I think this is by far the more plausible explanation for Trump's actions than suggestions that Putin "has something on him."
Posted by
Max
Jul 19 '18, 11:21
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For a leverage scenario to work, you'd have to have to have things:
1) Putin would have to have threatened him directly with what he has. They literally would have had to have a conversation along the lines of the Comey loyalty conversation, but with the leverage "we have abc so you will do xyz or else." To not say anything in private, and to say publically "we don't have dirt on Trump" would be ineffective.
2) Trump would have to believe it.
3) Trump would have to be so concerned that the dirt is that damaging that he'd actually alter his behavior to avoid it being used against him.
Given that Trump easily lies to deny everything (tax returns being the one thing he's avoided facing head on) there just doesn't seem to be anything Putin would have laid out in the open that would allow him to control Trump. Trump thinks he's untouchable and would get out of any accusation anyway, so why would he be concerned about a threat, even if he could recognize it as one?
I think it's easily more likely that Trump is just that stupid and egotistical. That
1) He, like other GOP influencers are so obsessed with the idea that rich, powerful people shouldn't be fettered by the law that he'll look the other way when Putin's Russia attacks us. Because anything a rich powerful leader does is and should be legal.
2) He believes that people who aren't rich and powerful or supporting him don't deserve the truth, and lying is acceptable in every circumstance because what he's doing is more important than the truth.
2) He actually believes he knows better than everyone else, and believes that he knows how to deal with Putin, and believes that they have an actual bond.
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