Trump was given an opportunity to save himself but he blew it.

[kentuck]

He was told before hand that, indeed, we did have proof of Russia's cyber attack upon our election. We had names and addresses and methods used. He could have flashed the proof in the face of the dictator who has continually lied about it.

He chose to ignore the proof from his own Justice Dept and to believe Vladimir Putin, the dictator.

He didn't have to do that. He had other options. He was urged to cancel the meeting.

But he chose to betray his own country.

He blew it.

Bigly.

[Freethinker65]

1. No. Trump saved himself by sacrificing the United States to Putin/Russia.

The act of betrayal was self serving

[Mme. Defarge]

2. He did not choose to believe Putin, IMO

He knowingly chose to support his lies.

[Girard442]

3. None of this was Trump's decision.

Except, of course, for the part about giving Vlad anything he wants.

Trump publicly debased himself because Putin wanted him to and so he did. If Putin had wanted Trump and himself to be seen having a row, he would have made that happen — but he didn’t.