# Did Trump get a $10 million bribe from Egypt? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [August 2, 2024, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-get-a-10-million-bribe-from-egypt/1005157 "2024-08-02T15:56:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-get-a-10-million-bribe-from-egypt/1005157/1 "2024-08-02T15:56:11Z")
Article here: [https://wapo.st/3SxAkvO](https://wapo.st/3SxAkvO) Short version: 1. In September 2016, Trump met with Egyptian dictator Sisi in a closed-door meeting during a UN session. 2. After the meeting, Trump declared that the US would be a loyal friend of Egypt’s if he was elected. 3. Five weeks later, Trump injected $10 million of his personal funds into his campaign. 4. In January 2017, the Egyptian secret service withdrew $10 million from a bank account–a subsantial portion of Egypt’s US dollar reserves. They put it in $100 bills in two duffel bags, which a couple of guys took away. 5. Mueller investigated this series of events, but by the time they finally got through the court process to learn about the withdrawal, Mueller was wrapping up his investigation, and passed it on to a US attorney, Jessie Liu, who had been appointed by Trump. 6. Liu struggled with deciding whether to subpoena Trump’s bank records to see if he had any suspicious income in 2016 or early 2017 that would match this Egyptian withdrawal. 7. In 2020, Bill Bar replaced her with his ally Timothy Shea, who put the investigation on hold. 8. A few months later, he replaced Shea with Michael Sherwin, who shut down the investigation. 9. In 2022, the statute of limitations expired. So, question: is this something that should still be pursued? Is there any legal grounds under which it can be pursued? Is this just one more story that won’t matter? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-get-a-10-million-bribe-from-egypt/1005157/2 "2024-08-02T15:58:55Z")
He probably did. The truth needs to be told. May not make a difference at the present, still needs to be known and resolved for the future. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-get-a-10-million-bribe-from-egypt/1005157/3 "2024-08-02T16:04:20Z")
I didn’t read the full article, but I’m skeptical about the 3-month gap between #3 and #4. Would Trump (who reneges on deals whenever possible) really pony up $10 million of his own cash in expectation that a foreign leader would replenish that amount three months later? #4 sure is fishy, but is there any evidence that the duffel bags went to Trump? All that said, I fully support asking Trump, “What did you do with the $10 million in cash Egypt gave you, and what did you promise them in return?” Make the sonofabitch deny it. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-get-a-10-million-bribe-from-egypt/1005157/4 "2024-08-02T16:05:38Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > Would Trump (who reneges on deals whenever possible) really pony up $10 million of his own cash in expectation that a foreign leader would replenish that amount three months later? It’s uncontested that he ponied up $10 million of his own cash. What’s in doubt is whether that was really his money, or whether it was laundered money from someone else. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-get-a-10-million-bribe-from-egypt/1005157/5 "2024-08-02T16:07:44Z")
I dunno. Did they find any Egypt-stamped gold bars at Mar-a-Largo? It should be pursued by a journalist, at the least to expose more shady dealings by Trump, in the run-up to the election. Perhaps the Democrats already have this one in the firing chamber, ready for October, to distract Donny. I doubt there is any legal path forward, however. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-get-a-10-million-bribe-from-egypt/1005157/6 "2024-08-02T16:11:21Z")
Even if true it won’t matter to the majority of voters. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-get-a-10-million-bribe-from-egypt/1005157/7 "2024-08-02T16:12:12Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > It should be pursued by a journalist, at the least to expose more shady dealings by Trump, in the run-up to the election. This is a pretty in-depth article–do you mean something else when you say it should be pursued by a journalist? ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-get-a-10-million-bribe-from-egypt/1005157/8 "2024-08-02T16:13:46Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > > [@Akaj](#): > > > > Would Trump (who reneges on deals whenever possible) really pony up $10 million of his own cash in expectation that a foreign leader would replenish that amount three months later? > > It’s uncontested that he ponied up $10 million of his own cash. What’s in doubt is whether that was really his money, or whether it was laundered money from someone else. How could the money be laundered if he didn’t get it until three months later? Or is the chain of events supposed to be: 1. Party A funnels $10 million in laundered funds to Trump 2. Trump puts the money toward his campaign 3. Egypt pays $10 million back to Party A three months later In which case, who is Party A? ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-get-a-10-million-bribe-from-egypt/1005157/9 "2024-08-02T16:15:53Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > This is a pretty in-depth article–do you mean something else when you say it should be pursued by a journalist? No, I can’t see the WaPo article due to paywall. I guess I meant having more exposure for the story in the media and not rely on the courts. I should have been more clear. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-get-a-10-million-bribe-from-egypt/1005157/10 "2024-08-02T16:17:23Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > No, I can’t see the WaPo article due to paywall. Here’s what should be a gift link to it: [https://wapo.st/3SxAkvO](https://wapo.st/3SxAkvO) ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-get-a-10-million-bribe-from-egypt/1005157/11 "2024-08-02T16:18:43Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > No, I can’t see the WaPo article due to paywall. That was a gift link–did you click on it? ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-get-a-10-million-bribe-from-egypt/1005157/12 "2024-08-02T16:20:54Z")
Yes, but you still have to create an account and log in. No thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-get-a-10-million-bribe-from-egypt/1005157/13 "2024-08-02T16:21:01Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > How could the money be laundered if he didn’t get it until three months later? Trump: Gimme 10 mil, and I’ll make sure to send US money your way. Sisi: Counteroffer: you win the election, I’ll get you 10 mil. Trump: OK [Trump wins election, Sisi gets him 10 mil, Trump sends US money to Egypt] You might suggest that Trump doesn’t work on spec–but again, we know he funneled 10 mil from his own accounts into the campaign. We also know that Mueller was investigating this, and it took three successive Trump appointees before the investigation was shut down. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-get-a-10-million-bribe-from-egypt/1005157/14 "2024-08-02T16:22:37Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > Yes, but you still have to create an account and log in. No thanks. Okay. I’ll kindly request that folks who want to discuss this either actually read an article on it (the one I linked to, or another one), or discuss it elsewhere. I think that’s the best way to keep the quality of discussion high and substantive. ---
**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:** [August 2, 2024, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-get-a-10-million-bribe-from-egypt/1005157/15 "2024-08-02T16:32:50Z")
Not sure if it’s relevant but one of the people that I researched, who was listed in Epstein’s Black Book was Gwendolyn Beck. She was a girlfriend of [Robert Menendez](https://joshuaroberts.photoshelter.com/image/I000025x5N6QRiJE) and, likewise, a visitor of the Trump Whitehouse. > Menendez was, of course, prosecuted for accepting bribes from Egypt. Not evidence of anything, but Trump’s circle is consistently small and questionable. ---
**Author:** ![snowthx](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowthx/32/10660_2.png) [@snowthx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowthx)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-get-a-10-million-bribe-from-egypt/1005157/16 "2024-08-02T16:35:06Z")
[Here is a detailed and non-paywalled version of the topic](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/10m-cash-withdrawal-drove-secret-probe-into-whether-trump-took-money-from-egypt/ar-BB1r4PwG), referencing the WaPo source article. My point still stands that I would like this to get more exposure, but I doubt there will be any legal ramifications, nor consequences for Trump and the upcoming election. Perhaps someone familiar with the legal side of things can share more info on if this has any legs in the courts at this point. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-get-a-10-million-bribe-from-egypt/1005157/17 "2024-08-02T16:36:15Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > We also know that Mueller was investigating this, and it took three successive Trump appointees before the investigation was shut down. This is the key. We may never be able to charge anyone with crimes for the actual bribe due to the SoL, but the covering-up may still be criminal if it can be proven. Still, I suspect, the trail will be murderously difficult to uncover and may still fall under “official acts” as far as Trump’s actions. That’s why I vote for reducing it to a talking point: “What did you do with the $10 million in cash Egypt gave you, and what did you promise them in return?” Make Trump explain it over and over. ---
**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:** [August 2, 2024, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-get-a-10-million-bribe-from-egypt/1005157/18 "2024-08-02T17:43:16Z")
> [@snowthx](#): > > My point still stands that I would like this to get more exposure, but I doubt there will be any legal ramifications, nor consequences for Trump and the upcoming election. News (of this sort) comes from leaks and leaks come from motivations. There’s some motivation, around this moment, to make sure that this information is public. Leakers, of course, also need to have access to the information. Here, we’re talking about people who are aware (supposedly) of the conversations between Liu and Barr, Barr and Wray, etc. The people trusted in those sorts of conversations, near Barr, aren’t definitely outside of the Biden DOJ but there’s a low likelihood that they’re still in the Biden DOJ. So when we look at motivation, the obvious ones would be to slam Trump, leading into the election. But that would most obviously come from Biden’s people. Barr and his closest confidants aren’t Biden’s people. So there’s the other option, that the previous administration might have seen (for example) Menendez convicted, believe that he and his wife have access to information that may be relevant, and want to ensure that the Biden DOJ is aware of it, so they know to approach the Menendez’s to offer them a deal. Or, that they saw or are aware of something else that merits bringing the matter up for attention again. Of course, there’s the compromise option that a lot of Barr’s people don’t like Trump and are backing Biden, and trying to help. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-get-a-10-million-bribe-from-egypt/1005157/19 "2024-08-02T17:46:54Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Even if true it won’t matter to the majority of voters. This is true. The majority of voters know he’s a liar, a crook and a conman. 10 million more doesn’t matter to those that know what he is. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-get-a-10-million-bribe-from-egypt/1005157/20 "2024-08-02T17:48:56Z")
And this won’t change the minds of those inclined to support him. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-trump-get-a-10-million-bribe-from-egypt/1005157.md?page=2)