An MSNBC host claimed on air that Trump has loans with Deutsche Bank backed by 'Russian billionaires close to Vladimir Putin'

• MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell said a "source close to Deutsche Bank" told him that President Donald Trump's loans were underwritten by "Russian billionaires close to Vladimir Putin." 
• "If true, that would explain every kind word Donald Trump has ever said about Russia and Vladimir Putin," O'Donnell said.
• There has yet to be any other reporting to substantiate this claim.
• Earlier on Tuesday, Deutsche Bank confirmed that it held tax records to do with Trump, but no details have yet been made public. 
• Trump's ties to Deutsche Bank have long been the subject of rumor and speculation, and O'Donnell has a long record of controversial statements. 
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MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell added to the swirl of rumor that surrounds President Donald Trump's relationship with Deutsche Bank, suggesting that his loans with the lender were underwritten by Russian billionaires.

O'Donnell, appearing on the network Tuesday night with host Rachel Maddow, said that a source "close to Deutsche Bank says that the co-signers of Donald Trump's Deutsche Bank loans are Russian billionaires close to Vladimir Putin.". 

"If true, that would explain every kind word Donald Trump has ever said about Russia and Vladimir Putin," he said.

"If true, that would be a significant factor in Vladimir Putin's publicly stated preference for presidential candidate Donald Trump over presidential candidate Hillary Clinton."

O'Donnell, an outspoken critic of Trump, did not claim to have been able to corroborate the source's claim

MSNBC has also faced criticism for missteps in its coverage of Trump's Russia ties in the past.

But as the president continues to hold back his tax records and other financial records from public scrutiny, they remain the focus for rumour. 

The spotlight had again again fallen on Trump's ties with Deutsche Bank earlier Tuesday, when in a court statement it confirmed that it holds tax returns associated with Trump, his family or businesses. 

Democrats have long sought information on Trump's financial affairs from the bank.

The Trump administration, though, is battling to block a subpoena issued by House Democrats for the president's financial records with the bank.

Officials argue that the Democrats don't have good enough evidence to warrant exposing the president's private financial affairs.

Also adding to speculation is Deutsche Bank's longstanding entanglements with money from the ex-Soviet Union.

The bank faces legal action, and its executives could be prosecuted, over the laundering of $20 billion from Russian criminals linked to the Kremlin and state security services.