Trump: 'I have zero investments in Russia'

[uhnope]

Source: The Hill

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Tuesday disputed claims that he has financial ties to Russia.

"In order to try and deflect the horror and stupidity of the Wikileakes disaster, the Dems said maybe it is Russia dealing with Trump. Crazy!" he tweeted.

"For the record, I have ZERO investments in Russia."

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/289346-trump-i-have-zero-investments-in-russia

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Effin' liar, according to his own son.

Maybe Trump means he hasn't invested in Russia--Russia has invested in him.

Since the 1980s, Trump and his family members have made numerous trips to Moscow in search of business opportunities, and they have relied on Russian investors to buy their properties around the world.

“Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets,” Trump’s son, Donald Jr., told a real estate conference in 2008, according to an account posted on the website of eTurboNews, a trade publication. “We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia.”
...
The coming together of Trump’s business and political agendas was evident during his 2013 Moscow trip, in which he was seeking deals at the same time he was starting to ponder a presidential run.
...
Trump has long aspired to build a Trump Tower in Russia — a market that first gained his attention in the 1980s as the Cold War was ending and the Soviet Union began to open more to outsiders. “Russia is one of the hottest places in the world for investment,” Trump said in a 2007 deposition. “We will be in Moscow at some point,” he promised.
...
In 1996, Trump tried to partner with U.S. tobacco executives to build a luxury condominium complex in Moscow. Ted Liebman, an architect who worked with Trump, recalled drawing sketches of the proposed Trump International for the businessman to use in meetings with Moscow officials.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/inside-trumps-financial-ties-to-russia-and-his-unusual-flattery-of-vladimir-putin/2016/06/17/dbdcaac8-31a6-11e6-8ff7-7b6c1998b7a0_story.html

[hobbit709]

1. Technically true. He never uses his own money if he can help it.

He just uses other people's money and rakes off his cut-win or lose on the deal.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. "I have ZERO investments in Russia."

"But they probably own half my empire" (too long to have added this part to the tweet )

[TexasBushwhacker]

25. The Saudis own a good chunk of his pasty white ass too

I read he's into them for $900 Billion.

[BumRushDaShow]

54. I expect he's in hock

with a multitude of folks. I'm beginning to think he does the clown act to dodge (overt) criminal investigations that may lead to jail time (he probably can't be touched during this election season else he let loose his pack of loon followers).

[Bernardo de La Paz]

3. 0 investments maybe, but big loans ? Release the HIDDEN tax returns. Prove it.

Trump is not credit-worthy enough to get loans from US banks.

At the same time his debt load has ballooned from mid $200 Meg to $690 million.

There is something or many things really damning hidden in those returns.

Could be one of or all of:

* Loans from Russian oligarchs

* Net worth a lot less than he wants us to believe

* Charity donation scams

* Offshore accounts / offshore manufacturing

* Paid ridiculously low taxes

[Lady_Chat]

4. +1000

[NewJeffCT]

16. I'm guessing

that it's all of those items.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

5. Not from a lack of trying: 5 attempts to build a Trump tower in Moscow. Partnership with Russians 2

And Trump has investments with lots of Russians.

Trump’s partners on a Panama project traveled to Moscow in 2006 to sell condos to Russian investors, according to litigation filed in Florida. Trump also sold a mansion in Palm Beach in 2008 for $95 million to Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev, according to property records. Trump had purchased the mansion at a bankruptcy auction less than four years earlier for $41.4 million, records show.

“Russia is one of the hottest places in the world for investment,” Trump said in a 2007 deposition. “We will be in Moscow at some point,” he promised.

In his 2008 speech, Donald Jr. announced that he had traveled to Russia six times in the previous 18 months.

Still, the weekend {2013} was fruitful for Trump. He received a portion of the $14 million paid by Agalarov and other investors to bring the pageant to Moscow. Agalarov said he and Trump signed an agreement to build a Trump Tower in the heart of Moscow — at least Trump’s fifth attempt at such a venture.

An adviser who helped run Trump’s efforts in the New York primary, Michael Caputo, lived in Russia in the 1990s. Caputo also had a contract for several months in 2000 with the Russian conglomerate Gazprom Media to improve Putin’s image in the United States.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/inside-trumps-financial-ties-to-russia-and-his-unusual-flattery-of-vladimir-putin/2016/06/17/dbdcaac8-31a6-11e6-8ff7-7b6c1998b7a0_story.html

This story has been building for some time. The above link is June 17. This one is from December 2015:

Follow Trump's Money to Moscow http://www.aim.org/aim-column/follow-trumps-money-to-moscow/

The next one is from March:

Trump's Long Romance with Russia https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2016-03-15/trump-s-long-romance-with-russia

... and April:

http://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trumps-russia-connections-foreign-policy-presidential-campaign/

[maryellen99]

14. And this is why Miss Universe was held in Russia back in 2013 nt

[jpak]

6. Really? Then show us your tax returns Cheeto-faced Fuckmonkey

yup

[OnDoutside]

7. But who FUNDS your investments ??? THAT's the question to ask !!!

[bucolic_frolic]

8. Predictably

Trump's taken the bait

Now the topic is on the table for discussion

It won't stop until every last detail is public information

If he won't release his tax returns

Then rumors of Putin and Russian backers will abound

Of course, he wouldn't want to release his tax returns because

Then rumors of Putin and Russian backers might be confirmed

[gordianot]

9. That is almost an admission to which way the investments flow.

[Koinos]

26. Yes, debt rather than investment.

[truthisfreedom]

10. Nobody EVER suggested that Trump had investments in Russia, but he sure fucked up this time.

But good. He opened the conversation.

[Loki]

11. He used the wrong number,

0 is the dodge, it's probably more like 5-10.

[apnu]

12. Of course he doesn't, Russia is where he goes to get cash. (nt)

[MarianJack]

13. Hay Donald Rump...

...if you have no investments in Russia, is is because they were as successful as "Trump Steaks" & "Trump Vodka"...hmmm?

PEACE!

[DFW]

15. Even if that were true, it would be a wise tactic on Trump's part

He made his fortune (the part he didn't inherit) by making deals with people and stiffing them for their promised money after the fact. Do that with Putin, and you'll find out (too late) that one of your cocktails contained a radioactive isotope whose effects are fatal after a particularly slow and painful deterioration of your internal organs.

Even Trump is probably aware of that, and if he wasn't prior to the negotiations, I'm sure it was made clear to him during the negotiations.

[greymattermom]

17. Given Trump's usual habits, it's not long

before he stiffs some Russian contractors connected with Putin. Or maybe he already has and that's why he's running for President. Someone should start that rumor, see what he tweets in the middle of the night from the dated apartment in Trump towers.

[2naSalit]

27. Maybe that's why he was

having a hard time breathing during today's presser. Either he's scared shitless that will happen to him or it already has.

[Democat]

18. Russia invests in Trump, why would he invest in Russia?

He is owned by Russia.

[AllyCat]

19. He's a liar. Whatever he says, some warped version of that is actually true

[Botany]

20. He is trying to be clever

0 investments in Russia does not = 0 investments of Russian mob/Putin/Russian oil gas people
in Trump.

[Festivito]

21. Present tense. As of 9AM ET this morning? eom

[workinclasszero]

22. Hey if Trump gets elected Prez

Last edited Wed Jul 27, 2016, 02:02 PM - Edit history (1)

Putin will be his puppet-master in exchange for canceling the debt he owes them!

What a deal...for Trump and Putin.

For the country....not so much. Trump should be forced to reveal his finances NOW like every other presidential candidate has done for years.

He has financial dealings with Russia that need to be examined pronto!

[Koinos]

28. This is one big reason why presidential candidates are expected to release their tax returns.

Security clearance should include credit and criminal background checks.

[workinclasszero]

30. No doubt, this is serious business

Jeez I'd have to give up more info to get a credit card than Trump who's running for President does!

[Koinos]

31. Ain't that the truth?

[workinclasszero]

32. I'm sure the MSM will get to the bottom of this quickly

That's a joke of course.

[Koinos]

33. I'm counting more on the NY Times and the Washington Post.

[workinclasszero]

35. I hope you are right

[Koinos]

37. Me too, but I won't bet on myself.

It flabbergasts me that the media want Trump. What in heaven's (or some other place's) name is wrong with them?

The Koch brothers want Pence. Maybe he will get the job if Trump has to withdraw under pressure from Homeland Security.

[workinclasszero]

42. Koch bros like Pence?

That's interesting.

I was thinking if Trump dropped out it would be an opening for Cruz but maybe Pence would claim the top job if the Koch bros are backing him.

I just wonder how many republicans are looking at Trump's Russian connection with suspicion too.

[Koinos]

44. I suspect that many Republicans are feeling "fear and trembling," at this point.

Their "law and order" candidate has just committed treason. Many Republicans hated him before. The knives will be coming out soon. Trump may have just given them a constitutional basis for replacing him.

Damn, we're out of popcorn.

I'll put this all on hold, because I am really excited about the Democratic convention. We have more major league power hitters coming to bat today.

[workinclasszero]

45. I know many of the old school republicans already hate Trump

If any of them are sincere about national security they should be scared shitless over their traitor candidate!

Our convention has really been great so far huh?

[Koinos]

47. Every speaker has been A+++.

I am so proud to be a Democrat. I look at the crowd, and I see all the diversity. I love each and every one of those faces.

The organizers have done a perfect job. The speakers are major league. All is good. I feel that our Democratic leaders are "with us."

Anyone who is watching objectively has to be moved. There is magic everywhere.

[workinclasszero]

48. I totally agree!

Its great to be a democrat, we have all the best people!

[Koinos]

49. Yes we do.

I'm a guy, and Michelle made me cry.

[workinclasszero]

50. Don't get me started on Michelle lol

I purely love that woman! Such a fantastic person in every way! The Prez is lucky to have her.

I will miss her so much when they leave the white house for the last time.

[Kathy M]

23. Not only does Trump have to release taxes

I think family should .... Also any business under their Organization . Trump has his name all over who rely owns majority stock ?

[lark]

24. Not concerned about drumpfs investments and he knows that's not the issue.

Lie and obfuscate is all that mfer can do. The issue is how much he owes Russia and what he's willing to do to get this paid off. So far it sounds like he is trying to sell out the world for his own personal gain.

[2naSalit]

29. And it's totally

what he would do to save his ass, fuck everybody else... and I mean everybody.

[Ilsa]

34. But do Russians have investments in Trump?

That's the real question. Does Trump owe russians large sums of money?

[workinclasszero]

36. Bingo

That's what we all need to know.

Does the government even know???

[Koinos]

38. Josh Marshall seems to think he knows.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/trump-putin-yes-it-s-really-a-thing

[Ilsa]

39. Yeah, but we need proof.

I hope he has hard proof.

[Koinos]

41. Incidentally, here is the full transcript of Trump's news conference.

With full commentary, as to its veracity, by the Washington Post (click on the highlighted text for commentary):

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/07/27/donald-trumps-falsehood-laden-press-conference-annotated/

[workinclasszero]

46. Wow!

That was an eye opener! You should post that over here in GD

Thanks for the link

[hamsterjill]

40. I (myself) tend to think his use of the word "I" is the pertinent part of his comment.

Trump always differentiates himself from his corporations. "I" have never filed bankruptcy, etc.

Whatever he's doing, he's merely parsing words. Lying asswipe.

[Kathy M]

43. just wanted to add from article

"Still, the weekend was fruitful for Trump. He received a portion of the $14 million paid by Agalarov and other investors to bring the pageant to Moscow. Agalarov said he and Trump signed an agreement to build a Trump Tower in the heart of Moscow — at least Trump’s fifth attempt at such a venture. And Trump seemed energized by his interactions with Russia’s financial elite at the pageant and a glitzy after-party in a Moscow nightclub.

“Almost all of the oligarchs were in the room,” Trump bragged to Real Estate Weekly upon returning home."

"Trump’s relationship with Putin and his warm views toward Russia, which began in the 1980s when the country was still part of the Soviet Union, have emerged as one of the more curious aspects of his presidential campaign. "

Think above contradicts a few things even just from today questions and answers

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/inside-trumps-financial-ties-to-russia-and-his-unusual-flattery-of-vladimir-putin/2016/06/17/dbdcaac8-31a6-11e6-8ff7-7b6c1998b7a0_story.html

May answer why he has harped on media / news articles ...............

[redstatebluegirl]

51. Then he should release his tax returns. Who is funding his businesses?

[tonyt53]

52. Maybe not Donnie, but it sure appears that they have invested heavily in you.

[Warpy]

53. How about outstanding LOANS, Don the Con?

And how about shady deals to buy your shit after you get it built?

I do (admittedly miniscule) business with people in Russia. That's not the point. The point is that when you owe them a shit ton of money, they OWN YOU.