‘‘They got beaten very badly in the election,’’ Trump told the Times. ‘‘They are very embarrassed about it. To some extent, it’s a witch hunt. They just focus on this.’’

The officials — Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, CIA Director John Brennan and FBI Director James Comey — are preparing to point to multiple motives for Moscow’s alleged meddling as they brief Trump on their classified report Friday in New York. They briefed senior lawmakers Friday morning.