# Trump associates may have coordinated with Russians, according to US officials **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 23, 2017, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799 "2017-03-23T00:28:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 37
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/723 "2017-07-11T16:56:26Z")
I swear I am not conspiracy theorist. Well, I mean not any more than is to be expected when there’s a massive government conspiracy unfolding. I mean, I’m not into metallic haberdashery. But does this line in the email from Goldstone sound odd to anyone else? > [@Rob Goldstone](#): > > This is obviously very high level and sensitive information but is part of Russia and its government’s support for Mr. Trump. And then later Goldstone makes sure to refer to the attorney as “a Russian government attorney,” in case we missed it. It just sounds like a too-perfect interpolation or some kind of setup. First because it’s not a smoking gun, it’s a fucking smoking 21-gun salute. And second, because Goldstone goes from calling DJT Sr. “your father” to calling him “Mr. Trump”. This almost sounds like the infamous Dan Rather memo. But, then, the emails were confirmed by DJT Jr. himself, so… What The Fuck? If you’re pulling a Rather setup, you want the origin of the documents to be unclear, right? Who is setting up who? When is Robert Redford going to wipe the fake blood off his mouth and smile at Newman? ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/724 "2017-07-11T17:03:14Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > They may have thought it was SOP at the time they did it, but once the atmosphere shifted to extreme suspicion of any Russian connections, they went into denial mode. This interview is from July 2016: [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/07/11/this-old-donald-trump-jr-interview-about-russia-is-now-downright-cringe-worthy/?utm\_term=.074efdb87ab1](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/07/11/this-old-donald-trump-jr-interview-about-russia-is-now-downright-cringe-worthy/?utm_term=.074efdb87ab1) ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/725 "2017-07-11T17:03:32Z")
It doesn’t seem like a set-up to me at all (unless you mean setting Trump up for a blackmail/fall?). This all continues to paint a picture that makes so much sense when looking back on behaviors and things said from Trump, et al. It was a conspiracy to hack the vote, between Trump’s campaign and the Russians. At this point, it’s painfully obvious this happened, Trump was fully aware, and is and has been compromised by the Russians with this (and most assuredly more) information hanging over his orange head. ---
**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:** [July 11, 2017, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/726 "2017-07-11T17:08:25Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > No, I know what I would do. I told you. If I get fired by a wholly unethical campaign, then fuck em. It’s difficult to make up ethical standards in a vacuum, and most people don’t. Though when I say it’s difficult I mean IRL. If you’re just posting on a MB it’s extremely easy. I cited the example above of the DNC and the Ukrainians. But perhaps the infamous Trump dossier might be more instructive. The likelihood that this dossier was constructed without obtaining info from “foreign nationals”, including those with Russian government connections, is virtually zero. And it was clearly being put together with the intention of influencing the election, (first by Republicans in the primary, then by Democrats in the general). And yet, I don’t recall hearing a single person - here or elsewhere - raise the issue of whether compiling this dossier might be collusion with foreigners or foreign governments to influence the election. Strange, no? > [@Richard\_Parker](#): > > This interview is from July 2016: [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/07/11/this-old-donald-trump-jr-interview-about-russia-is-now-downright-cringe-worthy/?utm\_term=.074efdb87ab1](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2017/07/11/this-old-donald-trump-jr-interview-about-russia-is-now-downright-cringe-worthy/?utm_term=.074efdb87ab1) Fair point. ---
**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:** [July 11, 2017, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/727 "2017-07-11T17:09:38Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > I swear I am not conspiracy theorist. Well, I mean not any more than is to be expected when there’s a massive government conspiracy unfolding. I mean, I’m not into metallic haberdashery. But does this line in the email from Goldstone sound odd to anyone else? > And then later Goldstone makes sure to refer to the attorney as “a Russian government attorney,” in case we missed it. > > It just sounds like a too-perfect interpolation or some kind of setup. First because it’s not a smoking gun, it’s a fucking smoking 21-gun salute. And second, because Goldstone goes from calling DJT Sr. “your father” to calling him “Mr. Trump”. This almost sounds like the infamous Dan Rather memo. But, then, the emails were confirmed by DJT Jr. himself, so… What The Fuck? If you’re pulling a Rather setup, you want the origin of the documents to be unclear, right? Who is setting up who? When is Robert Redford going to wipe the fake blood off his mouth and smile at Newman? Um, what? I have no idea what you are getting at here. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/728 "2017-07-11T17:10:05Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > I mean, I’m not into metallic haberdashery. Stannous millinery, surely. ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/729 "2017-07-11T17:11:10Z")
There is nothing new. The info was supposedly about Russians funding the DNC and Hillary’s campaign, it was bait in order to get the Russian lawyer in to talk about some stuff she wanted to talk about, there was no information on criminal dealings of DNC or Hillary, so she was rebuffed. It’s funny to see you guys get all excited, time after time. And then the football is yanked away. Again. ---
**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:** [July 11, 2017, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/730 "2017-07-11T17:11:50Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > It’s difficult to make up ethical standards in a vacuum, and most people don’t. Though when I say it’s difficult I mean IRL. If you’re just posting on a MB it’s extremely easy. Have you ever reported suspicious foreign contact to authorities? I have. I’m telling you that I would report this, no question. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/731 "2017-07-11T17:14:00Z")
This may be best suited for another thread, but my assumption was that a good share of Trump’s strongest supporters were likely to be - uh - not exactly friends of Russia. Because I’m wondering whether these apparent contacts will ever affect their support (or whether ANYTHING will.) Or do they respect Putin as a strongman who gets things done? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/732 "2017-07-11T17:15:17Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > There is nothing new. The info was supposedly about Russians funding the DNC and Hillary’s campaign, it was bait in order to get the Russian lawyer in to talk about some stuff she wanted to talk about, there was no information on criminal dealings of DNC or Hillary, so she was rebuffed. > > It’s funny to see you guys get all excited, time after time. And then the football is yanked away. Again. Why be so eager to talk about those sanctions when he only just won the primary? It would seem far more likely that the content of the meeting was exactly as the emails indicate. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/733 "2017-07-11T17:18:35Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > This may be best suited for another thread, but my assumption was that a good share of Trump’s strongest supporters were likely to be - uh - not exactly friends of Russia. Because I’m wondering whether these apparent contacts will ever affect their support (or whether ANYTHING will.) > > Or do they respect Putin as a strongman who gets things done? The hardcore Trump supporters in my life are in strong denial mode, and are likely to stay that way forever. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/734 "2017-07-11T17:20:08Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > I swear I am not conspiracy theorist. All conspiracy theorists say that. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/735 "2017-07-11T17:20:28Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > There is nothing new. The info was supposedly about Russians funding the DNC and Hillary’s campaign, it was bait in order to get the Russian lawyer in to talk about some stuff she wanted to talk about, there was no information on criminal dealings of DNC or Hillary, so she was rebuffed. > > It’s funny to see you guys get all excited, time after time. And then the football is yanked away. Again. So when Trump’s campaign team thought they were going to get information to influence the election from a foreign national, they were all for it. When it turned out she didn’t have it, they walked away. That’s your defense of them, is it? ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/736 "2017-07-11T17:20:47Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > There is nothing new. The info was supposedly about Russians funding the DNC and Hillary’s campaign, it was bait in order to get the Russian lawyer in to talk about some stuff she wanted to talk about, there was no information on criminal dealings of DNC or Hillary, so she was rebuffed. > > It’s funny to see you guys get all excited, time after time. And then the football is yanked away. Again. I don’t see anyone yanking the football this time. Through the uprights! ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/737 "2017-07-11T17:23:46Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I don’t see anyone yanking the football this time. Through the uprights! Talking smack is what the losing side always does best. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/738 "2017-07-11T17:25:34Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > There is nothing new. The info was supposedly about Russians funding the DNC and Hillary’s campaign, it was bait in order to get the Russian lawyer in to talk about some stuff she wanted to talk about, there was no information on criminal dealings of DNC or Hillary, so she was rebuffed. > > It’s funny to see you guys get all excited, time after time. And then the football is yanked away. Again. “Your honor, I admit that I attempted to buy stolen gems, but they were all out of gems! I’m in the clear, right?” The ball is kicked, splits the uprights, over the net, and breaks the scoreboard. ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/739 "2017-07-11T17:26:11Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > So when Trump’s campaign team thought they were going to get information to influence the election from a foreign national, they were all for it. If you mean “when they thought they were going to get information about Clinton’s and DNC’s criminal dealings with Russia, they were all for it” then yes, that’s it. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/740 "2017-07-11T17:31:35Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > If you mean “when they thought they were going to get information about Clinton’s and DNC’s criminal dealings with Russia, they were all for it” then yes, that’s it. Okay, but don’t you see how coordinating with the Russians sets you up to be severely compromised by them, into the foreseeable future? Their tactics are clever and insidious. It’s classic KGB, man. How they did not see that is mind blowing, but not surprising at this point. I feel like I’m watching The Americans, but far worse. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/741 "2017-07-11T17:33:28Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > Hard to say for sure what you would do, because you’re not on a campaign and don’t know what’s SOP for campaigns. > > For example, [here’s a Politico article](http://www.politico.com/story/2017/01/ukraine-sabotage-trump-backfire-233446) about DNC coordination with the Ukrainian government to get dirt on Trump and thus undermine his chances. Wow, that was certainly a different take on that article than I had. What I read was, the Dems were aware that an operation was being run against them, and they were trying to find out about it. I guess that’s incidentally ‘getting dirt’ on the people running the operation, but gimme a break. > [@](#): > > The original allegations against Trump were that he colluded with the Russians to “hack” the election, in hacking DNC emails or the like. Speaking to people connected to foreign government about getting dirt on opponents is another matter entirely, and - quite possibly - not especially remarkable. Actually, [it’s illegal](https://transition.fec.gov/law/feca/feca.pdf): > [@](#): > > § 30121. Contributions and donations by foreign nationals > (a) Prohibition. It shall be unlawful for— > (1) a foreign national, directly or indirectly, to make— > (A) a contribution or donation of money or other > thing of value, or to make an express or implied promise > to make a contribution or donation, in connection with a > Federal, State, or local election; > (B) a contribution or donation to a committee of a > political party; or > (C) an expenditure, independent expenditure, or > disbursement for an electioneering communication (within > the meaning of section 30104(f)(3) of this title); or > (2) a person to solicit, accept, or receive a contribution > or donation described in subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (1) > from a foreign national. At least, it’s illegal if said dirt is a “thing of value” which certainly seems to have been the belief of Trump Jr. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2017, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/742 "2017-07-11T17:34:48Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > If you mean “when they thought they were going to get information about Clinton’s and DNC’s criminal dealings with Russia, they were all for it” then yes, that’s it. Why on earth would Little Trump think Clinton or the DNC had “criminal dealings with Russia?” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799.md?page=36) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799.md?page=38)