On January 6, 2017, the U.S. Intelligence Community released a comprehensive assessment concluding that Russian President Vladimir Putin personally ordered an extensive influence campaign aimed at undermining the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA), titled …
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Retired General Mark Welsh joined Northrop Grumman’s board of directors just five months after retiring as Air Force Chief of Staff and barely one year after the company won the $21.4 billion initial contract to build the B-21 Raider next-generation stealth bomber, exemplifying the revolving …
Mark WelshNorthrop GrummanU.S. Air ForceWes BushDonald Trumprevolving doormilitary-industrial complexdefense contractorscorruptionpentagon contracts+2 more
Donald Trump agreed on November 18, 2016 to pay $25 million to settle all three Trump University fraud lawsuits—two class actions and the New York Attorney General civil suit—just 10 days after winning the presidential election and less than two weeks before the San Diego class action was scheduled …
Donald TrumpGonzalo CurielEric Schneidermantrump universityfraudsettlementconsumer protectionaccountability
The day after Donald Trump is declared winner of the 2016 presidential election, private prison stocks experience massive gains. CoreCivic (formerly CCA) jumps from $14.19 to $20.31 per share (43% increase) and GEO Group rises from $23.88 to $28.96 per share (21% increase). According to Bianca …
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Michael Cohen establishes Essential Consultants LLC in Delaware, shell company used to pay Stormy Daniels $130,000 and later receive $4 million from corporations and oligarch-linked firms
Michael CohenEssential Consultants LLCStormy DanielsDonald Trumpshell-companyessential-consultantsdelaware-llcstormy-danielshush-money+1 more
On October 9, 2016, just 90 minutes before the second presidential debate in St. Louis, Donald Trump staged a surprise press conference with four women who have accused Bill Clinton of sexual misconduct or been connected to the Clintons’ legal history. The event, held at the Four Seasons Hotel …
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During the 2016 presidential campaign, widespread rumors emerge of damaging outtakes from “The Apprentice” showing Donald Trump using the n-word and other racist and sexist language. Producer Mark Burnett, through his company now owned by MGM, refuses to release any footage, citing …
Donald TrumpMark BurnettTom ArnoldOmarosa Manigaultthe-apprenticemark-burnettracismndamedia-cover-up+1 more
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman issued a cease-and-desist order requiring the Donald J. Trump Foundation to immediately stop soliciting contributions in New York State because it had been operating for nearly 30 years without proper registration. The order revealed that the Trump …
Eric SchneidermanDonald TrumpTrump Foundationtrump foundationcharity fraudny attorney generalregulatory violations
Washington Post investigative reporter David Fahrenthold published a groundbreaking series of investigations revealing that the Donald J. Trump Foundation had engaged in a systematic pattern of illegal self-dealing, using tax-exempt charitable funds to purchase items for Trump’s personal use, …
Donald TrumpTrump FoundationDavid FahrentholdWashington Posttrump foundationcharity fraudself-dealinginvestigative journalismdavid fahrenthold
National Enquirer pays former Playboy model Karen McDougal $150,000 for exclusive rights to story about year-long affair with Trump, largest catch-and-kill payment of campaign
Karen McDougalAmerican Media Inc.David PeckerDylan HowardDonald Trump+1 morecatch-and-killmcdougal-paymenthush-moneynational-enquirerelection-interference+1 more
On July 27, 2016, at a televised press conference, Donald Trump publicly called on Russia to hack Hillary Clinton’s emails: “Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing.” According to Mueller’s indictment of 12 GRU …
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On July 22, 2016, WikiLeaks released 19,252 DNC emails and 8,034 attachments stolen by Russian GRU intelligence—strategically timed for maximum political damage just three days before the Democratic National Convention. The release, coordinated between Russian intelligence (via Guccifer 2.0), …
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Tech billionaire Peter Thiel delivers prime-time RNC speech endorsing Trump, marking Silicon Valley’s entry into MAGA movement and first openly gay speaker at Republican convention
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J.D. Vance publishes Hillbilly Elegy, a memoir that gains national prominence during the 2016 presidential election. Vance openly criticizes Donald Trump, describing him as “the most-raw expression of a massive finger pointed at other people” and privately comparing him to …
J.D. VanceDonald TrumpCharlie RoseABC Newshillbilly-elegynever-trumpmemoirpolitical-originpolitical-transformation+1 more
Donald Trump Jr. accepted meeting at Trump Tower after being promised “official documents and information that would incriminate Hillary” as “part of Russia and its government’s support for Mr. Trump.” Meeting included Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya, Rinat …
Donald Trump Jr.Jared KushnerPaul ManafortNatalia VeselnitskayaRinat Akhmetshin+2 moreforeign-interferencecampaign-finance-violationrussian-collusionobstructiondisinformation+1 more
The Eric Trump Foundation, ostensibly dedicated to raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to fight childhood cancer, systematically funneled charitable donations to Trump Organization businesses by paying inflated costs for charity golf events held at Trump properties. Despite …
Eric TrumpDonald TrumpTrump OrganizationEric Trump Foundationeric trumptrump foundationcharity fraudself-dealingtrump organization
Donald Trump launched racist attacks against U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel, who was presiding over the Trump University fraud lawsuits, falsely claiming the judge’s Mexican heritage created bias against him. At a San Diego rally in late May and in subsequent media interviews, Trump …
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Court documents and victim testimony released in June 2016 revealed the devastating human cost of Trump University’s fraudulent scheme, with students testifying they lost retirement savings, disability income, and home equity after being pressured into purchasing courses costing up to $35,000. …
Donald TrumpRonald SchnackenbergGeorge Hanustrump universityfraudconsumer protectionvictim testimonyelder abuse
U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel ordered the unsealing of over 400 pages of Trump University documents on May 31, 2016, revealing internal sales “playbooks” that detailed aggressive, predatory tactics designed to extract maximum money from vulnerable consumers. The documents exposed …
Gonzalo CurielDonald TrumpRonald Schnackenbergtrump universityfraudconsumer protectioncourt documentssales tactics+1 more
Alexander Torshin, working with Maria Butina, requested that Donald Trump meet with him on the sidelines of the National Rifle Association’s convention in Louisville, Kentucky from May 20-22, 2016. While Torshin never succeeded in meeting with then-candidate Trump himself, he did secure a …
Alexander TorshinMaria ButinaDonald Trump Jr.Donald TrumpNational Rifle Associationrussian-influencenratrump-campaignforeign-agents2016-election+2 more
During the 2016 campaign, Donald Trump made a pivotal strategic commitment to outsource Supreme Court nominee selection entirely to the Federalist Society, a move that would fundamentally reshape the federal judiciary. In March 2016, Trump, campaign lawyer Don McGahn, and Federalist Society …
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Phyllis Schlafly, 91 years old, endorses Donald Trump’s candidacy for president in March 2016, when the GOP primary has narrowed and conservatives are choosing between Trump and Texas Senator Ted Cruz. The endorsement becomes one of Trump’s earliest and most influential endorsements from …
Donald Trump staged a campaign fundraiser in Des Moines, Iowa disguised as a charitable event, using the Trump Foundation in direct violation of federal tax law prohibiting 501(c)(3) charitable organizations from participating in political campaigns. The January 28, 2016 event occurred just days …
Donald TrumpTrump FoundationCorey Lewandowskitrump foundationcharity fraudcampaign financetax violationselection interference
On July 11, 2015, at the FreedomFest libertarian conference in Las Vegas, Russian intelligence operative Maria Butina publicly questioned presidential candidate Donald Trump about US sanctions on Russia. Trump responded that he knew Putin and believed they would “get along very nicely” …
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NBCUniversal announces on June 29, 2015, that it is ending its business relationship with Donald Trump, firing him from “The Apprentice” and cancelling the Trump-produced Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants in response to Trump’s racist comments about Mexican immigrants during his …
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Donald Trump formally announced his presidential candidacy with a speech demonizing Mexican immigrants in explicitly racist terms. Trump declared: ‘When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re not sending you. They’re not sending you. They’re …
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Twelve years after DNA evidence conclusively proved the innocence of the Central Park Five, Donald Trump published an opinion piece in the New York Daily News calling the city’s $41 million settlement with the wrongfully convicted men “a disgrace” and continuing to assert their …
Donald TrumpYusef SalaamKorey WiseAntron McCrayKevin Richardson+1 moreracismcentral park fivedonald trumpcriminal justice
The Donald J. Trump Foundation spent $20,000 in charitable funds to purchase a portrait of Donald Trump painted by a speed-painter at a charity gala at Mar-a-Lago. The four-foot portrait, created during the event, was supposed to be sold with proceeds benefiting the charity hosting the auction. …
Donald TrumpTrump Foundationtrump foundationcharity fraudself-dealingtax violations
On November 9, 2013, Donald Trump brought the Miss Universe pageant to Moscow, held at Crocus City Hall owned by Aras Agalarov—a Russian billionaire known as “Putin’s Builder” with close Kremlin ties. During the event, Trump pursued meetings with Vladimir Putin (who sent a gift via …
Donald TrumpAras AgalarovEmin AgalarovVladimir PutinTrump Organizationtrumprussiaputinagalarovtrump-tower-moscow+3 more
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman filed a $40 million civil lawsuit against Donald Trump, The Trump Entrepreneur Initiative (formerly Trump University LLC), and Michael Sexton on August 24, 2013, alleging “persistent fraudulent, illegal and deceptive conduct.” Schneiderman …
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The Donald J. Trump Foundation illegally paid a $25,000 settlement related to Trump University litigation using tax-exempt charitable funds rather than Trump’s personal or business accounts. This payment represented another instance of Trump using his charitable foundation as a personal …
Donald TrumpTrump FoundationFlorida Attorney General Pam Bonditrump foundationcharity fraudself-dealingtrump universitytax violations
The Donald J. Trump Foundation used $158,000 in tax-exempt charitable funds to settle a legal dispute between the Town of Palm Beach and Trump’s for-profit Mar-a-Lago Club over an illegal 80-foot flagpole. The town had fined Trump’s private club for violating local ordinances by erecting …
Donald TrumpTrump FoundationTown of Palm Beachtrump foundationcharity fraudself-dealingmar-a-lagotax violations
After weeks of Donald Trump loudly questioning President Obama’s citizenship and claiming to have sent private investigators to Hawaii, Obama released his long-form birth certificate to address what he called ‘silliness.’ Trump had appeared on Good Morning America in March 2011 …
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Donald Trump launched his political career by promoting the racist “birther” conspiracy theory, publicly questioning whether Barack Obama—the nation’s first Black president—was born in the United States and therefore eligible to serve as president. In a March 23, 2011 appearance on …
Donald TrumpBarack Obamaracismbirtherismdonald trumpbarack obamaconspiracy theory
In June 2010, Trump University changed its name to “The Trump Entrepreneur Initiative” following sustained pressure from the New York State Education Department, which had repeatedly warned since 2005 that the organization was illegally using the term “university” without …
Donald TrumpMichael SextonJoseph Freytrump universityfraudeducation fraudnew yorkregulatory evasion
The Better Business Bureau issued Trump University a D- rating in 2010, the lowest rating the enterprise received during its active operations. The rating resulted from multiple consumer complaints the BBB received documenting deceptive practices, high-pressure sales tactics, and unfulfilled …
Donald TrumpMichael Sextontrump universityfraudconsumer protectionbetter business bureaueducation fraud
Trump Entertainment Resorts filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on February 17, 2009, after missing a $53.1 million bond payment, marking the sixth bankruptcy of a Trump casino company in 18 years. Just four days before the filing, on February 13, Donald Trump resigned as chairman of the …
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Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff John Harris were arrested at the governor’s home on federal corruption charges, including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of bribery. The 76-page FBI affidavit revealed that Blagojevich was captured on …
Rod BlagojevichBarack ObamaPatrick FitzgeraldDonald Trumpgubernatorial corruptiondemocratic partyillinoisbriberywire fraud+2 more
Donald Trump sold the Palm Beach estate to Russian businessman Dmitry
Rybolovlev for $95 million in July 2008. The structure was demolished in 2016
and the land subdivided; subsequent lot sales totaled roughly $108 million.
Dmitry RybolovlevDonald TrumpTrump Organizationrussian-oligarchsfinancial-crimesepstein-networkmoney-launderingreal-estate+1 more
The Donald J. Trump Foundation paid $258,000 in charitable funds to purchase a six-foot portrait of Donald Trump at a charity auction in Palm Beach, Florida. The portrait, painted by artist William Quigley, was supposed to be sold to benefit charity, but instead the Foundation used tax-exempt …
Donald TrumpTrump Foundationtrump foundationcharity fraudself-dealingtax violationsmar-a-lago
Rep. Randy “Duke” Cunningham (R-CA) pleaded guilty in federal court in San Diego to conspiracy to commit bribery, mail fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion. The decorated Vietnam War fighter ace admitted to accepting at least $2.4 million in bribes from defense contractors in exchange for …
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Donald Trump formally launched “Trump University” on May 23, 2005, a real estate training program that operated without proper academic licensing or accreditation. The enterprise, incorporated in 2004 with Trump owning 93% of the company, conducted three- and five-day seminars marketed …
Donald TrumpMichael Sextontrump universityfraudconsumer protectioneducation fraudbusiness ethics
In a Howard Stern radio interview, Donald Trump admits to deliberately entering Miss Universe and Miss USA dressing rooms while contestants were undressed, stating: ‘I’m allowed to go in because I’m the owner of the pageant… You know, they’re standing there with no …
Donald TrumpHoward Sternsexual-misconductpageantsabuse-of-power
Donald Trump purchased Maison de l’Amitié for $41.35 million at a November 30, 2004 bankruptcy auction, outbidding Jeffrey Epstein who went up to $38.6 million. During the auction, Epstein’s attorneys tried to disqualify Trump over title insurance demands, but Judge Steven Friedman …
Donald TrumpJeffrey EpsteinJudge Steven FriedmanJoseph Luzinski (bankruptcy trustee)Abraham Gosman (former owner)+1 moremoney-launderingrussian-moneyreal-estateepstein-network
Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts, the publicly traded company that operated Trump’s Atlantic City casino empire, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on November 21, 2004, unable to make a $73 million interest payment due November 1. The company was drowning in approximately $1.8 billion …
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Throughout its 14-season run from 2004 to 2015, “The Apprentice” functions as an elaborate promotional platform for Trump’s properties, businesses, and brand, with Trump maintaining a 50% ownership stake in the show and earning an estimated $214 million while simultaneously using …
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Justice Charles J. Tejada of the New York State Supreme Court vacated the convictions of all five men wrongfully imprisoned for the 1989 Central Park jogger case, ending one of the most notorious miscarriages of justice in American legal history. The exoneration came after Matias Reyes, a convicted …
Donald Trump’s 2002 comment to New York Magazine calling Jeffrey Epstein a “terrific guy” who likes women “on the younger side” becomes key evidence of their relationship and Trump’s awareness of Epstein’s preferences.
Donald TrumpJeffrey Epsteinepstein-networktrump-connectionspublic-statements
Donald Trump founds Trump Model Management (originally T Models), which would bring approximately 250 international models to the United States. Investigative reporting later revealed systematic H-1B visa fraud, with models instructed to lie to customs officials and work illegally on tourist visas. …
Donald TrumpTrump Model ManagementAlexia PalmerRachel Blaiscorruptionexploitationimmigrationlabor-violations
From 1998-2016, Deutsche Bank loaned Donald Trump and his companies over $2.5 billion despite Trump’s history of bankruptcies, defaults, and “Donald risk” that caused all other major US banks to refuse him. This lending relationship persisted even as Deutsche Bank was …
Deutsche BankDonald TrumpTrump OrganizationRussian OligarchsJustin Kennedytrumpdeutsche-bankmoney-launderingrussiafinancial-corruption+2 more