Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

TheBlackAdder

(28,253 posts)
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 11:34 AM Jan 2019

BuzzFeed Hits Back, Publishes Evidence of Trump Tower Moscow Plans

.

Now, shit's getting real.




BuzzFeed News hit back at Donald Trump and his lawyer Rudy Giuliani on Tuesday night, publishing a massive treasure trove of documents proving the president’s involvement in detailed plans for a Trump Tower Moscow.





Posted on Wed, Jan 23rd, 2019 by Leo Vidal
BuzzFeed Hits Back, Publishes Evidence of Trump Tower Moscow Plans

BuzzFeed News hit back at Donald Trump and his lawyer Rudy Giuliani on Tuesday night, publishing a massive treasure trove of documents proving the president’s involvement in detailed plans for a Trump Tower Moscow.

BuzzFeed’s new report specifically contradicts Giuliani’s recent claims that there were “no plans” drawn up for Trump Tower Moscow. Giuliani said in a New Yorker interview that plans for Trump Tower Moscow did not extend beyond a mere “a letter of intent.”

“The only thing that ever happened was that Trump’s team submitted a letter of intent about a possible project in Moscow that never went beyond that,” Giuliani falsely told the New Yorker. “No money was ever paid, no plans were ever made. There were no drafts. Nothing in the file. Nothing ever happened to it.”

The Moscow talks of course did result in what is known as a letter of intent and this was widely reported in the media weeks ago. (A letter of intent is a non-binding legal agreement that sets forth basic parameters for formal discussions about the huge real estate project.) But documents show that very detailed plans for Trump Tower Moscow were created, involving many different people.


https://www.politicususa.com/2019/01/23/buzzfeed-hits-back-publishes-evidence-of-trump-tower-moscow-plans.html




Trump’s Lawyer Said There Were “No Plans” For Trump Tower Moscow. Here They Are.

The plan was dazzling: a glass skyscraper that would stretch higher than any other building in Europe, offering ultra-luxury residences and hotel rooms and bearing a famous name. Trump Tower Moscow, conceived as a partnership between Donald Trump’s company and a Russian real estate developer, looked likely to yield profits in excess of $300 million.

The tower was never built, but it has become a focal point of the investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller into Trump’s relationship with Russia in the lead-up to his presidency.

The president and his representatives have dismissed the project as little more than a notion — a rough plan led by Trump’s then-lawyer, Michael Cohen, and his associate Felix Sater, of which Trump and his family said they were only loosely aware as the election campaign gathered pace.

On Monday, his lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, said “the proposal was in the earliest stage,” and he went on to tell the New Yorker that “no plans were ever made. There were no drafts. Nothing in the file.”

However, hundreds of pages of business documents, emails, text messages, and architectural plans, obtained by BuzzFeed News over a year of reporting, tell a very different story. Trump Tower Moscow was a richly imagined vision of upscale splendor on the banks of the Moscow River.


https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/azeenghorayshi/here-are-the-trump-moscow-plans

.
59 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
BuzzFeed Hits Back, Publishes Evidence of Trump Tower Moscow Plans (Original Post) TheBlackAdder Jan 2019 OP
Good! Thanks for sharing. writes3000 Jan 2019 #1
Trump and his team of deplorables onit2day Jan 2019 #39
This is damning, but... pepperbear Jan 2019 #51
K&R 2naSalit Jan 2019 #2
This is both good and bad. NoMoreRepugs Jan 2019 #3
Also his wrinkled, Scarsdale Jan 2019 #7
K&R...👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 spanone Jan 2019 #4
The WH was already handed their ass on this one. Months ago. WeekiWater Jan 2019 #5
What an ugly building FakeNoose Jan 2019 #6
George Carlin once said.... ProudMNDemocrat Jan 2019 #27
I commented elsewhere that trump's buildings are all phallic symbols to him. Penis envy, I'm sure. George II Jan 2019 #33
It kind of looks like the tower from Lord Of The Rings, minus the flames. Initech Jan 2019 #44
His tendency to slap his ugly name on things Harker Jan 2019 #45
A stand-in for his little bitty mushroom n/t NastyRiffraff Jan 2019 #48
Another smocking gun! nt B Stieg Jan 2019 #8
Good malaise Jan 2019 #9
Hi malaise! smirkymonkey Jan 2019 #52
Not malaise, but I'll take a shot at it: phylny Jan 2019 #53
Works for me! smirkymonkey Jan 2019 #54
Good malaise Jan 2019 #9
Trump : Caught up with lying again! UCmeNdc Jan 2019 #11
K&R Kurt V. Jan 2019 #12
Doesn't this corroborate BFs claims in their initial report on the matter? Thx in advance uponit7771 Jan 2019 #13
The controversy last week was over Michael Cohen's testimony FakeNoose Jan 2019 #16
BF said it was witnesses, emails, texts and a drove of other documents. This seems to back up... uponit7771 Jan 2019 #17
No I don't think it does Saboburns Jan 2019 #20
Well, this is only mob standard practice - cilla4progress Jan 2019 #25
It backs up BF claims about documents no? Thx in advance uponit7771 Jan 2019 #31
Agree 100% . Something smells. triron Jan 2019 #38
Pearls Clutched!!!!.....WHAT???? NCDawg Jan 2019 #14
Junior said on Fox they did not True Blue American Jan 2019 #21
I am immediately struck by the phallic nature of all these buildings mysteryowl Jan 2019 #15
How can a tower not be phallic? druidity33 Jan 2019 #50
Yeah, its kinda hard for one NOT to be. Are you gonna build it sideways? oldsoftie Jan 2019 #58
Or round. mysteryowl Jan 2019 #59
You and me both. I cannot help but go there. calimary Jan 2019 #55
Bombshell! mnhtnbb Jan 2019 #18
BTW True Blue American Jan 2019 #24
House Republicans are too busy mnhtnbb Jan 2019 #26
Yep. triron Jan 2019 #29
+1, it looks like it backs up BF claim about the documents at least. uponit7771 Jan 2019 #32
GOOOO BUZZFEED! berni_mccoy Jan 2019 #19
Backs up the concept that the "letter" arguing "not accurate" from OSC was demanded by 2naSalit Jan 2019 #22
Oh my, the KGOP republican* tower is ever so BIG* Achilleaze Jan 2019 #23
All the better to screw you with my dear crazytown Jan 2019 #35
Seth Abramson has been all over this. triron Jan 2019 #28
Letters of intent can include parts which are legally enforceable Cicada Jan 2019 #30
+1, I don't know why this isn't the main story for 2 weeks along with Red Don's shut down uponit7771 Jan 2019 #34
Fist. Meet. Chin. PaulX2 Jan 2019 #36
Liars gonna lie. Nitram Jan 2019 #37
Shit be getting real... Wounded Bear Jan 2019 #40
Donald's signature.....KICK spanone Jan 2019 #41
There's enough factual information available to the public right now Mr. Ected Jan 2019 #42
+1 uponit7771 Jan 2019 #43
This message was self-deleted by its author SleeplessinSoCal Jan 2019 #46
It's practically a replica of One WTC SleeplessinSoCal Jan 2019 #47
After 9/11, didn't he say that his building was now the tallest in the NYC sky-line ? Haggis for Breakfast Jan 2019 #56
KICK! Cha Jan 2019 #49
knr triron Jan 2019 #57

pepperbear

(5,648 posts)
51. This is damning, but...
Thu Jan 24, 2019, 12:10 AM
Jan 2019

I believe the DOJ is taking issue with Buzzfeed's assertion that Cohen claimed he was instructed by trump to lie. Though it's obviously relevent, the timeline for the tower plans is a different issue all together.

NoMoreRepugs

(9,512 posts)
3. This is both good and bad.
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 11:44 AM
Jan 2019

Good news on the Trump-Russia ties.
Bad news on tRumpys pants being pulled down because now his little mushroom will be out in public view.

Scarsdale

(9,426 posts)
7. Also his wrinkled,
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 12:02 PM
Jan 2019

flabby arse. Well, at least THAT is more attractive than his fat, multi-chinned face with the anus shaped mouth. Question is, will we be able to tell the difference??

 

WeekiWater

(3,259 posts)
5. The WH was already handed their ass on this one. Months ago.
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 11:54 AM
Jan 2019


https://upload.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=11687356

They sent out Giuliani and he got busted in the lie they had him promoting.

And then, in November, Leopold and Cormier broke news that the Trump Organization had planned to give Russian President Vladimir Putin a $50 million penthouse in the proposed tower. Asked about the idea of giving Putin the penthouse in the potential tower, Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani initially said Trump "never heard of this" and that "the concept never got anywhere beyond an unfunded letter of intent and never even a proposal or draft contract." CNN later obtained a document showing Trump had, in fact, signed a letter of intent to move forward with negotiations, despite Giuliani's claim.


CNN

FakeNoose

(32,895 posts)
6. What an ugly building
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 11:56 AM
Jan 2019

Just a massive steel penis. I hope the people of Moscow never have to look at this.



ProudMNDemocrat

(16,897 posts)
27. George Carlin once said....
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 01:23 PM
Jan 2019

That skyscrapers, Missles , and Bullets were all phallic symbols. So I see your point.

George II

(67,782 posts)
33. I commented elsewhere that trump's buildings are all phallic symbols to him. Penis envy, I'm sure.
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 01:47 PM
Jan 2019

FakeNoose

(32,895 posts)
16. The controversy last week was over Michael Cohen's testimony
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 12:50 PM
Jan 2019

... that Trump told him to lie to the Senate Committee and the fact that his evidence is backed up by other witnesses among the White House employees. The "leak" didn't come from Robert Mueller or anyone in his office, it came from somewhere else. The Buzzfeed reporter never told us where he got the story, but Mueller wanted us to know that it wasn't from him.

On this Trump Tower Moscow deal, Trump told Junior and Jared to lie about the dates when they discussed the project with the oligarchs. It was being discussed during his 2016 campaign and also after he was elected, but they lied and said it was only before 2016 and not more recently. Rudy shot that down, but we all knew it was a lie anyway.


uponit7771

(90,371 posts)
17. BF said it was witnesses, emails, texts and a drove of other documents. This seems to back up...
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 12:58 PM
Jan 2019

... their claims.

Saboburns

(2,807 posts)
20. No I don't think it does
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 01:13 PM
Jan 2019

It will be extremely difficult to prove that Donald Trump told Michael Cohen to lie under oath.

And that is what Buzzfeed said.

Full stop.

Now do I think that someone in Team Trump might have hinted for him to lie, or insinuated he should lie? Oh Hell Yes. But proving that Donald Trump, himself, told Cohen to lie under oath was always going to be nearly impossible TO PROVE. (Even if it did hapoen)

I didn't say impossible. I said nearly impossible.

And why I thought that that Buzzfeed, and Leopold, were dubious on this occasion.

cilla4progress

(24,799 posts)
25. Well, this is only mob standard practice -
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 01:18 PM
Jan 2019

it's obvious and implicated. It's intentional and strategic. Guy at the top never needs to be direct about lying, illegality. It's the business model.

Why trump never uses email.

NCDawg

(45 posts)
14. Pearls Clutched!!!!.....WHAT????
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 12:44 PM
Jan 2019

You mean they were lying???....I'm shocked....Utterly shocked!!!

/revision/latest?cb=20140328125858


mysteryowl

(7,443 posts)
15. I am immediately struck by the phallic nature of all these buildings
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 12:50 PM
Jan 2019

The symbolism is stark.

BuzzFeed, thank you for providing some proof. I still want to thank you for the dossier.

druidity33

(6,452 posts)
50. How can a tower not be phallic?
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 09:15 PM
Jan 2019

Just curious... i mean if we're talking Freudian here... what about tunnels?



oldsoftie

(12,669 posts)
58. Yeah, its kinda hard for one NOT to be. Are you gonna build it sideways?
Thu Jan 24, 2019, 09:16 AM
Jan 2019

Plus, in major cities, real estate is a premium, so you HAVE to build UP!

mysteryowl

(7,443 posts)
59. Or round.
Thu Jan 24, 2019, 08:06 PM
Jan 2019


Or, different shapes and levels that jut out.

Look at architecture from other countries. There are many creative ways of going about building stuff.

calimary

(81,594 posts)
55. You and me both. I cannot help but go there.
Thu Jan 24, 2019, 12:52 AM
Jan 2019

Everything I see about him suggests he’s MIGHTILY overcompensating.

Almost obscenely. Finger size. Wallet size. The best-most-biggest-grandest etc.

mnhtnbb

(31,417 posts)
18. Bombshell!
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 01:08 PM
Jan 2019

The House needs to begin impeachment proceedings yesterday.

That fu*king, lying, traitorous sack of orange $hit should be hauled out of the Oval Office in handcuffs.

I am really fed up with all the damn handwringing that we need to wait for Mueller or need to wait for 2020, or wait for some other damn thing. He and his Turtle buddy are destroying the country!

When the fu*k are the grownups going to assert control?

True Blue American

(17,995 posts)
24. BTW
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 01:17 PM
Jan 2019

House Republicans say there is no reason for Cohen to testify.

Of course their words do not nean anything now with Democrats in charge.

Cicada

(4,533 posts)
30. Letters of intent can include parts which are legally enforceable
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 01:27 PM
Jan 2019

For instance they can include non disclosure agreements, promises to bargain in good faith, restrictions on negotiating with others during a certain period of time etc.

uponit7771

(90,371 posts)
34. +1, I don't know why this isn't the main story for 2 weeks along with Red Don's shut down
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 01:51 PM
Jan 2019

... It looks like

1. During the 2016 election Donald Trump ... ADMITTED .... to working with the Russians on a Trump Moscow Tower deal.

2. The Russians hacked into US state and local election boards and hacked into DNC emails in order to help Donald Trump win the 2016 election.

WOW !!!

Mr. Ected

(9,675 posts)
42. There's enough factual information available to the public right now
Wed Jan 23, 2019, 02:41 PM
Jan 2019

To try and convict Trump in the court of public opinion, if not in a court of law.

Let's not forget the daily twitter rants that are tantamount to obstruction of justice, or the lies or admissions that all of us have seen with our own two eyes.

Frankly, the reason everyone is confused is that NO ONE has ever been this blatant in committing felonies in broad daylight with the world as a witness. Most criminals at least TRY to hide their crimes.

The sensitivity comes because we're dealing with the President of the United States. There can be no mistakes. Although the Trump team wants to turn this investigation into a circus in order to confuse and obfuscate, justice must be served and justice must prevail.

One piece of good news: Make no mistake, Mueller makes no mistakes.

Response to TheBlackAdder (Original post)

Haggis for Breakfast

(6,831 posts)
56. After 9/11, didn't he say that his building was now the tallest in the NYC sky-line ?
Thu Jan 24, 2019, 12:56 AM
Jan 2019

Or some such shit ? Because it's all about him.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»BuzzFeed Hits Back, Publi...