(Hope this can act as a one stop shop for all things Collusion and be an iterative thread where i add to the OP as things are presented. I hope the mod's leave this as its own thread and not just lumped into the general Mueller one as this issue certainly stands alone as a topic and it can be buried in the greated thread and thus not discussed properly)
The case for Collusion
Definition of collusion
: secret agreement or cooperation especially for an illegal or deceitful purpose
Who are the actors?
Trump/Trump Associates/Trump Campaign (Trump)
Russia/Putin/Oligarchs (Russians)
VTB Russia State Bank (VTB)
What does Trump gain or want :
- To further his private business interests, in particular but not solely, The Trump Moscow Hotel.
- To become the POTUS,
sabotage Hilary’s campaign
Trump wants amongst other things Moscow show piece hotel and needs financing and
has a history with shady Russian backers and also deep ties to MOB money.
Trump
admits he was pursuing his private interests. Thought he might not win the election (admits that) and there is nothing wrong with pursuing private interests, true. BUT you must announce that to the voting public. That you are a business man pursuing the POTUS and also these private interests and if you win the POTUS you will then put aside the private interests.
Instead Trump lied all through the campaign saying
he had no dealings in Russia or business in Russia a position he later
refutes himself after Cohen’s testimony was released.
What did Russia and Putin and Associates want :
- Cancellation of Magnitsky Act
- Lifting of sanctions
- Weakening, destabilization of the USA and of Nato and western alliances
- Re-admittance of Russia into the G8
So how might the Russians offer “synergies” with the Trump Campaign so they both get what they want?
Russia : Quid Pro Quo : Tell Trump that his much desired Trump Moscow hotel
has the financing ready but this money will come from
Investors thru State Sanctioned Russian bank VTB, and as long as the sanctions are in place them obviously the money cannot be forwarded. A strong incentive for Trump to want to remove the sanctions and get the money.
Russia: Quid Pro Quo : : Trump,
you asked for the email dirt on Hilary. You got it as
the SAME DAY Trump asks them to hack, Russia does indeed go in and try to hack.
Trump : Quid Pro Quo : Tries to ensure
cancellation of Magnitsky act and new sanctions on Russia, but Congress, with bipartisan support overwhelmingly blocks him with a Veto proof 419 votes in favour and only 3 against.
Trump : Quid Pro Quo : Unlike any prior President after assuming the office he does not first meet with key considered traditional Allies and
immediately starts to diminish and destabilize Allies and Nato and other alliances and pacts, while talking positive about Russia and Saudi and other historically troubled relationships.
What does Russia hold over Trump:
-
Lies on the campaign trail and after that he had no dealings with Russia when they knew he did and that such a lie could destroy his presidency and potentially result in jail time for him
- Flynn on behalf of Trump campaign instructing Russia to ignore or not react to Obama gov’t sanctions as Trump would soon be in and they would cancel them thus
breaking the Logan Act. A law that is tough to use but could be used more easily for BlackMail.
Extras
Trump Moscow tower
to potentially receive Hundreds of Millions of dollars from Russians to Trump Org directly Mueller campaign claims direct evidence for.
Trump properties for decades or more
may have been acting as a money laundering scheme for Russian Oligarchs, and others and
all sorts of shady money, who would over pay for Suites and then get a quid pro quo cash payment returning them the surplus. This is one of the key things being pursued by the New York State Attorney and the IRS.
Trump Tower meeting between Russian Lawyer and Nationals
