We are officially a banana republic. We have little further to sink before hitting rock bottom.
21
I was reading an astute Op-Ed in the NYT the other day, titled “The Middle East: From cradle of civilization through a volatile present and onto a glorious future”. By none other than the scholar son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Oh wait, did I also tell you this weed that I’m smoking is really good.
10
No wonder Trump wanted to gut the State Department, because he wants his daughter and son-in-law, to play a bigger role in foreign affairs. Jared Kushner is known as Trump’s “Secretary of everything.”
Trump wants to emulate Erdogan, turning the US into a banana republic.
But those Turks who oppose Erdogan defeated his favourite candidate in a re-run of the mayoral election in Istanbul, delivering a stinging blow to Erdogan in June.
As Erdogan’s authoritarianism grows, his inner circle has shrunk. Former deputy prime minister Ali Babacan and former president Abdullah Gul, resigned from Erdogan’s AKP, with Gul planning to launch a rival political party, and take part in the 2023 elections.
Erdogan does not have an obvious heir - his son-in-law, Berat Albayrak, has little of his charisma.
Albayrak has sold drones to the UN-backed government in Libya, which cost $5 million each – a business idea for Kushner to consider.
Americans must learn from their brave Turkish counterparts and vote Trump out of office in November 2020.
13
Pure sleaze from the Trump family? How do they get away with it. When will American law pt an end to it?
20
You are 100 per cent correct. Let us hope we have a Democrat in the oval and or a democratically controlled congress and a veto proof senate just in case the Boy King wins re-election.
10
This is corruption and nepotism at its extreme.
It reflects the Trumpian world view that all policies are about money and personal gain.
How is this flagrant abuse of power tolerated?
Where is the outrage and where are the political consequences?
Impeach and convict this deplorable man and his horrific administration!
21
Erdogan is an autocrat and a murderer, His ancestors, the Ottoman Turks, did thorough cleansing of minorities in Turkey like Armenians (1. 5 million), Greeks (200,000 ), Assyrians and Chaldeans (100,000), They employed Kurdish hordes at the time of these massacres (1915-1925) to complete their evil plans, and now Erdogan is ready to burn down Kurdish villages in Eastern Turkey, kill and deport every Kurd in Eastern Turkey and at the Syrian boarder.
Trump is now in bed with this criminal, through son-in-law relationships and his desire to emulate autocratic rule; and who knows...become President for Life after his re-election in 2020?
Democrats, wake up, you have a monster to deal with in 2020, who will not stop until he has crushed all opposition!
15
I saw "The Irishman" yesterday. It's a reminder about how mafia families operate, and it's a "must see" during this election season
for all voters. Run time 3 hrs 30 min, in theatres for a short run, then on Netflix.
6
@BBB I'm afraid 'The Irishman' might be seen by Republicans as a 'how-to' documentary.
5
Back door channels of sons-in-laws and throw in a Trumpy business partner and it all screams Conflict of Interest. The poor honest people of the State Department must be pulling their hair out having to deal with the grifters running our country and their ways of dealing with corrupt countries. Please God can’t you get rid of these canker sores that are the Trumps!
15
So what happens to the world if one of these fine young lads gets caught cheating and kicked out of the house?
5
I visit Istanbul right before the "coup" in 2016. I found the city to be in trouble driven by financial problems and an underlying fear of political heavy handedness. Now with these new unqualified characters running our foreign policy regarding Turkey, US is starting to go down that same rabbit's hole.
The sad thing is Republican partisans would rather sell their souls for money and power vs. keeping America free. But since most evangelical republicans believe it is their Jesus' way or you are a traitor. When our economy is in the toilet because the rest of the world has found alternatives to our products, what will they say then?
Hurry November 2020.
7
Well, this is horrifying.
12
Seems to me we have an “unelected bureaucrat” event here.
Where’s that GOP memo about how to handle the impeachment proceedings? Seeing as how no one elected Kushner, do the same rules apply?
Oh! And can we look into any possible corruption while we are at it?
Be careful what you ask for, GOP.
9
I’d love to see a foreign policy discussion between Jared and the experienced, scholarly professionals and diplomats in the State department. Who knows, maybe this young whippersnapper does have some deep insights and complex reasoning after all, which has eluded every one of them.
And yes, pigs could of course have wings.
11
Let’s play that fun/frustrating game where we imagine what the republicans would be saying if Hilary or Obama did any of this.
11
@AB
But if course Republicans would react exactly the same way if it were Hilary or Obama....
Just like Obama and Trump playing golf.
8
John Bolton said he believes Trump betrayed the Kurds because Erdogan bribed him to do so. His terms for the "quid pro quo" were kinder, but the substance is the same.
10
you may think about Trump as a Putin and Erdogan's croonie or better a Russian asset since they made him elected
3
It occurs to me -- how Trump didn't skip a beat over Michael Flynn's wrong doings, but rather, devised his own back channels to/with Turkey, so as to be accountable to no one outside of the family. Nepotism at its worst doesn't even begin to cover it. . .
11
The vital question is after thsi Raging Trump forest fire , We can grow back our democracy on these land again.
Or
We will loose forest forever and this is going to become a barren prairie.
I do not see an American democracy anymore , there is going to be severe damage sustained during Trump Administration.
11
Deeply troubling that the current administration not only believes that they are entitled to conduct a shadow government along back channels but that these attempts are made by unskilled, uneducated folks in the respective arenas. No country worth a degree of integrity should accept this and as for citizens of the United States, this should be unacceptable regardless of political party. Ethics should be everyone's starting point. In any situation, just because one can, does not mean one should. Wise words from my father and from his who was an esteemed professor of Ethics, Logis, Philosophy, Greek and Ancient History.
12
Respectfully, Mr. Kirkpatrick and Lipton narrative has entirely missed the mark. The reason behind Mr. Erdoğan's "especial reception" in Washington has much more to do with the July 2016 coup d'état against Turkey's government than any son-in-law making side deals.
It is my understanding that the kid-glove treatment of Mr. Erdoğan by Mr. Trump is a last-ditch effort by the US (Pentagon) to restore the lost trust between the two countries. The loss of trust has resulted in Turkey steadily moving away from the US and NATO, while getting closer to Russia. A case in point is Turkey's recent purchase of a Russian air defense system, in the face of strong US opposition.
Turkey lost its trust in the US when Erdoğan became convinced that the US was either behind the 2016 coup or knew about it but chose to look the other away. The distrust was heightened when the US ignored Turkey's objections to arming Syrian Kurds with heavy weaponry and then reneged on forcing the Kurds to return those weapons.
Knowing the US role, soon after the coup some Western military analysts questioned NATO's survival without Turkey (see DW article: "NATO and Turkey: Allies, not friends"; by Bernd Riegert; Aug. 2016).
One has to recognize Turkey's vital role in NATO. After the US, Turkey has the largest military in NATO. It has supported all NATO operations in Afghanistan, Balkans, Syria and Libya. Its port city of Izmir hosts a NATO headquarter responsible for NATO operations in ME and beyond.
4
If Trump had asked Erdogan to investigate Biden or to find the servers, Erdogan likely would have promised to do it and might well have declared he'd found it.
Maybe he still could.
9
Meanwhile Our Army people who served in Northern Syria Try to figure out Why Trump sold Kurds so cheap and fast.
There, see the picture and make your own argument.
Does anybody remembers Kurds? American media and politicians already forgot everything.
Republicans already cheering long live Trump, long live king..
20
No backdoor diplomacy. No secret deals. Blatantly corrupt use of public office to serve private interests. Kushner and Trump are just taking advantage of authority to act on behalf of the American public to secure financial security for themselves. It's not a secret.
14
It is absolutely stunning that anyone is OK with this.
28
How ridiculous it is that the son of a real estate developer with no sense of the complexities of our world or education about it would be sent off by the leader of the free world to do his country’s bidding in global affairs. I think of Jared’s recent ‘Conflab’ on creating peace between the Palestinians and Israel. It was all about business opportunities!! The ability of a President to appoint such unqualified family members to positions of high office has shown up a deep flaw in the US Constitution.
22
Looks like we have more influence with Turkey than the other NATO countries do. Naturally they feel cut off. Is that Trumps fault? I would say that Trump relies on personal/family relationships because that’s his style and he finds going through the established diplomatic channels a waste of time. It’s just a different philosophy of governance although the MSM are always looking for collusion and quid pro quo hiding under the bed. For better or worse he has created an international bro network of all the world’s macho leaders. It’s a club which someone like Obama could never get into because his manners are too fastidious. This is the reality of the world which drives out-of-power libs and Dems up the wall, but his response makes sense: “Can’t we even talk to Russia?” Predictably libs go off on an anti-Russian rant stupidly calling him Putin’s puppet. Where has that gotten anyone? It only proves the extent to which conventional diplomacy and the institutions of the past have failed.
2
@Ed
Sorry, Ed, not buying that.
These people are all SELF-DEALING. Nothing they do benefits middle class America or America in general, as much as it benefits them. In fact, it is clear their self-dealing actually does harm to our country.
11
@Edward "At long last, have you no sense of decency, sir?"
5
Let’s just go by results. Ok?
Terms for this "trio of sons-in-law who married into power and now play key roles in connecting Ankara with Washington" are triad and triumvirate. This is a three man junta using and leveraging family, finance, and government for personal gain. This kind of governance is usually ascribed to "Third World" nations and dynastic sovereignities e.g. Haiti and Saudi Arabia. Apparently, our First World G7 nation is susceptible to this kind of rot.
11
@PCB
"Rot" yes. But I prefer a much more finance-factored word - "rort"
1
Deep State argument is running rampant by Trump and cronies and cluless base voters first used in Turkish Politics in 1970's by then Turkish prime Minister Ecevit.
Ironically, Deep State in Turkey means Gladio organization. Which run by CIA during Cold war.
Turkey's 1971 and 1980 coup d'états executed by Army who has the point persons in Gladio organization.( Army top Generals Turun and Evren)
This concept is now literally used by Trump , I am learning that Kushner imported this from Turkey.
So Trump promised his base to clean Washington and Drain swamp. But All evidence shows that he is just blow out of the proportion whatever was done previously relatively secretive way.
Trump and his clan is doing almost all political hack in broad day light and also advertising it, with the help of the Internet media , he legitimize every wrong doing.
Somebody should give Oliver North presidential medal, What is that pathetic thing of Iran Contra.
3
The level of contempt this Islamist Turk has for the Americans is that there is no American flag in the background. But money, those who worship money, and this Islamist and the Saudis, even the Persian have learnt how to deal with people who worship money. What a shame, for money you sell your country to the most ardent of criminals. Not just that, you proudly pose for photos with mass murderers. What does this make you?
6
Wait... what?!?
Trump is very concerned about Joe Biden’s son’s position in Ukraine but has no concerns about the optics of his son-in-law operating like a consigliere to his mafia don. My head just officially exploded.
And I quietly sing in my head a paraphrased version of the Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell song: “Ain’t no bar low enough, ain’t no swamp deep enough to keep me from profiting off of you!”
13
How many thugs will Erdogan be bringing with him this time to attack protestors on Wednesday? This "guest" should
not be allowed back in the country.
10
Much needed military aid and a White House visit held up until desired investigations are publicly announced by Ukraine. Meanwhile, Turkey can evade Iran sanctions, purchase Russian weapons, and attack an ally that sacrificed 11,000 soldiers to help us defeat ISIS, and yet see all punishment suspended and get an Oval Office meeting. I suggest that the Kurds and Ukranians find some nice buildings in their territory for which they can license the use of the Trump name while organizing some big conferences to be held at the DC Trump hotel. No doubt their relationships with the US will miraculously improve. GOP=Grifters Own Party.
23
I love this country, for our freedom, and how our freedoms have steadily grown for all different people during my life-time. I appreciated the ways in which our entrenched instutional structure made the United Sates attractive for investment. And how immigrants of all stripes pulled up their roots to come here, for a better life, and made us so much stronger and competitive. I appreciate how smoothely functioning markets, largely overseen by the US, have done so much to reduce desperate poverty in China and elsewhere in Asia, in Africa and in Latin America. I felt optimistic for the spread of stabilizing international institutions and cooperation under President Obama.
All of these have been dealt severe damage and all in the interests of an extreme narcissist and his family who simply do not care about what happens to me or my children or my neighbors.
This guy has to go. I have my preferences, but it simply does not matter who replaces him, Biden or Warren or whoever. This wreckage of the country we all love has to stop. Please democrats, please let's not turn on each other.
29
My takeaway is that Trump sold out the Kurds because he has a building in Istanbul? His son is making real estate deals so Trump throws the US away for his personal gain?
19
@LeonardBarnes
All these things are legal.
Moral is eliminated from our daily life.
2
Jared was working on the middle east peace deal for two years, what is the status of that project. Jared was working on criminal reform that Trump has not implemented, what is the status of the project. Jared is working on everything and nothing, just like his father in law.
Trump is working on the destruction of democracy and Jared is the boy wonder
21
How nice that foreign policy now directly reflects the family values of our President and the well dressed Erdogran family. If only more nice young men like Mr. Kushner would go into politics think of what a nice world we'd have.
6
Trump is using the office of the President to secure the financial fortunes of his family. Looking at Trump's history in business as well as Jared Kushner's, it's evident that without very wealthy families neither would be rich, both would be working in sales and mediocre at it, at best.
What the Republicans are doing indulging him, is a mystery. Trump is not trusted by anyone and he's brought disrepute to our country's reputation.
17
Good sleuthing, but tell us again why do we not hear at least as much about Jared, Ivanka, Don Jr., Eric, and other members of the oligarchy from the Dems and the media as we do about the Bidens.
10
"Sons-in-Law Married to Power"
I wonder what Ivanka gets out of the marriage and which of the two are way out over their skis?
10
Thank you for this excellent reporting.
13
Jared Kushner, who couldn't meet the criteria for receiving security clearance, is nothing more than an opportunist. He is totally incompetent but in the Trump administration, the more incompetent his advisers are, the higher they advance. Especially if they are part of the family.
16
@Whole Grains
But Hilary Clinton used non government system for her emails.
please, the term the "deep state" has been common in the USA long before Trump era. Check out the TV series "Homeland".
The media , television and movies are one reason the US has gotten used to cynicism.
1
@Randy
Erdogan used the term in the 70s. It is the lingo of dictators.
2
Excellent review of nepotism and Trump’s primary/sole interest as President of the United States is advancing his personal business interests — his only outlook on life.
Republicans — what will history say of you. What do your children and grandchildren say of your allegiance to this most horrible example of a President? Do you think your constituents really will vote for you against America’s interest?
9
Trump and his family may be friends with the Erdogan family, but they are not friends of the US. Remember on his first visit to the US Erdogan sent his hoods, security detail, to fight with protesters outside the White House while he looked on. Not an admonishment from the White House. Such behavior may be standard in Turkey, but Washington DC?
14
@impegleg
Anymore everything is standart, Please Trump literally said that his base during rally, they can beat the any protesters and they did. there is a video evidence for that.
2
What we have here is blatant nepotism with Trump sending his son-in-law to interact with a fellow despot's son-in-law.
We also have the usual Trump self-dealing and violation of his oath of office.
8
So we have a shadow government run by trump's lawyer and trump's son in law. How many other shadow governments are out there benefiting trump only and not the United States.
Can we put these people behind bars yet? I have lost all faith in the rule of law and any kind of justice in this country.
Truly pathetic.
12
Make me ill. Nepotism squared?
7
When you had both a chief of staff and secretary of state that worked to undermine the president (which is against the constitution), as confirmed in Haley's book, can you blame the guy?
@Don Q
Preventing the president from committing illegal acts is not against the Constitution.
9
@J Anders That's obviously not what Haley is referring to, no need to strawman. Obviously every administration advises against something deemed illegal to the president. What Haley contends is something much further, maybe you should look into it yourself.
@Don Q
"Undermine" the President = "Block & expose the criminal activity of" the President.
2
Typical for corrupt politician that their children and other relatives play a role in politics.
6
And Republicans want to depose Hunter Biden?
4
How much corruption will repulse the Republicans?
10
@Casual Observer
You are kidding,
They feast on corruption ,
why repulse?
4
Jared Kushner. Genius of foreign relations? Not genius, just craven.
9
Dictators LOVE the nepotism!
5
Trump to Erdogan " don't the kids play well?"
8
Wow! So tawdry. So lowbrow. So bush league. So depraved.
7
@Janis
But Warren is a socialist. Biden is old and corrupt. so America votes again for Trump.
That is a prevailing feeling in American voters, they are so scared from Warren , she can turn in one night America to Venezuela.
Boogey woman..
1
@ sU
Ummm, let me see. Socialism versus lawless dictatorship.
First of all, there is only one socialist running for president. Bernie Sanders. Second, that is just the bogey man scare tactics of the Republican party.
There are, however, many progressives and liberals running for president. Liberals who would like to discuss and advance policy on these issues:
Healthcare for all. Affordable medications. Livable minimum wage. Affordable higher education. Better immigration laws. Environmental protections.
Oh, the horror! Oh, how scary!
3
Where is the cop on the block? Where are the democrats? Where is Nowhere Nancy Pelosi?
Where are the investigators? Never to use this
charge lightly but Treason may have occurred here. Kushner has no credentials or real authority. Congress where are you? Lets vote out the inept, jail the collaborators who are hiding the evidence of their corruption. From self-dealings, illegal payments to porn-stars and prostitutes, sex crimes, illegal campaign contributions, bribery of foreign a leader (Ukraine), collusion and election fraud (Russia), felonious use of funds (Trumps Non-Profit for Veterans), illegal imprisonment of children, illegal use of environmental laws, stacking the courts, and corruption of our institutions, where are the safeguards? Where are the Democrats?
Trump is a despot. He and his family and friends are parasites and thieves. “Do something” Take Back America.
7
@Sendan
They are working hard to solidify Democrats around impeachment.
As Bill Maher put precisely , Democratic voters attitude of apologetic is just playing in the hands of Trump.
The real Right wing assault hasn't started yet, when Republicans PACs started to show Venezuela videos to associate Democratic polices, Democratic voters are going to run for hills.
1
@Sendan
Democrats cannot take action without proof.
And Trump is trying every dirty trick in the book, including threatening witnesses, to prevent that proof from coming out.
2
@ su
The leader of Venezuela is a corrupt dictator. That is what America will look like under the dictatorship of trump.
4
Another impeachable offense?
6
And guess who's coming to DC this week, during the impeachment hearings? Let's hope his goon squad doesn't beat up demonstrators in front of the Turkish embassy again.
6
Trump runs this presidency like a mob operation. Actually, he runs it just like the Trump organization with the added benefit of having easy access to foreign markets.
To me it looks like Trump is setting himself up for a nice payout once he's out of office. I'm sure he doesn't care if he even loses the 2020 election since he profits nicely either way.
19
@Happytooth True until the final sentence. Hovering over mr. trump is the strong possibility of conviction for one or more of his financial crimes once he leaves office. Clearly, the man is miserable as president--as well as a miserable president!--so the primary reason for remaining in office is the protection it affords from serving prison time, thanks to the ludicrous Department of Justice "guideline." From the White House to the jailhouse!
4
@PMJ
If he has any sense at all, he'll get a yacht and stay in international waters.
Aha! We have found the deep state, and it is Jared.
20
@Purl Onions Ironically, he inhabits a superficial state.
2
These secret, back-channel dealings should be made illegal in a democracy. Not all diplomacy should be made public in real time, but everything should be documented and have a paper trail that can be scrutinized for anything improper or illegal.
This president's penchant for self-dealing has long ago reached criminal and impeachable levels, and a repeat of such behavior should be prevented by legal and procedural means.
14
Keeping it in the family, not quite, but similar to the way the Corleone's did it.
8
It's more clear than ever why Trump's adult children were willing to take unpaid staff positions with Trump's administration.
They get all their expenses paid as they travel around the world enriching themselves as "having the ear" of the president.
Sweet deal for them at the expense of American taxpayers.
21
Who would have thought that Tump and his government was smart enough to establish alternative channels of communications outside the state department with countries like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE, Ukraine and others and in this way manage the US foreign relations like any other Dictator.
It is interesting how Pompeo has totally allowed this to happen to the detriment of the State Department and the US in general.
If Tump is elected for a 2nd Term in office the damage to the US will be beyond repair. Wise up Americans, get informed and do not believe the lies coming from this government.
18
Remember that in Turkey over 47000 people have been arrested with some sentenced to long prison terms. Erdogan should be condemned by the USA.
12
Whenever I see a photo of jared jushner, I cringe. He looks so smug, giving off an aura that he thinks belongs in these top-level diplomatic contexts. He doesn't. He's no more than a slum lord dressed up in a narrow suit with a narrow tie, the garments symbolizing his narrow but conniving mind. Of course he's the perfect partner for ivanka trump, who gives off princess vibes but is in fact embarrassing out of place in her narrow-pointed shoes with narrow heels at the North Korean border or intruding in the conversation of Theresa May, Emmanuel Macron, Justin Trudeau, and Christine Lagarde. (I know, I know. Trudeau probably didn't belong there either. And donald trump, for whom a mere cringe would an undeservedly mild reaction, belongs nowhere near the realms of either diplomacy or government leadership.)
15
Problem number 1 for the Kurds: they had no Trump Towers in the territory under their control.
14
So, my Republican friends claim that this kind of stuff goes on all the time, there is nothing you can do about it, Democrats all do it too...Really? I ask Republicans in Congress? Do you have ANY sense of duty? Is THIS what you think about our country? That it is ok for Trump's daughter and son in law to be conducting our business with other nations? That it is ok for the Trump family to be lining their pockets while ostensibly working for all Americans? Trump makes it crystal clear that he hates Democrats, even though we do apparently make up half of the country. This just makes me sick. Can we please, please get a citizen into office that cares about this country and it's people? And doesn't give jobs to their kids? That are qualified how? Did they take an online foreign diplomatic crash course? Sponsored by the Russians?
17
@Pollyanna
Your Republican friends will not be so complacent when the corruption affects themselves. Corrupt officials have no boundaries until they are stopped. That means that if anyone has business interests in competition with Trump or Kushner, that person is going to find his/her business is at a big disadvantage.
This sounds like the European monarchies. All the feeble mindedness without intermarriage. Nothing is done except to promote the families and hold on to power.
8
Yet, Republicans want to focus on Hunter Biden. They try to distract with their projections.
3
Great article and information but where is or was the piece on Joe Biden's son leveraging his father's position to secure sweetheart board memberships and earning more in a year than most US citizens do in a year?
@ Nature
Hunter Biden’s Burisma position is pretty standard nepotism, hardly worth a mention, found in boardrooms all over the world. Not anywhere near the same league as Costume Lady Ivanka and Back Channel Kushner grand scale of transactional nepotism. White House Advisors. What a joke.
8
every last one of us over the age of 13 used a family or friend connection to help get a job. How about those summer jobs painting houses or first job you got because your mom worked in the HR department of FedX.
Hunter B was offered a good gig sitting on the board of the Ukraine gas company. He is a lawyer which is a profession that helps in understanding governance, which is one of the main reasons boards exist. Many people on corporate boards don't even have that level of qualification. Look at any company board anywhere in the world and you will see all kinds of connected people with no other qualification than their connections. The Ukraine gas company wanted a name that would raise their profile in international circles; not someone who would do underhanded backroom deals for them.
Trump's family is not out in the open sitting on boards where their dealings can be scrutinized. No, they are not in the backrooms doing deals using US foreign policy to benefit themselves. Hunter Biden should have anticipated his board gig would be weaponized against his father. He appears to lack some discretion but he isn't running his father's life unlike Jared, Jr and the rest.
4
The “Times” article accurately documents, as I have written, this insane Emperor Trump (are there any other kind?) and all Empires, of either the older and visible variety, or this modernized, sophisticated, highly integrated, and exceptionally well camouflaged Disguised Global Crony Capitalist Empire, which is only nominally HQed in, and merely ‘posing’ as our formerly “promising” and sometimes progressive country (PKA) America needs to be confronted by a Second American completion of our people’s peaceful “Political/economic & social Revolution Against Empire” — as only Bernie recognized and promoted in 2015 with the too brief phrase “Political Revolution”.
Prof. Robinson had earlier recognized and accurately diagnosed this condition of Empire needing to be addressed by the only people with both the power and responsibility to address it:
“The U.S. state is a key point of condensation for pressures from dominant groups around the world to resolve problems of global capitalism and to secure the legitimacy of the system overall. In this regard, “U.S.” imperialism refers to the use by transnational elites of the U.S. state apparatus to continue to attempt to expand, defend, and stabilize the global capitalist system. We are witness less to a “U.S.” imperialism per se than to a global capitalist imperialism. We face an EMPIRE OF GLOBAL CAPITAL, headquartered, for evident historical reasons, in Washington.”
Global Capitalism and the Crisis of Humanity, 2014 Robinson, William
3
What more accurate definition could you get for "an existential threat to representative democracy"?
5
Whatever - nothing new to see here - so just move along. Yes, this is revolting but not that much different from the Bushes cozying up to the Saudis; Cheney and Haliburton; tax cuts to the wealthy, free-ride to polluters with the public picking up the tab for clean-ups, etc . . . The GOP has it all down to a fine art - gotta hand it to them though, they keep pulling it off (that is pulling the wool over their ideological-driven base while at the same time shafting them with drivel such as trickle-down economics, cuts to social programs, cuts to Obamacare, etc.).
8
@PS
I agree with your comment except this is not standard nepotism. The trumps are selling out our foreign policy, and more importantly, they are interfering in our democracy, our election process. This is anrealthreat to our country.
7
If we survive this fiasco ,someone should began writing the musical "How Trumped America" a bittersweet saga of a once democratic country transformed by a greedy family and the political party they suckered in.
4
As a long follower of Turkish politics and reader of its brutal history, I am of course not surprised by this news of corruption and nepotism there. My only surprise is that it has taken this long for Trump's betrothal to Erdogan to become public.
Anti-Americanism is now at a level in Turkey that exceeds even the days of our invasion of Iraq in 2003 or the the attempted coup against Erdogan in 2016, for which many Turks blame the US. While some of this can be attributed to our giving "sanctuary" to the alleged mastermind of the coup, Fethullah Gulen, a good part of the anti-Americanism in Turkey can be laid at the feet of the crafty Erdogan.
Erdogan is just as adept at playing his AKP party base, largely under-educated, rural Anatolian Turks, as Trump is with his GOP base. They both appeal to the lowest common political and social denominators: with Trump it's white nationalism; with Erdogan it's Turkish nationalism, which translates into the continuing domination and control of Turkish and now Syrian Kurds.
Erdogan's nationalist campaign has painted the USA as bad guys for our use of Syrian Kurds in the war against ISIS terrorism--a war Turks failed and/or refused to fight. But all the while Erdogan and his cronies were bad-mouthing the US to shore up support among Turkish nationalists for his power-grabbing, freedom-suppressing efforts, he was also playing footsie with the Trump and Jared. That, ladies and gentlemen, is the 21st century's version of realpolitik.
6
Does it not qualify as High Crimes and Misdemeanors to be operating a mafia-like shadow government with uncredited, unofficial players overriding legitimate agencies of the United States government? Giuliani and his krew of gangsters in Ukraine is but a small example of the criminality that infects this President. Jared Kushner's multifarious activities across the globe are indeed troubling. He is not taking a salary as a government employee which can only mean that he does not work for, or in the interests of the American people. The security clearance he claims was force-fed to the state department by the imposter president who would probably not qualify for clearance himself were he vetted by the established process.
The Trump administration is absolutely the most urgent, clear and present danger that the United States of America has ever faced.
10
Connect the dots to Khasshoggi please. Trump financial interests taking precedence over American lives.
5
Vote them out, while you still can (if you still can).
8
Trump continues to run the US government as if it were just another department in his failed business empire. The Republican Party is only to happy to maintain this disastrous charade.
3
Trump courting another autocratic dictator.
9
Sons-in-law. How very banana republic.
6
Let's not forget that Rudy Giuliani has been involved with Turkey as well:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/10/us/politics/giuliani-trump-rex-tillerson.html?searchResultPosition=1
No wonder our diplomats are discouraged.
7
How pathetic. We are now mirroring the ruling practices of a faux democracy ruled by an autocrat who controls the press and persecutes political opponents at home and abroad. Sound familiar?
2
Just how many pies does Trump & Co. have their fingers into? Sickening...
2
Which one is Qusay and which one is Uday?
7
endless corruption - usa - the vast criminal state.
2
Blessed are those who do not see yet believe. To those who believe in His name: who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
1
Corrupt Trump, Republicans and Evangelical Christians wonder if Hunter Biden benefitted from Joe Biden's connections?
Look at the ever corrupt and criminal activities of Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law.
Read the article, and if you're a Trump supporter afterwards, then you're no American fighting for America...
You're just spreading the cancer that the entire Trump family is on America.
8
...swamp, what swamp?
1
...swamp, what swamp?
Money trumps (pun intended) all. Despite the fact POTUS is an Islamophobic bigot (https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/03/15/short-history-president-trumps-anti-muslim-bigotry/) President Erdoğan finds it politically expedient to cozy up to him. Mehmet Ali Yalcindag, Trump’s Turkish business partner, at one time the head of Turkey’s largest media groups – Dogan Media – resigned in September of 2016 after emails leaked on social media showed him yielding to editorial pressure from Erdoğan’s inner circle, specifically his son-in-law, Berat Albayrak. Now he’s one of Trump’s BFF’S. Do Americans really want to align themselves with proven dictators and continue to ignore the travesty of the irrefutable nepotism that taints the Oval Office?
1
I cannot say much more than others have so well expressed, but I ask, are we in a banana republic now, with family dynasties ruling us? This is more than a disgrace; it is the end of the beginning of destroying our democracy.
32
Unfortunately, mankind has been ruled this way for most of its “civilized” existence.
This short period of representative democracy on a large scale has never been attempted before.
Sadly, I think the Toto ethno-nationalist tendencies of Russia and China may be the rule going forward.
All because some Southerners and rural folks are upset that minorities and some women don’t want to be put in their place like their grandparents and ancestors before.
2
“Backdoor diplomacy,” Mr. Albayrak called his work with Mr. Kushner.
. . . .
The very last thing the United States needs is anymore of Donald Trump's 'backdoor diplomacy', where he feels he can freely engage in his multitudes of corruption and underhanded dealings. We need full transparency now (and an obstructed view as to what has transpired in the past three years).
22
Aren't we still waiting for the documents surrounding Kushner's security clearance?
He was originally denied until Daddy-in-law stepped in and handed him one. If my memory serves me correctly, the House has asked for evidence in that matter. Time for Dems to do as the Republicans did to Judith Miller and jail some folks until they hand them over.
17
This is pure corruption and nepotism. It makes me feel that we are learning the old corrupted tradition and values from ancient China. Connection, connection and money. Emperor Trump is doing his best to help his imperial family.
12
In ten years Trump Towers will be springing up in Russia, Syria, North Korea, Saudi Arabia (already in Turkey) but not in Europe, South or Central America (no longer in Panama) or Canada. There is a strategy.
6
@J
But not the Marshall Islands which may be underwater?
Let's not forget that the first act of the Trump Presidency was an attempt by Jared to establish a back channel with a Moscow bank while reassuring the Kremlin not to worry about the Obama sanctions for Election meddling.
Jared is very much under the radar operating the Middle East back channel while Giuliani got into trouble trying to revive the back channel to Ukraine/Kremlin.
Are there any transcripts of Jared's communication with Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Israel while conducting official or shadow US foreign policy?
Where are the safeguard to protect our Democracy from this Den of Thieves?
19
This is just another example of the corruption and nepotism that is typical of this administration. Hopefully it will all come to end soon so we can get back to normal.
9
It's really interesting what has happened, and how quickly. Is it me? Why aren't more people alarmed by how much our present government resembles strongman dictatorships? The nepotism, secret deals, corruption etc. This is very very bad news. We should be all very outraged by this!!
10
@kim
Many are alarmed, but it seems to be human nature to meekly bow the head before a strongman and just get along with your eyes down. It IS happening here.
2
What is alarming most of all is how little the GOP cares about this corruption by Trump and company. The blatant cowardice and treacherous behavior by the sycophants enabling this wholesale takeover of our Democracy is more frightening than l can say! When we are fully under the thumb of Fascism via TrumperThumpers, then and only then will the people begin to see just how damaged had been done by these traitors. These are TRAITORS TO DEMOCRACY. Plain and simple. They simply just believe in money and power. The optics, be damned!
1
When the first Trump scam became public, I knew it was the tip of a criminal iceberg. And in the ensuing months, Trump has lived up to my wildest expectations trashing every norm in 243 years.
In that regard, Trump has no equal. So far, there is no one to stop him.
Congress will eventually add new impeachment charges, but the senate will never vote to remove Trump. Will AG Barr stop Trump? No, Barr is in Trump's left pocket. The Senate? No, they're in Trump's right pocket. How about the supreme court that includes an accused rapist?
All things end in this world and we are watching a 243 year experiment in democracy be tested to its breaking point. America better wake up and protest like Hong Kong because Trump is out of control and there's no one stopping him.
13
“Family to family ya crony to crony relationships”are now replacing the formal relationships between nations under US and Turkey administrations. Isn’t it enough for Republicans to understand where US is heading towards?
They may not worry about the seriousness and it’s aftermaths looming over US’s democracy,but the people and in particular the voters who are still cheering behind Trump better should be. Once you let oligarchs rule you with self known ignorance,you loose your freedom & everything under your control.
4
When the Trump presidential library is built (sadly, there will be such a thing) there ought to be a special section devoted to Jared Kushner. It will be a bland, beige space fitted out with numerous secret enclosures. Even so, the lighting will be kept at a very minimal level so as to avoid full scrutiny of his various dealings with these Young Turks, MBS and others. Perhaps there will be a picture gallery of Jared in action, whether sitting stiffly for a formal photograph with President Erdogan, or chatting with Ukrainian President Zelensky while seated next to him at a dinner in Brussels hosted by Ambassador Gordon Sondland on June 4, 2019. Whatever that presidential library room discloses, it will barely register the true extent of Jared's thoroughly corrupt dealings on behalf of himself and his father-in-law.
13
@kaw7
A library for the Grifter?
He cant even read.
Maybe photos of his high priced ladies from the 80’s, 90’s and beyond.
Photos of the women he assaulted.
His blackmail history.
Etc.
7
Trump is literally waging war on the rule of law in this country.
But by slapping a "Deep State" brand on it, he gets his base to believe he's a hero.
9
"Sons-in-Law Married to Power"
How about two sons-in-law neck-deep in corruption, profiteering from their 'connections,' and putting their own profiteering (and power-grabbing) ahead of the best interests of their own governments?
Corruption on an utterly unprecedented scale by Trump and his "family"!
Whether or not this sort of thing is outrageous and criminal in Turkey, it certainly IS under the laws of the USA!
Trump aspires to be a Putin or Erdogan, and Jared wants to be another Albayrak or bin Salman.
10
Looking back on the ignorance of my pre-Trump days, I knew Trump would be a disgrace, but what I didn't fully realize was the impact of his family and cronies, all bellying up to the trough. Nor did I imagine a Republican Party that would allow absolutely everything -- anything and everything -- including the betrayal of our country to the Russians, for a few bucks.
I honestly didn't imagine it.
11
And the House Republicans want Hunter Biden called as a witness in the impeachment hearings, while the nepotism and corruption reported here are carried on brazenly in plain sight!
7
I always wondered what it was like to live in a corrupt third world nation. Now I know.
9
The House GOP calls out impeachment witnesses as being "un-elected bureaucrats". I would put Kushner and Princess Ivanka in that category.
10
Basically Trump is running this country as his own kiosk. It's just pathetic. I feel bad for this country. The only remedy is to VOTE. Next election don't stay home and complain later. Thanks.
8
@W
gerrymandering and meek acceptance of the strongman may over-ride votes. Remember that when J Caesar tried for the imperial chair he came to grief but was replaced by Augustus, a sly and very careful fellow who managed to convince Romans that the Republic still existed, all the while increasing his own power and enrichment and guaranteeing relatives succession to power.
2
Crony diplomacy. Like two crime families. What could go wrong?
5
This sounds like the modern Game of Thrones. We are de-evolving into medieval behavior. Sickening...
5
I read this and actually swore out loud. It is utterly, utterly disgraceful hypocrisy, corruption and cheating.
8
The two megalomaniacs are so corrupt they have infiltrated the state using two incompetent stooges. There is no denying our Jefe is out to line his pockets while during and post presidency. In the satrap in Turkey he sees a ruthless sultan Trump so deeply admires.
3
Political power only lasts so long for anyone. But corruption?
Corruption is forever! It's generational.
By the way, NYT and the rest of the media, you are doing a crackerjack job tracking the Trump family and how they are lining the family pockets from both inside and out of the White House. You report anything, any rumor at all about Hunter Biden. But the Trumps?
I've got an old blind dog that could do a better job.
6
@ Liu Good
Hunter Biden’s case represents pretty standard nepotism. Hunter Biden does not threaten our democracy. He does not seek to interfere in our elections.
Trump and his mob family are a threat to our national security.
Get the difference?
4
Oh so appropriate and oh so dangerous!
Appropriate because the one now under impeachment process behaves so like the Turkish barbarian.
Dangerous for the same reason.
3
If the term Deep State refers to all the institutions well rooted in the fabric of the country, sustaining it and acting like the roots of a tree during a big storm, then I will say “Thanks God, we have a Deep State”.
Trumpists may want to give it a pejorative meaning but it is not, no more than when Republicans wanted to denigrate ACA by calling it Obamacare until President Obama decided to proudly endorse the name.
5
Oh, just great!
We've got a guy out there representing the country who shouldn't even have a security clearance.
But, is he really representing the country or just the Trump/Kushner family businesses? My guess is the latter.
11
I think it is great to see the next generation involved in formulating foreign policy. Unfortunately this crew are not standing on the shoulders of moral and ethical giants.
2
How many more holes in the sieve that is our democracy can Trump make?
Just another example of Trump's jaw-dropping disregard for our country.
At least now we know what the all-but silent-and-invisible Mr. Kushner has been up to lately. Back door diplomacy indeed.
And what mischief is Ivanka churning out while hubby is thus occupied? Is that the next featured article?
8
Well given the dud of a peace treaty that Jared cooked up for the Israeli - Palestinian conflict, hopes for meaningful and open "dealings" with the government of Turkey just tanked.
Jared came up with what amounted to an investment plan for international businesses to develop viable infrastructures for Palestinians such as housing and schools. In other words, Kushner Inc. Jared's family business was looking forward to great investment in Israel.
So what do the Kushner's and Trump's want to build/develop in Turkey?
Just another scheme for Jared and the myth of family dynasty being played out for the Erdogans, Trumps and Kushners. The picture is insulting to all Americans of good conscience.
10
I recall very well when Maureen Reagan was in the news. Even though she was the president's daughter, she was nevertheless an outspoken advocate of feminism and abortion rights—positions that clashed with her father’s conservative views. She devoted herself to political causes. Between 1985 and 1992 she directed a political action committee that supported more than 100 women candidates across the country.
Regardless that Ms. Reagan clashed with her father's views, at least she had background, knowledge, interest and intelligence when it came to political issues.
She never rode on the tails of her father's position. She carved her own way, in her own way.
Not one of the Trump off spring nor their spouses can hold a candle to the kind of spirit, drive, and heart Maureen Reagan had in her life time.
19
Remember when Obama was President?
How long ago does that seem now with President "Stable Genius" Trump and all Trump's unqualified, self-serving family members and "very best people" in charge of our government and this country's future?
Can you imagine where this country will be if Trump gets reelected for 4 more years and the GOP continues to control the Senate under McConnell?
23
If Trump wins again, after getting impeached by the House, it will spell the effective end of AMERICAN democracy. 4 years later, Trump will have cemented a new royal hierarchy of patronage just like medieval Europe. There will be dukes and barons all the way from the top and even working level stiffs that will get a bone or two. Many of the Republicans and their supporters are banking on becoming a new elite class that they can then pass down to their children.
Meanwhile, they will be able curb stomp minorities, women’s rights, technological innovation, environment and equality.
I question the viability if this country long term. There is such a big difference between what liberals and moderates accept and what conservatives will accept.
7
if America is lucky, all of the trumps will be in prision in the next 5 yrs. Actually that sounds like a goal.
30
Almost surreal and very, very scary to think that our President's favored councilors are, on the one hand, a crackpot ex-major who thinks that brokering a deal with a struggling ally to dig-up dirt on a political opponent, while withholding aid money to stop further violent Russian incursion into that allis' country, is just politics as usual.
And on the other hand, a Millennial son-in-law who thinks that peace in the Middle East can be bought by betraying another ally (the Kurds) to the advantage of a power mad dictator, who is constantly attempting to playoff the world's most heavily armed militaries against each other, in the most dangerous game of Russian roulette happening in the world today (Erdogan and the Turks).
24
As much as I already know about the corruption of the Trump regime, I am apparently still capable of being surprised by evidence of even further depths to this swamp.
I don't even want to ask how far down is the bottom of the abyss....
16
At this point why wasting so much money in a State Department when Jared and Rudy alone can handle the US diplomacy down the pub at the corner ?
14
What President of Islamic Turkey threatens , Pakistan has been doing for last 30 plus years. Pakistan demands financial aid or else it threatens that the export of islamic terrorists to India and rest of the world may acclerate.
It needs free money, aid to keep the terrorists well fed inside it's borders and are single largest source of earning/extorting foreign exchange.
If Pakistan does not producce Islamic terrorists the world ignores it and does not give it money.
5
This is pretty much what you'd expect from Trump & Co. Some people support this kind of cronyism.
7
I could have sworn I just read of how concerned the GOP is with “unelected bureaucrats.” Hmm.
11
The trump family crest bears the motto "Show Us The Money."
10
Just the headline is infuriating....we cannot get rid of Trump too soon. Nepotism galore
11
Great work, NYT. All of this corruption, all of these insidious and disturbing covert self-dealings among Russia and Trump and Russia’s allies in oppressive nations is disgusting and infuriating. Trying to get these sociopathic oligarchs, billionaires and dictators out of power (and keep them out of power) is like trying to find a cure for cancer. It should NOT be this difficult to keep these people from power. Congress — DO YOUR JOB!
13
Remember when people were worried about a Clinton dynasty?
17
This news article is proof the Donald Trump's reason to run, and get elected President is to personally enrich himself and is family. He has no goals that will benefit us average Americans. It's all about Me, Me, Me. He continues to lie because that has worked for him every time. He will tweet out a bunch more lies in response to the N Y Times exposure of his selfish dealings with Turkey, and who knows what other countries.
12
We shouldn't assume our son-in-laws the best and the brightest, nor should we assume they are the dumbest. It seems most reader here would automatically assume the latter without a shred of evidence.
1
@S. C.
You can't assume much until to Kushner's favor until the Trump administration hands over the records of why he was denied a security clearance until Daddy-in-law stepped in.
3
With trump. Running a country and benefit from its become a family business. All the back door channels are open. Welcome to the greatest mafia family of the world
11
Nice Anniversary party, what else?
2
Sondland, Giuliani, Zelensky
Kushner, Perry, Erdogan
Kim, Ivanka, Xi
Perry, Mulvaney, Khashoggi
Pompeo, Putin and me
Sweet cabals of villainy
Make offers that cannot be refused
Till one by one the shoes do fall
I run - alas, bone spurs hobble my path to Mockba
4
Would someone please tell me exactly what Trump's son-in-law has accomplished, and what exactly does he do? So far all I've seen is him escorted the First Daughter out to the helicopter.
18
He scrabbles for gigantic loans from Kuwait to bail out his family business from a spectacularly-dumb real estate deal, while the wifey goes after intellectual prop rights from China for her own shaky enterprises, I believe.
8
@ Robert
That’s it in a nutshell.
2
Simply unfathomable that this is how we're conducting foreign policy.
22
@Sparky
"unfathomable" is obviously the correct term to use for the Trump administration.
Per its original definition - having no measurable bottom.
2
Once again- who is running the country? Certainly not Trump - just a pawn to international interests - up for sale like the Kushner family.
17
As I recall the last time Erdogan and his gang of bodyguards were in Washington DC they seriously beat up several Americans exercising their right to peacefully protest. I doubt any of these perpetrators were made to answer for the injuries they inflicted some of which were very serious and permanent. Trump has done nothing and said nothing about it showing that he tacitly approved. This is the leader of the free world?
26
So Kushner is now America's power behind the Trump "throne". Kushner is making strategic decisions for us on the world stage by back channels. Why then do we need a State Department and other diplomatic agencies? These agencies represent the American people, not the personal or political gain of the president. Oligarchs have far greater influence than ever before using their money, and they are setting policy that benefit the richest and not the average Americans.
It is shocking to see how far our country has gone toward an oligarchy that essentially replaces our democracy.
The Republican party is the true impetus of the problem. They believe that money is the true path to power which leads to control of the government.
I hope that when we get rid of Artful Dodger Trump that we can return to our government's founding democratic principles and throw the oligarchs out.
18
The ostentatious surroundings and the "Godfather" characters in all the pictures are disgusting. Nothing within these pictures relates to me in my little world of normal survival duties. It is not possible that either Trump or Erdogan would recognize, empathize, or notice any problems/issues we the minions face. The photos here made me totally discount the subject of the article, I just cannot get over the associations.
11
The "Back Door Diplomacy" with Turkey is at odds with the official, front door diplomacy. In fact the former actively subverts the latter. Where else do we see this occurring? Let's ask Rudy Giuliani.
Memo to Adam Schiff: Please add this to your grounds-for-impeach list.
17
At least now we know where Trump will be spending his exile.
There should be a country set aside for such people. You could run a TV series out of it: "I'm a Former Dictator, Get Me Out of Here!"
7
@Daedalus
Saint Helena island is available. Napoleon finished with it long ago.
1
This story literally made me feel dizzy and sick. Vote for whomever the Democrats nominate, it’s the only way out of this mess.
19
This can all be summed up in one word: 'treason".
22
Abuse of power
4
That’s what strongman dictators do. They empower family, friends and ethnic groups.
Republicans have fallen.
26
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey warned Western nations that he would continue to release people who were thought to be members of the Islamic State and send them back to their home countries if governments continued to pressure Turkey with sanctions.
What a nice guy..........and knowing that kushner is cozy with him makes me feel so good......not!
Scotty..........beam me up!
11
Don't forget Brazil, from the NYT:
President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil is weighing appointing his third son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, as ambassador to the United States, arguing that his son’s friendship with President Trump’s sons would make him an effective envoy.
19
You look at the lead photo and it is as if you're being allowed access to the interior of a royal court: the monarch with his two princes.
Who know that ideas like Democracy and government by the people were so fragile that all it would take was a social media campaign to upset the short-lived American tradition of freedom. Behold your new rulers, Turkey and the United States. The only person missing was rage Tweeting in the bathroom next door to the King's chamber.
9
We the people not a bunch of crooked condo salesmen.
11
Shadow government anyone?
10
Money is speech, right?
10
Hold on. Let’s examine one of Kushner’s first responsibilities — the Israel/Palestine conflict. How’s that going? Last time I checked the Palestinians still live in an apartheid state. They lack freedom. Their travel movements are restricted. Economic assistance is blocked by Israel. Many Palestinians have had their land and farms taken away. Their ability to develop business and economic opportunities is severely restricted. We are no closer to any kind of a solution. What is it Kushner is doing for America?
15
@Matt
But Kushner was going to end it in 6 months, remember?
4
@Matt actually it has been going on much much longer. But the fact that Kushner was supposed to be working on fixing the Israel/Palestinian problem and he has not is troubling when you consider that he's just moved on to Turkey (where his family has financial interests).
2
@Richard Kushner is the back channel to the Middle East.
Kushner was assisting MBS in containing the fallout from Khashoggi's murder while Trump was disputing the evidence presented by the CIA.
We now have an explanation why the Kurds was abandoned in the cover of night to be slaughtered by Turkey without consulting with Congress.
Same story with the rush in moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem ending decades of established US Policy in the middle east without getting anything in return except some bank loans to Kushner Enterprises
This man does not know democracy- his cabinet has no backbone and is complicit in essentially a dictatorship in US. I am left without words each time I read the news - thank God for investigative journalism - reading the news is painful but so essential.
11
there is nothing informal about the line of communication. There is nothing informal about a president who tweets foreign policy. are no "formal" lines of communication in Trump world.
3
The "deep state" referred to by Trump and his ilk is nothing more than the routine functioning of the various department of the democratic government of the United States on behalf of it's citizens; it's laws, protocols, traditions, checks and balances, and oversight. The aim of politicians like Trump and Erdogan is to eliminate this pesky "obstruction" of governmental processes and replace it with family to family (think Mafia) power mongering where the citizen comes last, if at all, and the autocrat's decisions are aimed at strengthening personal power and growing fortune.
One can only wonder what the Republican congress envisions for this country going forward if Trump is somehow re-elected next year. Will they be able to enjoy their conservative judges and tax cuts for the wealthy as the country descends into crony capitalism, unchecked lawlessness, and dictatorship?
One can only think the answer is yes.
So a hearty thanks to all of you, but especially Mr. McConnell, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Jordan, Mr. McCarthy, Mr. Meadows and Mr. Graham. Also, an honorable mention to Ms. Haley.
I will remember all of you to my dying day.
19
The good news is that American Oligarchy is now on full display as it is in third world countries. I think we can now safely say that the US has joined the developing world.
10
I am more and more repulsed by this administration with each passing day. They have taken the US from a gold standard reputation on the world stage to a banana republic. That is all on Trump and the Republicans.
When we finally end this craziness, we should look at our form of government and maybe implement the policy that most other western democracies have, whereby all government agencies are headed by elected officials. Why aren't senators and congress heading up the government agencies versus the like of Jared Kushner, Betsy DeVos, and the rest of the billionaire class that Trump like to appoint on a whim and usually without any qualification in the role.
12
On Oct 22, 2019 Erdogan and Putin met resulting in Russia and Turkey reaching a deal to push our allies the Kurds out of a zone in northern Syria.
Tomorrow on Nov 13, 2019 President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey will met with President Trump at the White House.
What orders will Erdogan pass along to Trump from Putin?
This isn't even a fantasy.
15
I do not trust Kushner. Not for a second. Aside from being unqualified and inexperienced I believe that he puts personal and family interests ahead of United States' interests.
15
@David Cary Hart Like Trump you mean? They are the same.
2
Let me get this right: The son-in-law of a renown dictatorial strongman comes to Washington for a conference being held at a hotel from which profits directly line the pockets of the US President's family. This conference is organized by a business partner of the President and the President's family, who now lobbies the US on behalf of the same strongman. While at the conference, the strongman's son-in-law is "summoned" to the Oval Office by the President's son-in-law, for a meeting in which the strongman's son-in-law successfully convinces the President to waive legally-mandated sanctions against the strongman for buying Russian weapons. HOLY MOLY. Is this for real?? Not only does this read like a bad political thriller, it makes the US look like a complete banana republic. How can any other nation take the US or our foreign policy seriously at this point? How much has our international standing fallen... And for what? Is any of this in the best interests of any Americans other than the Trumps?
19
"The skyscrapers, which opened in 2012 as Trump Towers Istanbul, pay the Trump Organization only a licensing fee — $5 million to $10 million a year in the first years after it opened, and down to $100,000 to $1 million a year in more recent years — according to Mr. Trump’s financial disclosure forms."
The way Trump talks about the Trump Towers Istanbul which gives you a false impression that he himself owns the towers. For a mere $ 1 million a year licensing fee that would influence US foreign policy and betray the Kurds. The "Emolument Clause" is set in stone in the constitution to prevent such a tragedy.
22
Well-done journo sleuthing, kudos to Mr. Kirpatrick and Mr. Lipton for breaking this down (or apart, depending on your perspective).
9
Many want Trump out of office for a number of good reasons; this article is just one study in the evolution of a dictatorship unfolding for all the world to see.
Back before the 2016 election, I warned my friends who considered voting from Trump about his "dirty deeds" as a real estate developer in New York. I also wrote comments in the NYT about how he would challenge our democratic standards, his tendency to destroy any venture he sticks his finger in (usually leading to bankruptcy...look at our national debt), and countless other destructive things that I have probably forgotten and are too numerous to mention in a comment. Not that he is a person I feel comfortable quoting, but remember Michael Cohen's warning about protecting Trump; "I protected Mr. Trump for ten years. The more people that follow Mr. Trump...are going to suffer the same consequences that Im suffering".
One final warning from a concerned citizen; if Trump is removed from office, better count the silverware and the art work hanging in the White House.
11
Conflicts of interest are the norm rather than the exception in the Trump era. Going forward, the ethics watchdogs need to have more authority, as the Founding Fathers and previous administrations obviously did not envision the rise of a lawless and incompetent regime.
5
Turkey has become an authoritarian state - a failed democracy. Russia is now a full fledged kleptocracy. Trump admires that and would love to emulate Erdogan and Putin. No wonder that he bends US policies when personal business interests are at stake.
This article adds to the evidence that Trump runs the US government like a family business, where family members and consiglieri bypass career diplomats and professional intelligence officers: Corruption and personal benefits trump US policy and national interests. That is why Trump must be impeached.
23
What’s more troubling is that 65 million Americans prefer this model.
8
The main connection is money and greed. There is never enough for Trump and his family or for the oligarchs around the world.
14
Amazing in all the wrong ways, and Republicans are fine by it.
Republicans are fine with the degradation of the United States of America.
13
"“I have a little conflict of interest because I have a major, major building in Istanbul,” Mr. Trump said in a radio interview in 2015, gushing that it was “a tremendously successful job.”
Heh, well, there you have it. They only license his name, but still, it's the tip of the iceberg.
9
The GOP is done when it comes to represending their constituents and the constitution, What they represent is power, money and white supremacists. They only refuse to speak up against Trump because they don't want to lose their grip to power and access which we all know they sell in the form of campaign donations. Trump must secretely be a democrat because he's literally destroying the GOP.
3
And Republicans are complaining about the "corrupt" Bidens? Where are the Democrats' outrage?
10
So now that the press is confirming the corrupt nature of Jared's role in the government, and the enormous clout he has with daddy in law's foreign policy, can we please, please have some press attention to the Dubrovnik "vacation" and the meeting in the Seychelles?
4
When the history books are written re this administration. When the stuff that we can still aren’t reading about eventually come to light. Who will be the Roger Stone of the year 2069 with a tattoo of Trumps face on his back?
2
@Less You Know The Better
Jared probably already has one.
He just better hope it's not joined by tire marks before he's done with Trump.
1
It's sort of nice to see a photo without Mr. Trump in the center.
2
It is amusing to read comments condemning Trump for things that Dems themselves do as well.
1
@ James
Care to elaborate?
I thought not. You’ve got nothing.
You are delusional.
2
Trump conies and some of the GOP illegal lawmakers under estimated the Dems and the Supreme court - Now Cronies like golden boy-son in law, sons, daughter, Lindsay Graham, Gaetz, Jordon and FOX news cronies are in big big trouble. Jail cell is ready for them. Tune in for breaking news.
3
Reagan's "Shining City Upon a Hill" is now a banana republic. Republicans - Wake up and Do Something to save our country! Can your next election be that important? And if it is: when you start to lead your constituents will follow.
3
Once we have escaped the Trump Era, we need another Constitutional Amendment, which would require of anyone elected to the Office of the President the following conditions:
1. Completely divest themselves of all foreign business interests.
2. Put all domestic business interests in a blind trust, with congressional oversight.
3. Upon announcing to run, release 10-years of tax returns.
4. Render ineligible immediate family members for positions in the Executive Branch, to include: spouses or partners whether formal or informal, paid or un-paid. (ie. read our lips, no nepotism)
759
@Prodigal Son Hear, hear!
25
@Prodigal Son
Will this apply to all politicians or just to Republicans?
4
It is questionable that we will escape this Trump era.
I fear the future will be ruled by those who can exploit religious, ethnic and racial anxiety towards a totalitarian state.
Too many Americans are fine with this. Our future will be awash in social wars, abortion restrictions and animosity.
Hopefully the remaining world democracies can strengthen-themselves enough to keep the idea of true freedom alive.
55
The GOP is obviously compromised by Putin.
10
But, but, but------it is the Biden family who is corrupt!!!
If Ivanka, Jared, and the doofus Trump sons' illicit activities and self-dealing are ever exposed, the problems of the Biden family will look like a birthday party.
14
The normalizing of corruption, thank you republicans for you complete lack of ethics and morality, and utter disregard for the rule of law.
Imprison Trump!!!
13
I thought that the Chinese communists thrive on relationships.Now the world’s greatest democracy is not far behind .
4
America on sale, contact Donald Trump
12
How do you make ‘America First’ again? If ‘the man’ for the job does the following: a) keeping a ‘back door open’ with dictators; b) withdrawing U.S. troops / assistance to leave Kurdish allies more vulnerable; c) cheating to your marriage - by paying a porn star - during an election campaign; is it actually the man (or woman) for the job?
15
It's disgusting how trump's pathetic actions are being defended by republicans.
29
Sure, when it is convenient to criticize Republicans for the same things Democrats do it never fails. Case in point: John F. Kennedy appointing his brother to be the attorney general. I don’t recall reading much criticism about that but then we probably wouldn’t given the propensity of the press to protect Democrats.
@Confused The biggest difference and weakest point of your whataboutism are that RFK was the one thing that Kushner will NEVER be: qualified.
Nothing confusing about that.
7
@ Confused
Big difference?
RFK never conspired with our country’s enemies for personal gain.
RFK was never a threat to our free and fair election process.
RFK was never a threat to our democracy.
3
A relatively quick implementation of a $15 hr minimum wage has near the top of my reasons to support a candidate. Medicare for All and aggressive plans to battle climate change are also important to me, as are rescinding tax cuts for corporations and the rich.
I am going to add pledge that NO relative (including a spouse) will serve in any capacity in my administration (other than First Spouse) to my list of requirements.
15
I’m sure Trump’s two towers in Istanbul affect nothing at all.
8
One topic this article did not discuss (but is very pertinent with Erdogan returning to DC tomorrow) is the assault on American protesters by Erdogan’s staff, while he looked on, two years ago in DC. It was an outrage, especially in that Trump of course never mentioned it, and the perpetrators were allowed to travel home without consequences.
33
@Treetop I remember that. They assaulted America citizens, and were allowed to get away with it. Of course, Trump and the Republicans assault our Constitution, our democracy, and our system of justice every single day.
9
@Dan ... and get away with it as well
4
@Treetop, Oh, you mean Erdogan's 1-day "hands-on" seminar for the Trump family, "How to Deal With Freedom of Speech in a Corrupt Oligarchy."
4
Trump family joins international oligarchy "representing" everyday Americans? How many secret deals with how many dictatorial regimes did Trump make "on behalf of America"?
24
"Mr. Trump’s policy toward Turkey has confounded his fellow Republicans in Congress on a number of fronts. "
Are there any "fellow" Republicans? They all seem to be subservient to Trump.
But if there are any, I'd love to hear their defense of what Trump and his family have done in northern Syria, for example. Or pretty much everything the Trump organization does internationally.
The Trumps are grabbing money and power more blatantly and quickly than I've ever seen occur, and I don' t see how we're going to take it away from them.
16
@sing75 Vote them out next year, and elect a Democratic President that has the courage to prosecute these criminals and traitors to our country.
7
The ultimate irony of this situation is that Erdogan is the most successful islamist in the region and has declared that he would like to revive the glorious past of the Ottoman empire. One of the key enablers is Mr. Trump. After is success in the Kurdish areas of Syria Mr. Erdogan is now blackmailing the Europeans threatening to deport the ISIS fighters freed from the Kurdish jails to Europe. I fear many of my fellow American citizens are either ignorant or blinded by their rage that they are willing to support an individual who along with Putin is destroying the western alliance that was built upon the blood sacrifices made striating in Normandy during the second world war.
21
Does it bother anyone else that Turkey came up with the idea of "deep state" years ago and that it was Erdogan who convinced Trump that a "deep state" was out to topple him?
It's in the article, about halfway down.
16
“Mr. Trump is a fierce nationalist...”
Well, that’s one opinion. Here’s another.
Donald Trump is not a nationalist; he pretends to be one for political purposes.
To be a nationalist, he would have to care about the United States; the only thing he cares about is Donald Trump.
30
Oh what tangled webs we weave, and quite soggy I might add.
6
Every time I hear someone say that the impeachment hearings are a waste of time (because it is unlikely that enough Republicans in the senate will vote to impeach "their guy"), I want to scream. No, it's not a waste of time. Holding the hearings so all the not-thoroughly-brainwashed citizens can hear about all the corruption, treason and self-dealing in this administration is our best chance of motivating enough people to vote Donald and the rest of the GOP out of office. It's clear that 40% of this country have given up on democracy and truly don't care if Donald starts shooting people on 5th Ave. or anywhere else. The impeachment hearings are not for their benefit. The hearings are our last chance to get through to the undecided and to motivate the lazy to show up and vote.
18
Nepotism at its best!
This unprofessional fiasco has no place in America.
We pay taxes for professional foreign policy experts, not this!
15
One could almost hear the dinner conversation:
"You give me 5 nice building lots for my hotels on the Bosporus, and I trade you Northern Syria for it. How about it?"
That Erdogan does it, is not a surprise, that Trump does it, neither. That a "Republican" party stands idle by and plays water carrier for it, that is the eternal disgrace.
15
Was Kushner's security clearance granted? I haven't kept up on that story line.
14
@ PK
See story in NYT
By Maggie Haberman, Michael S. Schmidt, Adam Goldman and Annie Karni
NYT Feb. 28, 2019
“WASHINGTON — President Trump ordered his chief of staff to grant his son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, a top-secret security clearance last year, overruling
concerns flagged by intelligence officials and the White House’s top lawyer, four people briefed on the matter said.”
Mr. Trump’s decision in May so troubled senior administration officials that at least one, the White House chief of staff at the time, John F. Kelly, wrote a contemporaneous internal memo about how he had been “ordered” to give Mr. Kushner the top-secret clearance.”
3
" Behind Trump’s Dealings With Turkey: Sons-in-Law Married to Power".
America deserves better. Experienced diplomats are an assets and do wonders for national interests, some thing Trump & sons lack. Mr. Trump should not run America like his failed family businesses.
9
Trump dumps countries that have 300-year relationships with the United States but is intoxicated by countries ruled by Despots. He has embraced the leaders from Russia, North Korea, Turkey and the Philipines to name a few. The United States has lost its moral authority across the globe. Even if Trump left office today, the damage could be everlasting.
11
OK, completely aside from all of this.... are those flags in the background CGI??
3
Why is it that investigative reporters have to report this? Is this who we count on now to protect us?
7
Jared kushner’s corrupt shakedown at play There’s so much more untold behind this story. Is Turkey really blackmailing Trump? Seems that way. Is kushner getting payoffs? Seems that way.
12
Good grief - both sons-in-law are wearing similar shirts and ties in color and style, not to mention the length of the ties.
They look like smug and arrogant bookends to their fathers-in-law money scamming propositions and endeavors.
13
When you call the Kremlin and get put on hold this is what you hear.
Happy days are here again
The skies above are clear again
So let's sing a song of cheer again
Happy days are here again
The call is routed through Turkey.
8
No surprise that our prez sold out the Kurds after he used them to fight ISIS (and lose 11,900 fighters). Not to mention the two Trump labelled hotels in Turkey. Trump voters are guilty here! Trump's penchant for using people and then discarding them as well as his penchant for making money, preferable less that legally) has been the public knowledge.
7
What is interesting is how gullible Trump is. Erdogan plays him like a fiddle same as the Saudis and other experienced foreign leaders do who use "flattery gets you everywhere" to achieve their goals.
Jared Kushner who would not even pass the Top Security requirements, is now in charge of advising Trump on foreign policy with nations of the "much maligned Islamic" religion?! Is his fanatically evangelical base aware of this conflict?
After betraying the Kurds, displacing and having them killed by Erdogan, he now rewards him with tomorrow's visit to the White House. Shameful.
12
Hubris, plain and simple...
3
Makes one wonder what the backdoor with Russia is.
10
"The call is coming from inside the House."
4
Any picture with Jared Kushner in it should be looked at very closely. Especially now -- when Donald Trump and Republicans are bending over backwards trying to make a case of Hunter Biden.
The sheer hypocrisy of it all is simply mind-boggling.
16
Wow, never thought I'd see the day when the U.S. government, a supposed democracy, would be led by unelected princes and princesses with a desire for authoritarian rule, corruption and criminal self-dealing without consequence, supported slavishly by willfully ignorant vassals.
13
In these backdoor relationships, who holds the whip hand? It sounds like somewhere along the line, Erdogan must have said ‘I need a favor, though...’. because it certainly looks like president Trump is jumping through hoops to satisfy, accommodate that agenda; 1) extradition of Gulen, 2) limited fines for Halkbank, 3) sale of Patriot missiles (no NATO action for the Russian missiles, now maybe F-15 jets?), and 4) takeover of northern Syria.
They have Syria. There have been no sanctions for the Russian missiles, and how are those bank fines coming along? If I were Gulen, I’d be a tad concerned over the Turkish president’s coming visit.
Turkey laundering money for Iranian oil. Leaving Syria for a Russian, Iranian backed government. Attempting to withhold military aid to Ukraine, to the benefit of Russia. And where are our supposed allies, Israel, Saudi Arabia?
Well, the Saudi’s need not worry- we’ve sold them some of our military. Israel? Maybe, following Turkey’s example with the Kurds, they can push the Palestinians....where? Into Russian arms, like the Kurds?
Republicans, are all those judges really worth this dystopian trading of our foreign policies, our allies, our military? When, when do you say, enough? And as a topper, a shared...phobia of....deep states. What’s next- an investigation into alien abductions?
4
Hey Republicans, President Erdogan needs help?
He went to Jared!
Embarrassing!
12
If Trump knew history, that would be cool. He's an infant. No, that would be a disrespect to infants.
4
Does anyone have a clue what Kushner is doing in Turkey or Saudi Arabia? I didn't think so.
7
This appalling photo looks normal along with photos of other dictators in China, The Middle East, and Russia. Trump is truly the worst and must be thrown out of office despite the GOP's love affair with the guy and his criminal enterprise. Vote him out.
8
Enough on this, let's get back to the Bidens
2
@John Smith
Made me laugh.
Thank you.
1
oh good. we're in a kingdom now. how pathetic.
380
They are going to reboot "The Americans."
It will be called "The Amerikans, the Trump Kushner Years.''
4
Once again, men have risen in power on the bodies of women. Tramp on them, disparage them, the when you are famous you can do anything to them, attitudes continues, especially, the concept of marry someone's daughter and make yourself a rich and powerful man.
Women bring them into the world, and then women provide a ladder for them to climb to exert power.
And who says women are now treated equally? Still objects, still property. Women of the world unite.
3
The appeal of authoritarianism is obvious and yet, his popularity among about half the population remains high.
3
This is what weakness looks like. Too weak to appoint people who might have an informed opinion and disagree with you? Then get your family to do the job because they know how to make daddy feel nice.
Trump is weakness.
6
Definition: Deep State: Any government professional that stands in the way of the Don Trumpino crime family's naked ambition... I'd say 80% of the population has about a 5% understanding of the level of corruption that's continues to develop here...
7
But all of this is ok so long as we can ban abortion and appoint conservative judges, right? A less than desirable but still acceptable side effect, just so long as we can entrench our cultural values against the inevitable changes in our country’s demographics and shifts away from traditional white Christian dominance. Corrupt cronyism, poisoned water, dirtier air, rich get richer, etc. Don’t worry. It’s all part of God’s plan, right? This is just God’s way of using an imperfect vessel. Pay no attention to the rotten fruit that this rotting tree is yielding.
4
Who's who in the Trump administration? Trump's personal lawyer runs U.S. Ukraine policy; his son-in-law runs U.S. Turkey policy and United Arab Emirates. Is his daughter in charge of U.S. China policy? Who's in charge of U.S. Korea policy?
Why does Trump, who took the U.S. President's oath of office, not act in our national interest? It seems he is too busy working secret back channels for his own personal, greedy gains. How do we stop what his treasonous (there is no other word) behavior?
The Chattanooga Times Free Press epitomizes the Republican approach in defending the indefensible Trump self-dealing at our nation's expense.
https://www.timesfreepress.com/cartoons/2019/nov/08/defense-strategy/4095/
Republicans stand up for your country!
3
Ingrid Bergman is rolling over in her grave. The leftist media calls the Biden-Ukraine corruption charges "uncorroborated" while refusing to investigate them. Now they throw up a smoke screen by gaslighting us with this Trump sons-in-law nonsense - as if to say "See, everyone does it". Please properly investigate Biden now, otherwise we just may have an October surprise coming.
The photo in this article just disgusts me. Coming up to dictators. How wonderful. Nevermind ISIS just killed an Armenian priest yesterday.
I’ve visited Turkey for vacation a number of times and the last one was a never again.
The country is slipping into a scarier dictatorship by the minute.
Gone is the peace of having a nice cup of coffee in the shadow of the Blue Mosque as a single woman of the West. I was told to go back home and stared down and hurled insults.
Please let’s go Biden. You can’t win fast enough.
392
@A Once Turkey Visitor And Never Again What you have just described is the USA of a few years from now if Trump is not booted out!
98
@Mike Allan
Less than two weeks ago, a Peruvian immigrant who lives in Milwaukee had acid thrown in his face. The man who throw the acid is being charged with a hate crime.
Terrifyingly, this kind of hatred and disturbance is gaining ground in this country.
62
@A Once Turkey Visitor And Never Again
I suppose that Obama never met with or was pictured with any dictators?
3
Another example of Trump allowing an unqualified person to run shadow diplomacy that unwinds effective approaches to thorny world problems, causing calamitous suffering and ethic cleansing, and ceding strategic regions to our adversaries.
America First? Hardly.
11
This is what the conservative Republican dream of running the government like a business actually is.
31
This past August Deutsche Bank paid a 16 million dollar fine to the US for hiring unqualified but well connected people to work for the bank.These princelings were supposed to attract funds from wealthy people in China and Russia because of their relationships to important government officials.These princelings, a Chinese term, have no talent and only use their connections to do the bidding of those who have the real power..Trump and Erdogan do not have a Democratic bone in their body so, of course, they send out their sons-in-law on questionable errands.
16
This is nothing other than running our country using DEEP family financial ties. And to countries that are promote torture, despotism, loss of freedoms, and inequality. Is this really the direction that republicans think is right for our country?
A vote for trump is a vote for his DEEP Family Financial ties.
7
What is happening in America when we’ve become complacent to the things that are happening in front of our own eyes ? Trump family business dealings should be raising red flags , it’s become business as usual the Trump family apparatus.
11
There is something terrible wrong and alarming when the office of the president is allowed to openly be used as a brokerage house for personal deals and gains all in the name of the United States and NOTHING, not one peep by members of Congress, is heard anywhere questioning the ethics and conflict of interest involved.
How and why is this allowed to occur?
Is anyone in Washington paying attention?
24
Marge, I sympathize with the sentiment here, and pardon my directness here, but it might be you who’s not paying attention. Democrats in Congress have excoriated 45’s self-dealing for 3 years. Officials overseeing ethics violations at federal agencies have exposed and cited cabinet members. The FBI has had to monitor cabinet members for potentially being foreign agents. And independent ethics watchdogs in Washington have filed lawsuit after lawsuit to expose and stop 45’s and cabinet members’ self-dealing. Use the search function here at the NYT website to see for yourself. You might start with searching news on Michael Flynn or Scott Pruitt. The look up “Trump Hotel”. The list goes on.
3
@Red
Thanks for the intel and mild refresher course.
My outrage isn't merely pointed at this one incident but rather the fact that this seems to be the new norm and acceptable behavior.
And you are correct - both sides of the aisle have allowed and continue to allow this kind of conflict of interest to occur in broad day light.
I have been paying attention but even when something like this story breaks, I cannot help but fell outrage and disgust that this behavior goes without as much as a slight tug on anyone's reins that 45 continues to step WAY out of bounds here.
Thanks again for your thoughtful and thought provoking comment. Very much appreciated.
It just seems that the public are outraged while elected officials are totally okay by this behavior.
2
Also, why do you still say “without so much as a slight tug on anyone’s reigns”? The view that no one is doing anything is mistaken. There are dozens of lawsuits and investigations of Trump in full swing (see link below). And Dems are impeaching him.
More: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/05/13/us/politics/trump-investigations.html
1
Family, business and politics: NO GOOD. This puts our nation in jeopardy when some relationship or business deal goes sour. Trump should have been impeached years ago for his violating the emoluments clause.
9
Democrats had better get their house in order and solidify behind a solid electable presidential candidate and vice presidential candidate quickly. And it's not going to be Warren because many voters don't believe they can afford her platform and it's not going to be Biden because he's old and has too many past issues. The Bernie supporters need to get on board too and put the good of the country ahead of pushing Bernie and his platform.
Otherwise, the market has been mostly good this year and many voters will want it to continue and vote for Trump, which means more untenable nepotism and conflicts of interest.
5
Well said.
1
Royalty has been a family business throughout history.
4
Family businesses are the fabric both of Turkish society and, stateside, of the mob.
Sociologically, the reliance on family and on honor-based alliances between families is quite naturally where Erdogan and Trump feel comfortable.
9
This short-cut "back channel" diplomacy proves worse and worse for America everyday. Trumpian nepotism is literally crippling the U.S., and definitely not making us great again.
8
Trump’s supporters criticize a “Deep State”. But isn’t this an unaccountable deep state of its own? Of course it is! Only this one really is in the shadows. Does anyone know what deals have been cut? Or do we find out when a major fiasco unfolds?
4
And this is of course why the daughter and son-in-law are squatting in the WH. Personal enrichment in all parts of the world, thanks to governmental contacts, back channels, double-talk, greed and hubris. Giuliani, Manafort, Chao et al see "serving one's country" in starkly different terms than that altruistic ideal. Lining one's pockets is their modus operandi, quite simply.
12
The file photo of Gordon Sondland in Ukraine shows a scene in which he is not being treated like the official party. Instead, we see Jared Kushner in that role. I think before we decide "we have enough to impeach" we should at least find out what this not-Senate-confirmed Secretary of State is up to. Pompeo doesn't negotiate (Giuliani does), doesn't set policy (Kushner does) and doesn't support his department's people at all. Trump sets military policy against all advise from the military or the Security Council. Everybody else, Mnuchin, Ross, etc., are on the take.
The Democrats believe what they need to do for impeachment is to "educate the public". But why isn't the public already educated? This corruption to the core has been in the news since day one. Must be the mollifying effect of internet social networking, nobody gets upset and everything is entertainment.
Maybe they should just ban Twitter instead.
8
Reading this, I was again reminded of the absurdity of Donald Trump, the ultimate swamp monster, calling Hunter Biden's dealings corrupt. Not that the Biden family shouldn't have engaged in the business dealings in the Ukraine, but this is very disturbing priority pattern with the Trump family. It seems like Kushner is not so much advising for the benefit of the U.S. as he is establishing personal relationships in various countries to benefit the family's business connections. Ms. Pelosi, should have said "all roads with this president lead to Russia and/or his own pocketbook".
4
The Ukraine scandal is ta mere tip of the iceberg. There is shadow diplomacy going on all over the world by the Trump's and their cronies.
It has nothing to do with the foreign policy interests or national security of the United States. It has EVERYTHING to do with self serving corruption, enrichment and power.
9
Read the following, again, and let that sink in.
"Mr. Yalcindag implicitly threatened that Turkey might move closer to Moscow. “You might not consider Turkey at the moment as your best friend,” he told the Americans"
They come into our State Department, on American soil and level threats. Their goons brazenly beat up American citizens on American soil as they protested Erdogan while he was here last year.
And what does trump do? He sends Jared to schmooze - never let a little concern for the country he's supposed to protect and defend get in the way of a fellow dictator, or get in the way of putting another dollar in the pockets of his crime family.
It gets more frightening every day. As next November draws closer, I don't want to think about what other illegal efforts he will take to stop his removal from office, via election or impeachment.
16
The term Royal Family comes to mind. Until now, not a
term applied to the U.S. presidency.
6
Thank you New York Times for this article. Thank you for mentioning Kushner's relationship with the Saudis though I am not sure you pointed out that Trump's policies with regards to both Turkey and Saudi Arabia have run afoul with Democrats and Republicans alike.
There is the stench of corruption about this, the stench of Trump subverting US foreign policy to benefit his family. Please continue to dig.
13
Corruption for money and power is bad enough but this corruption has led to the death of hundreds of our Kurdish allies and hundreds of thousands of refugees.
3
I find this as disturbing as the Ukrainian scandal. We no longer have a thought-out and articulated foreign policy. Trump supports anyone who strokes his ego, even if that results in mass relocation of our allies, the Kurds.
6
These dictators have given their daughters to these men. They trust them with their most precious "possession", their greatest love. They let them be fathers of their grandchildren.
Following this, letting them determine foreign policy of the country (US) or its financial future (Turkey) does not seem like such a big deal at all.
I mean, what could go wrong?
3
Ukraine, Turkey, with shadow foreign policy run by private citizens. Where is Pompeo?
Did he fall off a cliff?
6
Under no circumstances should this "President" be left in a room with another foreign leader without a recording of his conversation. If we have learned anything from this man, it's that he does NOT want his conversations with foreign leaders to be made public.
And, NO, a perfect transcript will not do.
9
The sad part of this article is that very few people in the country will read it, or know about it. We think of our country as an advanced nation, but looking at how uneducated, uninformed, gullible, and filled with misplaced rage our population is, we probably deserve the government we have.
12
@Max W Well said.
2
This undercuts the myth that Trump is an anti-establishment outsider. In reality he is a hinge for an entrenched global order.
6
Picking the most unqualified people for high government positions is a Trump tradition. Is he an anarchist or an oligarch?
2
Does the Trump administration do anything legally, on the up-and-up, and out in the sunshine and fresh air?
4
"I have a little conflict of interest" I'd like to expand once I'm elected. The hypocrisy of this criminal administration is amazing. Are we really just going to normalize this and become a thugocrisy? Congressional Republicans look like the Politburo and the Chinese Communist party except they have free speech and endlessly spew propaganda for a criminal enterprise. We already have legislated corruption; there is no need to expand it through extralegal powers.
1
What's also crazy is how much apparent value Trump places on what should be a rounding error of a deal, considering he says he's worth billions. He made $5 million in year one and now a few hundred thousand a year?!?
Methinks Trump is nowhere near as rich as he claims.
3
Great, one more way the feckless and easily manipulated Jared is involved in US policy. Putting relatives with no experience is the way of dictators and not the way the US used to operate. The swamp is thick.
6
"Mr. Erdogan has deployed both his own son-in-law and Mr. Trump’s Turkish business partner, Mehmet Ali Yalcindag, as emissaries to the administration, sometimes through Mr. Kushner, according to Turkish officials and public records."
This is insane. Blatant corruption. Our country is now not better than a dictatorship run by corrupt cronies.......
6
What is so outrageous and yet is never discussed on Fox News, is the fact that while they spend night after night spewing disinformation on Hunter Biden - this kind of nepotism has been going on since Day One in the Trump Administration!
9
Corruption has a name - Trump's Republican party...
6
Good feeling to known Jared Kushner is working on American interests in this critical part of the world ... Ha ? I would not trust him with a dollar bill .
6
Don't go against the family..
1
I knew from the start that Trump was a con man. That he was also a wannabe dictator with an affinity for the strong men wasn't in my thoughts then. Nor did it occur to me that he would be a Russian Asset, witting or otherwise....till the meddling in the campaign, the rallies, the meetings, Manafort, Flynn. And Helsinki last year confirmed it (why wasn't he impeached then?)
Now I wonder how it is that the Congressional GOP are falling in line.
We are waist deep in a sea change of the worst kind. I can almost hear the jackboots.
5
Wasn't Jared working on the Middle East peace plan?
3
Why am I not surprised? Jared has owned virtually every disastrous Trump idea. Trump has hadplenty bad ones on his own, but the truly disastrous ones belong to Kushner. (And PS, when Perry's pals get investigated for winning gas deals in Ukraine with low bids, can we investigate Qatar bailing out the Kushners? Dirtiest admin in the history of the US).
7
This is so depressing and the absolute paragon of corruption. A bunch of rich unelected grifters gaining power by marriage running the world. How depressing can things get?
6
Erdogan and his family (and his political allies) have been stealing from Turkish people for years. Look at Turkey now and you’ll see our future. This is how depressing it will get if trump is elected president next year.
2
International nepotism gone amok while democracies stagnate from despot's chutzpah.
2
Surely this alone is impeachable.
5
And what experience do these three clowns bring to the circus?
3
They are in it for the money, not experience.
1
The White House admitted phone call transcripts with Zelensky, Putin and most recently Erdogen had been moved to the "super secret server".
Trump claims his phone conversations with foreign leaders are perfect yet after he spoke with Erdogen, Trump ordered removal of American forces from Syria. His spontaneous order happened so quickly that our military had to bomb an arsenal at an American base because troops weren't given time to load up and haul away those materials.
In addition to the full Zelensky-Trump phone call transcript; We The People must demand the full transcripts of calls to Erdogen and Putin.
If they're perfect, then why were these calls moved to the secret server whereas others are stored per typical State Department and White House protocol?
Trump's corruption runs deep, and that likely includes Kushner's dealings with Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
7
The waters are muddied with the rampant nepotism so blatantly displayed in this white house. If any other president had shown such sketchy actions who knows how many people would have taken to the streets in protest. This cannot be the "new normal". There is only one solution to this discord and it's a no brainer. VOTE THEM OUT !!!
3
Classic corruption, Trump's specialty. Fidelity to his country must wait, for now incompatible with his mafia-like self interests. What a disgrace is Trump to these United States.
2
As is the case with so many other debacles involving trump and his administration, just follow the money.
Stinks.
3
In view of their unparalleled service to the great Turkish nation the entire Trump clan will be granted citizenship, and of course because of the Fethullah Gulen case, no deportations for criminal prosecution will be allowed.
1
This is beginning to look like Europe in the Middle Ages; feodal lords and royal families conducting business and marrying off princes and princesses for power and wealth. If they get along nicely why would the populace complain.
This is the kind of thing that you read about in developing countries.
4
Monarchies used to do business this way, Trump has one more eligible daughter and two available sons, maybe ha can us them to seal other deals with other Dictator-Kings.
3
nothing to see here.
the stable genius is the most honest liar ever to exploit being potus.
1
Isn't 'what's good for the goose is good for the gander" working for Republicans? Apparently it is not. Just turn to Fox News and all you will hear is Hunter Biden...
3
Appalling, as usual. But that is true of almost everything the Trump mafia does.
3
Again Mr. Trump puts his business & political interests before the interests of the American people. He is once again violating his oath of office. This outlaw belongs behind bars.
6
Well there you go. No wonder Trump is having a bromance with Erdogan.
3
This is how it works in most of the World - Point in fact, Hunter Biden's sweetheart deal.
1
Remember when Kushner tried to get an "exclusive" communication channel (that by-passed all security protocols, basically his own "red" phone) to the Russian embassy?
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/26/us/politics/kushner-talked-to-russian-envoy-about-creating-secret-channel-with-kremlin.html
7
When you need expert guidance and long lasting results just send in Kushner.
Look at his smashing success in the Middle East peace process.
Way to go Kush!
1
No way! Fake news! He is the son-in-law of the "law & order" president.
Treason? Well, with a Congress like ours, why not?
2
Nepotism definitely feels bad. Just one point. We knew Bobby Kennedy... Don Jr., you are no Bobby Kennedy.
4
So we've abandoned the Kurds for this child?
4
Jared's attempting to set up secret back channels again?
Even the Russians laughed at Jared who was thinking the Kremlin would provide access to a room at the Russian embassy in Washington to set up secret, unsurveillable communications between the WH and the Kremlin.
Wait, why isn't this called treason?
6
Who is running your country?
7
In high school I watched, in horror, as the Watergate scandal unfolded. In retrospect, what a golden age of civic responsibility and functional government that was. How far we have fallen.
19
Foreign policy being run from the shadows by profoundly unprepared persons with only an interest in self-profit...disgusting.
53
Gangster politics. Out with them.
36
The writer comments that Trump is a fierce nationalist, but I doubt it. A nationalist supposedly puts the country first, as Trump claims with his America First slogan. A person putting his country first would not damage his country to benefit Russia. A nationalist would not pull out of agreements that benefit the country, such as the Climate Accord and the Iran Agreement. A nationalist would not try to destroy our government’s legal system, most recently calling for getting rid of all judges as they are not needed. Trump is a wannabe dictator who values his business relationships over the country. He has made a mockery of US foreign policy. Trump is a plutocrat who sees government power as a way to create a global network of men—like Putin, Erdogan, MBS, Orban—who are loyal to one idea only, which is preserving their own wealth and power. Their loyalties are not to country, but to themselves. Right-wing conspiracists have this notion that liberals and elites want to create a New World Order. They may have a point, but they’re looking at the wrong group of people.
40
I keep hoping I will wake up from this nightmare.
24
Regularized back channeling to bypass the balance between of state foreign policy institutions is strong indicator of corruption. Doing it through family members is a screaming banshee of corruption. Why do so many Americans so heartily, lustily embrace this brutal assault against 230 years of stable and representative democracy? Don’t they know where it will lead? Don’t they care?
39
@Retroatavist Some support Trump because they are making money off of his wheeling and dealing. Others support Trump because they are uneducated and don't understand what's happening. And others support Trump only because he is a white man--that's all that matters to them.
6
@Linda
Yes.
Popular support for this President comes from a base that is ignorant of the extraordinary values of the enlightenment, for which we have spilt so much blood to develop and protect.
Party support comes from billionaire class funding that intends to hollow out government and remove all protection of the rest of society from their ruthless, merciless plundering.
This administration is more than happy to oblige in the destruction of our representative democracy in favor of that class.
1
All these back channels point to a corrupt intent no matter what the goal. This is how criminals do business, heretofore not the USA
24
This is truly outrageous. Good article but it did not mention that Erdogan knows the truth behind Jamal Khashogi murder and Kushner's involvement in counseling MBS.
Kushner is part of Trump's shadow government. All this needs to be brought to the public's attention. This Times article is a start.
.
30
what an incredible swamp. how many ways can we sell our influence for money? this administration is replete with people having conflicts of interest.
14
Isn't nepotism the hallmark of an oligarchy?
Meanwhile, the only thing necessary to get the relationship with Turkey "back on track" is for us to abandon our support for the Kurds.
8
"a vague if expansive foreign policy portfolio" perched on the paranoid insecurity of nepotism at its most degenerate -- is anyone not glad that George Washington isn't around to see this?
8
The smugness on Kushner's face in the photo says it all.
It feels as if every day some member of that family causes more harm to this country than has ever been witnessed in the past 50 years.
At least when JFK appointed his brother Attorney General, it was for the betterment of America, not it's destruction or downfall.
25
@Marge Keller - Does Jared think this wipes away his father's sins?
Without even being overt, this article describes trump’s negotiating prowess to a tee. We are lucky he is ruin...I mean running the country’s business!
6
@ Frank
Can’t endorse your comment for fear your sarcasm will be missed by any trump supporter taking a look around on the NYT site.
@Semper fi I understand your concern. But does it matter if trump supporters don't get Frank's sarcasm? They believe whatever trump says anyway, which mostly are lies/inaccurate and against common sense... it's sad!
This smells of corruption, mixing business and foreign policy. I think we’re owed a much more transparent view of exactly what Kushner does in his government job. Does anybody really know? What do career diplomats have to say?
14
@Galfrido
The number of career diplomats is dwindling. The State Department is gradually losing its institutional memory and being replaced by the likes of this.
1
Trump and his children and assorted and sorted relatives see the USA as their oyster farm to be harvested as they like. They see themselves as members of a monarchy wherein the common people have no role in their governance. It is all done for the profit of the King!
The GOP seems to love this as do the Trumpsters who worship him. They seem to have forgotten that we fought a revolution to be rid of crazy kings and their families as well as greedy corporations that enjoyed the favor of the king.
Enough is enough.
13
@Justice Holmes
You observe,
"The GOP seems to love this as do the Trumpsters who worship him. They seem to have forgotten that we fought a revolution to be rid of crazy kings and their families as well as greedy corporations that enjoyed the favor of the king. "
Some years ago, a GOP commentator--I wish I could recall who it was--said he envied the Russian oligarchs. The current administration smacks of that. In fact, it matters little who said it. We've now got it.
2
Why even bother having the Secretary of State if Jared Kushner seems to have all the answers and the golden touch to this newfangled concept, “Backdoor diplomacy"?
How and why is this even allowed?
Hello Congress? Is anyone there or aware what is happening?
25
@Marge Keller My Republican senators in Iowa are more interested in protecting the status quo than putting the nation first and managing and containing Trump. It's a shame because they are hurting their grandchildren and future descendants.
6
Hello Congress...is anyone there?
@Marge Keller asks THE single most important question for our times.
5
Its a good thing that there is a deep state. Somebody has to do the business of the American people. Donald is only in it for himself on so many levels. He has no time to do the job of POTUS.
2
Old saying "follow the money" seems appropriate now. I hope if he is not impeached by a blinded senate we will still exist. If he is re-elected besides this, fake science, fake news, conspiracies and if a democrat is elected how many years will it take to restore the United States dignity, caring and character?
7
Can we just agree now that the business of government is business, the enrichment of the 'chosen one' and his scion, Prince Jared? Trump's model for governance is the Saudi family and its enterprises - you don't see Saudis demonstrating in the streets!
5
You’re kidding right. Instead of professional diplomats handing key diplomatic relations we have untrained self-interested family members looking to erect and protect their investments.
6
It's no surprise that US foreign policy in Turkey—and the rest of the world—now moves in direct relation to the amount of money that countries can pay Trump and his family.
6
An extended web of corruption and criminality surrounds Trump and Erdogan like a mafia families organization. You have the “bosses” Trump and Erdogan running their respective organizations with family members, sycophants and various cronies running the day to day affairs. Its the government model that Putin’s put in place in Russia which has made him among the wealthiest of the wealthy corrupt plutocrats that influence world governments. If this were a New York family during Giuliani’s days as a federal prosecutor he would be taking it down, now its one of his best paying gigs. Trump doesn’t have to be good president for this to work he only has to run the con out through one more term. The connections and money to be made will last long after he’s left Washington behind. The chaos and confusion are intentional and with the willingness of republicans to buy the carnival barkers agenda will outlast democrats and governments attempts at reining it in. Its sad but true that capitalism’s tendency to foster cronyism and corruption has such a negative effect on democracy. For the plutocracy there’s money to be made and the general welfare of their prey (us, including most Trump supporters) is irrelevant.
5
Numerous U.S. Presidents have utilized unofficial back channels without any sinister motives. A few examples:
Cuban Missile Crisis: Jared Kushner is not the first member of a presidential family to try to open a back channel with foreign nations. John F. Kennedy’s brother Robert met secretly with a Soviet intelligence agent named Georgi Bolshakov many times during the Kennedy administration and the Cuban crisis in 1962.
Nixon and the Soviets: In 1972, Nixon’s national security advisor, Henry Kissinger, “colluded with ... Soviet Ambassador Dobrynin to keep the U.S. Secretary of State in the dark about ongoing secret discussions between the Soviets and the Nixon White House,” according to the National Security Archive at George Washington University.
Nixon’s back-door negotiations were successful in thawing hostilities between Washington and Moscow, leading to improvements in bilateral relations and formal agreements on arms control.
Obama and the Iran nuclear deal: In 2012, Obama dispatched the deputy secretary of State and the chief foreign policy advisor to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, to the port of Muscat, Oman, to open a back channel to Iran. These and subsequent secret talks helped lead to a multinational deal in 2015.
Normalization of relations with Cuba: Pope Francis worked behind the scenes after Obama sought his help during a visit to the Vatican in March 2014. Previously President Carter had used intermediaries like the chairman of Coca-Cola to that end.
1
@ EMIP
None of it for personal financial and or political gain.
Gaslight elsewhere.
4
None of these examples display a similar sort of backdoor relationship that also includes personal business interests. Only the JFK one includes nepotism. Equating the current self interest driven diplomacy to these examples is a stretch.
2
But the key questions remain - Were these unofficial channels used to strengthen or weaken American interests and were there personal financial incentives involved as they seem to be now?
1
Nepotism and the beginning of the Trump dynasty. All in support of a ruthless regime now cozying up also to the Russians. Wake up Senate Republicans and all of you Americans who are enabling the demise of democracy in
America.
6
The Democratic side needs to be taking advantage of this and the American people every one of these corrupt relationships that the president has. The reason behind this is it will show the people wether their president is fit to be president or un-fit by the decisions he makes.
2
Here's the thing: the Republican base sees nothing wrong with this picture. Mitch McConnell (and his wife) see nothing wrong with it.
Why are some offended, others not? Why do some hold onto the quaint idea of disinterested service for the common good? Nearly half our fellow-citizens voted for Trump and there is a good chance he will be reelected, even though right out in the open he acts like a mobster.
4
This looks and sounds more like monarchies than democracies. This is nepotism at its worse.
2
It seems as if there is a lot of back-door diplomacy nowadays within this administration. The man who campaigned on transparency instead shrouds himself and his team with an impenetrable tarp of lies. deception, and noir intrigue. What is most ominous is that he places the security of this nation in the hands of a Jared Kushner, the man-boy, and Rudy Giuliani, America’s mayor, who now works only for corruption and the thugs who perpetuate it.
6
Nepotism, familial business interests plus short sighted business interests has subverted long term American interests. When the Republicans are party to this travesty then theirs harrumphing about integrity, morals and ethics do sound hollow.
However they will discover these qualities when the next Democratic President assumes office and conflating it with Christian values will become the battle cry.
If the English language has any stronger words for the hypocrisy, moral turpitude, venal double standards, unethical & verbal arsonist behavior it will truly be representative of the current GOP values.?
4
Could there be any more evidence of how unfit Trump is for office? How could there be anyone left in the U.S. who still thinks he is acceptable?
Nepotism, destruction of the environment, corruption and cover up, abuse of power, endless lies, attempts to silence dissent. Worse news nearly every hour.
9
I'm shocked, I tell you, just shocked to hear that their is self-dealing and corruption in the Trump White House. We need to double down on our investigation of the Bidens.
4
Anytime Kushner is involved directly in international affairs we can be assured it is corrupt and will end up rotten. Bad people are attracted to bad people and they all find Kushner. The only positive is that he wins as much as his father-in-law....rarely; however, we lose always.
5
So two Crown Princes are conducting business on behalf of the Monarchs...just like what our ancestors fought a revolution to free us from. And I hear voices that say God intended for Trump to be president. Assigning Divine Right to this self serving egomaniac. 11/03/2020. Make America Decent Again.
7
No wonder Trump is obsessed with Hunter Biden. Thanks for this story because it explains Trump's behavior.
He is so totally transparent -- he cares only about that which is about himself and his. When he points that finger at someone else, he's really pointing at himself.
Clearly it's time for the press to dig deeper into Kushner's activities because Trump is signaling that his son-in-law's behavior is corrupt.
7
God save us. The cabals have begun to run our policies and in the process diminish the chance for a peaceful world order. The chessgame politics reminds me of pre World War I as each side pushed and pulled in its own interest. History should always be a teacher, but one has to study it to learn,
It's too late for now for Turkey which has gone full monty on Erdogan, but the US can stop this cold in 2020,
What say you, America, time to save ourselves?
9
@Ira Cohen There will be another Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
1
The Trump administration mimics authoritarian techniques as an operational model: nepotism, relentless propaganda, lying, personality worship, hate mongering and fear, etc.
Despite this very obvious fact, Trump may very likely win reelection.
If the US survives Trump, history will not be kind to his Republican enablers. Sycophants like Lindsey Graham and Kevin McCarthy continue to remind us that they care more about their jobs--which are supposed to be temporary--than the future of our 243 year old nation.
6
This is why past presdients put all there holdings into a blind trust fund until trump. And if congress passed a law requireing it would stop the corruption we now see under trump. But then again if trump supporters would read & educate themselves rather than follow blindly a man who has a aversion to the truth, this would not be a problem. Money over country, party over country, = sad days for america. VOTE take back america!
6
“I have a little conflict of interest because I have a major, major building in Istanbul."
There is nothing "little" about the genocide that Trump opened the door for to please his Turkish business interests.
8
Hopefully when all of this over, the Trumps & Kushners will relocate to Istanbul (or Riyadh) and we never hear from them again.
7
It’s all about self enrichment and allegiance to the almighty dollar. Trump will sell out the U.S. as he did with the Kurds; his actions speak for themselves. Kushner on the other hand with his unethical dealings with turkey and his obvious blatant/abusive handling of foreign policy should be removed.
2
It must be difficult for Trump to serve two masters. Putin needs him to destroy NATO, EU and ridicule our democracy and Erdogan
uses Trump’s love of money and high risers to gain power and disrupt NATO and EU. Along the way, comes the demise of America
3
Scratch any issue in this misbegotten administration and find backdoor wheeling and dealing.
US policy gone wrong in every possible way.
I am so disgusted!
7
More "favors" where the US loses and Trump profits. This is not just an abuse of power, it's a corrupt enterprise. Add this additional horror to the impeachment proceedings.
3
"Erdogan ... is scheduled to visit the White House on Wednesday." Trump's behavior becomes more outrageous with each day that he is in office. With Trump's impeachment hearings being televised starting on Wednesday, this week should be very entertaining.
Erdogan/Turkey, et al. better work fast.
The candy store will close soon after November 3, 2020.
2
25th Amendment. C’mon already people. This is what it’s for.
It is increasingly astounding to me how completely unashamed and blatant this administration has become. I think they've come to believe their own propaganda about the rise of an imperial dynasty.
2
trump please be advised your time in history will not be seen as a re-emerging Camelot, nor that the positioning of your family for future entrance into the high offices of this great nation, will likely happen. You need to realize that less than 40% of the voting public are fooled by your presence, the rest of us know full will who you are (the person who attempted to be the first dictator within our democracy). This vileness that encompasses you comes out in what you say, who you admire, the people you appoint, what you have done. I am sorry for the people who support you, I think they have sold their souls to a very dark place.
6
Trump has the master criminal mind. All his obfuscations and perverted twisting of any moral code will go down in history as one of the greatest cons ever. I just pray that it is within the next few years and not decades from now. Why can't the democrats get it together? This is one big diverse country (left to right and every other iteration). Can't people take the long view and compromise?
1
@A Centrist
"Why can't the democrats get it together?"
This isn't the Democrats' fault.
On the other hand, you, as a self-proclaimed centrist, can do your part to end this con by voting for the Democratic nominee.
1
Unbelievable. Why does Trump bother to have a Secretary of State!
Trump has talked endlessly about the "system" being "rigged". Yeah, right. In his favor!
2
Good reporting but a transcript of the Erdogan call would be indefensible truth.
So Trump makes us privy to the fact that his daughter loves Ankara Loves Turkey, my response is a flip 'And'.
Erdogan is a despot dictator who like Trump has no interest in the principle of democracy or for that matter basic human rights.
It is time for someone to pull the curtain on the Ivanka and Jarred show . They serve no value as they clearly have no influence on curtailing Trumps excesses.
Jarred Kushner is a businessman and has no business representing this country in matters of any significance .
One can only imagine the uproar there would have been in the US if President Obama had family members scooting around the world as unpaid emissaries .
Enough Already.
4
Plus, he failed the security clearance that the prez then granted him.
1
Perhaps the Turks should dominate the Middle East like they did for hundreds of years until WWI. The current mess is in their back yard, not ours.
What? You mean these kids aren't the best qualified people?
2
This is the way diplomacy was conducted centuries ago and is unworthy of a democracy like the United States. But, then again, this is what Trumpism is all about and he's got 40% of American voters behind him. Truly despicable all around.
2
Luxury hotels can be sold, nationalized or crumble. We must protect our democracy from anyone who only wants to sell our countryl for financial profit. Once our Country is gone there is no place else for us to live. Under Trump the US is looking more like Russia. Why are Republicans letting this happen...for a few more years of a powerful job that might lead them to a cushy lobby job after retirement? Impeach and remove!
6
Greedy, incompetent family members helping to run TWO countries into the ground!!!
I would not feel safe traveling in Turkey, and I might expect that increasingly people from elsewhere will consider America unsafe to visit as well: guns and mass shootings, possibly being harassed by ICE, environmental disasters from climate change and a corrupt EPA leadership, and so on.
Always amazes me how the Trump family care so little for their own kids and grandchildren! Do they really believe their policies, and those of “friends” abroad, are somehow not going to be deeply affected by the directions they are now driving the country?!
1
In other words, diplomatic relationships are being handled by a few corrupt, self-important, know-nothings.
4
I am so sick of reading about rampant nepotism in governments! Turkey as a dictatorship it is expected as dictators have to surround themselves with family who usually can’t get employed otherwise. But U.S. purports to be a democracy and they accept this? Unqualified, family members milking business opportunities under the guise of senior advisors.
2
Ironically, the Post investigates Trump's son-in-law while clamoring for Trump's impeachment because he dare asked Ukraine President Zelensky to "look into" allegations Ukrainian officials made against Joe Biden and his son, Hunter.
@William Case
Ironically, a journalist doing its own investigation into someone is nothing like a president using the power of his office to get a foreign country to "investigate" a political rival.
2
@William Case As Trump supporters must do, you compare apples to oranges. Investigating Trump's son-in-law who is in charge of all foreign affairs, has no experience or training in diplomacy, about whom persons with knowledge of his 'work' have declared him a sucker and a pushover and who has conflict of interest issues all over the map is not exactly the same thing as asking a foreign nation to investigate a political rival's family with the withholding of military aid as a threat. But, if it makes you more comfortable, go ahead.
3
@William Case
The Post looked into the Hunter Biden thing too. You might have missed the story because it didn't end in "so America suddenly abandoned its allies to a massacre and tipped control of the region to a trio of brutal dictators."
3
i was born into the world's strongest constitutional democracy.
i haven't moved, but i now live in the world's biggest backwater duchy.
1
If if if this were Malia Obama's husband, or Chelsea Clinton's....imagine—no one would accept this as normal—not even the Democrats. This is our world order? Heaven help us all. And I'm not a believer but I wish I were.
935
@Ana
Dems accept Hunter Binden's actions as acceptable. Not to mention staffers at the Clinton foundation calling up Clinton's Sate Dept on behalf of foreign donors as normal.
3
@Ana
We The People suspect Kushner is acting on behalf of Trump Organization in violation of the Constitution's Emolument Clause.
Wherever there is a Trump Tower facilty (e.g. - Turkey, Scotland, Saudi Arabia, etc.) or one is sought, as in Moscow, Trump is using the Oval Office to enrich himself and his family.
The depth of their corruption knows no boundaries.
85
@James
I forgot to mention Hillary's brothers or Jimmy Carter's brother, Billy Carter.
2
Our foreign policy is being run almost entirely by people who hold no official positions in the government. They haven't been confirmed by the Senate, have taken no oath of office, and are subject to no congressional oversight. They feel no responsibility to the country, and are motivated exclusively by their own enrichment.
1793
@T - Under this corrupt president and his corrupt posse a.k.a. Mitch McConnell's senate, confirmation by same is nothing more than guarantee of further corruption. As for oaths to office, they're meaningless for the same reason.
144
@T : Dictatorships work that way.
109
@T
And they have not been properly vetted for the security clearance they have. One can only imagine the flow of sensitive information over the dinner table.
153
This article was very informative. It talks about the relationship of Mr Erdogan and Mr Trump, and how they work together through their son-in-laws. One could say their relationship is a quid pro quo with money and power being the common incentive. The problem the next president will have to face is how to put all of the world relationships, good and bad, back together again. How much turmoil will that cause, and if it does, we'll need a united Congress to help.
17
@Dan O Agree.
The harms are gigantic.
It may take a generation to go through de-Trumpification.
Further, bad things will happen during that period as well. After all, these cretinous retrograde leaders will be accustomed to having every little complaint personally handled by Boss Trump.
They won't like the old way.
1
The questions to be asked:
1. Does Trump (and Kushner) have the best interests of the US or their own business and political interests un mind when they make decisions?
2. If they don’t consult with the professionals who have deep knowledge and experience (the “Deep State”), who provides them with the knowledge and experience to make wise decisions for the country?
The depositions in the Impeachment Inquiry supply the answer to the first question. Trump was withholding aid for Ukraine for his own political benefit.
The recent snap decision to withdraw from Syria, without notice to our allies and leaving them the mercy of Turkey and ISIS free to regroup supply the answer to the second question. Hasty decisions, made in consultation with no one but Turkey, lead to long term disastrous consequences.
19
It is as if we were back in the medieval time when wealthy family like the Medicis and other were ruling the world. Democracy and elections took some of their powers away, we should avoid going back to this kind of ruling.
13
Nepotism (and of course Trump’s business dealings) influencing and ultimately controlling foreign policy. This is one of the things everyone worried about early in that Trump simply shrugged at and said wouldn’t happen. Are we in a full-on dictatorship yet, or will that happen if he is not removed from office and wins again in just one more year? What will it take for the Republicans to recognize just what has happened over the past three years and start doing the right thing to save America?
12
The trouble with 'backdoor diplomacy' of the kind practiced by Mr. Albayrak and Mr. Kushner is that it is unaccountable in almost every way. It by passes the normal diplomatic channels, and the career diplomats of the State Department, and it is by its nature unseen and therefore unknown to those in Congress who should be kept informed of any truly important foreign policy developments.
The unfortunate results can be seen in some of the more obvious debacles that bear the Kushner imprimatur such as the yet to be announced (but almost certainly born dead) Middle East peace proposals, the often convoluted relationship with the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia Prince Mohammad bin Salman, and now this further liaison which has, one presumes, been instrumental in the disastrous withdrawal of US troops from Northern Syria.
It seems that everything that Jared Kushner touches turns to dust.
17
@RHR Let's not forget Khashoggi's murder. Kushner is responsible.
Trump's son-in-law and daughter seem to have been included in Trump administration at very senior level only to promote their own business interests and nothing else. This Kushner guy seem to get involved only in countries where Trump and/or his own companies are involved in business. Anywhere else it's the other fixers of Trump, like Rudy Giuliani, to promote their own businesses, along with Trump's political interests as in case of Ukraine.
Poor Kurds and American national interest in Syria and elsewhere. Neither had a chance to begin with. But I'm sure Lindsey Graham and other Republican congressmen and Senators would be perfect fine with it. What I'm not sure is- if they actually have the ability to understand its long term consequences!
13
These sons in law and their Godfathers only hold sums in awe, the sums their bank accounts can hold and the sum of their raw power, while trampling anything in their way in the pursuit of expanding their riches and power: human rights, international rights, a vulnerable ally even as it proved itself far more humane and reliable than the richer semi-autocratic one, ethnic or religious minorities at home, women's rights, you name it.
Putin, Trump, and their pawns and so-called sons systematically dismantle and destroy the civilization experiment of the Free West grounded in constitutional democracy and treaty reliability in alliance building and maintenance, throwing years of prudent and meticulous hard work and allied military resources expenditure and sacrifice and trust and stability building and joint international diplomatic effort out the window on a whim, replacing it with greedy, cruel and moronic authoritarian impulses - to for example steal judges, elections, tax cuts, treasury revenue, market distortion and extortion power, environmental and consumer protections, healthcare, social security, and the truth.
They basically broke NATO and the Defeat ISIS Coalition in one strike, destroying the two great things the post WWII American military has been involved in. The US army was treated to heavy artillery and forced to bomb its own base.
This 'feat' leaves the post WWII world as we knew it in shambles and anyone with a heart and a few braincells breathless for worry.
6
The article describes relationships and dynamics that are commonplace in Washington to both Republicans and Democrats. Special interest groups (corporations) of various kinds have so much power and influence in Washington that there really is no impartial government happening for the general benefit of all. And the lobbying (a more accurate term would be bribery) is legal and out in the open. Trump is doing nothing unique; if anything, kudos for him for not being so hypocritical as to hide it.
@Joe Bao Your line of reasoning: Hey, people murder all the time and try to cover it up, but kuddos to those who murder in the open, at lease they're not hypocrites.......
geez
1
@Joe Bao Could you please provide a reputable link to back up your assertion that this is commonplace by both parties?
1
The main principle behind foreign policy decisions has become what benefits Trump and his family.
I don't see how any American, rich or poor, Republican or Democrat, can possibly support this administration.
12
I thought Jared was working on government reform, the opiod crisis and bringing peace to the middle east? I must have missed that he solved all of those problems since he now has time for this.
13
The timeless tradition of nepotism in criminal hierarchies is based on the fundamental assumption that one's family members are less likely to abandon or betray leadership when much of that hierarchy's actions are revealed as illegal or unethical.
7
There are several reasons for nepotism not producing suitable or meritorious leaders. Firstly the person who is empowered is chosen because of his relationship and not his capabilities. Secondly, the new person in power feels entirely indebted to his relative-benefactor and is unlikely to attempt any improvement or innovation. Thirdly an aura of illegitimacy hangs over a democracy, where merit and votes should determine leadership, when leaders are picked because of their relationships.
Because of the nepotism I have little hope that the Kushners will accomplish anything of substance . I do not think that Mr. Kushner will bring Israel any closer to peace with its Arab neighbors---perhaps move them closer to war. Similarly , Turkey , where Mr. Albayrak holds sway, will only affirm Erdogan's unpopular policies and little of benefit will accrue. In effect, the two leaders, Trump and Erdogan will be expanding their own power and putting their own image on the expanded power. Trump feels warmly about Erdogan began of his Trump Hotel in Turkey and Erdogan reciprocates because of the military hardware he gets from the U.S. and because Trump gave him a free hand to slaughter Kurds. Re: the Saudis, Kushner has ignored the murder of Khashoggi because that is what his father-in-law wants. The two sons-in-law will do little to impinge on the power and policies of the two main leaders.
6
This is just one more reason for impeachment...And if the Republicans refuse to play ball as I fear they will, it seems inevitable in fact at this point in time, a record must be kept of all of these "irregular" relationships of the Trump Family (we seem to have at least 3 Presidents, Don Jr. & Jared Kushner being the two not officially elected) with all our allies as well as those who are not. This is double dealing, in fact it is dealing with the US out in the cold. Just as with Russia from before he was elected.
3
It sounds like a productive arrangement to me. I see nothing wrong with it. Of course, neither the deep state in America nor the entrenched Ottoman bureaucracy will like it.
@Edward Nothing wrong with it? Remind us, please, what exactly qualified the son in law and his jewelry-seller wife to be conducting foreign poicy?
2
@Edward can you give me a phone number or e-mail address for the deep state? I'd really like to sign up but, I can't seem to find any contact information. Thanks.
1
@Edward
Power is intoxicating, isn’t it? So much so, that you and the millions of Trump-drunk minions will overlook literally any scheme which clearly hoodwinks - and at times holds hostage - the entirety of our global diplomacy.
Sorry state sir, not deep at all.
1
This sort of relationship with a foreign government involving family members at the highest levels, with obvious potential for corruption (as opposed to relatives with lucrative board of director appointments) is highly questionable. Worse still is the attendant sidelining of the American military and intelligence services, cutting defense contractors and fossil fuel interests out of the action. Oh for the honest good old days of military support for moderate rebels and serial regime change, unleashing death, destruction and savagery in Iraq, Libya, Syria, Ukraine on the cause of freedom and pipelines.
1
The big difference is Trump has used family members to advance the interests of the United States while Biden allowed his son to use his name and political power to amass a small fortune.
1
How does their “diplomacy” help America? It mostly helps the Trumps financially, and makes the U.S. operate as an extremely unreliable ally to anyone except Russia, the Saudis, and possibly Israel. Most of Trump’s foreign policy decisions benefit Russia, not the U.S., particularly his extortion attempt to withhold aid to the Ukraine.
1
These "informal relationships" or "shadow government" or whatever you want to call them should be made illegal. It doesn't matter if every other president since the time of Washington has done it--Trump has shown that our presidents cannot be trusted, and so the practice must stop. Trump has revealed the many weaknesses in our political system that need to be addressed so the country never falls victim to an unethical and unprincipled president again. Up to now, Americans naively accepted that our presidents always acted in the best interests of the country. Trump has shown us that is not so, and we must guard against it ever happening again. Republicans just have to imagine how they would be reacting to Trump if he was exactly as he is, except a Democrat (which he has been in the past). If they can imagine that, then even they should see that these unofficial shadow governments must be stopped.
3
It would seem Turkey and the US both have the same problem, our respective leaders both have a shadow government, ensuring the financial benefit of their families above all else. Welcome , Mr Erdogan to the swamp.
4
If my father had gotten elected president and asked me to be in charge of international affairs I would have told him to find someone with experience and knoweldge in the field in order to better serve the nation.
But then again, we are talking about the Trumps.
9
Back door channel discussions are about personal economics. In those discussions, Jared is handicapped because his father-in-law will be out of office in a year. So, Turkey is getting better deal resulting in withdrawal of our troops from northern part of Syria. This is just selling the country for personal gains. With Trump, everything is personal.
2
The underlying question, and the answer which must be unearthed, is ‘what financial gain will the president get from working with Turkey? Congress needs to follow the money.
5
And what’s the quo? Letting the Trump name remain on the building at the mall?
@Barrie Grenell there is no quo.there is extortion and racketeering...and Putin.
When we finish the Impeachment hearings on bribery and extortion with Ukraine, let's turn our attention to this shocking business and start another inquiry. Jared Kushner seems to be running the world, He has no training in government or diplomacy, he was not questioned or confirmed by congress, he did not take an oath of office, and yet...he is always behind some closed door, making deals with dictators and sons of dictators. Deals that have tremendous impact on the world. But there seems to be no real understanding on his part as to what he is actually doing. he does seem to have a keen mind for self-enrichment, and therein lies the basis for some investigation. At the very least, Congress needs to know what is going on in these questionable back channels.
12
When Jared Kushner is sent to meet with despots and autocrats in pursuit of peace in the Middle East and Eastern Europe, I get the shivers.
I get the feeling that in those meetings the despots and autocrats are "eating our lunch" and our allies are being sold out.
Time will tell if my fears are justified.
8
In Turkey something very unusual is happening. A trio of son are in power. One is Turkeys finance minister, who is the son-in law of it's strongman president. Another son-in law of a Turkish tycoon and became a business partner to the trump organization. The third son-in law is Jared Kushner, who is the son-in law and senior advisor to President Trump. When Donald Trump was running for president, his personal relationships had influnenced his point of view on turkey.
3
Donald sells stuff that isn't his. We stock the store, he keeps the money. His supporters claim he is a great businessman; I guess he is?
2
This sounds like an episode of Game of Thrones, not a modern democracy.
4
To the people of the United States, it seems our "leader" has an agenda of expanding his financial interest over the interest of the people of the United States.
It is so obvious the Trump el al family is only in this for the money, power..and for the purpose of extending his influence by encouraging family members to join. What Trump wants is a dynasty...of corruption, criminal intend, dishonesty..all the metrics our Constitution and rule of law is against. Things are worse than most people think...
5
“Vague if expansive” is right. I believe if blood-weeping Kushner is accurately portrayed as the face of the Trump administration, not even The Base will vote for him. Democratic political operatives take note.
4
The sons-in-law also rise.
How about this scenario. The House impeaches, the Senate acquits and then even more dangerous and damaging information about Trumps misconduct and criminality come to light. What do we do then? Start over/ignore it. What?
3
This is nepotism at the highest level. The idea that the United States of America will fall so low with Republicans support is something I didn't believe was possible. Everything Kushner has touched had been a failure, yet he can bring anyone he wants for a meeting at the oval office.
Kushner for some reasons only get involved when there are many wealthy people in the mix. Trump and Kushner have been working hard to fill out their bank accounts before 2020. Trump love for dictators like Erdogan is a long term investment for after his presidency. Trump knows that Macron in France can not single handedly offers him business opportunities in France but it's not the case for Erdogan in Turkey.
Trump's businesses in the US are in red since he launched his campaign 2015 and for the foreseeable future. Trump is using countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey to save his finances.
This is corruption and the next administration should promise to look into this.
Is this still the USA or a third world country?
7
Kushner has ZERO foreign policy credentials to his empty portfolio.
So the question what is he even doing?
5
Recep Tayyip Erdogan appears to be playing Donald Trump; if he considered the relationship even an alliance of convenience, he would put off buying Russian missiles. Instead, it seems that he looks on it as a case of Donald Trump does things for him, in return for which the families hold meetings and he keeps the name on the Trump Istanbul Towers.
4
With Trump and his family, it always boils down to one thing -- follow the money. It's never for national security, for the good of the country, for international peace, stability, trade or simply good PR, it's always just plain self-interest and greed.
3
So the normal process of Congressional committees setting our international policy agenda for broad, uniform implementation, has been replaced by back slapping between parties who have their sights set solely on personal gain - what could go wrong with that?
Forget all the “deep state” claptrap - that’s apparently a favorite ruse of authoritarians who want to keep anyone from understanding just how much of their country’s funds are winding up in personal accounts.
4
The United States through the war of independence, a civil war, two world wars and a few regional wars, and finally wars of regime change, has been reduced to a banana republic. So Trump's son-in-law and friends have decided that abandoning the Kurds, cleansing the Palestinians, further destabilizing the Middle East and Europe is in our interest.
4
I don’t think it is appropriate to apply words like “policy” or “diplomacy” to the actions of the present administration. Those words imply a carefully considered, coordinated, long-term strategy. There is nothing thoughtful going on here. Behind the daily gyrations and blowing of smoke, which the press seems eager to record as “news”, there is... nothing!
7
In US foreign policy today, there is the State Dept, the Defense Dept and Trump Family and Friends, motivated by their foreign business interests.
Oh, and a supine GOP in Congress, led by Mitch, perhaps hoping for a piece of the action, like McConnell got from Oleg.
41
Of course this would be happening with Trump in office.
21
Through the years diplomatic negotiations and procedures have changed. Dulles and Kissinger began this move to personal diplomacy rather than working through ambassadors. Personal relationships do matter. What is different with the Trump Administration are the personal business/ financial ties to so many countries through the simple branding of the Trump name. After Mr. Trump leaves office the expansion of that branding will certainly be tied to how well the Administration treats potential clients. Projects in these countries are approved by vindictive leaders. Republicans are too willing to to let Mr. Trump and his family members act simultaneously in governance and business. Laws governing emoluments and in the case of Mr. Giuliani, the Logan Act are being stretched to their limits.
29
Another shameful sellout by Trump. Anything for a buck.
31
Ridiculous. Meanwhile the GOP has bet the farm on “exposing” Hunter Biden. The cynicism and hypocrisy would be breathtaking but instead I’m gagging.
70
It's called "bait and switch," an old trick used by businessmen to attract customers, clearly still useful in today's political environment.
4
@Keef In cucamonga Hunter never should have had that job. No one Democrat or Republican should be profiting off of their families connections in government. I agree it is hypocritical but the same can be said of Democrats who are excusing Biden's behavior,. I believe that he should step down and leave. His hypocrisy is stunning. I want a candidate who will not have their family member benefiting at all from their position. Hunter is a junkie and he also was dismissed from the armed forces for drug use. We do not need another sleazy family in office. Also if he did no wrong why not testify.
1
This whole thing makes me sick.
39
Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't nepotism in the WH made illegal after Robert Kennedy was Attorney General under JFK? Why is Kushner allowed to take part in any government dealings?
32
They are exploiting a “loophole “ that Kushner and Ivanka are not paid government employees but unpaid advisors. Their renumeration is everything they can subvert through their sideline negotiations while in a country on “official” business.
8
@susan
RFK had the advantage of being competent.
14
@susan , because we elected a fascist authoritarian and crook and he is fully supported by the Senate and half of this nation's citizens and possibly the supreme court.
5
You all know that Ukraine is just the tip of the iceberg in the corruption of this president. I fear for my country.
53
So we have a real example of nepotism in the Trump White House vs. imagined nepotism in the Biden Admin.
Lock. Up. Trumps. all of them
47
Trump/Turkey/Russia business dealings—
We need to see Trump’s tax returns ASAP.
31
Outrageous, and illegal, thanks to RFK. Congress should put a stop to this. Of course, Republicans never will--which is why we should throw all of them out of office. Crimes are being committed by these immoral cronies. Erdogan should never be invited here, having sicced his dogs on peaceful protesters, in our own country, and having started a new ethnic cleansing of Kurds (there have been several done by foul, vile Turkey,) thanks to the murder contractor, donald tRump. He gets his kicks watching miserable people suffer--it's fun for him. The only time you will ever see him smile. Get rid of these evil people!
27
Trumps biz interets trump our national security trump is out for trump and no one else , he has shown us who he is believe him a lying demagogue crook.
11
Ok, the article explains the skullduggery of Turkish strongman and president for life Erdogan and his son in law. This leaves the distinct impression that Turkey does not operate by the rule of law and is a who you know dangerous place to go to. Meanwhile at various points on the web page there are inserted advertisements for tourist travel packages to beautiful and friendly Turkey. Which should I believe?
15
@P Locke Turkey is both an autocratic corrupt regime and a beautiful interesting place to visit. While there you will find wonderful food, very hospitable people, and great history. You will also find websites blocked, people unwilling to talk politics, and sometimes the feeling of a high security state.
3
This is of course the end of democracy as a form of government. It is a return to the Late Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Diplomacy by courtier (or consigliere, in Donald the Magnificent's world) or through family members. It shouldn't come as a surprise.
We see it all around us. Democracy is a phase. It, too, will pass. Mostly because "we, the people" are too lazy, too stupid and too unwilling to think of a general best interest. And too willing to keep voting for the most intrinsically incompetent windbags.
But never mind, as climate change accelerates and the knock on effects multiply, while we either deny them altogether or refrain from doing anything useful, the matter will be decided for us.
43
If ever there was anything lke an international crime family, this is it.
64
For anyone still struggling to understand trump's policy decisions, and I don't know how anyone could possibly still be puzzled, simply look to see what his personal financial interests are. The corruption of this crime family knows no bounds. They are bereft of any morals. They have no interest in what is best for this country, only in what's in it for them. They don't even try to hide it. You'd have to be blind or willfully ignorant to believe otherwise. And it appears that a significant minority of our country is.
96
Perhaps not so much blind as envious. With the right breaks and if they found themselves in a comparable position, they’d probably do the same.
@Andy
Or they turn their heads, as long as their conservative and often religious agenda is fulfilled.
10
@Pottree No. I know many people whowoudl not like myself. I have had many opportunities to y=use my family;s indfluence in the legal profession to get a much better job than I had an have now. I refuse to do so. Why? Because I did not earn it. How can I have accomplishments if I used connections to get ahead? How could i be proud to have what I have and have worked hard for if I ran to my brother-in-law or sister-in-law to get a job that someone else applied for simply because I am related to them. I can also let you know that they never offered their help other than advice on how to deal with certain types of people but as they are stand up people they never offered to help me get ahead through connections. Believe it or not there are people who have morals and I can put my head on the pillow and know that I was raised right and was lucky enough to have married into a family with the same values as I have.
1
Fantastic reporting. Thank you.
More treason, bribery and high crimes and misdemeanors.
55
Trump is turning the US into a corrupt 3rd world like country. And all in plain sight of GOP. Shame on GOP for being so agreeable to destroying this country's traditions of democracy and transparency. Every time I think it can't get any more depressing it does. GOP finds it ok to have our allies, the Kurds, killed so that Mr. Trump personally benefits from it, so that the Trump family gets richer. How sick is this?
62
This guy belongs to where is father was condemned to for a few years .
Same arrogance and self entitlement .Same dishonesty .
25
Jared Kushner is every repressive regime's Dream Tool. Exasperating. Embarrassing. Illegal.
74
I looked up Nepotism and this picture popped up...
25
@Jim Morgan I just did the same and Junior was all over the page.
1
When Trump made the decision to betray the Kurds "based on his gut", I sensed that it was Kushner in the oval office whispering in his ear.
When Kjashoggi was murdered all roads led to Kushner's bromance with Saudi's MBS.
Every crime family has its hit men.
We know nothing about Kushner's mental state and this suggests sociopathic behavior.
We may have bigger trouble than simple shadow diplomacy.
59
@senior citizen
The apple didn't fall far from the tree.
4
I have followed Jared's career for 3 years. I would not invest a penny in any organization headed by Jared. He promises a lots, such as "peace in the Middle East" or "I will make a ton of money on my purchase of 666 Park Av". None of these have a chance of being true. So why should I believe he will deliver on what he plans with Turkey via Erdogan's family?
16
@toom
Besides, he's a slumlord!
1
I could only get halfway through the article before I got so sickened and angry. Angry at Trump and the GOP? Yes, but ANGRIER at third party/Stein voters who thought Clinton was somehow worse than this.
If you stayed home because of that incredibly flawed analysis with no basis in reality or voted third party, then you voted for this. You argued with me pointedly in these comments sections that YOU DID NOT CARE if Trump was elected. Therefore you voted for this. THIS, the Kurds betrayed so Trump’s hotels weren’t threatened. How could you and call yourself progressive?
Don’t mention you’re a Stein voter or I’ll walk away from you immediately because you are a traitor and a roadblock to actually accomplishing progressive causes. Clinton would have at least attempted to make some incremental progress for us while holding the line on policy gains we’ve already gotten over the last 70 years and, more importantly not selling our foreign policy to Putin for hotels and cash.
Conservatives I get but members of the same progressive movement as I am telling me they do not care if this guy that we’ve all known for decades as a mobster is elected President? Self-absorbed, petty, vindictive, nihilistic, and destructive of my family’s future and I will hold you responsible to my grave.
44
@left coast finch One of the lesser reported strains of propaganda in the 2016 election was the massive amount directed at the far left. The progressives screaming about "Killary" and voting for Jill Stein in protest were duped just as much as any right-wing voter chanting "Lock her up!"
And it's happening again. Warren will be 2020's Hillary and Tulsi Gabbard is the new Stein. Sadly, the far left will likely fall for it again, and we'll have another four years in which Trump can finish the job of dismantling our democracy and installing a kleptocracy instead. What a time to be alive, huh?
5
@left coast finch
Don’t know about taking anger to your grave, but you’re basically right. Similarly, naive liberal voters chose Ralph Nader over Al Gore in 2000 because they wanted to “make a statement.” It did not turn out well.
8
@left coast finch I feel the same.
6
"Guided by close relationships between family members...," is the textbook definition of autocracy. Autocracy is the first step toward totalitarianism. This entire family is a real and present danger to American Democracy. We will soon see where the SCOTUS stands vise-a-vise family rule in America.
32
This hearkens back to baroque days where Royal families found ministerial jobs for all their kin folk right before pogroms and wars of entitlement. Of course though Jared does have a background in diplomacy and a long tenure of service- oh wait, no he doesn't. Jared has is a princess bride, a failing family business saved by very willing investors from the middle east via a Canadian shell company [but not in exchange for later political favors by the Donald for sure], and a lifetime membership at Mara Lago. Jared also has solved the middle East peace process single handed- oh wait, he was in the region for some talks that isolated the Palestinians further, hasn't been back since and still forgets Bibi's name. He does polish up real good though for photo opportunities- at least there's that.
15
It sounds like we treat Turkey according to the proverbial good cop/bad cop. Financially we make all sorts of arrangements, then we attempt a coup with the CIA-backed Gulen ready to step in and take over. Now we're back to financial arrangements, but the bad cops want to impose sanctions for dealing with Iran and Russia.
Back channel diplomacy is helpful sometimes, but it can overrule our representatives' ability to advise and consent. And there are times when we need to make our voices heard.
4
These blatant nepotists are beholden only to themselves. Anyone who thinks they have the citizens of their respective countries in mind, except to rip them off, needs an education.
17
America has truly become a banana republic.
American foreign policy is now dictated by the whims and personal preferences of the President’s extended family.
35
Good, informative piece.
Only one problem: "Mr. Trump is a fierce nationalist"?
Trump is not a fierce anything except liar, ego maniac, obstructor of justice, liar, anti-Constitutionalist, con artist, self promoter, liar, kleptocrat, misogynist, draft dodger, liar, hypocrite, Fox binge watcher, provider of aid and comfort to our enemies, liar, oath breaker and spewer of hate.
Did I mention liar?
He is a nationalist only when it suits his end game.
79
This is what happens when you disdain professional government as too many modern Republicans do.
Give Jared the Mideast portfolio?
Putin wins.
42
Oooh I hope the NYT is looking into allegations that the Turks or the Russians taped a telephone call between Kushner and Saudi A, in which Kushner said okay for them to deal with Khashoggi as they wanted, and then Erdogan used that call to direct Trump's acts in and re. Turkey. Oh please please please. I've seen the story floating around the Redditverse and would love an in-depth look.
21
''conference organized by Mr. Yalcindag at the Trump International Hotel. ''
The bribery is naked.
Did the Russian FSB also put recording devices throughout the hotel?
61
@Lawrence
Those devices were probably installed during construction. But it would have been by the SVR or the GU (or both). And by the Chinese, obviously.
4
@Rudy Flameng
Don't forget America's own agencies, either with their own recording devices, or piggybacking on the others. You have to bug presidential suites.
Which leaves the question, who has access to the recordings, and what was their substance?
Who is using the comprat and how?
1
Remind me again...exactly WHAT are Jared Kushner's qualifications?????
200
@Mike Schmidt
None that anyone has been able to discern to date.
31
@Mike Schmidt
Kushner was quite instrumental in getting both democrats and republicans to reach an agreement on bipartisan landmark prison reform, The First Step Act, which the president happily signed.
In that regard, he's been more successful than most career bureaucrats.
1
@Mike Schmidt Sorry, but you can't be reminded of facts that don't exist and which therefore could never have been given out. You do need to be reminded that the King is not to be questioned.
5
This all fits the Royal Family mindset.
41
Meanwhile the founder of White Helmets is found murdered in Turkey with both his legs broken.
And his "taken a fall from a balcony" has Russian assassination written all over it. How many investigative journalists in Russia have taken a fall down stair and elevator shafts, or off roofs?
Turkey is a pariah state. It's sickening to see representatives of the USA sitting with what constitutes the Turkish mafia (Erdogan is a life-long mafioso), and getting the full picture understanding that the US representatives are following in their footsteps as a wanna-be, nepotistic mafia.
145
And the GOP does nothing.
106
Oh what a tangled web we weave.
16
Drain the swamp ... or fill the swamp?
27
@Larry
Actually, in nature, either one is bad. We need a different analogy. Real swamps hold storm runoff and are the breeding grounds for the lowest critters on the food chain, all necessary for systems to work. If you fill or drain one, Mother Nature just creates another one. What we need to talk about is how these people are slogging around in the sewer!
As a con-man, Trump studied the corrupt practices in Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and took the worst among them to practice in USA.
38
@IdoltrousInfidel I understand your thinking, but Trump does not study anything. Corruption comes naturally to him. He rules according to his “ gut” and since he has no shame, no moral compass, and no clue regarding the principles upon which our country was founded, this is what we get.
7
@IdoltrousInfidel You are mistaken. The words Donald, Trump and studied cannot be put together in a sentence unless it is part of a fairly take or a Trump propaganda release.
2
Thank you, this article really explains the underpinnings of Trumps decision-making on Turkey. As is to be expected, and just like the strongmen he admires, Trump’s decisions are motivated by money and not upsetting business partners. Strategy is mapped out in secret with under-informed family members having sway over decisions with massive political implications. Trump himself said it in 2015, he cannot be impartial because he has business interests with Turks.
91
As several MAGA Trump supporters have told me: Trump is a very successful business man. He is a master negotiator. He loves America more than any previous president. He was chosen by God. And like God, he works in mysterious ways. If he’s doing something, it’s in the best interest of the country.
And despite having Stephan Miller, a member of the National Policy Institute-a white supremacist think tank and lobby group, advising him, he is not an antisemite because he did mention concentration camps in his Veteran’s day speech.
50
Under Obama the only outside family member involved was Marian Robinson helping to raise her grandchildren in the White House. How far we have fallen.
Turkey should be booted out of NATO.
260
@Dudesworth
And, yet, it was under Trump that ISIS was routed from Syria. Perhaps Obama could have used a little more help?
@AACNY deporting ISIS fighters back to their home countries is going to go well, right?
7
AACNY; Perhaps Obama could have used more help. Maybe one of his daughters' school friends? They would have been unversed in diplomacy, been exploited and might have tried to use the opportunity to their advantage. Oh, wait! That is exactly what Jared is doing.
6
Monarchy, anyone?
25
Trump , his family and Kushner's are having a field day with GOP and ultimately with American people.
They used us to bail them out of their last & final bankruptcy . They sold their services to Putin (& Erdogan and likes ) and made fortune while throwing all of us to toilet.
Thank you GOP and me-first GOP voters.
122
And trump following hypocrites try to shred Hunter Biden. "Democrats aren't angels, you know, so stop being mean to trump!"
19
Stay on it NYT! What would we do without you and WP!!!
306
@Plumeria
Perhaps now you can now understand the allure of FoxNews. Telling you what you want to hear is how the media keeps you coming back for more.
3
@AACNY
With all due respect, are you seriously comparing the readership between FoxNews and the New York Times?
Good grief.
At least you clarified your point with FoxNews in that they tell folks what they want to hear vs. the NYT who REPORTS the news by credible and Pulitzer Prize journalists which needs to be read.
9
@AACNY Really? I don't think most people wanted to read about Obama and the mess that ensued when he pulled troops out of Iraq then needed to put troops back, a move that upset both Republicans and Democrats. It was reported here, fairly. Perhaps if Trump and his cronies didn't pay fast and loose with the truth he would get normal coverage like any other President but he doiesn't act of behave like a normal person much less a President so what do you want?
2
The judge presiding over the Roger Stone criminal trial advised jurors not to watch "The Godfather" during the trial. No need to ask why.
The two families at the center of our current administration -- all out of central casting.
900
@Nancy
This is the result when you have a second rate reality star squatting in the White House.
12
All of this back and fourth between Trump and Erdogan is nothing but a show for the respective citizens of Turkey and our country.
The Democrats and Republicans should be demanding tapes of these phone calls between all of the parties.
It sounds to me that Trump is selling our country down the river. It is one thing to have Diplomatic relations. It is another thing to make promises and pretend you are not keeping them, so that the American public is duped.
Between Putin, Erdogan, MSB and Trump, we are in great trouble here.
It sound to me as if Nancy Pelosi was right about all roads leading to Putin.
447
"Mr. Trump’s policy toward Turkey has confounded his fellow Republicans in Congress on a number of fronts."
And yet, Republicans want to summon Hunter Biden to the impeachment hearings, to deflect from the "Family's" use of a foreign government to become involved our elections.
Talk about confounding.
I have a question for Republicans: Are you now part of the Trump cult? Or, do you have any backbone left to prevent the rest of the world from owning and controlling our democracy?
My money is on cult. But I would love for you to prove me wrong.
366
@DP The GOP are stuck. I'm sure most Republicans in Congress find all of this dismaying, but they are terrified of their base which overwhelmingly supports Trump.
4
@DP, considering the absurdly high approval ratings Trump gets from Republicans in general, I'd also bet heavily on cult.
15
@DP Watch the Sopranos. 'Legitimate' businessmen with no moral compass want to hitch a ride on Tony's gravy train. It ends in tears every single time.
6
As former VP Joe Biden keeps asking:
What exactly are Jared Kushner’s qualifications to direct United States foreign policy all by himself?
869
@Richard Herr About the same as Trump's qualifications for president ...
76
@Richard Herr Joe and his fellow Democratic candidates need to keep honing in on Jared, Ivanka, her brothers, and their incompetence. That really cuts to Trump's quick.
25
@Richard Herr
Well, Giuliani is helping, too.
12
Poor Kurds and American national interest in Syria (and elsewhere)- none of that had a chance to begin with!
50
Turkey, the NATO keystone, has been lost to Russia thanks to Trump & Kushner.
107
Ukraine is only the tip of the iceberg.
Giuliani and Kushner run amateur hour without the State Department.
220
Birds of a feather. Crony capitalist regimes. Notice how Trump creates a conspiracy theory about the Bidens while he plays out the real thing right under our noses with Kushner and Ergodan's son in law. He really is a brilliant CON-MAN.
325
All the elements of a perfect con.
36
@My Country tis of greed, fear and hypocrisy. Of thieves I sing!
30
@My Country Tis of Thee
Plus Kushner is also very buddy-buddy with MBS, heir to the throne in Saudi Arabia. Which one do you suppose Trumpy is grooming to take over: Jared or Ivanka? Or maybe the pair as emperor and empress!
8
And Republicans have the chutzpah to question Hunter Biden's position on the board of a gas company in the Ukraine?
253
@Arlene You are right. Still, Hunter Biden should not have been on that board.
So...arrest and deport Trump & Family to Turkey instead of Russia?
Yeah, I'm OK with that. Are you?
191
@Tankylosaur I rather thought that they would enjoy Guantanamo.
1
Absolutely gut wrenchingly repulsive. The United States of America is in grave danger. RESIGN IMMEDIATELY, Mr. Drumph. Then leave our country permanently.
119
And of course the son-in-law hits keep coming: Manfort's former son-in-law and co-conspirator in tax scheme grifts recently found guilty Jeffrey Yohai, got 9 years and a restitution demand of $6.7M; Alex van der Zwaan, Russian Oligarch German Khan's son-in-law and Skadden Arps attorney found guilty of false statements to Federal agents and neck-deep in Ukranian , jailed, fined and deported- who's great work for Manafort/Yanukovych defending the indefensible imprisonment of Tymoshenko netted Skadden $500k in billings.
55
@MrsWhit
According to the Ukrainian citizens I talked to on my month long visit to that country a few years back, she was just as corrupt as the rest of them, becoming a sudden billionaire by taking over the company she had been running as a Government bureaucrat before the "Orange Revolution." Rats turning on each other.
1
This article makes it clear just how incompetent Trump really is and how easily he can be played by a cunning foreign leader. Erdogan is masterfully playing a strategic game to advance his own interests, and what is Trump doing? Fishing for compliments and lining his pockets. Meanwhile, Kushner is eagerly making business contacts for when his time in the west wing is over. The whole thing is sad and pathetic.
254
I feel less sad than outraged.
11
@Brett It also shows just how incompetent and easily played the Republican party is as well.
10
For heavens sake, who is running this country? Jared Kushner? Seriously? Ugg.
240
@Diane Graves
Good question Ms. Graves.
What I DO know is whoever it is, is totally incompetent, unqualified, and detrimental to the country.
38
If Trump is not a Russian asset, he is certainly a “Useful idiot”. Western democracy is threatened in America and around the world. Louis XIV was called the “Sun King”. Louis XVI was beheaded. Nepotism is just not healthy.
119
More “backdoor diplomacy”, AND an addition to Kushner’s portfolio? My confidence in the Trump presidency just hit a new low.
I didn’t think that was possible.
82
Trump and his family are simply using our government and their positions as a way to build their own fortunes and set themselves up to maintain power and influence, now and in the future. They pretend to care about American people but act only in their self interest.
97
One has to wonder if this trio is about patriotism or about family nepotistic wealth and power. That same suspicious person might wonder what the Trump family hopes to do after time in office, as in new branding opportunities in Russia and Turkey.
This is truly a new and frightening America, where international politics takes a back seat to oligarchic favoritism and billionaire back door conversations.
Yeah, Supreme Court, money is indeed speech, and it is saying it just doesn't care.
Hugh
78
@Hugh Massengill
Trio are?
Hugh
@Hugh Massengill
One need not wonder at all. One just needs to open his eyes every morning and it is painfully apparent.
2
@Hugh Massengill
According to the article, the third son-in-law is related to Trump's Turkish business partner who lobbies for the Trump family in that country.
6
most people knew this would eventually happen, the nepotism, conflicts of interest and trumps' personal business ties to foreign leaders would eventually become the basis for our foreign policy to the detriment of our own country and the world in general.
78
I think it is time to start talking about what is really going on: A war against the EU!
Trump has from the start alienated all the EU countries while he has courted their enemies. He has encouraged and supported Brexit and protected Bolsonero against EU demands.
Erdogan holds EU hostage, he hosts around 4 million refugees that he threatens to send to Europe if he gets upset.
Putin has been attacking the EU for a long time and the current lineup with him, Erdogan and Trump is a formidable force. Unfortunately, that force is devastating for democracy.
All the talk about Europe not paying enough for NATO was just a deflection. NATO cannot survive the Trump era.
67
And why is Trump at war with the EU - because the countries of the EU, like the US, have laws against nepotism. Trump hates how official and open he has to be when dealing with Europe and the Brits, though he tried deep state with Boris J.
When Trump becomes friends with a leader that is a tell he has a backdoor channel open with him. Why is Trump particularly nasty with female heads of state - because he doesn't do "business" with women and has no context for dealing with them.
10
Kushner’s objective is not to create business opportunities in Turkey. He’s trying to push his so called Middle East plan through back channels (MBS of Saudi Arabia and Erdogan’s son-in-law). He thinks that if he can get Saudi Arabia and Turkey’s backing, his plan will be easily endorsed. Very naive way of doing foreign policies and I’m afraid he’s being manipulated and putting American standing in the world at risk.
37
@ZNY
I'm sorry, I don't give Kushner that much credit. He is as crooked as his father before him.
6
One headline describes a President of the United States all-in with nepotism and self-dealing, in what ADM William McRaven described on these pages a few weeks ago as a frontal assault on our Constitutional republic.
And that is juxtaposed against another headline, of a servant leader enduring yet another health setback, facing death buoyed by his strong faith. This former President was so concerned about conflict of interest that he sold his south Georgia peanut farm when he became President.
These past 40 years have seen the almost complete destruction of America's sense that we're in this together, an attitude that started with Teddy Roosevelt's Square Deal, and ended with Ronald Reagan's supply-side tax cuts and busting the air traffic controllers' union.
Greed is good! All the time! As they chant in the megachurches of the prosperity gospel.
157
If it wasn't so horrific, it would almost be laughable. Our foreign policy with Turkey is being driven by Jared Kushner and a dictators son-in-law. The slow rumble of our Founding Fathers turning in their graves can be felt throughout the country.
God Bless us, one and all.
1224
@mpaxson
I don't know why, but I always felt in my gut that Jared Kushner and Steven Mnuchin were bad homres.
Then I saw the linked triangle of Mick Mulvaney, Jared Kushner, and Steven Mnuchin. They seem a little too close to Fort Knox and the U. S. Treasury vaults, given the avaricious tenants of the White House and the toady GOP Senate mob.
94
@mpaxson
Exactly correct. It's always entertaining to consider what the Republican reaction would have been if President Obama's family members were traveling around the world conducting unofficial relations with other countries.
74
@mpaxson
I find myself wondering if the president of Turkey and the president of the US are inept at thinking and working out "deals" on their own that they both actually require the help of their sons-in-law (who know NOTHING about foreign policy), to make stabs at these high levels of "Let's Make a Deal"?
44
Americans should accept that this is the new American way of foreign diplomacy: the king (formally known as US president) uses foreign relations only for his (formerly known as “the people”) benefit.
If there is no benefit for the king, there is no necessity to have a relationship.
If there is a benefit, there is no downside (formerly known as persona non grata - dictators, suppressive regimes, war aggressors...)
31
I always wanted to see Istanbul and Ephesus. No interest in going now.
19
when Trump loses election next year, Erdogan will lose everything. I guess Erdogan is now working very hard to keep Trump in power, like what Putin did in 2016 election.
59
Leave it to Jared to not only not resolve the crisis in the Middle East, but actually make it actively worse.
119
Highly skeptical any "deal" those three barker is to the best interest of the people of either country ... or the surrounding ones.
12
Mind boggling level of nepotism, conflicts of interest, and almost all sorts of corruption. This is so typical of a very developing country in Africa and Asia. Turkey probably has gone beyond the point of no return.
In all such countries such corrupt politicians basically have no option but to exploit religion and racism- few core issues of raw human emotion. No wonder Trump administration is so obsessed to appease Christian, mainly Evangelical, fundamentalism and white supremacy.
813
Shedding crocodile tears for vets and military is another hiding tactics for corrupt politicians, particularly who lied to evade conscription in military during time of national crisis. Such politicians think that those, mostly from poor and unfortunate background, who join military are nothing but cannon fodder and are destined to sacrifice for the country while these corrupt and opportunist elites would enjoy the privilege of peace and prosperity built on the back of those working class citizens. Politicians like Trump and many more have no shame to exploit that raw emotion of soldiers, their family members, and vets.
In reality, any real patriotic soldiers, diplomats, other public servants like the whistle-blower, decorated officer Vindman, and so many career diplomats would be openly abused by such politicians for telling the truth to power, as they are supposed to do.
69
@Bonku Us commoners have always been the cannon fodder of the elites. Nothing new in this and nepotism is certainly nothing new. Even cronyism is nothing new. We've had similar arrangements with European powers for many years. What's new here is the levels of unchecked, outright treason being committed almost daily all in the name of one party leader.
37
". . . .a trio of sons-in-law who married into power and now play key roles in connecting Ankara with Washington."
What word in that sentence ISN'T disturbing if not alarming?
207
Ah, Tuesday morning. Another Trump debacle.
56
Reminds me of that book about the Bush family friendships with the House of Saud. Where are the Dem equivalents to this global network of corruption?
23
@Religionistherootofallevil
And great grandpa Bush was doing business with the Nazis. And the Koch brothers father got started doing business with Stalin. Also check out Armand Hammer!
2
One can only hope that these three youngsters have accessibility to the steady hand of a foreign policy expert like Rudy Giuliani to guide them in these troubled times.
73
@John David James thanks, I needed a good laugh!
12
@John David James
You just succeeded in making me spray my coffee all over the table. That's okay; I wasn't enjoying it that much anyway while reading about rampant corruption and disgusting nepotism.
8
@John David James
Easy to say from the relative safety of Canada! How long before Americans are sneaking over the border?
2
Trump and Erdogan not natural allies? Trump, at least, is the natural ally of anyone who will give him money.
58
Well, why do we need a state department or a legislative branch if we have the Trump family?
123
Isn't being born into an easy life wonderful.
22
Yup - there is no US policy Trump wouldn't sellout for a dollar. So much repairing to do if we can ever get him out of office.
131
Someone on the Democratic side needs to be reminding the American people about each and every one of these glaring and corrupt relationships of the President. Maybe it's time they get on Twitter, too?
50
@Jay
And maybe Nancy Pelosi SHOULD widen the scope of the impeachment inquiry!
15
I agree there is so much that can be said that they have done in continuous Tweets and FB since the media won’t remind people. I feel like this is a Hillary set up once again and we will loose.
2
This is how the 1% and oligarch work. I think if The New York Times dug deeper you will find these kind of nepotism relationships throughout the corporate and political world. The 1% of today, made up the courts of royals of yesteryear. All with greed and power in mind.
With that said, Trump, and his "family", are profiting and are using the office of the President of the United States for their own personal gain. And, putting their personal wealth and power ahead what is bets for the US and the world. I would not be surprised that Trump already gave Turkey the 50 or so nuclear weapons, at Incirlik, to the Turks. That, in exchange for more real estate deals.
The New York Times needs to find out who actually control these weapons. If indeed Trump did give the Turks these weapons, you have a far bigger crisis than Ukraine's "quid pro quo".
123
@Nick Metrowsky How sad that we have to rely on investigative journalists to tell us what is really happening in our White House. Where are the people that should be speaking out? Shame on them!
7
Outside normal diplomatic channels. Russian in the mix. What bank is processing transactions and handling loans? What could go wrong for U.S. interests. Is anyone concerned about NATO? Where is the GOP on controlling this? Do we still have a legit government?
Meanwhile the founder of White Helmets is found murdered in Turkey with both his legs broken.
55
Bingo! Trump family first and the US, the Kurds and the rest of the world last.
39
It's so refreshing to see President Trump thinking long-term and laying groundwork... for the future of his family fortune and the Trump organization. This is really the worst of Russian-, Turkish-, Saudi-, you-name-it-style oligarchical cronyism.
528
@DysLexington What times we live in. There are no good leaders throughout the world. They are all corrupt, evil criminals. Perhaps the violent protests in Hong Kong, Chile, Lebanon, Barcelona and elsewhere are going to continue to spread around world.
16
I don’t like princes. I don’t like the unelected power they have in Trump administration. I especially don’t like Eric Prince and his deadbeat sister.
273
well, folks, hair on fire now?
120
A conspiracy by any other name. Who will join next?
37
Let me summarize the article. Turkey saw Trump as a "mark" and played him like a violin.
827
@confounded At Putin's request.
53
@confounded
Yes, this article shows so clearly how easily manipulated trump is.
Foreign dictators are controlling him.
Vote blue no matter who. We must stop all of this.
21
@confounded
Didn’t even need to tune him up first.
8
Jared Kushner must be laughing his head off at what fools the citizens of the United States have become, having him sitting on the thrones in the Mideast paid with our taxpayer money.
His presence “on behalf of our country” is a very, very bad joke.
589
@MIMA
Joke on us, but lucrative for him. Notice how easily he and his family have paid off the huge billions of dollars loan on their property at 666 ParK Avenue? Interesting that 666 is supposed to be the Devils own number.
34
@MIMA Hopefully he stopped laughing this morning.
8
These family financial interests top national security are to treason what quid pro quo is to bribery and extortion.
206
Non-elected relatives of wanna be dictators are good buddies. Whatta surprise!
168
I'll bet money that Erdogan's son in law is just as entitled, craven, and dumb as Kushner. Billy Carter was smarter and more accomplished than the entire Trump spawn. After all, how much damage could he have done with Billy Beer?
44