# Comey Memo: Trump Told Him - Shut Down Flynn Probe **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 16, 2017, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792 "2017-05-16T21:40:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 50
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/981 "2017-06-23T13:50:46Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > So, Comey’s testimony was the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, thanks to Trump’s brilliant stratagem of positing the possible existence of “tapes”. Good move, Don! (And we can ignore all those post-testimony rants that said Comey was lying.) Yes. So taking him at his word, either he figures that he successfully bluffed Comey into telling the truth which was damning for Trump, or he incompetently attempted to bluff Comey and failed and Comey lied. Either way, it’s bad. And also, the obvious truth is that he incompetently attempted to bluff Comey, and Comey still told the truth as he always was planning on doing (which is even worse). ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/982 "2017-06-23T14:01:23Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Yes. So taking him at his word, either he figures that he successfully bluffed Comey into telling the truth which was damning for Trump, or he incompetently attempted to bluff Comey and failed and Comey lied. Either way, it’s bad. > > And also, the obvious truth is that he incompetently attempted to bluff Comey, and Comey still told the truth as he always was planning on doing (which is even worse). He could have at least tried to play it off as if Comey had called his bluff. “Oh, Woe is me, it is so unfortunate that I didn’t actually have ‘tapes’, because I knew that Comey would lie. He must have known that I didn’t have them to have given such false testimony.” “Covfefe” ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/983 "2017-06-23T14:05:32Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Yes. So taking him at his word, either he figures that he successfully bluffed Comey into telling the truth which was damning for Trump, or he incompetently attempted to bluff Comey and failed and Comey lied. Either way, it’s bad. But it wasn’t stupid! He told us so, himself! ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/984 "2017-06-23T14:10:47Z")
And the Fox News sycophant confirmed it. What more do you need? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/985 "2017-06-23T14:32:45Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > It is a troll “perpetuated” on his detractors. His supporters didn’t care about it. And definitely did not get “damaged” by it. Neither have his detractors, really, unless you count running around like chickens with heads cut off for 40 days about nothing as “damage”. Oh and daydreaming about the “tapes” being Trump’s doom. LOL. You seem to think it’s o.k. for the President of this country to troll his “detractors”. Who all would you put on this list of supposed “detractors”? ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/986 "2017-06-23T14:37:18Z")
I think you guys are misreading Trump’s thinking. He gets tunnel vision about perceived slights. Trump was pissed that Comey wouldn’t publicly say he wasn’t under investigation. As far as Trump is concerned, that was the only important thing to remember about their private conversations. So he probably thinks his bluff is what got Comey to say that during his testimony. Therefore the bluff worked. Not remotely correct imho but I bet that’s the narrative rattling around in his head. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/987 "2017-06-23T14:39:29Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > It is a troll “perpetuated” on his detractors. His supporters didn’t care about it. And definitely did not get “damaged” by it. Neither have his detractors, really, unless you count running around like chickens with heads cut off for 40 days about nothing as “damage”. Oh and daydreaming about the “tapes” being Trump’s doom. LOL. So if I tell a guy I hate, “You might want to check the brake lines on your wife’s car… I’m just sayin’…” you generally have no problem with such threats? Because it’s just “trolling?” ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/988 "2017-06-23T15:04:26Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > So if I tell a guy I hate, “You might want to check the brake lines on your wife’s car… I’m just sayin’…” you generally have no problem with such threats? Because it’s just “trolling?” Sharing good auto maintenance advice is never trolling. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/989 "2017-06-23T15:30:57Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > There was no lie. Trump didn’t say he had the “tapes”, did he? Who let Kellyanne in here? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/990 "2017-06-23T15:41:50Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > Who let Kellyanne in here? Kellyanne got _paid_ for replies like this, at least. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/991 "2017-06-23T16:05:27Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Well, in [today’s example of Trump shooting himself in the dick](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/23/us/politics/trump-indicates-tape-tweet-was-meant-to-affect-comey-testimony.html), he lets us in on the reason for the “tapes” comment, which was to affect Comey’s testimony, and also reassuringly “wasn’t very stupid”: > > \*When the Fox interviewer suggested that the possible existence of recordings might make sure Mr. Comey “stayed honest in those hearings,” Mr. Trump paused before responding, “Well, it wasn’t very stupid, I can tell you that.” > > Referring to Mr. Comey, the president said that “when he found out that I, you know, that there may be tapes out there whether it’s governmental tapes or anything else and who knows, I think his story may have changed.”\* This reminds me of when a Fox interviewer suggested that the reason his spokespeople couldn’t respond to questions about what Trump thinks was that he just moves too fast. He jumped on it: “Yes! That’s it!” And it became the new talking point. How nice of Fox to help the White House [del]propaganda[/del] communications folks do their jobs! ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/992 "2017-06-23T16:06:46Z")
I just don’t see the value of a president who is intentionally worsening an already divided country. His detractors are supposed to" get over it," while he deliberately tries to make things worse. ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/993 "2017-06-23T16:10:07Z")
> [@raventhief](#): > > I just don’t see the value of a president who is intentionally worsening an already divided country. His detractors are supposed to" get over it," while he deliberately tries to make things worse. I don’t think you are supposed to “get over it”. I am sure you will grind your teeth for the next 3+ (or probably 7+) years. As for “intentionally worsening an already divided country” - you remember the “I won” and “phone and pen” President, right? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/994 "2017-06-23T16:10:09Z")
> [@aurora\_maire](#): > > This reminds me of when a Fox interviewer suggested that the reason his spokespeople couldn’t respond to questions about what Trump thinks was that he just moves too fast. He jumped on it: “Yes! That’s it!” And it became the new talking point. How nice of Fox to help the White House [del]propaganda[/del] communications folks do their jobs! I like to think of it as “Leading the Witless”. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/995 "2017-06-23T16:25:44Z")
> [@raventhief](#): > > I just don’t see the value of a president who is intentionally worsening an already divided country. His detractors are supposed to" get over it," while he deliberately tries to make things worse. And whatever you do - don’t imply that his supporters are covering for him, because then you’re being divisive, and that’s basically like nailing Scalise to the cross all over again. Or something. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/996 "2017-06-23T16:48:07Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Yes. So taking him at his word, either he figures that he successfully bluffed Comey into telling the truth which was damning for Trump, or he incompetently attempted to bluff Comey and failed and Comey lied. Either way, it’s bad. > > And also, the obvious truth is that he incompetently attempted to bluff Comey, and Comey still told the truth as he always was planning on doing (which is even worse). “I want you to drop the investigation into Russia and clear me of all wrongdoing. And if you even think of mentioning this meeting to anyone else, I’ll release ‘tapes’ I might have secretly made which clearly prove I’m trying to get you to obstruct justice and you’re not agreeing to it.” Yep. Sounds like a great plan. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2017, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/997 "2017-06-23T17:26:15Z")
“I’m playing 4 dimensional chess to get myself indicted. Winning!” ---
**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:** [June 23, 2017, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/998 "2017-06-23T18:35:31Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > So, Comey’s testimony was the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, thanks to Trump’s brilliant stratagem of positing the possible existence of “tapes”. Good move, Don! (And we can ignore all those post-testimony rants that said Comey was lying.) Another way to look at it is that Trump just admitted his intention was to influence a witness’s testimony. Isn’t this witness intimidation? ---
**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:** [June 23, 2017, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/999 "2017-06-23T18:39:50Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > Another way to look at it is that Trump just admitted his intention was to influence a witness’s testimony. > > Isn’t this witness intimidation? What if the witness refuses to be intimidated? 😃 And it wouldn’t surprise me if someone in the Trump camp tries that line. ---
**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:** [June 23, 2017, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792/1000 "2017-06-23T18:57:11Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > What if the witness refuses to be intimidated? 😃 > > And it wouldn’t surprise me if someone in the Trump camp tries that line. Well, [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witness_tampering) says it’s the attempt that counts, not whether it was a successful attempt. The other funny thing is that Trump has just undermined all the spinning that was done on the word “hope” earlier, when Comey said he inferred a call to action. When Trump “hoped” Comey would let Flynn go, somehow he was just expressing a wistful opinion without any pressure or instruction behind it. In other words, he wasn’t trying to influence any action. Right. But now Trump is implying that when he tweeted that Comey better “hope” there were no tapes, Comey responded to that by “changing his story”. In other words, “hope” was not an idle feeling; it influenced an action. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792.md?page=49) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comey-memo-trump-told-him-shut-down-flynn-probe/786792.md?page=51)