in Washington on March 31, 2016, following a meeting at the Republican National Committee headquarters. Susan Walsh, AP

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Trump arrives at a campaign rally in Bethpage, N.Y., on April 6, 2016. Peter Foley, European Pressphoto Agency

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Trump signs a hat after speaking at a rally at the Connecticut Convention Center on April 15, 2016 in Hartford, Conn. Matthew Cavanaugh, Getty Images

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Trump speaks following victory in the New York primary on April 19, 2016. Jewel Samad, AFP/Getty Images

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Trump waves to the crowd at the end of his campaign rally at the Indiana Farmers Coliseum on April 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. John Sommers II, Getty Images

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Trump gestures while speaking during a campaign rally at the Indiana Theater on May 1, 2016, in Terre Haute, Ind. Seth Perlman, AP

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Trump speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in his office at Trump Tower in New York on May 10, 2016. Mary Altaffer, AP

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Trump answers questions during a conference in

Trump answers questions during a news conference in New York on May 31, 2016. Richard Drew, AP

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Trump gives a speech on terrorism at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H., on June 13, 2016, in the aftermath of the Orlando shootings. Timothy A. Clary, AFP/Getty Images

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Trump delivers a speech attacking Hillary Clinton at Trump SoHo Hotel on June 22, 2016. Drew Angerer, Getty Images

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Trump speaks at the 2016 Western Conservative Summit at the Colorado Convention Center on July 1, 2016 in Denver. Marc Piscotty, Getty Images

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Trump arrives at RNC headquarters for a meeting with House Speaker Paul Ryan and House Republicans on July 7, 2016, in Washington. Mark Wilson, Getty Images

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Trump listens to a question during an interview after a rally in Virginia Beach, Va., on July 11, 2016. Steve Helber, AP

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Trump and his family attend an arrival event with Gov. Mike Pence and his family at the Great Lakes Science Center on July 20, 2016, in Cleveland during the GOP convention. Jeff J Mitchell, Getty Images

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Trump delivers his acceptance speech during the Republican National Convention on July 21, 2016. Kelly Jordan, USA TODAY

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Trump meets with the editorial board of Colorado Springs Gazette on July 29, 2016, in downtown Colorado Springs, Colo. Christian Murdock, AP

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Trump holds up a chart as he speaks during his campaign event at the BB&T Center on Aug. 10, 2016, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Joe Raedle, Getty Images

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Trump arrives to speak at a campaign rally in Akron, Ohio, alongside former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani on Aug. 22, 2016. Gerald Herbert, AP

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Mexico President Enrique Pena Nieto and Trump shake hands after a joint statement at Los Pinos, the presidential official residence, in Mexico City on Aug. 31, 2016. Marco Ugarte, AP

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Trump arrives for his immigration speech at the Phoenix Convention Center on Aug. 31, 2016. Michael Chow/The Republic, Michael Chow-USA TODAY Sports

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Trump speaks with 'Today' show co-anchor Matt Lauer at the NBC Commander-In-Chief Forum held at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space museum in New York on Sept. 7, 2016. Evan Vucci, AP

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Trump waves as he steps out of his plane for a rally at the JetCenters of Colorado in Colorado Springs on Sept. 17, 2016. Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images

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Trump speaks during a rally at Duplin County Events Center in Kenansville, N.C., on Sept. 20, 2016. Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images

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Trump and Clinton shake hands at the end of the first presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., on Sept. 26, 2016. Joe Raedle, AFP/Getty Images

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Trump meets with members of the National Border Patrol Council at Trump Tower on Oct. 7, 2016, in New York. Evan Vucci, AP

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Trump and Clinton take part in the town hall debate at Washington University on Oct. 9, 2016, in St Louis. Saul Loeb, Pool/Getty Images

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Trump walks off the stage followed by his wife, Melania, after the final presidential debate in Las Vegas on Oct. 19, 2016. Robyn Beck, AFP/Getty Images

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Trump sits down with Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and a group of small-business owners for a roundtable meeting on Nov. 1, 2016, in Altoona, Wis. Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

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Donald Trump waves to supporters who were waiting outside of the fence following a rally at the Sun Country Airlines hangar in Minneapolis on Nov. 6, 2016. Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images

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Trump looks at his wife, Melania, as they cast their votes at PS-59 on Nov. 8, 2016, in New York. Evan Vucci, AP

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Trump, accompanied by wife Melania, Vice President-elect Mike Pence and House Speaker Paul Ryan, speaks after a meeting with Ryan, on Nov. 10, 2016, in the Speaker's office on Capitol Hill in Washington. Alex Brandon, AP

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President Obama and Trump shake hands following their meeting in the Oval Office on Nov. 10, 2016. Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP

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Trump pauses in the entryway of Trump National Golf Club Bedminster clubhouse on Nov. 20, 2016, in Bedminster, N.J. Carolyn Kaster, AP

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Trump walks through the lobby of The New York Times following a meeting with editors at the paper on Nov. 22, 2016, in New York City. Spencer Platt, Getty Images

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Trump dines with Mitt Romney at Jean Georges Restaurant in New York City on Nov. 29, 2016. John Angelillo, Pool/European Pressphoto Agency

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Trump speaks at U.S. Bank Arena on Dec. 1, 2016, in Cincinnati. He took time off from selecting his Cabinet to celebrate his election victory. Ty Wright, Getty Images

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Trump is interviewed by Chris Wallace of "Fox News Sunday" at Trump Tower in New York on Dec. 10, 2016. Richard Drew, AP

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Trump waves to the crowd from a suite during the first quarter of the Army-Navy game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Dec. 10, 2016. Tommy Gilligan, Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

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Amazon's Jeff Bezos, Larry Page of Alphabet, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, Vice President-elect Mike Pence, Trump and Peter Thiel, co-founder and former CEO of PayPal, take part in meetings at Trump Tower in New York on Dec. 14, 2016. Timothy A. Clary, AFP/Getty Images

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Trump appears in Orlando, Fla., during his "Thank You" tour on Dec. 16, 2016. Craig Bailey, Florida Today

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President-elect Donald Trump arrives to speak at a rally at Ladd-Peebles Stadium on Dec. 17, 2016, in Mobile, Ala. Evan Vucci, AP

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Trump stands with boxing promoter Don King as he speaks to reporters at Mar-a-Lago on Dec. 28, 2016, in Palm Beach, Fla. Evan Vucci, AP

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The Trumps talk to reporters during a New Year's Eve party at Mar-a-Lago on Dec. 31, 2016, in Palm Beach, Fla. Evan Vucci, AP

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Trump, accompanied by French businessman Bernard Arnault, speaks with reporters after a meeting at Trump Tower in New York on Jan. 9, 2017. Evan Vucci, AP

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