For months, members of the Trump administration have been on the public record, denying any collusion with the Russians in the lead-up to the US election.
Last December, senior advisor to Donald Trump, Kellyanne Conway, put it this way.
"Absolutely not and I discussed that with the president-elect just last night. Those conversations never happened. I hear people saying it, like it's a fact, on television. That is not only inaccurate and false but it's dangerous. And it does undermine our democracy."
In January, there was a denial from Vice President Mike Pence.
"Of course not and I think to suggest that is to give credence to some of these bizarre rumours that have swirled around the candidacy."
And just last month Donald Trump Junior dismissed it as a witch-hunt.
"To me, it's without question, you know, reads and smells like a witch-hunt because I have no other proof or evidence to show otherwise."
But a report over the weekend in the New York Times has led to confirmation a meeting did occur on June the 9th last year in Trump Tower.
The New York Times says before the meeting, Donald Trump Junior received an email saying the information to be provided "was part of a Russian government effort to aid his father's candidacy."
A statement from Donald Trump Junior says he met Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya, along with Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and then-campaign manager Paul Manafort.
Donald Trump Junior says nothing came of the meeting, saying the lawyer made vague, ambiguous statements that made no sense.
The meeting is thought to be the first confirmed private meeting between a Russian national and members of the President's inner circle.
Senior White House adviser Kellyanne Conway is adamant there has been no collusion and has tried to play down the significance of the meeting during this exchange with ABC America journalist George Stephanopoulos.
Stephanopoulos: "We know from Don Junior's own admission that he sought the meeting with the Russian because she would provide damaging information with Hillary Clinton. How can you say that is not at least an attempt at working with the Russians to hurt the Clinton campaign to help the Trump campaign?"
Conway: "Two quick things, he did not seek the meeting, if you look at his statement he said that the meeting was requested of him and he agreed to the meeting."
Stephanopoulos: "Because she was going to give damaging information about Hillary Clinton."
Conway: "He didn't even know her name though, George. He had no idea who this person was until she entered the room he said that..."
Stephanopoulos: "But he believed she was bringing damaging information about Hillary Clinton, that's why he agreed to the meeting, by his own admission."
The US intelligence committee examining Russia's alleged interference in last year's presidential election now wants to interview Donald Trump Junior, who has hired New York lawyer Alan Futerfas to represent him.
