Trump: Comey conversations were not recorded

June 22 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump tweeted he did not order his conversations with former FBI Director James Comey to be recorded, ending speculation Trump started when he suggested the possibility such tapes existed.

Trump created a firestorm last month when, after firing Comey, he alluded to the possibility of White House tapes that would prove inconsistencies between what Trump said Comey had told him in private and Comey's public accounts of one-on-one meetings. The two had discussed the FBI's investigation into the administration and Russia's election hacking.

"With all of the recently reported electronic surveillance, intercepts, unmasking and illegal leaking of information, I have no idea... whether there are 'tapes' or recordings of my conversations with James Comey, but I did not make, and do not have, any such recordings," Trump tweeted Thursday.

Comey testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee earlier this month that Trump instigated several one-on-one conversations regarding the status of the Russia investigation, interactions Comey deemed ethically dubious. During those conversations, Comey said he believed Trump ordered him to end the investigation and specifically mentioned letting up on former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who has become a central figure in the probe because of his ties to the Kremlin.

After each of the conversations, Comey drafted memos outlining what had been said and shared them with a handful of top staff members at the FBI. He later leaked those memos to reporters in order to force the Justice Department into appointing a special counsel to lead the investigation.

During his Senate testimony, Comey was asked whether he was aware of any recordings made of his conversations with Trump, to which he replied, "Lordy, I hope there are tapes."

Trump has denied any connection with the Russians during the election and labeled the investigation a "witch hunt" meant to undermine his presidency.