8 Quotes From Donald Trump's Press Conference About 'Golden Shower Gate' Controversy, Russia Relationship

In the shadow of an explosive-but-unverified leak of an apparent opposition report linking him to Russia, President-elect Donald Trump held Wednesday his first news conference in months.

In New York City at Trump Tower, the president-elect addressed a wide range of issues after the unconfirmed report — which alleged Russia had information on Trump to compromise him — was published in full by BuzzFeed Tuesday. Before Trump even took the stage, the report was slammed as false, "shameful and disgraceful" by the incoming press secretary Sean Spicer. Vice President-elect Mike Pence did more of the same after Spicer, calling it fake news aimed at delegitimizing Trump's presidency.

Before taking the stage Wednesday, Trump vigorously denied the allegations in the document, which included a claim he once paid Russian prostitutes to urinate on a bed President Barack Obama had slept in, on Twitter. His first response called it, in capital letters, "FAKE NEWS - A TOTAL POLITICAL WITCH HUNT!" Trump tweeted Wednesday morning Russia had no leverage over him, and said it was all intelligence agencies trying to get a "last shot" at him. The president-elect then compared the United States to Nazi Germany.

The event Wednesday was the first formal news conference for Trump since one he held during the campaign in July. During that appearance, he called for Russia to hack the emails of his opponent, Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

Listed below are eight quotes Trump said during the news conference, with comments on everything from the pharmaceutical industry to the explosive report that leaked:

1. While suggesting intelligence agencies may have leaked the report published by Buzzfeed

"A thing like that should have never been written. It should never have been had, it shouldn't certainly have ever been released."

He later called Buzzfeed a "failing pile of garbage" and he thinks the site will "suffer the consequences."

2. On drug companies

"They're getting away with murder."

3. On the leaked intelligence report that was opposition research

"It was gotten by opponents of ours. It was a group of opponents, sick people and they put that crap together. I read what was released and I think it was a disgrace."

4. On the hacks of the Democratic National Committee

"As far as hacking, I think it was Russia." He later added hacking was very common, saying "We had much hacking going on."

5. On his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin

"If Putin likes Donald Trump, guess what folks, that's an asset. Not a liability."

6. Seemingly in reference to the unverified allegation that he paid prostitutes to urinate on a bed in Russia

"Does anyone really believe that story? I'm also very much of a germophobe, by the way."

7. On apparently denying a $2 billion deal in the Middle East because he wanted to avoid conflicts of interests

"I turned it down. I didn't have to turn it down. Because, you know, I have a no conflict situation because I'm president."

8. On not releasing his tax returns, claiming the American people aren't concerned over the matter

"I won. I don't think they care at all."