#KEYTHOUGHTS: Some things to note on Michael Cohen's guilty plea today for lying to Congress about his efforts to negotiate a Trump Tower Moscow deal w/ Russia during 2016.
1/ It's no coincidence that this comes TWO DAYS before Trump's next scheduled meeting w/ Putin at the G20.
1/ It's no coincidence that this comes TWO DAYS before Trump's next scheduled meeting w/ Putin at the G20.
2/ This new move by Mueller is perfectly-orchestrated. This isn't only about lying to Congress and cooperation...
It directly IMPLICATES Trump himself...and his children.
According to Cohen, he gave each of them regular briefings throughout the process.
It directly IMPLICATES Trump himself...and his children.
According to Cohen, he gave each of them regular briefings throughout the process.
3/ Cohen admits (with CORROBORATION thru documentary evidence seized by the FBI and Mueller) that Moscow Project negotiations lasted thru JUNE 2016.
That's months after the timeline Trump, Cohen, and those around them, have claimed.
That's months after the timeline Trump, Cohen, and those around them, have claimed.
4/ After the plea, Trump both ADMITS that everything Cohen said about the Moscow Project is TRUE...and yet he says Cohen's "lying to get a reduced sentence."
Nonsense.
TRUMP: "When I run for president, that doesn't mean I'm now allowed to do business..."
Nonsense.
TRUMP: "When I run for president, that doesn't mean I'm now allowed to do business..."
5/ Cohen has always claimed that while he sent an email to a Kremlin email address in January 2016, he never heard back.
While reporting over the last 2 years has contradicted his claim, Cohen now admits in court that he heard back from AN AIDE TO PUTIN.
While reporting over the last 2 years has contradicted his claim, Cohen now admits in court that he heard back from AN AIDE TO PUTIN.
6/ Trump is 'named' elsewhere in the plea.
Cohen says the reason he lied to Congress is to "remain consistent with [Trump's] messaging and out of loyalty to [Trump]."
Cohen says the reason he lied to Congress is to "remain consistent with [Trump's] messaging and out of loyalty to [Trump]."
#RELATED: Let's not forget, Cohen worked w/ Felix Sater on the Moscow Project. According to emails from 2015, Sater and Cohen both viewed the key to securing the deal was thru Putin himself...and that Trump's political career (and praise, IMO) was central.
axios.com/trump-associat…
axios.com/trump-associat…
7/ I knew I was forgetting something...
Another thought is that this plea is yet another confirmation of a part of the Steele Dossier.
Steele learned that part of Putin's cultivation operation included potential lucrative real estate deals in Russia.
washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-tu…
Another thought is that this plea is yet another confirmation of a part of the Steele Dossier.
Steele learned that part of Putin's cultivation operation included potential lucrative real estate deals in Russia.
washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-tu…
8/ #BREAKING: Trump cancels meeting with Putin at G20.
Of course, he lies and claims it's due to the crisis in Ukraine.
He's sure to add in a subsequent tweet that he "look[s] forward to a meaningful Summit again as soon as this situation is resolved!"
Of course, he lies and claims it's due to the crisis in Ukraine.
He's sure to add in a subsequent tweet that he "look[s] forward to a meaningful Summit again as soon as this situation is resolved!"
#PS: We know he's lying...b/c when asked about the meeting w/ Putin...
Trump said: "I think it's a very good time to have the meeting."
This is after the plea deal, less than 2 HRS AGO. Someone changed his mind since.
It has nothing to do with Ukraine.
Trump said: "I think it's a very good time to have the meeting."
This is after the plea deal, less than 2 HRS AGO. Someone changed his mind since.
It has nothing to do with Ukraine.
#UPDATE: Despite "cancelling" their meeting citing the conflict between Russia and Ukraine...
Trump and Putin are still moving forward w/ an INFORMAL meeting, after all.
Yet, the conflict has NOT changed.
So why the reversal? B/c that reason was a lie.
reuters.com/article/us-g20…
Trump and Putin are still moving forward w/ an INFORMAL meeting, after all.
Yet, the conflict has NOT changed.
So why the reversal? B/c that reason was a lie.
reuters.com/article/us-g20…
9/ Possible clue, I hadn't noticed — we know Mueller often speaks thru DATES in court docs.
Between June 9-14th, Sater and Cohen in deep talks about travel to Russia.
But on the 14th, Cohen backed out.
6/9 — Trump Tower Meeting.
6/14 — News broke that Russians hacked the DNC.
Between June 9-14th, Sater and Cohen in deep talks about travel to Russia.
But on the 14th, Cohen backed out.
6/9 — Trump Tower Meeting.
6/14 — News broke that Russians hacked the DNC.
