# Does Pelosi have an October Surpise in the works? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [February 24, 2020, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pelosi-have-an-october-surpise-in-the-works/848453 "2020-02-24T21:11:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pelosi-have-an-october-surpise-in-the-works/848453/21 "2020-02-25T05:07:49Z")
An October surprise would see his numbers rise 5 points. Everything about Trump is baked in. A guy that’s been a household name for 40 years running for president just doesn’t happen very often. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pelosi-have-an-october-surpise-in-the-works/848453/22 "2020-02-25T13:11:29Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > This would be spun as a good business decision. “Sure, he _took_ money from Russian mobsters, _but he never paid them back!_ That’s like making them pay a massive fine! Isn’t the President of the United States _supposed_ to fine criminals for their crimes? Why are _you_ on the side of the Russian Mobsters? _ **Hey, everyone, the Democrats support Russian criminals, did you see that?!?** _” ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pelosi-have-an-october-surpise-in-the-works/848453/23 "2020-02-25T14:05:15Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > I think it depends on the DeutschBank case. I listened to a report on NPR last week, they probably have the data that has been subpoened ready to go if the courts order it released, so that is something that could blow up real fast–maybe not a surprise, but the Bank was where Trump did most of his business when U.S. banks wouldn’t make loans to him, and if there is going to be an “October surprise” it would come out of there. But I tend to agree with Oakminister above the courts will move quite deliberately indeed on this. > > We shall see. That story boggled my mind, too. Don’t know whether it would upset trump devotees if all of it came out (probably not), but it would get a lot of other people’s attention. ---
**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:** [February 25, 2020, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pelosi-have-an-october-surpise-in-the-works/848453/24 "2020-02-25T15:22:05Z")
> [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > I think it depends on the DeutschBank case. I listened to a report on NPR last week, they probably have the data that has been subpoened ready to go if the courts order it released, so that is something that could blow up real fast–maybe not a surprise, but the Bank was where Trump did most of his business when U.S. banks wouldn’t make loans to him, and if there is going to be an “October surprise” it would come out of there. But I tend to agree with Oakminister above the courts will move quite deliberately indeed on this. > > We shall see. > [@ThelmaLou](#): > > That story boggled my mind, too. Don’t know whether it would upset trump devotees if all of it came out (probably not), but it would get a lot of other people’s attention. Is this a good link for the story you’re talking about? > **['Dark Towers' Exposes Chaos And Corruption At The Bank That Holds Trump's...](https://www.npr.org/2020/02/19/807191309/dark-towers-exposes-chaos-and-corruption-at-the-bank-that-holds-trump-s-secrets)** > > New York Times financial editor David Enrich details, in a new book, Deutsche Bank's quest to become the world's largest bank — and how its corporate culture led to countless scandals. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stainless_steel_rat/32/5727_2.png) [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stainless_Steel_Rat)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pelosi-have-an-october-surpise-in-the-works/848453/25 "2020-02-25T15:59:23Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > Is this a good link for the story you’re talking about? > > ['Dark Towers' Goes Inside Deutsche Bank, The Company That Holds Trump's Secrets : NPR](https://www.npr.org/2020/02/19/807191309/dark-towers-exposes-chaos-and-corruption-at-the-bank-that-holds-trump-s-secrets) That’s it. Worth the 35 minutes, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pelosi-have-an-october-surpise-in-the-works/848453/26 "2020-02-25T16:18:15Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > Well, right, that’s my point. Maybe I should have simply asked: **Is there a smoking gun still tied up in court, and will we see it before November?** If something is “tied up in court”, that means there was some sort of filing with the court, right? Are all court filings public? If so, then no, there is no smoking gun in the courts as of now. Someone would have discovered it. ---
**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:** [February 25, 2020, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pelosi-have-an-october-surpise-in-the-works/848453/27 "2020-02-25T16:23:20Z")
> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > If something is “tied up in court”, that means there was some sort of filing with the court, right? Are all court filings public? If so, then no, there is no smoking gun in the courts as of now. Someone would have discovered it. The release of the documents is what’s tied up in court. We can’t see those documents until the cases involving them have been resolved. The documents are the potential smoking gun, not the cases themselves. ---
**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:** [February 25, 2020, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pelosi-have-an-october-surpise-in-the-works/848453/28 "2020-02-25T17:40:29Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > As others have said, I don’t think an October Surprise is possible with this administration. We’ve seen an ongoing series of scandals and incompetence. Why would one more upset anyone who hasn’t already been convinced? Exactly. Everyone is now desensitized. It’s like a toilet overflowing - you don’t pay attention to a specific turd, you just want the water to stop. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pelosi-have-an-october-surpise-in-the-works/848453/29 "2020-02-25T17:58:20Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > The release of the documents is what’s tied up in court. We can’t see those documents until the cases involving them have been resolved. The documents are the potential smoking gun, not the cases themselves. Got it, thanks. So then to answer, I would not think Pelosi is deliberately holding back anything. Remember back in the Kavanaugh hearings, when Sen. Feinstein was given so much grief for holding onto a letter from Christine Blasey Ford? Pelosi would get the same kind of criticism, and would make the impeachment look even more political that some on the right already are sure it was. I don’t think Pelosi would risk that, or would have left something out during impeachment if it was huge. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pelosi-have-an-october-surpise-in-the-works/848453/30 "2020-02-25T18:17:31Z")
I think the Dems shot their bolt with the impeachment. If they had had anything, they would have brought it out during the hearings. If they find anything genuinely new, they can try impeachment again, but rehashing the last three years isn’t new. Maybe they will try something like the Bush National Guard memos, but that didn’t work out so well last time. Regards, Shodan ---
**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:** [February 25, 2020, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pelosi-have-an-october-surpise-in-the-works/848453/31 "2020-02-25T18:48:32Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > Is this a good link for the story you’re talking about? > > ['Dark Towers' Goes Inside Deutsche Bank, The Company That Holds Trump's Secrets : NPR](https://www.npr.org/2020/02/19/807191309/dark-towers-exposes-chaos-and-corruption-at-the-bank-that-holds-trump-s-secrets) > [@The\_Stainless\_Steel\_Rat](#): > > That’s it. Worth the 35 minutes, IMHO. So … maybe … if Deutsche Bank is finally allowed to release the subpeonaed records, investigators will be able to demonstrate that Trump and Kushner allowed Russians to launder money to move through their accounts? Assuming that’s true, it comes out in time, and can be coherently described, does it make a story that will move any needles in this election? Who the fuck am I kidding? ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pelosi-have-an-october-surpise-in-the-works/848453/32 "2020-02-25T19:03:12Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > So … maybe … if Deutsche Bank is finally allowed to release the subpeonaed records, investigators will be able to demonstrate that Trump and Kushner allowed Russians to launder money to move through their accounts? > > Assuming that’s true, it comes out in time, and can be coherently described, does it make a story that will move any needles in this election? > > Who the fuck am I kidding? Not me, as I don’t believe Trump was ever involved in money laundering. 😃 But since you asked, I thought I’d answer. ---
**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:** [February 25, 2020, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pelosi-have-an-october-surpise-in-the-works/848453/33 "2020-02-25T19:48:30Z")
> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > Not me, as I don’t believe Trump was ever involved in money laundering. 😃 But since you asked, I thought I’d answer. Oh, I believe he (or whoever actually handles his money) was involved. I just don’t hold out hope that enough people will understand the issue (or give a shit) to impact the election. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pelosi-have-an-october-surpise-in-the-works/848453/34 "2020-02-25T19:59:53Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > I just don’t hold out hope that enough people will understand the issue (or give a shit) to impact the election. That’s the crux of the biscuit right there. Some shady dealings? Breaking some financial rules? No one is going to care or probably even understand the issue enough for it to make a difference. ---
**Author:** ![Borborygmi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/borborygmi/32/217_2.png) [@Borborygmi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Borborygmi)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pelosi-have-an-october-surpise-in-the-works/848453/35 "2020-02-25T20:03:44Z")
I have heard that Hunter Biden also had laundry and money. Why is no one looking into that? It’s a disgrace. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pelosi-have-an-october-surpise-in-the-works/848453/36 "2020-02-25T20:39:30Z")
Trump has 100% without a doubt been involved in money laundering. [FinCEN Fines Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort $10 Million for Significant and Long Standing Anti-Money Laundering Violations](https://www.fincen.gov/news/news-releases/fincen-fines-trump-taj-mahal-casino-resort-10-million-significant-and-long) There’s probably more stuff out there that we haven’t seen, but it is a stone cold fact that Trump has been involved in money laundering. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pelosi-have-an-october-surpise-in-the-works/848453/37 "2020-02-25T20:49:47Z")
> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > Are all court filings public? No, they are not. Certain filings are made under seal, and not available to the public unless the judge rules otherwise. This is pretty common with financial details, documents dealing with abuse of children, medical information, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pelosi-have-an-october-surpise-in-the-works/848453/38 "2020-02-25T20:55:49Z")
Do you have a cite to that effect? That is, that Trump himself was involved in money laundering. Your cite is from 2015 and doesn’t mention anything that Trump himself did. TIA. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pelosi-have-an-october-surpise-in-the-works/848453/39 "2020-02-25T20:59:20Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > Trump has 100% without a doubt been involved in money laundering. > > [FinCEN Fines Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort $10 Million for Significant and Long Standing Anti-Money Laundering Violations](https://www.fincen.gov/news/news-releases/fincen-fines-trump-taj-mahal-casino-resort-10-million-significant-and-long) > > There’s probably more stuff out there that we haven’t seen, but it is a stone cold fact that Trump has been involved in money laundering. To be clear, I was referring to Trump and Kushner and Deutsche Bank as mentioned by **Akaj** being involved in some kind of money laundering scheme. And I don’t agree that Trump was found to be involved as to the link you gave. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2020, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pelosi-have-an-october-surpise-in-the-works/848453/40 "2020-02-25T21:01:38Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > No, they are not. Certain filings are made under seal, and not available to the public unless the judge rules otherwise. This is pretty common with financial details, documents dealing with abuse of children, medical information, etc. Thanks for the info. So to add to my previous answer, I don’t think there is anything in such documents as you mention that Pelosi held back for an October surprise. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pelosi-have-an-october-surpise-in-the-works/848453.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-pelosi-have-an-october-surpise-in-the-works/848453.md?page=3)