# A Thread for the Mueller Investigation Results and Outcomes (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 28, 2017, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093 "2017-10-28T20:14:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 226
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4502 "2018-05-09T01:00:16Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > They were paying Cohen for his closeness (ick) to Trump. Ostensibly for ‘information on what makes him tick’. Is that legal? I would think that that would put Cohen in a shit load of hot water. “Tell us about your client”. Hahaaahahahh. Attorney client privilege? Should put ATT and Novartis in a shit load of hot water too. Depending on just why they paid Trumps personal lawyer. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4503 "2018-05-09T01:01:08Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Because they don’t WANT to understand. Heck, we have at least one poster who’ll bend into logical knots to say “Nuh-uh. It’ll all turn out to be nothing. All that proof? It’ll turn out to be harmless payments to… paperboys! Yeah, paperboys.” > > I think it’s a tribal “My side’s better than yours, and I can’t face the fact that I chose a side that’s turned out to be immoral, so I’m going with any explanation that exonerates my side.” You’re correct to the extent it has been demonstrated, for sure. I can understand those folks whistling past the graveyard. But I’ve even seen people who are on “my” side have doubts about Trump’s culpability in the Russia stuff. Things like that he’s too stupid to be involved – which completely disregards the facts that a) he doesn’t have to have a written-out plan or he himself handle every transaction – only that events are/were carried out with his express knowledge and consent; and b) that Trump is a control freak who tries to play every role himself. Usually to his detriment. They also seem to feel that the fact of Mueller’s silence is an indication that Mueller doesn’t have a case. This view represents a fundamental lack of understanding about the nature of large investigations and of Mueller himself, who has always valued the element of surprise. It baffles me. Personally, I remain highly confident in Mueller and his investigation. I also concur with Michael Avenatti’s bold statement that Trump won’t finish his first term. > [@JohnT](#): > > Given that ATT and Novartis have just issued non-denial denials in regards to post-election payments made to Cohen’s company, the same company receiving money from Russian plutocrats, I’m pretty sure there is nothing on this burger, and that this story is a complete and total Phlopp. > > [x.com](https://twitter.com/MCappetta/status/993999663400353799?s=19) > > [x.com](https://twitter.com/MCappetta/status/993983582640197632?s=19) > > So now we know how much the entry fee was to kill Net Neutrality and Obamacare - $500k. Hmmmm… would that be a Phlipp-Phlopp? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4504 "2018-05-09T01:26:36Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > [http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/386802-stormy-daniels-lawyer-cohen-may-have-used-money-from-putin-tied](http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/386802-stormy-daniels-lawyer-cohen-may-have-used-money-from-putin-tied) > > "Stormy Daniels’s attorney Michael Avenatti said Tuesday that President Trump’s personal lawyer Michael Cohen received $500,000 in the months after the 2016 election from a company run by a Russian oligarch with ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. > > Avenatti said that the funding may have been used to reimburse the $130,000 payment Cohen made to Daniels to stay quiet about her alleged affair with Trump." But, but, there was NO COLLUSION!!! I mean, Trump said so. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4505 "2018-05-09T01:39:21Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Hmmmm… would that be a Phlipp-Phlopp? 😉 Naw, that will be when he comes in here to call me an idiot for overstating the dollar figures paid by ATT/Novartis, implying that my idiocy means the entire Trump/Russia thing is bullshit. _That’s_ the Phlipp-Phlopp. 🙂 I was thinking we can now merge all the Trump/Russia/Stormy threads into one mega 40,000-post “Trump Officials Worked witb Russia To Subvert the Election, Robert Mueller is a Stone-Cold Bad MotherF\*cker, and Who Knew it Would be a Porn Star that Tied All This Together” thread. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4506 "2018-05-09T01:41:08Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Hmmmm… would that be a Phlipp-Phlopp? 😉 Naw, that will be when he comes in here to [call.me](http://call.me) an idiot for overstating the dollar figures paid by ATT/Novartis, implying the entire Trump/Russia thing is bullshit. _That’s_ the Phlipp-Phlopp. 🙂 I was thinking we can now merge all the Trump/Russia/Stormy threads into one mega 40,000-post “Trump Officials Coordinated with Russia To Subvert the Election, Robert Mueller is a Stone-Cold Bad MotherF\*cker, and Who Knew it Would be a Porn Star that Tied The Clusterfuck Together” thread. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4507 "2018-05-09T02:00:48Z")
> [@Rick\_Kitchen](#): > > They were paying Cohen for his closeness (ick) to Trump. I know, but Avenatti looks silly with the Russian claim when other companies also paid Cohen. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4508 "2018-05-09T02:04:43Z")
Maybe you missed it, but the Russian in question is the same one Mueller grabbed at the airport last January. Not really a random Russian here… ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4509 "2018-05-09T02:23:43Z")
Vekselberg is also under sanctions, so if the money did come from him (indirectly), that would be a crime. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4510 "2018-05-09T02:29:53Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > Vekselberg is also under sanctions, so if the money did come from him (indirectly), that would be a crime. Ahh, but the sanctions were unilaterally relaxed by Trump and held in abeyance until October. Presumably, that would give an alert Russian oligarch enough time to remove his 13 billion dollars to a safer place than American investments. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4511 "2018-05-09T12:34:27Z")
Senate Intel Committee: Uh, yeah, about that Russian hacking thing? Looks like they had the ability to alter or delete voting rolls: > ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4512 "2018-05-09T12:38:58Z")
Novartis spoke to Mueller last November: > **[Novartis paid Trump ‘fixer’ Michael Cohen $1.2 mln to consult on ‘certain...](https://www.marketwatch.com/amp/story/drugmaker-novartis-plays-down-its-deal-with-trumps-lawyer-tying-it-to-its-former-ceo-2018-05-09)** > > The Swiss drug manufacturer says it agreed to pay $100,000 a month but eventually realized Cohen, a lawyer for Donald Trump who’s widely characterized as a... ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4513 "2018-05-09T13:22:37Z")
Here is a well-laid out theory that Broidy was actually taking a bullet for Trump on the $1 million paid to the Playboy bunny for the abortion: > **[Theory: Playboy Model Who Got $1.6 Million Had Affair With Trump, Not Broidy](https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/05/theory-playboy-model-had-affair-with-trump-not-broidy.html)** > > Michael Cohen arranged a $1.6 million payout to a model allegedly impregnated by GOP fundraiser Elliott Broidy. But was Broidy covering for Trump? Starts with ‘why the Hades would anyone hire Michael Cohen’ and goes from there. All just speculation, of course. But not InfoWars level speculation. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4514 "2018-05-09T13:23:41Z")
Well, why the Hades would anyone take a bullet for Trump? ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4515 "2018-05-09T13:24:58Z")
They’re being paid to by the Russians. Why else would Devinovich Nunesotov be acting this way? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4516 "2018-05-09T13:27:50Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Well, why the Hades would anyone take a bullet for Trump? Put themselves out of their misery? ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4517 "2018-05-09T13:33:57Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > Here is a well-laid out theory that Broidy was actually taking a bullet for Trump on the $1 million paid to the Playboy bunny for the abortion: > > [Theory: Playboy Model Had Affair With Trump, Not Broidy](http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/05/theory-playboy-model-had-affair-with-trump-not-broidy.html) > > Starts with ‘why the Hades would anyone hire Michael Cohen’ and goes from there. > > All just speculation, of course. But not InfoWars level speculation. I agree. That’s actually some pretty good speculation there. > [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Well, why the Hades would anyone take a bullet for Trump? According to the article, Broidy stood to make tens of millions by peddling his influence with Trump to various takers. That’s a very good reason for him to want to get Trump indebted to him. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4518 "2018-05-09T14:13:18Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > I know, but Avenatti looks silly with the Russian claim when other companies also paid Cohen. Why the assumption that the money went to Cohen and _stayed_ with Cohen? ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4519 "2018-05-09T14:16:03Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > Here is a well-laid out theory that Broidy was actually taking a bullet for Trump on the $1 million paid to the Playboy bunny for the abortion: > > [Theory: Playboy Model Had Affair With Trump, Not Broidy](http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/05/theory-playboy-model-had-affair-with-trump-not-broidy.html) > > Starts with ‘why the Hades would anyone hire Michael Cohen’ and goes from there. > > All just speculation, of course. But not InfoWars level speculation. So, if this money came from Trump and Trump’s lawyers are being paid by the Republican Party, the Republican donors literally financed an abortion. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4520 "2018-05-09T14:19:11Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > They’re being paid to by the Russians. Why else would Devinovich Nunesotov be acting this way? [A lifetime supply of grapefruit?](https://twitter.com/desijed/status/848999549452472320?lang=en) ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2018, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093/4521 "2018-05-09T17:00:07Z")
Novartis has released a third statement and they are sounding more desperate in succession. Oh, and it’s now $1.2. million that they, alone, paid Cohen. Who, btw, is the Deputy Head of Finance for the GOP. And, in what I’m sure is coincidence, Paul Ryan announced his retirement a week after the Cohen raid news was released. I can assert that, for the man who joked about Putin paying Trump, the two events are totally unconnected. :rolleyes: > **[Untangling Trump's lawyer's ties to Novartis: Here are 6 unanswered questions](https://www.statnews.com/2018/05/09/michael-cohen-trump-lawyer-novartis-questions/)** > > It’s the glaring omission from Novartis’ statements to date: The Swiss pharma giant says it paid a shell company set up by Trump lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen to discuss “U.S. healthcare policy.” But what does that mean? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093.md?page=225) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-thread-for-the-mueller-investigation-results-and-outcomes-part-1/800093.md?page=227)