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PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP has denied that he knew in advance about a Trump Tower meeting in June 2016 between a Russian lawyer, his eldest son and other campaign aides that had been convened to hear dirt on his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton.
Trump tweeted, “NO”, he “did NOT know of the meeting with my son, Don jr”.
CNN had previously reported Trump’s former longtime lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, claims Trump knew in advance about the meeting. CNN cited anonymous sources saying Cohen was willing to share that information with special counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating possible collusion between Trump’s campaign and Russia.
A person familiar with the investigation confirmed that report to the Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because the person wasn’t authorised to speak publicly.
Attorneys for Cohen did not respond to requests for comment on CNN’s report that Cohen claimed he was present when Trump Jr told his father about the Tower meeting and the elder Trump approved it.
Cohen wasn’t at the Trump Tower meeting and has not offered evidence to support the claim that Trump knew about the meeting. He does not have any recordings of the meeting, according to the person who spoke to the AP.
‘Dirt on Clinton’
Trump’s team met with the Russian lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya, believing she had dirt on Clinton to share.
Donald J. Trump / Twitter
Donald J. Trump / Twitter / Twitter
Donald J. Trump / Twitter
Donald J. Trump / Twitter / Twitter
The Associated Press reported this week that Veselnitskaya worked more closely with senior Russian government officials than she previously let on, based on scores of emails, transcripts and legal documents that show her to be a well-connected attorney who served as a ghostwriter for top Russian government lawyers and received assistance from senior Interior Ministry personnel in a case involving a key client.
Trump, who in the past has denied knowing about the meeting before it happened, also shot back at Cohen, who was once so loyal to Trump that he said he’d take a bullet for his boss.
“Sounds to me like someone is trying to make up stories in order to get himself out of an unrelated jam,” Trump tweeted, adding: “(Taxi cabs maybe?). He even retained Bill and Crooked Hillary’s lawyer. Gee, I wonder if they helped him make the choice!”
Cohen, whose business dealings are being investigated by the FBI, has longtime dealings in the taxi industry and owns several medallions for New York City yellow cabs that allow them to pick up passengers on the street.
Cohen lawyer Guy Petrillo did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.
Cohen is under federal investigation in New York. The Justice Department has been investigating Cohen for months, raiding his home, office and hotel room in search of documents related to a $130,000 payment the attorney facilitated before the 2016 election to Stormy Daniels, an adult-film actress who says she had sex with Trump in 2006.
In an interview with ABC News earlier this month, Cohen declined to answer if Trump knew about the Trump Tower meeting in advance, citing the advice of his lawyers and the ongoing investigation.
‘Ridiculous’
Trump also on today dismissed as “ridiculous” a report that Muller’s team is looking at Trump’s tweets as they investigate possible collusion and obstruction of justice.
Trump complained that he had returned from a trip to the midwest “only to be greeted with the ridiculous news” that Mueller and his team “cannot find Collusion… so now they are looking at my Tweets (along with 53 million other people)”.
“(T)he rigged Witch Hunt continues!” he complained, adding: “How stupid and unfair to our Country.”
Mueller is known to be scrutinising Trump’s tweets about Attorney General Jeff Sessions and former FBI director James Comey. A list of potential questions for Trump compiled by the president’s legal team following conversations with investigators and released earlier this year made clear that Mueller is interested in some of Trump’s tweets to the extent they raise obstruction of justice concerns.
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Very sad a huge loss RIP
An incredible broadcaster and a huge loss.
Always felt like you were on a couch in the studio listening to her and the guests
oh no RIP, hard to believe. Thanks Marian
Totally shocked and devastated. I have followed MarIan Finucane since 1979. I looked forward to her radio shows on Saturday and Sunday and made sure to tune in when l was away. Rest in Peace Marian you will be missed so so much.
@Orla Cosgrave: l will always remember ” Hello there” l used to say it every Saturday and Sunday just before Marian started. I am devastated and so so sad at the loss of this amazing broadcaster.
Loved when she would say “Hang on the bell a minute”. Never afraid to stop someone in their tracks. A fantastic, personable interviewer who let her guests talk so we could listen. With herself and Gay gone there is no one left who cold hold a candle to them as well read broadcasters.
One of the best, no doubt. Gone before her time.
“On Saturdays and Sundays from 1999 she spoke to people who ran Ireland ” no offence but the woman only started her weekend show in 2005. The article is an ill fitting piece of journalism. Nothing personal but 1)do your job right and 2) see point 1. Facts are sacred. The woman was a national treasure she deserves more than lazy journalism. RIP Marian.
@SF Knee Knockers: have some respect will you. R.i.p to a broadcasting legend.
Far too young
Extremely sharp , Mariam’s Quick witted ,Dry humored input was amazing..How the mighty could fall with her simple layman’s description of her Take ( mainly the listeners point of veiw too) on a subject …May She Rest In Peace ..
She will be missed. She was never afraid to put the boot in and ask the hard questions when needed
Rip,,,,cue another RTÉ late late special
@Martin Smith: ah seriously Martin neither clever or witty . Tonight not the night to get valuable likes cause u dont like rte . Have a bit of pride good man
@Karl C: I did…then I criticised the Journal.
@SF Knee Knockers: ah will u cop on ffs
@SF Knee Knockers: knob head
have your say