The Trump–Russia story is a story about money laundering in real estate. Full stop.
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When the investigation into the Trump campaign brings up charges of money laundering and shady property deals, it may seem like a sideline. But it shouldn’t. No one expects Donald Trump to secretly have a shrine to Lenin in the basement of Trump Tower. MicThe Trump–Russia story is a story about money laundering in real estate. Full stop.
When the investigation into the Trump campaign brings up charges of money laundering and shady property deals, it may seem like a sideline. But it shouldn’t. No one expects Donald Trump to secretly have a shrine to Lenin in the basement of Trump Tower. Michael Flynn didn’t offer to kidnap a cleric because the man offended his religious views. Paul Manafort wasn’t sending Putin plans to “greatly benefit his government” because he really, really wants to see democracy crushed—though given Manafort’s track record, he might. The truth is simple: They’re in it for the money. So when you see a story like this, it’s not a side show. It’s the show. A new report from watchdog group Global Witness says that a Colombian money launderer currently in U.S. custody participated in the advance sale of units in a Panama development bearing the president’s name: The Trump Ocean Club. Trump has made $13.9 million from the Ocean Club in the last three years alone, according to NBC’s own reporting on the matter. This time it was a front for murderous, drug-runners in Colombia feeding dollars to Trump. But that’s the point: Trump’s connection to Russia isn’t philosophical. It’s financial. He’ll take money from anyone. And he’s not alone. The federal indictment of Paul Manafort, President Donald Trump’s former campaign chairman, accuses him of laundering millions in foreign payments to pursue a “lavish lifestyle” in the U.S., especially in the Hamptons, where he has a house. The reason that both Trump and Manafort have money flowing into their coffers is simple. After rules were changed making other means of money laundering more difficult, there was still one huge loophole that was left wide open. Read more