The Trump campaign was caught sending fundraising emails to politicians. That wouldn’t be weird, except that they were sent to politicians in other countries, like the UK, Iceland, Australia, and elsewhere. It is hard to know where all the emails went, but there were a lot of them. Multiple email blasts were sent out both before and after Trump’s trip to Scotland to visit his two golf courses.
The main problem is that soliciting campaign donations from foreign nationals is illegal (and for them to actually donate would also violate US law). Already, complaints have been filed with the Federal Election Commission.
The GOP keeps screaming about Clinton’s email, and while she has admitted that it was a bad idea to use a private email server, she didn’t actually violate any laws. Trump isn’t even waiting until he works for the government –– he’s a lawbreaker already (in addition to all the times he violated the law as a businessman).
Trump claims to be a smart businessman, but this move is absolutely stupid. Foreign politicians would have to be idiots to contribute to Trump. Campaign contributions are published public information, and would look really bad in other countries (especially a contribution to someone who is as disliked internationally as Trump).
But there are even more problems. How can anyone believe that Trump is going to place “America First” if he is already selling himself to the highest bidder, including politicians from other countries? Maybe the word “treason” is a little too strong, but not by much.
And finally, this explicitly demonstrates how completely unaware Trump is about world politics. He targeted fundraising emails at foreign conservatives, but “conservative” means something very different in the UK than it does in the US. For example, when Brexit passed, the Conservative Prime Minister in England resigned, while Trump praised it.
UPDATE: The Trump campaign kept sending out these emails, even after it was widely reported that they are illegal. The list of countries whose politicians have received fundraising emails from Trump now includes UK, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, and Iceland. Even worse, fundraising emails are not just being sent from the Trump campaign, similar emails are also being sent to the same people from a pro-Trump super PAC called Crippled America PAC. And it is illegal for super PACs to coordinate with political campaigns.
Talking Points Memo looked up Crippled America PAC and found that as of their last filing a couple of weeks ago, their total budget was $40. That’s right, forty dollars. I wouldn’t be surprised if we ever find out who runs that super PAC, their name is John Baron.
8 Comments
It’s honestly gotten to the point for me that I’m just waiting to see which scandal sinks him. I thought maybe the judge one might, but there’ve been so many, it’s hard to tell which one our media will decide is worth actually investigating.
They found deleted emails that Hillary did not handover to government records, related to work. Is that legal?
Why Loretta Lynch met in her private jet with Bill Clinton in Phoenix? May be nothing illegal here, but very bad visual.
Given that no evidence had turned up that Clinton has done anything previous secretaries of state haven’t done, I’m guessing it’s legal, though probably not best practice, strictly speaking.
Clinton’s conversation with Lynch was bad optics, but by no means illegal. There’s no comparison here and your attempt to use it as a counterweight to Trump’s willfull violation of election law is disingenuous.
I know you defend your parroting of whatever rightwing talking point is in vogue right now as “providing balance”. By all means, keep beating that drum. But no one else is marching to it.
Neither Clinton is a neophyte at this game – they’re both lawyers even! – yet Bill executed a triple klutz with his indiscretion of meeting privately with Loretta Lynn on the tarmac.
1. He compromised Lynn’s appearance of objectivity and integrity in the eyes of the public, doing her and her dept. a great disservice. She’s all over the news networks today, and into next week no doubt, trying to explain herself and put out the fire. Some friend!
2. Gave more ammo and cover to Republicans and Trump, allowing them to distract attention from their own pathetic records. Some Democrat!
3. Added to the suspicion that Hillary always has something up her sleeve and manipulates the system behind the scene on her behalf, in this case her hubby being seen as a proxy influence, even though their little chat may have been, and probably was, totally innocent and off topic. Can only add to her unfavorability rating in the eyes of the public. Some hubby!
So… what?…purely friendly visit, worried his phone is tapped, another unforced error, deliberate nudge of the investigation, forgot (really?) about appearance of conflict of interest, creeping senility to think/forget cameras aren’t rolling, just plain sloppy PR, or WTF? In any event, Fox and Fiends will have an absolute field day over this.
Is that steam I see shooting from Hillary’s ears? It all sounds like fodder for an upcoming episode of Harry Shearer’s continuing chronicles of the always informative and entertaining “Clintonsomething: the Candidacy Years”.
To bring interested listeners up to date, the previous episode recounts her admiration for Dr. Henry “Nobel (ahem) Peace Prize” Kissenger: http://harryshearer.com/le-shows/may-29-2016/
Suggest beginning at the setup at 37:28 – “News of Inspectors General: problems at Defense, problems for Hillary”); or enjoy le whole show, as I often do, “From deep inside your audio device of choice.”
I like to think of myself as a Democrat, registered as one, and certainly would never vote for the likes of Trump (or any of the other chumps he beat). But sometimes you have to wonder if both sides are just taking us all for a ride, albeit in their own incomparable fashion. Sigh.
Sorry, meant “Lynch”, no offense to the great Loretta Lynn (even though not a country music fan) 🙂
I am wondering if Bill really wants this for Hillary.
Wildwood, you may be onto something. From President to First Dude? Not exactly an upgrade. Plus another 4-8 years of 24/7 Klieg lights? With Hillary closely screening the crop of interns? Hmm.
When I see before and after shots of how much Presidents have aged over their time in office, it’s amazing anyone lasts a full term in that job! Of course, being First Lady/Dude isn’t exactly digging ditches or bombing the Middle East and Asia.
Ok, I’m not generally one to blow my own horn, but damn! I totally called this one! (comment 4 above)
Guess I’ve been listening to le show so long I can almost call his shots, lol.
http://harryshearer.com/le-shows/july-3-2016/ (Playlist > 38:10 & 42:04)
Note: skit written/performed before today’s FBI announcement.
Best line (Bill assures Hill): “I did not have legal relations with that woman!”
Thanks Harry!
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