Yesterday, I published a short diary basically stating my hypothesis that it will be Trump’s financial dealings with the Russians that bring him down. This has been simmering and now seems to be coming to a boil.
The reasoning is that it is unlikely evidence for Trump’s direct involvement with the Russians to hack the 2016 election will be found, even if such evidence is discovered to link Trump’s minions to the Russians toying with the election. It might be embarrassing for Trump and cast a shadow, but without a provable case for his knowing, direct involvement, it won’t be enough to push him off the wall.
Trump’s financial dealings and relationships with the Russians are well known, although nothing as yet has tied him to any criminal actions. This, I think, is what scares the hell out of Trump and why he wants to shut down the Russian investigations. Even though the investigations were motivated by the shenanigans in the election, Trump’s financial involvements with the Russians are at the root of his involvement with the Russians in the election. He could be tied to the Russians in three ways: (i) they have leverage over him because of criminal relationships (e.g., money laundering); (ii) they have leverage because he owes them money or he depends on their equity investments; or (iii) he sees enormous profits from cooperating with the Russians.
For Trump it always has been, is now, and will always be about money. That’s the simplest explanation for his behavior. Money feeds his narcissism and is a way for him to keep score. Everything about his candidacy, campaign and now position of President is at the core about making money … or trying to.
In a diary last night, Mark Sumner quoted from a Wall Street Journal article referring to the Senate Intelligence Committee investigation:
To date, the inquiry has produced no “smoking gun,” these people said, but some investigators are persuaded that the evidence will show more than just casual contacts. One area of particular interest for the committee is Mr. Trump’s business dealings. The Senate Intelligence Committee has asked for information from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or FinCEN, a division of the Treasury Department.
Mark followed up with:
Donald Trump might dodge an investigation into Michael Flynn. He might not be harmed by a take down of Carter Page.
But if the FBI seriously looks into Baywater and Trump’s financial deals with Russian oligarchs … there’s potential for an investigation that cripples, if not ends, his time in office.
Yep. I agree. And what’s more, so, apparently does Senator Ron Wyden according to a New York Times article from yesterday evening:
The top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee said Wednesday that he's blocking the nominee for a top Treasury post until the department delivers documents and other information related to Russia and its financial dealings with President Donald Trump and his associates.
Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon said the office that President Donald Trump has nominated Sigal Mandelker to lead — the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence — has the information his committee wants.
"I have stated repeatedly that we have to follow the money if we are going to get to the bottom of how Russia has attacked our democracy," Wyden said. "That means thoroughly review any information that relates to financial connections between Russia and President Trump and his associates, whether direct or laundered through hidden or illicit transactions."
Add that to Senator Lindsey Graham’s interest in Trump’s financial dealings with the Russians ...
Wyden's announcement came as the White House still hasn't released a letter that press secretary Sean Spicer said Tuesday was being sent to Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Graham told CNN on Tuesday that he wants to explore possible ties between Trump's businesses and Russia. The South Carolina Republican chairs a Senate Judiciary subcommittee that is also looking into Russia's role in the presidential election.
and you’ve got some serious cauldron bubbles, bubbles, toils and troubles for Donald Trump.
Money pumps Trump’s ego and it — not politics — will burst his Presidential bubble. Wait for it.