I never worked in intelligence; however, I really don’t think it matters whether he was recruited, or whether Kompromat actually exists. The point, as Michael has eloquently stated, is that Trump is clearly regurgitating Russian propaganda, as have, several of his cabinet members, and close advisors. This should also give us cause for concern.
Additionally, we also know that when Trump went bankrupt in the 90’s it was Russian money that financed all his Golf Resorts, and Hotels. And when all the banks refused to lend him money, only one bank stepped up; Deutsche Bank, also home to Russian money; Deutsche was fined over $600 million on several instances for laundering Russian mob money, and sanctioned oligarchs.
Furthermore, the Russian mob has been the major financier for his Trump Soho operation, which was eventually uncovered as a money laundering scheme. And although there isn’t any evidence of foul play by Trump; the fact he worked with Russian mobsters speaks volumes, since the Russian mob also launders money for Putin, and the other Russian oligarchs; under sanctions.
And if you’ve been to many of Trump’s branded properties, Russian’s are some of Trump’s biggest purchasers of the condo’s.
Moreover, In 2006, at the height of the housing bubble, when real estate prices were at its peak, Trump purchased a West Palm Estate, at a record price for a Florida property; $46 million.
And Ironically, on July 16, 2008, Trump sold the home to Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev through his County Road Property LLC, for $95 million. At the time it was the most expensive residential property sale to ever occur in the United States. This occurring when luxury real estate properties were underwater; 40-50%. Coincidence?
And given this was a several decade operation; to infiltrate the plutocratic class of people in America, it clearly was successful, since Trump, like so many others, worship the mighty dollar, more than their patriotism to this country.
Therefore, it begs a question; how many members of Trump’s inner circle are also compromised? Secondly, how many business executives with political clout, including media executives and personalities have also been compromised? We know Tucker Carlson definitely is. We also know that the Russian’s have successfully infiltrated conservative organizations like C-PAC and the NRA.
Therefore, they don’t need to be completely compromised, because their greed is their kryptonite, and that’s all the Russian’s need to gain “useful” idiots and willing accomplices, or assets.
Bottom line: Either way, Russia couldn’t ask for a better friend than Trump, and apparently, we are getting nothing in return. We’re helping to destroy the second largest economy in the world (Europe), at a time when they are most vulnerable; Trump and his tariffs, as well as a major recession throughout all of Europe, and the rise of white nationalism across the continent.
Additionally, Russia’s economy is smaller than four US states; its the size of Italy, with 100 million more people. Last I checked, we buy next to nothing from Russia, unless you include Russian Nesting Dolls, and some vodka.
Therefore, with Trump in charge, WE’RE ALL SCREWED! IMHO….:)
Great summary and much appreciated. I'm planning to move forward from the 80s and trae all this stuff .... LOL I'll be sure and give a shoutout to you for your comment.
Michael, maybe you can better explain to us what’s happening in real-time, because it’s becoming increasingly clear that some sort of quid pro quo is taking shape. Either that, or our worst nightmare is unfolding before our eyes.
And it’s not just Trump, Musk could have been just as vulnerable and compromised. Personality wise, he shares many of Trump’s worst, or possibly his best traits (depending on who you ask): Musk is also a petty, vindictive, malignant sociopath; completely devoid of empathy, as well as being reckless, and impulsive. And all anyone needs is just one college intro course in Child Psychology, to figure these two Master of Destruction’s pathologies out.
Additionally, Musk was heavily indebted, and leveraged in 2010, and almost went bankrupt before Obama gave him a lifeline; the $7,500 EV tax credit. So he would have been vulnerable to foreign influence, or maybe there’s more to this story?
And let’s face it, while the MSM has bought the “waste and fraud” justification for Musk’s DOGE team taking a sledgehammer to our government, there has to be more to this.
We know that Musk had a $3 million a year contract with USAID to provide StarLink to war ravaged Ukraine; shutting it down, after a call to from Putin, while the Ukrainian military was in the middle of an unmanned drone operation (using StarLink’s GPS system) in Crimea, which would have completely destroyed Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.
Hence, Musk was under investigation by the Inspector General of USAID, for possibly a crime related to treason; a good reason to fire all the IG’s (deflection), and shut down USAID completely, especially if he was a willing accomplice for Russia.
Additionally, USAID is soft power, and now it’s completely lost; cost incalculable to Americas image and intelligence gathering. And who shuts down an entire agency or corporation (NGO) for an audit? It’s never been done before! Nor would any sane person ever try.
Moreover, who benefits from the arbitrary firing all the probationary CIA and FBI agents under 2 years of service? You would know more about how expensive and time consuming recruiting agents for the Clandestine Service can be; not to mention the actual training of these elite officers (at least $250k for basic training).
Not to mention, the incalculable damage it’s going to cost to for our espionage and counterintelligence operations against China and Russia, well into the next decade! Who’s going to replace all the seasoned intelligence officers retiring?
And after yesterday’s UN resolution’s, there is no doubt we are experiencing a realignment of the Western alliances, which only helps our adversary’s. Not to mention, how will affect the Directorate of Analysis, and our Five Eye Intelligence Alliance. This could be a game changer for Russia in its war with Ukraine, and the undermining of democratic institutions and regimes in Europe; possibly forcing many our allies to go Nuclear. And what could possibly go wrong.
At this point, we’re well past speculation with Trump and Musk. China has Musk over a barrel (his entire Tesla manufacturing business is in China, as well as its growth model). And the only thing that Russia has that Musk and some of the other American oligarchs could want, is access to Russia’s venerated Space Program.
That is, except for Trump, whose motives could be his Trump Tower Moscow project, or something far more nefarious. And Trump’s now a real billionaire, whose source of financing for his $10 billion crypto grift is concealed (20 unknown investors bought 80% of crypto coins), which has netted Trump at least $10 billion, but could be worth close to $80 billion over time. And his Truth Social (TMTG) is another example of his monetizing the presidency. It’s $12.5 billion market capitalization is not even a joke; it’s a punchline!
Bottom line: There is going to be real consequences to our National Security for decades to come, and these are self inflicted wounds. I guess the only speculation right now is whether this is our final death kneel, or is there a path forward, because while Trump and Musk can sell snow to an Eskimo; I’m not buying any of this.
So please do your best to shed some light on all of this chaos, because while to some this may make little sense, to me, this is the epitome of chaos theory; and the patterns are emerging in plain sight. Just some thoughts….:)
Exactly. Something doesn’t add up. Trump is too old and lazy and unsophisticated to think up these nightmarish schemes. He really just wants to golf on our dime, fly around in AF1 and hold rallies like a King. Thats it. Thats all he wants to do. There is definitely a quid pro quo arrangement.
Great summary. Wondering about how exactly this unfolded is a distraction for all the details you mention here, as what he and musk are doing is plainly observable and their 'why' is a given. It's just pathological greed. There's a lot of hand wringing about what we see and nobody presenting a clear path to removing these lifetime grifters from the handles of power. It's infuriating that our gvmt allowed this to happen over something like Tesla's bottom line or a real estate developers personal problems without building better guardrails to prevent abuse of the Treasury through corporate handouts. I don't want to hear another blinking word about 'public-private partnerships'. Our gvmt has been outsourcing critical functions and it's killing the country. Their extraordinary level of illegitimacy is stunning. There is literally zero explanation in the rational world for overthrowing both the US and the EU and subjugating their economic or security interests to a small GDP country like Russia with a nuclear stockpile, except for the 'comfort' of a war criminal about his own borders and ability to extract resources from their neighbors when they can't eat oil. The worst people in the world with the most nefarious intentions are now running the board. What can we do to change this?
“There is literally zero explanation in the rational world for overthrowing both the US and the EU and subjugating their economic or security interests to a small GDP country like Russia with a nuclear stockpile, except for the 'comfort' of a war criminal about his own borders and ability to extract resources from their neighbors when they can't eat oil. The worst people in the world with the most nefarious intentions are now running the board.”
Well said! I think a lot of this has to do with guys like Peter Thiel, who believe democracy impedes progress; at least the “type” of progress they want. And there in lies the rub! What is their idea of progress? Thiel doesn’t believe women should vote; they’re too emotional; according to the fascist guy!
And personally, I think many of these tech-bro billionaires are not only libertarian’s (no regulations), but embody a quote by HL Mencken, who said:
“Democracy is the theory that the common man knows exactly what he wants, and gets it: GOOD & HARD!”
In other words, I don’t believe billionaires think the common man should be voting at all, because they’re too stupid. And quite frankly, we’re already on the way to becoming a full throated, Cristo-fascist kakistocracy, anyway!…:)
Your analysis and the information cited by Jaffee jibes with what I’ve seen over the years in the news and Craig Unger’s book House of Trump House of Putin. I feel as though what we’re missing is - at best though unlikely - the proverbial smoking gun - or specific examples and/or a sense of how Trump might have been influenced in a certain instance. It seems unlikely that we’ll get any of that but it would be great.
Then again the money trail - Aaron Rupar- As the Mueller report shows, it's not just that he "knows" Russian oligarchs. It's that Russian oligarchs close to Putin are regular sources of money for him that mysteriously appears in his bank accounts when he needs it. Consider for instance the $95,000,000 that mysteriously showed up in his accounts when he was short of cash in 2008, from the Russian potash king Dmitriy Rybolovlev, or the Russian porn oligarchs who funneled just what was needed to allow Trump to launch Truth Social.
Rybolovlev was I believe part of the Russian delegation in Saudi last week despite not being a diplomat. Surely that’s no coincidence. One cannot help but wonder about whether he’s a controller. Or just a reminder about what is owed to whom.
'Furthermore, the Russian mob has been the major financier for his Trump Soho operation, which was eventually uncovered as a money laundering scheme.’
The smoking-gun, Trump used some Brighton Beach contractors with mob ties (like half of New York) translates into him being a Russian asset. How could any of us have missed that?
He didn’t use Russian contractors, they were owners of the property; he put down nothing, and received a 10% stake in the limited partnership (Branding).
Far from being contractors in the project. And by itself, means nothing, but it’s not the only instance of his relationship with a foreign government, or people representing the interests of the Russian government.
It’s how we do business in New York. If they were Italian, as my people were, and as most construction bosses were two generations ago, they’d say he’s got mafia ties as if that means something. As they said about the Kennedys, then. Listen, Trump is not a Russian asset, let’s not be stupid AGAIN! That shit barely flew in 2017 on the strength of a highly dubious piss dossier, and now some crackpot crawls out of his safe space and says, “Oh, by the way, I can add a layer of truth to the last ten years of inane Trump is a Russian plant bullshit. Something that all y’all overlooked.” When are we going to grow up?
I’m from NY, my father was a developer; mostly Section 8 projects, but he also did commercial buildings for companies like MetLife.
And he never got in business with the mob, other than dealing with the unions, which they controlled in the 70’s and 80’s. It’s one thing to use them as contractors, but tell me any other major developer who literally gave them the majority stake in a building he was developing? Or who would do business with criminal elements?
And, as for the Steele dossier, many parts were confirmed, others not. Regardless, it’s irrelevant, and was not the reason for the Mueller investigation.
Additionally, the Mueller Report did not exonerate Trump, or many of his minions like Manafort, who pled guilty to crimes related to Russian interference in our elections. In fact, Mueller wrote , “he wouldn’t make a determination as to Trump’s participation, since you couldn’t indict a sitting president.” That said, Mueller indicted 34 individuals and three Russian businesses on charges ranging from computer hacking to conspiracy and financial crimes. Those indictments have led to seven guilty pleas and five people sentenced to prison; some of the guilty pleas received presidential pardons or had their convictions wiped out, when Trump told Barr not to defend the cases on appeal.
And my point isn’t whether he’s an asset. It’s the fact, he is a transactional president who has monetized the presidency before and is doing it again. On Inauguration Day, Trump made $10 billion on his crypto currency with 20 dark money investors controlling 80% of the coins.
Lastly, If there nothing to hide, release the names of the investors, foreign governments or companies who have made him $10 billion so far, with the opportunity to be as much as $80 billion by the time his term expires.
Trump made a lot of people in New York rich; he evicted plenty of New Yorkers as well. I lost a family business. My family was in New York for a fucking century, but the gentrification spurred by Trump sent everyone packing. If there’s anyone who should hate him, it’s me. Don’t try to convince me about the Mueller Report; he had less in the tank than Biden. The bottom line is that “we” created the monster that is Trump — we don’t have a problem with a methodology that created the monster, only the monster itself. Amid it all, we gave him his own TV show and celebrated the monster with catchphrases. He went on to make a lot of people in Hollywood rich. Then, Hillary Clinton had the bright idea of running him as a pied piper candidate. Mr. Jaffee, you reap what you fucking sow. And this is what America deserves. Too bad; I hope he takes a wrecking ball to the government. I never benefited one way or the other. And I’m not shedding any tears over it.
“Mr. Jaffee, you reap what you fucking sow. And this is what America deserves. Too bad; I hope he takes a wrecking ball to the government. I never benefited one way or the other. And I’m not shedding any tears over it.”
Got it! Your family suffered a loss from gentrification, so you blame the system. It’s not like other opportunities existed for you and your family to succeed in another way.
Perhaps, you see things from a very negative and parochial perspective. Instead of seeing the plethora of new opportunities, you still see the world for your families failures, or loss of a business, and would see the rest of us suffer as a result.
And like most hardcore members of the Trump cult, and Muskrat; better to burn the house down, than regroup and work towards a different career! Sorry you’ve become so jilted, it’s a terrible way to live, or more aptly: wasting it!
Remember, the federal government isn’t involved in local business and social issues, ordinances, laws, or the evolutions of a major city. Those decisions are made at the state and local level. Additionally, the states have plenty of leeway as to how to spend federal dollars allocated to the states, and municipalities. Let that sink in!..:)
I keep looking for a TRUMP property to rise on the Russian skyline, maybe not with the Brand on building, at least for now, but most assuredly, in the "FAMILY".
I appreciate your certitude and welcome contrarian comments. i think you're a little ahead of yourself regarding attitudes in the KGB in 1987. The writing was in no way on the wall in 87. Reagan was still scaring the shit out of Russia; Gorbachev was on his way up. He had beoe General Secretary of the CPSU from 1985 but didn't become head of state until 1988. He would still need to consolidate power -- becoing Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet from 1988 to 1989, Chairman of the Supreme Soviet from 1989 to 1990 and the president of the Soviet Union from 1990 to 1991. You are describing 1989 or 1990, not 1987. IMO, of course and you're welcome to take another view. But I think the facts and
So you conclude that Trump was likely considered a half-wit expected to be open to nefarious opportunities to improve his personal financial conditions and popularity in an effort to become powerful in the US? Got it.
That sounds about right. I think he would have been considere a uniquely American loudmouth totally in it for personal gain, an easy mark for recruitment but "recruitmet" could mean mutual cooperation without control.
Russian language specialist here, with experience in the old USSR… I agree with Mr. Sellers. Trump the visitor, whatever his value as a useful businessman, would have been instantly spotted as politically naive and ignorant about history — and so easily manipulated.
I would assume that the KGB would vet their candidates based on their actual capacity to serve their interests based on economic, social and personal needs. The fact that he has labeled himself the “king of debt” does put him in a category of having needs. You add that to a lowIQ and a naive and narcissistic personality, there is no question that he would have fallen for these overtures. I would add that it is highly possible that he has been on the KGB payroll (I’m sure CIA also has some global personalities in the payroll as well) all this time.
Which leads me to this: In 2020 right after his loss to Biden, he had a debt of $400M due. Who paid it?
LOL I think I'll be doing a series called "The Krasnov Files" or something like that, drilling down into that. We know Deutscebank bailed him out, and there were Russian connections there. I'm planning to drill down into the rest of what is known or suspected -- from 1987 to the present. I have some general ideas about this but need to freshen and do a more serious inquiry before I start 'opining' too much.
Can't be just a chump to grab this much power over people here. Just saying stupid is as stupid does doesn't explain the cult like hold he has over 1/3 of our citizens, yammering about a 3rd term. I think he's more than a useful idiot, he's a cheater who is adept at rigging the board - one can't underestimate the willingness of depravity.
Trump is an asset. Musk turned to be an agent. The current administration is staffed with sleepers, and russian terrorist state's collaborators of all sorts, you name it. As simple as that.
Currently the kremlin runs the USA.
This is the new Axis of Evil: The USA, Iran, North Korea, China, russian terrorist state.
This is the new reality.
Essentially, trough the US, russian territorist state to certain extent controls NATO now.
Not surprisingly the UK is considering withdrawal from the 5Eyes alliance.
Whatever goes through Musk's or Trump's hands lands on kremlin's desks first thing.
Musk and Trump are currently dismantling the US government on behalf of russian territorist state and building a dictatorship. Trump has already promised his voters it was the last election. He is in the process of fulfilling this promise.
This is the high treason. This is the highest level of emergency America has ever experienced. Reaction? Apart from few protests and outraged comments here and there, it doesn't seem there is any reaction. It seems the US political system for one reason or another is completely paralised.
In my view, it is time for the military to step in, declare martial law, court martial Musk, Trump and their cronies for high treason and call free of russian territorist state elections after. Otherwise you'll wake up in Belarus 2.0.
Trump just saved us from a multi-colored trans-infused communist takeover to install an actual red-blooded American communism. I like the way you think, comrade.
Trump’s rhetoric and actions in recent years—his reluctance to criticize Putin, his efforts to weaken NATO, and his alignment with Russian disinformation campaigns—do not suggest someone acting under duress. Instead, they suggest someone who, for his own reasons, has fully embraced the Russian position.
He is so fixated on grabbing the shiny )(*& he wants -- power, control, fealty, adoration -- that I doubt recruitment would even register to him. " A bear of very little brain," to quote Pooh.
The CIA would be expected to know more about this than they have revealed. An examination of Trump’s business failure - recovery time line, aligned against transactions with Russian oligarchs - laundered or otherwise may have been instructive. Perhaps Tulsi will get to the bottom of this 🙄.
All of trumps efforts since his visit to Moscow in the 1980’s suggest he was recruited by the KGB. Whether it was a willing recruitment, or just that the idiot did not understand, is immaterial. The USA and the world are stuck with Krasnov, AKA trump.
When it comes to political influence you can always bank on self-interest. So as long as big business and big money controls our government, We the People will always loose.
Speaking as a Navy IS1(ret), you went JUST far enough to win me over. Very disciplined, you’ve laid out what you know, what you don’t know, and what you believe, based on available information. Kudos, sir!
He got the validation from KGB he never got from Daddy. Didn't take them long to get the kompromat on the creeper. How do you suppose that worked with Elmo?
Let’s assume the U.S. dictator was only surveilled and flattered in 1987. Putin didn’t seize power until more than a decade later. What about evidence over the past 2 decades that the Orange Traitor was compromised? Doesn’t Putin operate like a mafia boss? Doesn’t trolump have loans to repay? Wouldn’t donOLD fear for his life if he crosses putin? Shouldn’t he? Do you really think Ivana just “fell down the stairs?”
Correct. It wasn't exactly parroting their points -- he was basically starting on the theme we now hear from him, everyone in NATO is ripping off the US, etc. That wasn't a KGB talking point but it sure suited their purposes.
Too stupid for history, needed money, did what they wanted. Took out Russian talking points ad. How much better could an asset be? For a brief moment, I was in Russia in the early 90s. I clearly remember the “tour guide” asking me if I knew Donald Trump. And then we had a conversation about corruption, how much of it there was in Russia compared to the United States. She looked directly at me and said, you Americans are so naive, such babies. You have no idea what’s coming. 30 years later I understand.
It's an interesting point you make about Putin operating much like a mafia don. I think that more at the crux of Putin's relationship with Trump.
Many of the photos of Trump with Putin show a deflated and fatigued Trump. Much like an underling with a mafia don.
I have come to suspect that the something Putin holds over Trump's head is not a pee tape but rather a live-witnessed "consequence" for Trump's "lack of cooperation" should he decide to further that pursuit.
Trump's enthusiasm in his support for Putin -- going above and beyond what would be required -- leaves me to feel his mostly cooperating based on positive inducement, not negative. That doesn't mean there isn't some threat in the mix, but Trump goes a lot farther in sucking up to Putin than a resentful, coerced collaborator would likely go. It's just speculation, and I'm not disagreeing--just putting it out there that i thin he's fully "under the spell", not just resentfully/reluctantly going along.
I don't think Trump's resentful. I think he's deglated. Look at the pictures. They clearly do not depict a person who is a co-equal in a partnership. He's owned by Putin. Trump's in over his head and can't get out.
There's no "spell," there's clearly an overt or de facto agreement to divide the world into spheres of influence.
Way before he was elected, Trump publicly declared "Putin can do whatever the hell he wants in Europe." The (initial) quid pro quo is the US will withdraw support for Ukraine.
But the arrangement goes much further than that. Both of these creatures are megalomaniacal sociopaths with delusions of grandeur and dreams of building an empire.
Putin yearns for a return to the halycon days of the Soviet Union, where the Kremlin controlled all of Eastern Europe and the Balkans. But, what he REALLY wants is to control all of the European continent.
With NATO neutered, and the US out of the equation with Trump's America First bullshit, he's free to move.
Trump's comments about Canada, Greenland, and Panama were not throwaway comments. He's deadly serious.
Trump will control the American continent and Putin the European.
Money and greed have always been Trump’s main focuses. And there was always available plenty of money to share, from buying apartments at double what he had paid to the well known Dutsch Bank money laundering.
I think there is plenty to ponder regarding the last 20 years. Thirty, actually. Beginning with the ads he took out whe he got back from Moscow .... up through the present day -- there is a lot to look at. Russian influene, Russian money in his condos and deals, Russian money in Deutsche bank possibly helping bail him out.....all the way up through today's UN Vote where we sided with Russia, North Korea, and Belarus against the rest of the civilized world.I'm sure there is influence, engagement, and common cause. I'm not sure hes a controlled asset and I'm not sure it matters whether he is or not -- he's a witting collaborator with the. most power of any one person in the world
I saw an article during the early pandemic - I apologize I can't recall where/author but it was not a fringe publication - where the author claimed an internal gvmt source for information that trump was an FBI informant against the Mafia and that complicated his relationship with the FBI - that what was happening during trump 1.0 w/fbi wasn't entirely straightforward. It seemed to fit the timeline of his shift towards collaborations with Russian 'investors' after the head of one of the families was indicted/convicted. I wish I could find that article now...
Well every single intelligent person on the planet, including KGB, FSB, can see the greasy, bloated, orange, fuckstain has an IQ below 80! So they know how stupid, lazy, incompetent and easily manipulated the Moron truly is!!!
Yes, the moron with an IQ below 80 fooled the world for 40 years, including everyone on Wall Street, in Hollywood and in DC. Doesn’t that say more about our IQ than his?
Interesting since according to cognitive scientists and just about every established intellectual it’s actually nearly impossible to manipulate a moron.
See intelligent people are easily coaxed by logical arguments while morons only believe what they want to believe and will always ignore information which can prove them wrong, and the only information they look for is the kind that proves them right.
I never worked in intelligence; however, I really don’t think it matters whether he was recruited, or whether Kompromat actually exists. The point, as Michael has eloquently stated, is that Trump is clearly regurgitating Russian propaganda, as have, several of his cabinet members, and close advisors. This should also give us cause for concern.
Additionally, we also know that when Trump went bankrupt in the 90’s it was Russian money that financed all his Golf Resorts, and Hotels. And when all the banks refused to lend him money, only one bank stepped up; Deutsche Bank, also home to Russian money; Deutsche was fined over $600 million on several instances for laundering Russian mob money, and sanctioned oligarchs.
Furthermore, the Russian mob has been the major financier for his Trump Soho operation, which was eventually uncovered as a money laundering scheme. And although there isn’t any evidence of foul play by Trump; the fact he worked with Russian mobsters speaks volumes, since the Russian mob also launders money for Putin, and the other Russian oligarchs; under sanctions.
And if you’ve been to many of Trump’s branded properties, Russian’s are some of Trump’s biggest purchasers of the condo’s.
Moreover, In 2006, at the height of the housing bubble, when real estate prices were at its peak, Trump purchased a West Palm Estate, at a record price for a Florida property; $46 million.
And Ironically, on July 16, 2008, Trump sold the home to Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev through his County Road Property LLC, for $95 million. At the time it was the most expensive residential property sale to ever occur in the United States. This occurring when luxury real estate properties were underwater; 40-50%. Coincidence?
And given this was a several decade operation; to infiltrate the plutocratic class of people in America, it clearly was successful, since Trump, like so many others, worship the mighty dollar, more than their patriotism to this country.
Therefore, it begs a question; how many members of Trump’s inner circle are also compromised? Secondly, how many business executives with political clout, including media executives and personalities have also been compromised? We know Tucker Carlson definitely is. We also know that the Russian’s have successfully infiltrated conservative organizations like C-PAC and the NRA.
Therefore, they don’t need to be completely compromised, because their greed is their kryptonite, and that’s all the Russian’s need to gain “useful” idiots and willing accomplices, or assets.
Bottom line: Either way, Russia couldn’t ask for a better friend than Trump, and apparently, we are getting nothing in return. We’re helping to destroy the second largest economy in the world (Europe), at a time when they are most vulnerable; Trump and his tariffs, as well as a major recession throughout all of Europe, and the rise of white nationalism across the continent.
Additionally, Russia’s economy is smaller than four US states; its the size of Italy, with 100 million more people. Last I checked, we buy next to nothing from Russia, unless you include Russian Nesting Dolls, and some vodka.
Therefore, with Trump in charge, WE’RE ALL SCREWED! IMHO….:)
Great summary and much appreciated. I'm planning to move forward from the 80s and trae all this stuff .... LOL I'll be sure and give a shoutout to you for your comment.
Michael, maybe you can better explain to us what’s happening in real-time, because it’s becoming increasingly clear that some sort of quid pro quo is taking shape. Either that, or our worst nightmare is unfolding before our eyes.
And it’s not just Trump, Musk could have been just as vulnerable and compromised. Personality wise, he shares many of Trump’s worst, or possibly his best traits (depending on who you ask): Musk is also a petty, vindictive, malignant sociopath; completely devoid of empathy, as well as being reckless, and impulsive. And all anyone needs is just one college intro course in Child Psychology, to figure these two Master of Destruction’s pathologies out.
Additionally, Musk was heavily indebted, and leveraged in 2010, and almost went bankrupt before Obama gave him a lifeline; the $7,500 EV tax credit. So he would have been vulnerable to foreign influence, or maybe there’s more to this story?
And let’s face it, while the MSM has bought the “waste and fraud” justification for Musk’s DOGE team taking a sledgehammer to our government, there has to be more to this.
We know that Musk had a $3 million a year contract with USAID to provide StarLink to war ravaged Ukraine; shutting it down, after a call to from Putin, while the Ukrainian military was in the middle of an unmanned drone operation (using StarLink’s GPS system) in Crimea, which would have completely destroyed Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.
Hence, Musk was under investigation by the Inspector General of USAID, for possibly a crime related to treason; a good reason to fire all the IG’s (deflection), and shut down USAID completely, especially if he was a willing accomplice for Russia.
Additionally, USAID is soft power, and now it’s completely lost; cost incalculable to Americas image and intelligence gathering. And who shuts down an entire agency or corporation (NGO) for an audit? It’s never been done before! Nor would any sane person ever try.
Moreover, who benefits from the arbitrary firing all the probationary CIA and FBI agents under 2 years of service? You would know more about how expensive and time consuming recruiting agents for the Clandestine Service can be; not to mention the actual training of these elite officers (at least $250k for basic training).
Not to mention, the incalculable damage it’s going to cost to for our espionage and counterintelligence operations against China and Russia, well into the next decade! Who’s going to replace all the seasoned intelligence officers retiring?
And after yesterday’s UN resolution’s, there is no doubt we are experiencing a realignment of the Western alliances, which only helps our adversary’s. Not to mention, how will affect the Directorate of Analysis, and our Five Eye Intelligence Alliance. This could be a game changer for Russia in its war with Ukraine, and the undermining of democratic institutions and regimes in Europe; possibly forcing many our allies to go Nuclear. And what could possibly go wrong.
At this point, we’re well past speculation with Trump and Musk. China has Musk over a barrel (his entire Tesla manufacturing business is in China, as well as its growth model). And the only thing that Russia has that Musk and some of the other American oligarchs could want, is access to Russia’s venerated Space Program.
That is, except for Trump, whose motives could be his Trump Tower Moscow project, or something far more nefarious. And Trump’s now a real billionaire, whose source of financing for his $10 billion crypto grift is concealed (20 unknown investors bought 80% of crypto coins), which has netted Trump at least $10 billion, but could be worth close to $80 billion over time. And his Truth Social (TMTG) is another example of his monetizing the presidency. It’s $12.5 billion market capitalization is not even a joke; it’s a punchline!
Bottom line: There is going to be real consequences to our National Security for decades to come, and these are self inflicted wounds. I guess the only speculation right now is whether this is our final death kneel, or is there a path forward, because while Trump and Musk can sell snow to an Eskimo; I’m not buying any of this.
So please do your best to shed some light on all of this chaos, because while to some this may make little sense, to me, this is the epitome of chaos theory; and the patterns are emerging in plain sight. Just some thoughts….:)
Exactly. Something doesn’t add up. Trump is too old and lazy and unsophisticated to think up these nightmarish schemes. He really just wants to golf on our dime, fly around in AF1 and hold rallies like a King. Thats it. Thats all he wants to do. There is definitely a quid pro quo arrangement.
Great summary. Wondering about how exactly this unfolded is a distraction for all the details you mention here, as what he and musk are doing is plainly observable and their 'why' is a given. It's just pathological greed. There's a lot of hand wringing about what we see and nobody presenting a clear path to removing these lifetime grifters from the handles of power. It's infuriating that our gvmt allowed this to happen over something like Tesla's bottom line or a real estate developers personal problems without building better guardrails to prevent abuse of the Treasury through corporate handouts. I don't want to hear another blinking word about 'public-private partnerships'. Our gvmt has been outsourcing critical functions and it's killing the country. Their extraordinary level of illegitimacy is stunning. There is literally zero explanation in the rational world for overthrowing both the US and the EU and subjugating their economic or security interests to a small GDP country like Russia with a nuclear stockpile, except for the 'comfort' of a war criminal about his own borders and ability to extract resources from their neighbors when they can't eat oil. The worst people in the world with the most nefarious intentions are now running the board. What can we do to change this?
“There is literally zero explanation in the rational world for overthrowing both the US and the EU and subjugating their economic or security interests to a small GDP country like Russia with a nuclear stockpile, except for the 'comfort' of a war criminal about his own borders and ability to extract resources from their neighbors when they can't eat oil. The worst people in the world with the most nefarious intentions are now running the board.”
Well said! I think a lot of this has to do with guys like Peter Thiel, who believe democracy impedes progress; at least the “type” of progress they want. And there in lies the rub! What is their idea of progress? Thiel doesn’t believe women should vote; they’re too emotional; according to the fascist guy!
And personally, I think many of these tech-bro billionaires are not only libertarian’s (no regulations), but embody a quote by HL Mencken, who said:
“Democracy is the theory that the common man knows exactly what he wants, and gets it: GOOD & HARD!”
In other words, I don’t believe billionaires think the common man should be voting at all, because they’re too stupid. And quite frankly, we’re already on the way to becoming a full throated, Cristo-fascist kakistocracy, anyway!…:)
Your analysis and the information cited by Jaffee jibes with what I’ve seen over the years in the news and Craig Unger’s book House of Trump House of Putin. I feel as though what we’re missing is - at best though unlikely - the proverbial smoking gun - or specific examples and/or a sense of how Trump might have been influenced in a certain instance. It seems unlikely that we’ll get any of that but it would be great.
Then again the money trail - Aaron Rupar- As the Mueller report shows, it's not just that he "knows" Russian oligarchs. It's that Russian oligarchs close to Putin are regular sources of money for him that mysteriously appears in his bank accounts when he needs it. Consider for instance the $95,000,000 that mysteriously showed up in his accounts when he was short of cash in 2008, from the Russian potash king Dmitriy Rybolovlev, or the Russian porn oligarchs who funneled just what was needed to allow Trump to launch Truth Social.
Rybolovlev was I believe part of the Russian delegation in Saudi last week despite not being a diplomat. Surely that’s no coincidence. One cannot help but wonder about whether he’s a controller. Or just a reminder about what is owed to whom.
Exactly…:)
'Furthermore, the Russian mob has been the major financier for his Trump Soho operation, which was eventually uncovered as a money laundering scheme.’
The smoking-gun, Trump used some Brighton Beach contractors with mob ties (like half of New York) translates into him being a Russian asset. How could any of us have missed that?
He didn’t use Russian contractors, they were owners of the property; he put down nothing, and received a 10% stake in the limited partnership (Branding).
Far from being contractors in the project. And by itself, means nothing, but it’s not the only instance of his relationship with a foreign government, or people representing the interests of the Russian government.
It’s how we do business in New York. If they were Italian, as my people were, and as most construction bosses were two generations ago, they’d say he’s got mafia ties as if that means something. As they said about the Kennedys, then. Listen, Trump is not a Russian asset, let’s not be stupid AGAIN! That shit barely flew in 2017 on the strength of a highly dubious piss dossier, and now some crackpot crawls out of his safe space and says, “Oh, by the way, I can add a layer of truth to the last ten years of inane Trump is a Russian plant bullshit. Something that all y’all overlooked.” When are we going to grow up?
I’m from NY, my father was a developer; mostly Section 8 projects, but he also did commercial buildings for companies like MetLife.
And he never got in business with the mob, other than dealing with the unions, which they controlled in the 70’s and 80’s. It’s one thing to use them as contractors, but tell me any other major developer who literally gave them the majority stake in a building he was developing? Or who would do business with criminal elements?
And, as for the Steele dossier, many parts were confirmed, others not. Regardless, it’s irrelevant, and was not the reason for the Mueller investigation.
Additionally, the Mueller Report did not exonerate Trump, or many of his minions like Manafort, who pled guilty to crimes related to Russian interference in our elections. In fact, Mueller wrote , “he wouldn’t make a determination as to Trump’s participation, since you couldn’t indict a sitting president.” That said, Mueller indicted 34 individuals and three Russian businesses on charges ranging from computer hacking to conspiracy and financial crimes. Those indictments have led to seven guilty pleas and five people sentenced to prison; some of the guilty pleas received presidential pardons or had their convictions wiped out, when Trump told Barr not to defend the cases on appeal.
And my point isn’t whether he’s an asset. It’s the fact, he is a transactional president who has monetized the presidency before and is doing it again. On Inauguration Day, Trump made $10 billion on his crypto currency with 20 dark money investors controlling 80% of the coins.
Lastly, If there nothing to hide, release the names of the investors, foreign governments or companies who have made him $10 billion so far, with the opportunity to be as much as $80 billion by the time his term expires.
Trump made a lot of people in New York rich; he evicted plenty of New Yorkers as well. I lost a family business. My family was in New York for a fucking century, but the gentrification spurred by Trump sent everyone packing. If there’s anyone who should hate him, it’s me. Don’t try to convince me about the Mueller Report; he had less in the tank than Biden. The bottom line is that “we” created the monster that is Trump — we don’t have a problem with a methodology that created the monster, only the monster itself. Amid it all, we gave him his own TV show and celebrated the monster with catchphrases. He went on to make a lot of people in Hollywood rich. Then, Hillary Clinton had the bright idea of running him as a pied piper candidate. Mr. Jaffee, you reap what you fucking sow. And this is what America deserves. Too bad; I hope he takes a wrecking ball to the government. I never benefited one way or the other. And I’m not shedding any tears over it.
“Mr. Jaffee, you reap what you fucking sow. And this is what America deserves. Too bad; I hope he takes a wrecking ball to the government. I never benefited one way or the other. And I’m not shedding any tears over it.”
Got it! Your family suffered a loss from gentrification, so you blame the system. It’s not like other opportunities existed for you and your family to succeed in another way.
Perhaps, you see things from a very negative and parochial perspective. Instead of seeing the plethora of new opportunities, you still see the world for your families failures, or loss of a business, and would see the rest of us suffer as a result.
And like most hardcore members of the Trump cult, and Muskrat; better to burn the house down, than regroup and work towards a different career! Sorry you’ve become so jilted, it’s a terrible way to live, or more aptly: wasting it!
Remember, the federal government isn’t involved in local business and social issues, ordinances, laws, or the evolutions of a major city. Those decisions are made at the state and local level. Additionally, the states have plenty of leeway as to how to spend federal dollars allocated to the states, and municipalities. Let that sink in!..:)
I keep looking for a TRUMP property to rise on the Russian skyline, maybe not with the Brand on building, at least for now, but most assuredly, in the "FAMILY".
I appreciate your certitude and welcome contrarian comments. i think you're a little ahead of yourself regarding attitudes in the KGB in 1987. The writing was in no way on the wall in 87. Reagan was still scaring the shit out of Russia; Gorbachev was on his way up. He had beoe General Secretary of the CPSU from 1985 but didn't become head of state until 1988. He would still need to consolidate power -- becoing Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet from 1988 to 1989, Chairman of the Supreme Soviet from 1989 to 1990 and the president of the Soviet Union from 1990 to 1991. You are describing 1989 or 1990, not 1987. IMO, of course and you're welcome to take another view. But I think the facts and
So you conclude that Trump was likely considered a half-wit expected to be open to nefarious opportunities to improve his personal financial conditions and popularity in an effort to become powerful in the US? Got it.
That sounds about right. I think he would have been considere a uniquely American loudmouth totally in it for personal gain, an easy mark for recruitment but "recruitmet" could mean mutual cooperation without control.
Russian language specialist here, with experience in the old USSR… I agree with Mr. Sellers. Trump the visitor, whatever his value as a useful businessman, would have been instantly spotted as politically naive and ignorant about history — and so easily manipulated.
And perhaps nekulterny [pardon my spelling, please] as well.
Either way, more likely Krasnov than not.
What would be different between now and then?
I would assume that the KGB would vet their candidates based on their actual capacity to serve their interests based on economic, social and personal needs. The fact that he has labeled himself the “king of debt” does put him in a category of having needs. You add that to a lowIQ and a naive and narcissistic personality, there is no question that he would have fallen for these overtures. I would add that it is highly possible that he has been on the KGB payroll (I’m sure CIA also has some global personalities in the payroll as well) all this time.
Which leads me to this: In 2020 right after his loss to Biden, he had a debt of $400M due. Who paid it?
LOL I think I'll be doing a series called "The Krasnov Files" or something like that, drilling down into that. We know Deutscebank bailed him out, and there were Russian connections there. I'm planning to drill down into the rest of what is known or suspected -- from 1987 to the present. I have some general ideas about this but need to freshen and do a more serious inquiry before I start 'opining' too much.
Be more careful than ever as both of them get more desperate.
I think you are spot on with the naive label. Donald is such a chump.
Can't be just a chump to grab this much power over people here. Just saying stupid is as stupid does doesn't explain the cult like hold he has over 1/3 of our citizens, yammering about a 3rd term. I think he's more than a useful idiot, he's a cheater who is adept at rigging the board - one can't underestimate the willingness of depravity.
Trump is an asset. Musk turned to be an agent. The current administration is staffed with sleepers, and russian terrorist state's collaborators of all sorts, you name it. As simple as that.
Currently the kremlin runs the USA.
This is the new Axis of Evil: The USA, Iran, North Korea, China, russian terrorist state.
This is the new reality.
Essentially, trough the US, russian territorist state to certain extent controls NATO now.
Not surprisingly the UK is considering withdrawal from the 5Eyes alliance.
Whatever goes through Musk's or Trump's hands lands on kremlin's desks first thing.
Musk and Trump are currently dismantling the US government on behalf of russian territorist state and building a dictatorship. Trump has already promised his voters it was the last election. He is in the process of fulfilling this promise.
This is the high treason. This is the highest level of emergency America has ever experienced. Reaction? Apart from few protests and outraged comments here and there, it doesn't seem there is any reaction. It seems the US political system for one reason or another is completely paralised.
In my view, it is time for the military to step in, declare martial law, court martial Musk, Trump and their cronies for high treason and call free of russian territorist state elections after. Otherwise you'll wake up in Belarus 2.0.
I agree with a lot of that, and will be exploring it here, bit by bit. Hope it doesn't all burn down in the meantime.
Valid concerns all.Don't count on the military after Friday night's massacre. Loyalists in charge there now.
Exactly. Now. We must not wait. We the People listening. Ready. 🤝🫂🫡🇺🇸🕯️
Trump just saved us from a multi-colored trans-infused communist takeover to install an actual red-blooded American communism. I like the way you think, comrade.
You Left out the fact That Russian oligarchs bought penthouses. And his son bragged about borrowing money from Russia.
Yup. Gonna get to that. ;-)
And the pee tape
Trump’s rhetoric and actions in recent years—his reluctance to criticize Putin, his efforts to weaken NATO, and his alignment with Russian disinformation campaigns—do not suggest someone acting under duress. Instead, they suggest someone who, for his own reasons, has fully embraced the Russian position.
Amen to that. I wrote something similar in reply to another comment here. He's all-in with his embrace of Putin. Not getting dragge along.
He would not have known whether he was recruited or not.
Bingo. Honestly, i've had that thought every time I imagine the various scenarios.
He is so fixated on grabbing the shiny )(*& he wants -- power, control, fealty, adoration -- that I doubt recruitment would even register to him. " A bear of very little brain," to quote Pooh.
The CIA would be expected to know more about this than they have revealed. An examination of Trump’s business failure - recovery time line, aligned against transactions with Russian oligarchs - laundered or otherwise may have been instructive. Perhaps Tulsi will get to the bottom of this 🙄.
You are joking, right? Tulsi most likely would shred and launder any evidence that would incriminate the Orange menace.
Note the 🙄
All of trumps efforts since his visit to Moscow in the 1980’s suggest he was recruited by the KGB. Whether it was a willing recruitment, or just that the idiot did not understand, is immaterial. The USA and the world are stuck with Krasnov, AKA trump.
Citizens United Must be Defeated:
When it comes to political influence you can always bank on self-interest. So as long as big business and big money controls our government, We the People will always loose.
Speaking as a Navy IS1(ret), you went JUST far enough to win me over. Very disciplined, you’ve laid out what you know, what you don’t know, and what you believe, based on available information. Kudos, sir!
He got the validation from KGB he never got from Daddy. Didn't take them long to get the kompromat on the creeper. How do you suppose that worked with Elmo?
Let’s assume the U.S. dictator was only surveilled and flattered in 1987. Putin didn’t seize power until more than a decade later. What about evidence over the past 2 decades that the Orange Traitor was compromised? Doesn’t Putin operate like a mafia boss? Doesn’t trolump have loans to repay? Wouldn’t donOLD fear for his life if he crosses putin? Shouldn’t he? Do you really think Ivana just “fell down the stairs?”
Falling down stairs sounds like falling out of windows to me. And now she’s buried on a private golf course.🤔
According to the Guardian article (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jan/29/trump-russia-asset-claims-former-kgb-spy-new-book?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other) he took out a full page ad parroting Russian (Soviet) foreign policy talking points immediately after returning from that 1987 trip.
Correct. It wasn't exactly parroting their points -- he was basically starting on the theme we now hear from him, everyone in NATO is ripping off the US, etc. That wasn't a KGB talking point but it sure suited their purposes.
Too stupid for history, needed money, did what they wanted. Took out Russian talking points ad. How much better could an asset be? For a brief moment, I was in Russia in the early 90s. I clearly remember the “tour guide” asking me if I knew Donald Trump. And then we had a conversation about corruption, how much of it there was in Russia compared to the United States. She looked directly at me and said, you Americans are so naive, such babies. You have no idea what’s coming. 30 years later I understand.
But why is a country like Russia running the board now?
It's an interesting point you make about Putin operating much like a mafia don. I think that more at the crux of Putin's relationship with Trump.
Many of the photos of Trump with Putin show a deflated and fatigued Trump. Much like an underling with a mafia don.
I have come to suspect that the something Putin holds over Trump's head is not a pee tape but rather a live-witnessed "consequence" for Trump's "lack of cooperation" should he decide to further that pursuit.
Trump's enthusiasm in his support for Putin -- going above and beyond what would be required -- leaves me to feel his mostly cooperating based on positive inducement, not negative. That doesn't mean there isn't some threat in the mix, but Trump goes a lot farther in sucking up to Putin than a resentful, coerced collaborator would likely go. It's just speculation, and I'm not disagreeing--just putting it out there that i thin he's fully "under the spell", not just resentfully/reluctantly going along.
I don't think Trump's resentful. I think he's deglated. Look at the pictures. They clearly do not depict a person who is a co-equal in a partnership. He's owned by Putin. Trump's in over his head and can't get out.
*deflated
There's no "spell," there's clearly an overt or de facto agreement to divide the world into spheres of influence.
Way before he was elected, Trump publicly declared "Putin can do whatever the hell he wants in Europe." The (initial) quid pro quo is the US will withdraw support for Ukraine.
But the arrangement goes much further than that. Both of these creatures are megalomaniacal sociopaths with delusions of grandeur and dreams of building an empire.
Putin yearns for a return to the halycon days of the Soviet Union, where the Kremlin controlled all of Eastern Europe and the Balkans. But, what he REALLY wants is to control all of the European continent.
With NATO neutered, and the US out of the equation with Trump's America First bullshit, he's free to move.
Trump's comments about Canada, Greenland, and Panama were not throwaway comments. He's deadly serious.
Trump will control the American continent and Putin the European.
Money and greed have always been Trump’s main focuses. And there was always available plenty of money to share, from buying apartments at double what he had paid to the well known Dutsch Bank money laundering.
You haven’t answered my questions about the last 20 years, michael. And what about Ivana’s classic Russian death?
I think there is plenty to ponder regarding the last 20 years. Thirty, actually. Beginning with the ads he took out whe he got back from Moscow .... up through the present day -- there is a lot to look at. Russian influene, Russian money in his condos and deals, Russian money in Deutsche bank possibly helping bail him out.....all the way up through today's UN Vote where we sided with Russia, North Korea, and Belarus against the rest of the civilized world.I'm sure there is influence, engagement, and common cause. I'm not sure hes a controlled asset and I'm not sure it matters whether he is or not -- he's a witting collaborator with the. most power of any one person in the world
I saw an article during the early pandemic - I apologize I can't recall where/author but it was not a fringe publication - where the author claimed an internal gvmt source for information that trump was an FBI informant against the Mafia and that complicated his relationship with the FBI - that what was happening during trump 1.0 w/fbi wasn't entirely straightforward. It seemed to fit the timeline of his shift towards collaborations with Russian 'investors' after the head of one of the families was indicted/convicted. I wish I could find that article now...
Putin never seized power. He was appointed by Yeltsin.
He was the man with no face, the wall flower, the safe bet. Power corrupt...etc
Check Rick Wilson at Substack for his take.
Well every single intelligent person on the planet, including KGB, FSB, can see the greasy, bloated, orange, fuckstain has an IQ below 80! So they know how stupid, lazy, incompetent and easily manipulated the Moron truly is!!!
Yes, the moron with an IQ below 80 fooled the world for 40 years, including everyone on Wall Street, in Hollywood and in DC. Doesn’t that say more about our IQ than his?
Interesting since according to cognitive scientists and just about every established intellectual it’s actually nearly impossible to manipulate a moron.
See intelligent people are easily coaxed by logical arguments while morons only believe what they want to believe and will always ignore information which can prove them wrong, and the only information they look for is the kind that proves them right.