A Simple Timeline of How Russia Came to Own Trump

A Simple Timeline of How Russia Came to Own Trump

1977: The KGB begins monitoring Trump when he marries Ivana, who is from Czechoslovakia. They identify his ambition and his susceptibility to flattery, making him an easy target for manipulation.

1980s: Trump meets Soviet Ambassador Yuri Dubinin, who flatters him and invites him on an all-expenses-paid trip to Moscow to explore real estate. This trip is a KGB operation to assess him as an asset.

Post-Moscow Trip: Upon his return, Trump begins placing newspaper ads attacking U.S. allies while praising Russia.

1990s: Trump’s businesses falter, and he accrues billions in debt. No U.S. banks will lend to him, so he turns to Russia, who lend him money and begin purchasing his properties at inflated prices.

2013: Trump returns to Moscow, and by this time, almost all his debt is held by Russia. Discussions about a Trump Tower in Moscow continue, and it’s during this trip that compromising material is allegedly gathered (i.e., the Steele Dossier, infamous tapes).

Trump Runs for President: His platform aligns almost perfectly with the Kremlin's goals, and the rest is history.

It’s a clear timeline of how Russia may have gained leverage over Trump, and now we’re left wondering: how deep does the connection go?