US prez slams Russia claims, bashes media at news conference

US President Donald Trump launched an extraordinary condemnation of his critics, complaining he inherited a "mess" and slamming media reports that his campaign was constantly in contact with Russia as "fake news".

Trump held a news conference on Thursday that lasted an hour and 15 minutes, where he displayed a sense of anger and grievance rarely vented by a President in public, CNN reported.

"I have never seen more dishonest media, frankly than the political media," Trump said, later slamming leaks to the press from the intelligence community - some of which led to the resignation of national security adviser Michael Flynn.

"The leaks are real. The leaks are absolutely real. The news is fake because so much of the news is fake." Trump was repeatedly pressed on whether his campaign staff had been in contact with Russia, as a widening drama over his alleged connections with Moscow dominates news coverage.

"Nobody that I know of. How many times do I have to answer this question? Russia is a ruse. I have nothing to do with Russia. Haven't made a phone call to Russia in years," Trump said.

"I own nothing in Russia, I have no loans in Russia, I don't have any deals in Russia," Trump said. "Russia is fake news".

The President went on to say: I'm here again to take my message straight to the people. As you know, our administration inherited many problems across government and across the economy. To be honest, I inherited a mess. It's a mess. At home and abroad, a mess." Trump in fact predicted how this "animated and unorthodox" news conference will be interpreted in the press.

"Tomorrow (Friday), they will say: 'Donald Trump rants and raves at the press'," Trump said. "I'm not ranting and raving. I'm just telling you. You know, you're dishonest people. But... but I'm not ranting and raving. I love this. I'm having a good time

doing it."