# 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:** 45
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/883 "2017-07-12T17:30:08Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > The wording of the email seems to be done with the express purpose of incriminating Jr. Rather than using subtle or ambiguous language that could be taken other ways, they are very clear in describing the purpose. "As part of the ongoing Russia-Trump partnership, we need to meet so we can give you highly sensitive and damning info on your opponent. " It seems like they were planning on making sure the email and the responses got leaked and wanted the topic to be as unambiguous as possible. Plus, the response is magnified because we have the lies and cover ups from Trump and the WH which are completely discredited by the email chain. I see it as the old - “See what we did to your son? Imagine what we can do to you.” - approach to diplomacy. ---
**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, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/884 "2017-07-12T17:52:32Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > And both sides do it. The other important thing to remember. It’s true. Hillary even helped dig the graves. ---
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/885 "2017-07-12T18:01:03Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Currently not thinking “indictment”. Thinking “resignation to spend more time with family”. Probably not even spy stuff. Probably money. > > Mr. Mueller was specifically empowered to pursue investigation in whatever things surfaced in the course of his primary investigation. By an extraordinary coincidence, he is hiring lawyers for his team who specialize in fiscal tomfoolery. (In lieu of a cite, type “Mueller money laundering” in your Google. Take yer pick…) > > Gosh, Mr President, sir! Awful lot of money got churned through your various real-estate deals. You probably didn’t know this, that’s why you weren’t suspicious. Innocent as you are. We may have to take a close look at yer books. All of them. Gotta be thorough, ya know. Could get awfully expensive, what with fines and confiscations, stuff like that. You wouldn’t know this, being such an innocent lamb, frolicking amongst the daffodils BUT! (I like big “BUTS”, can’t deny it…) > > Prosecutors tend to get testy and irritable when their efforts are stymied. You know, stack this penalty upon that penalty. Million here, million there, pretty soon you’re talking about real money. You got that much money, sitting around in liquid pools? Can you actually sell your assets for the value that you claim to possess? Just so you know, people who live under bridges, because they are broke, get poor limo service. > > Now, of course, if you were to quietly fold up your tents and steal away into the night? Might go a lot easier. Might be the impetus for another blockbuster book: _The Art of the Plea Deal_. > > TL:DR It won’t be the collusion, it will be the money. Fuck off, or we take every dime. Il Douche will bail, as in “_GERONIMO_!!!” Won’t even have to prove it in court, because he already knows. Just put the papers on the desk, and the pen, and “Adios, motherfucker!” > > Groovy. Scary thing is, some form of resignation and bowing out (with assurances/pardons in place, natch) while playing the martyr and admitting no wrong doing would be the smart move for his family, business and personal image. He could spin the move as being in the interest of his family and country and end up with a solid fan base that would fuel his businesses and his future media-whoring, which would probably converge to take the form of a Trump-Bannon media outlet. ---
**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, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/886 "2017-07-12T18:33:36Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > Ok, if you insist. 5:1. Better than the web sites. That on Jan 1, 2019 Trump is still President. Deal? You get $500. I get $100 if I win. Naah, that’s not good enough for my hard earned money. Apparently you’re not very confident that he’ll still be president if all you’ll give me is 5:1 (which implies you’re 80% sure). 80%? That’s all? Pretty weak. Low energy. But at least you went up. I started at 100:1, and you counter with 5:1. I’ll counter back with 50:1. Are you 98% sure Trump will still be in office in 2019? > [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > I’ll take that if no one else wants it and you arrange a way to broker it. I’ll even slightly sweeten it by adding an “all bets off” for death (which the way you’re phrasing it would unfairly be a loss for you). > > (Editing to indicate that I don’t mean to step in and steal a bet if the original people involved in conversation want to jump in! Only if others out.) Please take it, if you’d like! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/887 "2017-07-12T18:56:51Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > Scary thing is, some form of resignation and bowing out (with assurances/pardons in place, natch) while playing the martyr and admitting no wrong doing would be the smart move for his family, business and personal image. He could spin the move as being in the interest of his family and country and end up with a solid fan base that would fuel his businesses and his future media-whoring, which would probably converge to take the form of a Trump-Bannon media outlet. Could easily see it as the best thing for the country. I don’t need him to go to Club Fed, I just need him to go, period. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7bcc69/32.png) [@Mighty\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Girl)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/888 "2017-07-12T19:01:17Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > The important thing to keep in mind here is that we need to find out who leaked the information about Trump killing a Hooker. That’s the real crime here. Bill once had sex with a hooker. Why is the media paying attention to Junior’s 12 dead hookers instead? ---
**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, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/889 "2017-07-12T19:07:17Z")
> [@Mighty\_Girl](#): > > Bill once had sex with a hooker. Why is the media paying attention to Junior’s 12 dead hookers instead? And why are they paying attention to these particular dead hookers, why aren’t they paying attention to the other 3 dozen that he has killed? FAKE NEWS! ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/890 "2017-07-12T19:16:42Z")
\ "Look, these stories about dead hookers, they’re all based on “unnamed sources”. We all know that we can’t trust that! " \ “So I killed some hookers! So what! Everybody does it!” \ “Cameras are now banned from press briefings” ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/891 "2017-07-12T19:21:12Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Could easily see it as the best thing for the country. I don’t need him to go to Club Fed, I just need him to go, period. I, for one, would welcome our new Pence overlord. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![yanceylebeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yanceylebeef/32/12290_2.png) [@yanceylebeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yanceylebeef)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/892 "2017-07-12T19:32:18Z")
I think it’s time we took the word “may” out of this thread’s headline. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/893 "2017-07-12T19:37:18Z")
While I do think there is a prima facie basis to believe Mini-Don is guilty of crimes, he is still just a bargaining chip in the overall investigation. As **Bayard** and **Sherrerd** point out, Mini-Don was deliberately and handily set up by the Russians. (I don’t think it was personal. I think it’s just how they do business. “Doing business” and “kompromat” are essentially the same thing in Russia, according to my understanding.) Mini-Don’s compromised circumstances, while appalling, are not the meat on the table. It’s all about Trump Sr., and I’m not sure any deals are going to be offered to him. For the FBI and other intelligence agencies, this has become personal. Not only did Trump Sr. cast doubt on their integrity and ethics, he fired Comey in a stupid, ill-advised attempt to save his own selfish political hide. I’m aware of more than one case where no plea deal was offered because the strength of the case against the defendant was such that the prosecutors felt a true furtherance of justice would only be accomplished by prosecuting to the full extent of the law. This may well be such a case. I imagine Trump Sr. might be begging for a plea deal before all is said and done. I’m far from sure one will be offered – and I frankly hope not. I understand it is Congress that will be the “prosecutor,” that Trump will be the “defendant” and that Mueller will have no power to prosecute beyond making recommendations to Congress. But I believe his final report will be so damaging based on significant, undeniable criminal activity by Trump & Co. that even a Republican congress will be afraid to treat it lightly. They’re already starting to draw away. I for one happen to be in hope and agreement with an intelligence person who, early in the investigation, intemperately said something to the effect that when the full extent of the cooperation between Russians and the Trump campaign is known and all is said and done, Trump Sr. will die in prison (which doesn’t necessarily mean the sentence imposed will be a long one). The damage these people have done to our country is deep. We will feel the repercussions for many years. I don’t think Pence is out of the woods by any stretch, either. What a reptile. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/894 "2017-07-12T19:39:49Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > While I do think there is a prima facie basis to believe Mini-Don is guilty of crimes… We’ve got a thread, right next to this one, dedicated to discussing that idea. You might want to take a gander. ---
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/895 "2017-07-12T19:45:50Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > We’ve got a thread, right next to this one, dedicated to discussing that idea. You might want to take a gander. Oh, I’m sorry. A thread in Elections discussing Trump associates coordinating with Russians… my post was inappropriate? I don’t have the time you apparently do to review every thread before choosing where to post, and I’ll wait for a mod to come tell me I’ve posted incorrectly. Thanks, though. ---
**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:** [July 12, 2017, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/896 "2017-07-12T19:47:15Z")
FWIW there’s a relevant market at [PredictIt.org](http://PredictIt.org)… [Will a federal criminal charge be filed against Donald Trump, Jr. in 2017?](https://www.predictit.org/Contract/7183/Will-a-federal-criminal-charge-be-filed-against-Donald-Trump%2c-Jr-in-2017#data) Right now it’s $0.14 for yes and $0.88 for no. This translates to about 25:4 against (6.25:1). ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Economist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/897 "2017-07-12T19:55:20Z")
> [@Okrahoma](#): > > And as I said, Flynn or Carter or Manafort may be guilty of something (most likely, stupidity). Luckily we don’t have the sort of incompetent in charge of this country who would appoint someone that stupid to a high government position. Can you imagine if the leader of this country was such an imbecile as to appoint someone like Flynn to head up an important position such as national security advisor? Boy, what kind of idiot would do something like that? ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Economist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/898 "2017-07-12T19:56:47Z")
> [@Lance\_Turbo](#): > > FWIW there’s a relevant market at [PredictIt.org](http://PredictIt.org)… > > [Will a federal criminal charge be filed against Donald Trump, Jr. in 2017?](https://www.predictit.org/Contract/7183/Will-a-federal-criminal-charge-be-filed-against-Donald-Trump%2c-Jr-in-2017#data) > > Right now it’s $0.14 for yes and $0.88 for no. This translates to about 25:4 against (6.25:1). 2017 seems awfully ambitious. Don’t these things take years? ---
**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, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/899 "2017-07-12T20:01:45Z")
> [@Evil\_Economist](#): > > Can you imagine if the leader of this country was such an imbecile as to appoint someone like Flynn to head up an important position such as national security advisor? Boy, what kind of idiot would do something like that? Only the very best kind of imbecile!! Winning! ---
**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, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/900 "2017-07-12T20:07:44Z")
[President Trump personally signed off on false statement claiming Don Jr.’s meeting was about adoption: report](http://www.rawstory.com/2017/07/president-trump-personally-signed-off-on-false-statement-claiming-don-jr-s-meeting-was-about-adoption-report/amp/) > [@](#): > > President Donald Trump personally signed off on a statement provided Sunday by Donald Trump Jr., which insisted a meeting between the president’s eldest son and an emissary of the Russian government was a simple conversation about an adoption program. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/901 "2017-07-12T20:15:35Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Naah, that’s not good enough for my hard earned money. Apparently you’re not very confident that he’ll still be president if all you’ll give me is 5:1 (which implies you’re 80% sure). > > 80%? That’s all? Pretty weak. Low energy. > > But at least you went up. I started at 100:1, and you counter with 5:1. I’ll counter back with 50:1. Are you 98% sure Trump will still be in office in 2019? A man Trump’s age has less than a 98% of _still being alive_ on January 1, 2019. I’ll give Trump a few tenths extra because there is no evidence he has cancer, but conversely he is quite overweight so the cancer credit offset by the chance he has a heart attack that either kills him or is bad enough to cause him to be unable to continue being President. You might want to clarify the nature of the bet; nobody’s point is proven is Trump keels over from a heart attack. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Economist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c89c15/32.png) [@Evil\_Economist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Economist)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2017, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799/902 "2017-07-12T20:16:48Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > You might want to clarify the nature of the bet; nobody’s point is proven is Trump keels over from a heart attack. Well, atheists might have some explaining to do. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799.md?page=44) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-associates-may-have-coordinated-with-russians-according-to-us-officials/782799.md?page=46)