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For the second time now, @charliekirk11 has tweeted the Trump Tower 2016 meeting was a set-up by Russians and Democrats. Let me trace the origin of that conspiracy and check the facts Kirk claims here 1/
This is not a new claim for the GOP. But what are its origins? The Washington Post debunks Devin Nunes and his claim on February 7, 2018. But that wasn't first appearance 2/ washingtonpost.com/news/fact-chec…
Nunes claimed "Clinton colluded with the Russians to get dirt on Trump," focusing on Steele dossier/Fusion GPS. That morphed into the 2016 meeting was a set-up. When did that claim begin? One obvious place to look is August 2018 report by @RealClearNews 3/ realclearinvestigations.com/articles/2018/…
The conspiracy site Gateway Pundit picked it up in Feb 2019 with clips from @dbongino radio show from Jan. 22. I won't link to either. Google them. 4/
Rudy Giuliani said it on Fox News in April 2019 5/ hillreporter.com/giuliani-trump…
So let's try to check Kirk's claims here. First, "One of the Russians [I assume at the meeting] claimed to be personal friends with Hillary Clinton" That likely refers to "Ike" Kaveladze, US citizen with Russian real estate group. He was questioned by Mueller and Senate... 6/
He told the Senate in November 2017 that he tried to back out of meeting when he learned it was about Clinton because he (and his family) voted for Clinton (seemingly for NY Senate?). No mention of friendship. 7/ judiciary.senate.gov/press/releases…
Next: "Another had been an interpreter for Clinton, Kerry, and Obama." Likely refers to Russian translator at meeting. That translator contracted with State Dept for a time. Breitbart quotes his Senate interview where he said he translated for those named. Again Google it. 8/
Finally "Three of the Russians had ties to Fusion GPS." This was group paid by Clinton campaign to initially start Steele research. Here is NBC News report that is part of Kirk's claim 9/ nbcnews.com/news/us-news/t…
NBC and Reuters and then Fox reported Fusion founder Glenn Simpson met with the Russian "lawyer" at center of Trump Tower meeting before and after meeting. But in his Senate interview Simpson denied knowing about the tower meeting. 10/ reuters.com/article/us-usa…
In the end, @charliekirk11 is peddling conspiracy theories through conspiracy logic - making links that are not backed by facts, turning known facts on their head, and implying negative associations to give his theory more weight. Sycophancy is helluva drug. /end
