# 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:** 43
**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 12, 2017, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/843 "2017-07-12T14:34:46Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > He could just declassify any information his lawyer needs to know to defend him. That would make the information public, then, wouldn’t it? As a practical matter, I’m sure Trump will just tell Kasowitz whatever he wants, since Trump seems happy to disclose sensitive information at the drop of a hat anyway. But I wonder about Mueller’s team. Can they refuse to disclose what they’ve found on the grounds that Kasowitz isn’t cleared to see it? Then Trump would have to declassify it, I guess? ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/844 "2017-07-12T14:39:29Z")
In light of recent developments, a proposed slight modification to the thread title: **Trump associates definitely coordinated with Russians, according to Trump associates** ---
**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:** [July 12, 2017, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/845 "2017-07-12T14:41:48Z")
Too late, VT: > [@JohnT](#): > > We should rename this thread: “Trump Jr coordinates with Russians, according to Trump Jr.” ---
**Author:** ![Gordon\_Urquhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@Gordon\_Urquhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gordon_Urquhart)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/846 "2017-07-12T14:42:44Z")
> [@snoe](#): > > Poor Tiffany is that girlfriend of George Michael’s that everyone ignores. (I want to say … “Ann?” Don’t bother correcting me, it’s not like I’ll remember her name later anyway.) Her? ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/847 "2017-07-12T15:02:01Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > Too late, VT: Over a hundred posts ago, even. Not exactly a photo finish. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/848 "2017-07-12T15:24:31Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > After so many posts about “leftists” being scared of putting one’s money where one’s mouth is, I would like to remind everyone that **Okrahoma** is slinking away from the bet that I offered, which I think is a quite a fair bet. No, as I said, I don’t know much about Flynn or Carter etc. They seem to be quite foolish and careless and may be indicted. I am sure that will make a lot of people happy but will not really have any effect on the administration. I made the offer about this latest brouhaha. Don Jr. Bet on whether he is indicted. So many people here are sure that he committed a crime. (Even “treason”). So - $100 on his indictment. In fact, I am willing to extend that to “any current (as of today) member of the administration or Don Jr.” - except of course indictments for leaking information, which is probably likely and not what you’re all excited about. Deal? ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/849 "2017-07-12T15:26:19Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > I’ll bet you, **Okrahoma** , that Trump won’t be in office on Jan 1, 2019, as long as you give me 100 to 1 odds – I’ll pony up $100 if he’s still in office, and if he’s not, you pay me $10,000. Let’s just see how certain you are that he’ll still be President by then? So you think 100 to 1 Trump will be in office on Jan 1, 2019? That’s good to know. That’s about as sure as anyone can be of any politician. ---
**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 12, 2017, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/850 "2017-07-12T15:30:48Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > So you think 100 to 1 Trump will be in office on Jan 1, 2019? That’s good to know. That’s about as sure as anyone can be of any politician. Then take the bet. ---
**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 12, 2017, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/851 "2017-07-12T15:37:36Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > No, as I said, I don’t know much about Flynn or Carter etc. They seem to be quite foolish and careless and may be indicted. I am sure that will make a lot of people happy but will not really have any effect on the administration. > > I made the offer about this latest brouhaha. Don Jr. Bet on whether he is indicted. So many people here are sure that he committed a crime. (Even “treason”). So - $100 on his indictment. > > In fact, I am willing to extend that to “any current (as of today) member of the administration or Don Jr.” - except of course indictments for leaking information, which is probably likely and not what you’re all excited about. > > Deal? The main reason I’m not taking you up on your offer is that Trump can block indictments by a timely pardon. In addition, I’m not certain yet that Trump the Lessor is guilty of a crime. I will say he’s one big liar. > [@](#): > > “Did I meet with people that were Russian? I’m sure, I’m sure I did,” he said. “But none that were set up. None that I can think of at the moment. And certainly none that I was representing the campaign in any way, shape or form.” Colbert summed it up nicely: > [@](#): > > “We’re supposed to believe that during the height of the presidential campaign, on the advice of a guy he met at the Miss Universe pageant, Don Jr. said, ‘Hey Jared, Paul, I know you guys are a little busy right now, but I need you to come to a meeting. With who? I don’t know. About what? I’m not telling you.” ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/852 "2017-07-12T15:43:22Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > First it’s “NEVER HAPPENED! FAKE NEWS!” > > Then it’s “HAPPENED BUT IT’S NO BIG DEAL! FAKE NEWS!” > > Then it’s “OKAY IT HAPPENED AND IT’S NOT GREAT BUT HILLARY DID/WOULD DO IT TOO! FAKE NEWS!” > > What’s the next iteration? I don’t know what the next iteration is, but the final Iteration is: “He’s not actually a real Republican, I knew he was guilty from the start and never supported him.” ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/853 "2017-07-12T15:47:59Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > Then take the bet. Why? I think 100 to 1 is about right, and I would not take a bet at those odds. I don’t take bets I might lose with such odds. 1:1 I would take it, definitely. ---
**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:** [July 12, 2017, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/854 "2017-07-12T15:57:15Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > Why? I think 100 to 1 is about right, and I would not take a bet at those odds. I don’t take bets I might lose with such odds. 1:1 I would take it, definitely. Then you think that there is a 50% chance of a criminal indictment? I thought you had Trump’s back better than that. ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/855 "2017-07-12T16:00:20Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > Why? I think 100 to 1 is about right, and I would not take a bet at those odds. I don’t take bets I might lose with such odds. 1:1 I would take it, definitely. Doesn’t 1:1 odds indicate basically a 50/50 chance? If bookies were laying 1:1 odds on Mayweather-Floyd doesn’t that indicate that they view it equally likely that either will win? Or probably more accurately that they are getting equal action on both outcomes from betters? Seems like you are not at all confident if you are only willing to lay 1:1 odds on your prediction. ---
**Author:** ![Airbeck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/airbeck/32/6574_2.png) [@Airbeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airbeck)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/856 "2017-07-12T16:07:35Z")
> [@Airbeck](#): > > Mayweather-Floyd Obviously was supposed to be Mayweather-McGregor ---
**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 12, 2017, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/857 "2017-07-12T16:10:12Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > No, as I said, I don’t know much about Flynn or Carter etc. They seem to be quite foolish and careless and may be indicted. I am sure that will make a lot of people happy but will not really have any effect on the administration. > > I made the offer about this latest brouhaha. Don Jr. Bet on whether he is indicted. So many people here are sure that he committed a crime. (Even “treason”). So - $100 on his indictment. > > In fact, I am willing to extend that to “any current (as of today) member of the administration or Don Jr.” - except of course indictments for leaking information, which is probably likely and not what you’re all excited about. > > Deal? Oh, man, talk about trying to weasel out of a perfectly fair bet. The basic issue here is the investigation into what influence/actions the Russians had on the campaign. That’s what Mueller is investigating. It is not an investigation that is limited into whether certain people who transitioned into government positions might be in trouble. So are you now conceding that the Trump campaign was attempting to work with the Russian government at some level during the campaign? And if your main concern is the “effect on the administration” then why are you making Don Jr. the focus of your bet? ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/858 "2017-07-12T16:14:54Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > So you think 100 to 1 Trump will be in office on Jan 1, 2019? That’s good to know. That’s about as sure as anyone can be of any politician. No, I think the odds are lower, but that’s a number I’m throwing out there that I’m willing to bet on. Are you, or are you not so certain he’ll still be in office? ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/859 "2017-07-12T16:22:09Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Then you think that there is a 50% chance of a criminal indictment? No, I don’t. That is why I would take a 1:1 bet. ---
**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 12, 2017, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/860 "2017-07-12T16:22:37Z")
He’d be silly to take a bet at anything close to those odds. You can get almost 1:1 on election betting websites. ---
**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:** [July 12, 2017, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/861 "2017-07-12T16:25:58Z")
Okra either doesn’t understand odds or doesn’t have $10k. Or both. Five gets me twenty it’s both. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Okrahoma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/90db22/32.png) [@Okrahoma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Okrahoma)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/862 "2017-07-12T16:28:08Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > Oh, man, talk about trying to weasel out of a perfectly fair bet. The basic issue here is the investigation into what influence/actions the Russians had on the campaign. And as I said, Flynn or Carter or Manafort may be guilty of something (most likely, stupidity). I don’t dispute that. I don’t think if they are charged with something it will be a big deal, but yes, they may be. What I was making fun of with my bet was the enthusiasm of you guys about this latest revelation about Don Jr. meeting with the Russian lawyer. So - the bet is about that. If ANYONE (anyone at all) is indicted in connection with this meeting, I lose the bet. Deal? > [@](#): > > So are you now conceding that the Trump campaign was attempting to work with the Russian government at some level during the campaign? You mean could it be that a janitor in Trump building may have had some conversation with a Russian “spy”? Sure. I am conceding that. > [@](#): > > And if your main concern is the “effect on the administration” then why are you making Don Jr. the focus of your bet? Doesn’t have to be Don Jr. Could be Kushner. Pence. Bannon. Anyone that is actually in the administration or is related to Trump. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799.md?page=42) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799.md?page=44)