Donald Trump on His Relationship with Russia and Russians
#DonaldTrump 10/17/13: "I’ve done a lot of business with the Russians." » #Trump 1/11/17: "I have no deals that could happen in Russia, because we’ve stayed away." Click To Tweet
Donald Trump on His Relationship with Russia and Russians
THEN
1987 - June 2016

“In January 1987, I got a letter from Yuri Dubinin, the Soviet ambassador to the United States, that began: ‘It is a pleasure for me to relay some from Moscow.’ It went on to say that the leading Soviet state agency for international tourism, Goscomintourist, had expressed interest in pursuing a joint venture to construct and manage a hotel in Moscow. On July 4, I flew with Ivana, her assistant Lisa Calandra, and Norma to Moscow. It was an extraordinary experience. We toured a half dozen potential sites for a hotel, including several near Red Square. We stayed in Lenin’s suite at the National Hotel, and I was impressed with the ambition of the Soviet officials to make a deal.”
- Nov 1987
Donald Trump & Tony Schwartz, Nov. 1, 1987
The Art of the Deal
- Dec 14, 1987
Grant’s Interest Rate Observer (via Value Walk), July 23, 2016
Sell Donald Trump
“Russia is out of control and the leadership knows it. That’s my problem with Gorbachev. Not a firm enough hand… When the students poured into Tiananmen Square, the Chinese government almost blew it. Then they were vicious, they were horrible, but they put it down with strength. That shows you the power of strength… Yet Gorbachev is getting credit for being a wonderful leader and we should continue giving him credit, because he’s destroying the Soviet Union.
“Generally, [top-level Soviet officials] are much tougher and smarter than our representatives. We have people in this country just as smart, but unfortunately, they’re not elected officials.”
- March 1, 1990
Playboy, March 1, 1990
The 1990 Playboy Interview With Donald Trump
- Nov 6, 1996
Moscow Times, Nov. 12, 1996
Trump Lays Bet on New Moscow Skyline
- Nov 6, 1996
Moscow Times (via the New York Times), Nov. 12, 1996
For Trump, Three Decades of Chasing Deals in Russia
- Jan 23, 1997
Joint news interview following a private meeting with retired Russian general Aleksandr Lebed, then running for President of Russia.
New York Times, Jan. 23, 1997
Unlikely Meeting of Minds: Lebed Meets The Donald
“I’ll soon be going again to Moscow. We’re looking at the Moskva Hotel. We’re also looking at the Rossiya. That’s a very big project; I think it’s the largest hotel in the world. And we’re working with the local government, the mayor of Moscow and the mayor’s people. So far, they’ve been very responsive.”
- Jan 1997
Joint New Yorker interview with Aleksandr Lebed, a retired Russian general then running for President of Russia.
The New Yorker, May 19, 1997
Trump Solo
“Russia is one of the hottest places in the world for investment. We will be in Moscow at some point.”
- Dec 19, 2007
Testimony in reference to Trump's attempt to build Trump Tower Moscow in the 1990's.
Donald Trump, Dec. 19, 2007
Superior Court of New Jersey Deposition, December 19, 2007
- June 18, 2013
The Miss Universe Pageant will be broadcast live from MOSCOW, RUSSIA on November 9th. A big deal that will bring our countries together!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 19, 2013
- Sept 6, 2013
I am not angry at Russia (or China) because their leaders are far smarter than ours. We need real leadership, and fast,before it is too late
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 6, 2013
- Sept 10, 2013
The Russians are playing a very smart game. In the meantime they are buying lots of time for Syria and making U.S. look foolish. Dangerous!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 10, 2013
- Oct 17, 2013
The Late Show with David Letterman, Oct. 17, 2013
Donald Trump on David Letterman 17 October, 2013
- Nov 9, 2013
I'm in Moscow for Miss Universe tonight – picking a winner is very hard, they are all winners. Total sellout of arena. Big night in Russia!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 9, 2013
- Nov 9, 2013
Russia Today interview in Moscow
RT (Russia Today), Nov. 9, 2013
US 'Miss Universe' billionaire plans Russian Trump Tower
- Nov 9, 2013
Real Estate Weekly, Nov. 12, 2013
Hotel trio aims to bring Manhattan to Moscow
The article explains that while in Moscow Trump was involved with negotiations to build Trump Tower Moscow with Russian oligarch and Putin associate Aras Agalarov, Soviet-born New York City real estate tycoon Alex Sapir, and Sapir’s business partner and brother-in-law Rotem Rosen. Agalarov and his son Emin Agalarov were instrumental in setting up the June, 2016 Trump Tower meeting.
- Nov 2013
Moscow press conference
Daily Kos, Aug 28, 2017
Video Uncovered of Trump Talking Trump Tower Moscow in Russia
- Nov 10, 2013
I just got back from Russia-learned lots & lots. Moscow is a very interesting and amazing place! U.S. MUST BE VERY SMART AND VERY STRATEGIC.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 11, 2013
- Nov 11, 2013
@AgalarovAras I had a great weekend with you and your family. You have done a FANTASTIC job. TRUMP TOWER-MOSCOW is next. EMIN was WOW!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 11, 2013
Aras Agalarov is a Russian real estate tycoon, close business associate of Vladimir Putin, and personal friend of Trump’s who worked with Trump to produce the 2013 Miss Universe pageant on November 9, 2013, in Moscow. Agalarov and his son, Russian pop star Emin Agalarov, negotiated with Trump to build Trump Tower Moscow and were instrumental in setting up the June, 2016 Trump Tower meeting.
- Nov 12, 2013
Moscow Times, Nov 12, 2013
Donald Trump Planning Skyscraper in Moscow
- Nov 12, 2013
Via @MoscowTimes Donald Trump Planning Skyscraper in Moscow http://t.co/ubiHDd5sqr
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 12, 2013
- Nov 12, 2013
@oliviaculpo @AgalarovAras @eminofficial @IamStevenT @crocuscityhall Crocus City Hall in Moscow is a fabulous place!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 12, 2013
Crocus City Hall is a property of Russian real estate tycoon Aras Agalarov, a close business associate of Vladimir Putin and personal friend of Trump’s who worked with Trump to produce the 2013 Miss Universe pageant on November 9, 2013, in Moscow. Agalarov and his son, Russian pop star Emin Agalarov, negotiated with Trump to build Trump Tower Moscow and were instrumental in setting up the June, 2016 Trump Tower meeting.
- Nov 20, 2013
Emin from Russia–a very talented guy. All proceeds go to help the Philippines. @eminofficial #missuniverse http://t.co/Y6TJL7znRD
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 20, 2013
Trump tweets a link here to a music video by Emin Agalarov featuring a cameo by Trump.
- Nov 27, 2013
Via @MoscowTimes: "Donald Trump in New @eminofficial Video" http://t.co/CNDV9txxQJ Emin & family are wonderful people.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 27, 2013
Trump tweets an article to a link here about a music video by Emin Agalarov featuring a cameo by Trump.
- 2014
New York Times, Jan. 16, 2017
For Trump, Three Decades of Chasing Deals in Russia
“I think we should give them the benefit of the doubt and then go on and win something important later on because they’re not going to be so opposed to what we’re doing.”
- Feb 10, 2014
Fox and Friends interview
Fox News (via Internet Archive), Feb. 10, 2014
Fox and Friends February 10, 2014
- March 6, 2014
Buzzfeed News, July 31, 2016
Trump Boasted In 2014 Of Receiving Gift From Putin And Meeting His Advisers
- June 18, 2015
Interview with Sean Hannity
Fox News, June 18, 2015
Exclusive: Donald Trump on what made him run for president on 'Hannity'
- Sept 21, 2015
Interview with Hugh Hewitt
Hugh Hewitt Show, Sept. 21, 2015
Donald Trump Returns
- Oct 6, 2015
Savage Nation (via Huffington Post), Jan 18, 2017
TRUMP: I Met Putin, 'Got Along With Him Great'
- May 5, 2016
Fox News (via Archive.org), May 5, 2016
Special Report With Bret Baier, FOX News, May 5, 2016
- June 17, 2016
CNN, July 31, 2018
The Trump Tower meeting: A timeline
Aras Agalarov is a Russian real estate tycoon, close business associate of Vladimir Putin, and personal friend of Trump’s who worked with Trump to produce the 2013 Miss Universe pageant on November 9, 2013, in Moscow. Agalarov and his son, Russian pop star Emin Agalarov, negotiated with Trump to build Trump Tower Moscow and were instrumental in setting up the June, 2016 Trump Tower meeting.
#DonaldTrump 11/9/13: "I have a great relationship with many Russians, and almost all of the oligarchs were in the room." » #Trump 5/11/17: "I have nothing to do with Russia…no loans, no nothing." Click To Tweet
NOW
July 2016 - 2020

July 25, 2016 -
The new joke in town is that Russia leaked the disastrous DNC e-mails, which should never have been written (stupid), because Putin likes me
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2016
July 26, 2016 -
For the record, I have ZERO investments in Russia.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2016
July 26, 2016 -
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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2016
July 27, 2016 -
If Russia or any other country or person has Hillary Clinton's 33,000 illegally deleted emails, perhaps they should share them with the FBI!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 27, 2016
July 27, 2016 -
CBS4 Miami interview
CBS4 News, July 27, 2016
CBS4 News Exclusive: Trump Denies Ties To Russia
“Zero, I mean I will tell you right now, zero, I have nothing to do with Russia… I built an unbelievable company but if you look there you’ll see there’s nothing in Russia…
“I will tell you this — Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing. I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press…
“No, I have nothing to do with Russia, John. How many times do I have say that? Are you a smart man? I have nothing to with Russia, I have nothing to do with Russia. And even—for anything. What do I have to do with Russia? You know the closest I came to Russia, I bought a house a number of years ago in Palm Beach, Florida… I sold it to a Russian for $100 million. I guess probably I sell condos to Russians, OK?… I told you, other than normal stuff—I buy a house if I sold it to a Russian. I have nothing to do with Russia…
July 27, 2016 -
American Presidency Project, July 27, 2016
News Conference in Doral, Florida
“Will I sell condos to Russians on occasion? Probably. I mean I do that. I have a lot of condos. I do that. But I have no relationship to Russia whatsoever.”
July 31, 2016 -
ABC News, July 31, 2016
'This Week' Transcript: Donald Trump, Vice President Joe Biden, and Ret. Gen. John Allen
“As far as the cyber, I agree to parts of what Secretary Clinton said. We should be better than anybody else, and perhaps we’re not. I don’t think anybody knows it was Russia that broke into the DNC. She’s saying Russia, Russia, Russia, but I don’t — maybe it was. I mean, China…
“So we have to get very, very tough on cyber and cyber warfare. It is — it is a huge problem. I have a son. He’s 10 years old. He has computers. He is so good with these computers, it’s unbelievable. The security aspect of cyber is very, very tough. And maybe it’s hardly doable.”
Sept 26, 2016 -
Washington Post, Sept 26, 2016
The first Trump-Clinton presidential debate transcript, annotated
Oct 9, 2016 -
Second 2016 Presidential Debate
New York Times, Oct. 10, 2016
Transcript of the Second Debate
“[I’m] no [Putin] puppet. You’re the puppet… [Hillary Clinton] has no idea whether it is Russia [who interfered in our election], China or anybody else… Our country has no idea…
“By Russia or anybody else [I condemn interference in the election]… Of course I condemn, of course I condemn – I don’t know Putin… I never met Putin. This is not my best friend. But if the United States got along with Russia, it wouldn’t be so bad.”
Oct 19, 2016 -
Third 2016 Presidential Debate
ABC News, Oct 20, 2016
Full transcript: Third 2016 presidential debate
Oct 24, 2016 -
Oct 27, 2016 -
ABC News, Oct 27, 2016
Full Transcript: George Stephanopoulos Goes One-on-One with Donald Trump
Oct 27, 2016 -
Campaign rally in Springfield, Ohio
C-SPAN, Oct 27, 2016
Presidential Candidate Donald Trump Rally in Springfield, Ohio
Dec 7, 2016 -
Time (via Politico), Dec 7, 2016
Trump: I don't believe Russia interfered with the election
Dec 11, 2016 -
Fox News (via Politico), Dec 11, 2016
Trump: Reports of Russian hacking 'ridiculous'
Dec 15, 2016 -
If Russia, or some other entity, was hacking, why did the White House wait so long to act? Why did they only complain after Hillary lost?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 15, 2016
Dec 28, 2016 -
NBC News, Dec 28, 2016
Trump on Russia Sanctions: 'We Ought to Get on With Our Lives'
Dec 31, 2016 -
New York Times, Dec 28, 2016
Trump Promises a Revelation on Hacking
Jan 11, 2017 -
Russia has never tried to use leverage over me. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH RUSSIA – NO DEALS, NO LOANS, NO NOTHING!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 11, 2017
Jan 11, 2017 -
New York Times, Jan 11, 2017
Donald Trump’s News Conference: Full Transcript and Video
Feb 7, 2017 -
I don’t know Putin, have no deals in Russia, and the haters are going crazy – yet Obama can make a deal with Iran, #1 in terror, no problem!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 7, 2017
Feb 16, 2017 -
ABC News, Feb 16, 2017
"No. Not at all." – Pres. Trump in Jan. to @CeciliaVega on if he/anyone in campaign had contact with Russia leading up to/during campaign pic.twitter.com/VTMrNVRUmo — Good Morning America (@GMA) February 15, 2017
Good Morning America tweet
Feb 16, 2017 -
White House, Feb. 16, 2017
Remarks by President Trump in Press Conference
May 10, 2017 -
May 11, 2017 -
NBC News (via Real Clear Politics), May 11, 2017
President Trump's Full Interview With Lester Holt: Firing Of James Comey
May 16, 2017 -
As President I wanted to share with Russia (at an openly scheduled W.H. meeting) which I have the absolute right to do, facts pertaining….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 16, 2017
…to terrorism and airline flight safety. Humanitarian reasons, plus I want Russia to greatly step up their fight against ISIS & terrorism.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 16, 2017
In response to a Washington Post report that Trump shared highly classified information with to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in their White House meeting on May 10.1Washington Post, May 15, 2017
Trump revealed highly classified information to Russian foreign minister and ambassador
retrieved 7/12/18
“They said I made money from Russia. I don’t. It’s not my thing. I don’t, I don’t do that. Over the years, I’ve looked at maybe doing a deal in Russia, but I never did one. Other than I held the Miss Universe pageant there eight, nine years…
“I have no income from Russia. I don’t do business with Russia. The gentleman that you mentioned, with his son, two nice people. But basically, they brought the Miss Universe pageant to Russia to open up, you know, one of their jobs. Perhaps the convention center where it was held. It was a nice evening, and I left. I left, you know, I left Moscow. It wasn’t Moscow, it was outside of Moscow.”
July 19, 2017 -
New York Times, July 19, 2017
Excerpts From The Times’s Interview With Trump
July 16, 2018 -
Trump-Putin Helsinki Summit
White House, July 16, 2018
Remarks by President Trump and President Putin of the Russian Federation in Joint Press Conference
“I have been far tougher on Russia than any President in many, many years. Maybe ever.”
July 20, 2018 -
CNBC, July 20, 2018
CNBC Transcript: President Donald Trump Sits down with Cnbc’s Joe Kernen
Sept 7, 2018 -
The White House, Sept. 7, 2018
Remarks by President Trump in Press Gaggle Aboard Air Force One
“Do you really think I’d call Russia to help me with an election? Give me a break. They wouldn’t be able to help me at all. Call Russia. It’s so ridiculous.”
Oct 11, 2018 -
CBS News, Oct 15, 2018
President Trump on Christine Blasey Ford, his relationships with Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un and more
“So Michael Cohen…put out a statement talking about a project [Trump Tower Moscow], which was essentially, I guess, more or less of an option that we were looking at in Moscow. Everybody knew about it. It was written about in newspapers. It was a well-known project. It was during the early part of ’16 and, I guess, even before that. It lasted a short period of time…
“I decided ultimately not to do it. There would be nothing wrong if I did do it. I was running my business while I was campaigning. There was a good chance that I wouldn’t have won, in which case I would have gotten back into the business. And why should I lose lots of opportunities?”
Nov 29, 2018 -
New York Times, Nov 29, 2018
Remarks by President Trump Before Marine One Departure
Nov 30, 2018 -
Oh, I get it! I am a very good developer, happily living my life, when I see our Country going in the wrong direction (to put it mildly). Against all odds, I decide to run for President & continue to run my business-very legal & very cool, talked about it on the campaign trail…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 30, 2018
….Lightly looked at doing a building somewhere in Russia. Put up zero money, zero guarantees and didn’t do the project. Witch Hunt!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 30, 2018
In response to public reaction to emerging reports that Trump continued to negotiate with Russians to build Trump Tower Moscow during the general election.
Jan 12, 2019 -
I have been FAR tougher on Russia than Obama, Bush or Clinton. Maybe tougher than any other President. At the same time, & as I have often said, getting along with Russia is a good thing, not a bad thing. I fully expect that someday we will have good relations with Russia again!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 12, 2019
Jan 12, 2019 -
CNN, Jan 13, 2019
"I think it’s the most insulting thing I’ve ever been asked…the most insulting article I’ve ever had written & if you read the article, you’d see that they found absolutely nothing."- @realDonaldTrump on NYT FBI report pic.twitter.com/cIB4Sk9ZA1 — Jeanine Pirro (@JudgeJeanine) January 13, 2019
Trump calls question on whether he ever worked for Russia 'insulting'
Jan 14, 2019 -
Business Insider, Jan 14, 2019
'I think it's a disgrace that you even asked that question': Trump says he 'never worked for Russia' after dodging question in Jeanine Pirro interview
“I would say [the latest 2016 conversation I had about it] was early to middle of the year. Now, I don’t know that Cohen didn’t go a little bit longer than that. I don’t think it would be much longer. But then he could have come back to me and said, ‘Listen, I put it together.’ Because that stuff happens. You know, you think a deal — I was running for president, I was doing really well. The last thing I cared about was building a building…
“That wasn’t business. Peter, that wasn’t business… I had no money invested. It was a letter of intent, or option. It was a free option. It was a nothing. And I wasn’t doing anything. I don’t consider that even business. And frankly, that wasn’t even on my radar. If you take a look at that, take a look at the deal. There was no money put up. There was no transfer. I don’t think they had a location. I’m not even sure if they had a location…
“My point is this — It was a free option to look at a deal, to look at deals. That was not like, ‘I’m going to buy a property in Moscow. I’m going to do — or I’m building a building in Moscow.’ Now, I would have had every right to do a deal. That’s what I did. That’s what I did…
“But the way I view it is early in the year to middle of the year, no interest. I had very little interest in the first place, and again, I viewed it as a free option. It may have been a letter of intent. I don’t know exactly what it was called. But it was unimportant. And you know what was very important to me? Running for president. And doing well. But I was running a business… I don’t want to give up a year and a half of my life, not do anything, run for president, then have to go back and say, you know, ‘I could have kept running my business.’…
“Russia didn’t help me. Russia did not help me. There was no collusion. There was none of that… I had a potential, a deal that frankly wasn’t even a deal. It was literally — I viewed it as an option. But maybe it was called a letter of intent. Something like that.”
Jan 31, 2019 -
New York Times, Feb 1, 2019
Excerpts From Trump’s Interview With The Times
Feb 3, 2019 -
CBS News, Feb 3, 2019
Transcript: President Trump on 'Face the Nation,' February 3, 2019
March 2, 2019 -
C-SPAN, March 2, 2019
Trump now claims it was just a "joke" when he asked Russian hackers to attack Hillary Clinton. Watch the footage side-by-side and judge for yourself. #gaslighting pic.twitter.com/zwq5W2xOrz — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) March 2, 2019
President Trump at Conservative Political Action Conference
May 30, 2019 -
Russia, Russia, Russia! That’s all you heard at the beginning of this Witch Hunt Hoax…And now Russia has disappeared because I had nothing to do with Russia helping me to get elected. It was a crime that didn’t exist. So now the Dems and their partner, the Fake News Media,…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2019
“There is nobody — ever — been more tough or difficult for Russia than Donald Trump. Now I have to tell you this, I put sanctions on Russia at a level that nobody’s seen before. Nobody wants to write about it. With all of that I want to get along with Russia.”
May 30, 2019 -
Vox, May 30, 2019
Trump flatly denies a tweet he posted just an hour earlier, now claims "Russia did not help me get elected." pic.twitter.com/vao8kFQcZQ — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 30, 2019
Trump finally admits Russia helped get him elected
TRUMP: "There is nobody — ever — been more tough or difficult for Russia than Donald Trump." pic.twitter.com/pj6qdKuUE3
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 30, 2019
Aug 20, 2019 -
CNBC, Aug 20, 2019
Wow. Trump says he wants Russia back in G8, rewrites history by saying Russia was expelled because Putin "outsmarted" Obama. (In fact, Russia was expelled because of the illegal invasion of Ukraine.) pic.twitter.com/BWprYWtTp3 — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 20, 2019
Trump renews call for Russia to join G-7 group
Oct 2, 2019 -
White House, Oct 2, 2019
Trump accuses Adam Schiff of helping the whistleblower write his complaint. He then advises reporters to ask Putin how tough he's been on Russia. pic.twitter.com/iTGChor2rv — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 2, 2019
Remarks by President Trump and President Niinistö of the Republic of Finland in Joint Press Conference
“I have never discussed it with [Putin], no. I would. I have no problem with it…
“It never reached my desk. You know why? Because they didn’t think – intelligence, they didn’t think it was real. I wouldn’t mind – if it reached my desk, I would have done something about it.”
July 29, 2020 -
Politico, July 29, 2020
‘A lot of people said it’s a fake issue’: Trump confirms he didn’t raise Russian bounties with Putin
“I don’t know exactly what happened. I think it’s — it’s tragic. It’s terrible. It shouldn’t happen. We haven’t had any proof yet, but I will take a look…
“It is interesting that everybody is always mentioning Russia. And I don’t mind you mentioning Russia, but I think probably China, at this point, is a nation that you should be talking about much more so than Russia because the things that China is doing are far worse, if you take a look at what’s happening with the world… But you never ask about China; you’re always asking about Russia…
“We’ve taken stronger action against Russia than any other country in the world, as you know. I’ll tell you, President Putin would tell you that right now. But the fact that I — the fact that I get along with Russia… I do get along with — with President Putin. But I’ve been tougher on Russia than anybody else, by far.”
Sept 4, 2020 -
White House, Sept 4, 2020
Remarks by President Trump in Press Briefing | September 4, 2020
#DonaldTrump 10/6/15: "❲I was in Moscow two years ago. I got so many of the Russian leaders, and the top people in Russia." » #Trump 10/27/16: "I have nothing to do with Russia." Click To Tweet
Context: The Trump/Russia Connection
Donald Trump has repeatedly sought business in Russia at least far back as 1986. Trump has visited Russia multiple times beginning in 1987; his most recent visit before becoming President was when he held the Miss Universe pageant in Moscow in 2013. In the 2000’s Donald Trump Jr. became a regular visitor to Russia as well.2New York Times, Jan 11, 2016
For Trump, Three Decades of Chasing Deals in Russia
retrieved 7/12/183Washington Post, Nov 2, 2017
A history of Donald Trump’s business dealings in Russia
retrieved 7/12/18
Trump has made multiple attempts to build Trump Tower Moscow, beginning in the 1980’s. In recent years, including while in Moscow in 2013 and into the 2016 election, he negotiated building the tower with his personal friend and business associate Aras Agalarov, a Russian oligarch and close Putin associate who worked with Trump to host the pageant.4RT (Russia Today), Nov 9, 2013
US ‘Miss Universe’ billionaire plans Russian Trump Tower
retrieved 7/12/185Real Estate Weekly, Nov 12, 2013
Hotel trio aims to bring Manhattan to Moscow
retrieved 7/12/18 According to Agalarov those plans fell apart after Western sanctions were imposed in 2014 and the Russian economy tanked.6Washington Post, July 18, 2017
Eighth person in Trump Tower meeting is identified
retrieved 6/24/18 Negotiations to build Trump Tower Moscow continued into the 2016 election, however, which Trump did not disclose to the public.7Washington Post, Aug 27, 2017
Trump’s business sought deal on a Trump Tower in Moscow while he ran for president
retrieved 7/12/18
Aras Agalarov and his son Emin Agalarov were also instrumental in the June, 2016 Trump Tower meeting between Donald Trump Jr. and other members of the Trump campaign and a woman who was described to Trump Jr. a “Russian government attorney” that had campaign dirt on Hillary Clinton.8New York Times, July 16, 2017
A Russian Developer Helps Out the Kremlin on Occasion. Was He a Conduit to Trump?
retrieved 7/12/189Vice, April 28, 2018
Trump Accepted An Oligarch’s “Fantastic” Gift Right After Don Jr. Met That Russian “Informant”
retrieved 7/12/1810New York Times, July 11, 2017
Read the Emails on Donald Trump Jr.’s Russia Meeting
retrieved 6/24/18
Trump has attempted several other business ventures with Russia as well, including the launching of Trump Vodka in Russia in 2007 (which did not take hold), a reality show about a Russian mixed martial arts fighter in 2008 (which was never produced), the aforementioned Miss Universe pageant.
In the 2000’s many wealthy Russians were buying Trump properties and properties bearing his name in New York and Florida, often at highly inflated prices.11New York Times, Jan 11, 2016
For Trump, Three Decades of Chasing Deals in Russia
retrieved 7/12/1812Washington Post, Nov 2, 2017
A history of Donald Trump’s business dealings in Russia
retrieved 7/12/18
Here is a 2007 ad for Trump Vodka that was aimed at the Russian market:
Here is a 2013 music video by Emin Agalarov featuring a cameo by Trump:
Here is a November 9, 2016 Instagram post by Emin Agalarov showing him and his father with Trump:
“Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets… We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia.”
– Donald Trump Jr., Sept. 15, 200813eTurboNews, Sept 15, 2008
Executive Talk: Donald Trump Jr. bullish on Russia and few emerging markets
retrieved 7/12/18
“We don’t rely on American banks. We have all the funding we need out of Russia… We just go there all the time.”
– Eric Trump, August, 201314WBUR, May 5, 2017
A Day (And A Cheeseburger) With President Trump
retrieved 7/12/18 (Eric Trump denies he said this.15Charlotte Observer, May 14, 2017
Eric Trump said Russians financed golf courses, author insists
retrieved 7/12/18)
“[Trump] used to call me when I was a columnist and say, ‘I was just in Russia, the girls have no morals, you gotta get out there.’”
– Former New York Daily News gossip columnist and E! host A.J. Benza, 200116Daily Beast, May 5, 2017
Donald Trump’s Craziest Interview Ever: ‘Any Girl You Have, I Can Take From You’
retrieved 7/12/18
#DonaldTrump 5/5/16: "I know Russia well. I had a major event in Russia two or three years ago…incredible success." » #Trump 7/19/17: "They said I made money from Russia. I don’t. It’s not my thing." Click To Tweet