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The language & structure of the July 25 call shows Trump didn't just solicit Zelensky's election help. They made an agreement & had a classic meeting of the minds. Trump pressed for a favor. Z (had to) say Yes. Trump said, Good I appreciate it. Giuliani & Barr would carry it out. 
You could argue Trump solicited Zelensky to enter an election conspiracy. That's damning even w/o the context of a vulnerable country at war with Russia and Trump holding up desperately needed military aid. Adding that context, the pressure, the dirt, and it's a cesspool of abuse
Language & structure of the call show how Trump pressed Zelensky:
1) 4x US is good to Ukraine—"a lot," "very very" 2x each
2) US does MORE than Europe
3) Relations were NOT "reciprocal"
4) Whatever you can do, it's VERY IMPORTANT that you do it
5) I'm sure you'll figure it out
1) 4x US is good to Ukraine—"a lot," "very very" 2x each
2) US does MORE than Europe
3) Relations were NOT "reciprocal"
4) Whatever you can do, it's VERY IMPORTANT that you do it
5) I'm sure you'll figure it out
When you add that Trump's election conspiracy involved a long debunked conspiracy theory about Biden in Ukraine—debunked on both sides of the Atlantic several times—THAT creates even MORE pressure b/c Zelensky KNOWS what Trump wants is false. He's being asked to invent something.
Add to Trump's election conspiracy that he told Zelensky he was enlisting AG Barr & former NYC Mayor (Trump didn't identify Giuliani as his personal lawyer) in the "very important" mission, and you can imagine the pressure on Ukraine. He mentioned "Attorney General" 5x! #Maddow
A nagging question: If the Russia investigation is over and Barr let Trump off the hook, why do they persist in pursuing the "Ukraine collusion"/Clinton emails/server conspiracy theory??
Theory: It's actually Putin's mission, to exonerate Russia of election interference. #Maddow
Theory: It's actually Putin's mission, to exonerate Russia of election interference. #Maddow
