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Septua

(2,826 posts)
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 05:39 PM Sunday

Can someone explain to me what treasonous "scandle" Obama committed...

..as outlined the Gabbard Report? I listened to the press conference, read some of the email "evidence" and have no clue what she's talking about...other than another distraction tactic, I don't see any there, there.

68 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Can someone explain to me what treasonous "scandle" Obama committed... (Original Post) Septua Sunday OP
Trying to say Epstein's sweetheart deal was Obama Blue Full Moon Sunday #1
Well, there was the Tan Suit debacle... NewDayOranges Sunday #2
Yup. This. Just awful NewHendoLib Sunday #13
Don't forget he loved his wife and his daughters, and he never had a combover dem4decades Sunday #14
Yes, we Mustn't Forget the Grey Poupon SCANDLE!!!1!11!!! electric_blue68 Sunday #15
My favorite! But did I miss the pearlnecklace one? What was that all about? CTyankee Sunday #38
Oh...no. The pearl necklace was A Metaphor.... electric_blue68 Sunday #45
There was also the "mom jeans" scandal. johnnyfins Sunday #16
A bike helmet! The horror!!!1! tanyev Sunday #26
What about the time he took his wife out on a date?!? In NEW YORK CITY!!1! NBachers Sunday #29
How dared they?! yardwork Monday #67
There's nothng there. Pitiful Gabbard is just trying to get back in trump's good graces... brush Sunday #3
There was that brown suit and presidenting while black EdmondDantes_ Sunday #4
Exactly. Presiding while Black. All the rest is bullshit. B.See Sunday #24
Being REELECTED was the Real "Crrime"!.... electric_blue68 Sunday #42
Recall that on the very inauguration of B.See Sunday #50
Oh, yeahhh, right! Your mentioning reminds me of reading about that, TY! electric_blue68 Sunday #57
I don't think this can even be discussed without breaking multiple ToS... WarGamer Sunday #5
..... pbmus Sunday #6
her allegation is as pockmarked as her Shellback Squid Sunday #20
Great job pbmus, thanks. Brenda Sunday #23
Good reply... Septua Sunday #25
Thanks. cachukis Sunday #47
Obama made a joke about Trump at the White House Correspondents' Dinner VMA131Marine Sunday #7
Bingo. Bully's pride wounded to the core. usonian Sunday #10
This....all along.... nt sprinkleeninow Sunday #33
drumpf has size envy JoseBalow Sunday #8
notamushroom Shellback Squid Sunday #18
Maybe he can SHARPIE it up. B.See Sunday #28
Trump also had nicer weather for his inauguration. Norrrm Sunday #21
🤣🤣🤣🤣 underpants Sunday #30
Lies, stupidity, deflection, bad faith, and distraction in a nutshell. still-prayin4rain Sunday #9
Gabbard's memo supposedly laying out Obama's "treasonous conspiracy" Wiz Imp Sunday #12
Yeah, all's fair in love, war and politics... Septua Sunday #27
Trump mob knows their magas never read beyond a headline Attilatheblond Sunday #53
She's shameless. I literally feel second hand embarrassment watching her tell these ridiculous lies. still-prayin4rain Sunday #59
Not only shameless and despicable, but totally incompetent as well. Wiz Imp Sunday #62
Obama is intelligent. Trump is stupid. Donald hates that. 2MuchNoise Sunday #11
Tan Suit, unforgivable! Shellback Squid Sunday #17
The evil tan suit Norrrm Sunday #22
Well, Dinesh tweeted it so it MUST be true. johnnyfins Sunday #19
Obama's sins: Handsome, sexy, debonaire, intelligent, well spoken, kind, wonderful public servant. Irish_Dem Sunday #31
And let's not forget our gracious first lady, Michelle. CTyankee Sunday #44
Who went to law school and became a lawyer. Irish_Dem Sunday #49
Did Melanoma even GO to college (much less an Ivy League one)? CTyankee Sunday #51
She lies in her bio and pretends to have a college degree. Irish_Dem Sunday #52
She probably flunked out... CTyankee Sunday #54
Gold diggers only need to learn basic math. Irish_Dem Sunday #55
He had the audacity... sheshe2 Sunday #32
The act of being Black while louis-t Sunday #34
He was competent and knew what he was doing. greatauntoftriplets Sunday #35
Plus, He Had 8 Years To Pull Off A Massive Grift ProfessorGAC Sunday #37
Yeah, an honest politician! greatauntoftriplets Sunday #48
Recommended. H2O Man Sunday #36
I am so outraged at this. There are no words Joinfortmill Sunday #39
Pretty much the same grievances since 2017, but Tulsi now says they constitute treason. Eugene Sunday #40
Got elected while being black.... yourout Sunday #41
He's had not an ounce of credibility since the birthergate nonsense and he's just recycling the same crap unblock Sunday #43
Was that when Paul McCartney came to the White House and sang "Michelle, la belle." CTyankee Sunday #46
this is all that is public w/respect to it that I am aware of cadoman Sunday #56
A serious problem with all of news media and even here... bullimiami Sunday #58
Here's a summary as I understand the allegations: snot Sunday #60
Simple, to start he is a black man, republianmushroom Sunday #61
Nothing - Epstein Files JustAnotherGen Sunday #63
i heard he wore beige once. pansypoo53219 Monday #64
He was a BLACK Democrat who got elected president, TWICE... Jack Valentino Monday #65
The first time was a candle. Only the second time was a s'candle. DFW Monday #66
It's a beginning. Kid Berwyn Monday #68

Blue Full Moon

(2,515 posts)
1. Trying to say Epstein's sweetheart deal was Obama
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 05:43 PM
Sunday

Also saying that Obama unfairly was doing surveillance on him because of Russia. But he has been under surveillance since 106 counts of money laundering to Russians using slot machines at his casino.

NewDayOranges

(746 posts)
2. Well, there was the Tan Suit debacle...
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 05:43 PM
Sunday

The Arugula Salad intrigue and the Grey Poupon Mustard plan...

All treasonous in their own way!

electric_blue68

(22,676 posts)
15. Yes, we Mustn't Forget the Grey Poupon SCANDLE!!!1!11!!!
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 06:31 PM
Sunday

*Clutches :pearlnecklace: Pearls!*
🙄🙄

electric_blue68

(22,676 posts)
45. Oh...no. The pearl necklace was A Metaphor....
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 07:40 PM
Sunday

as in "clutching" your pearls (necklace); in a "horrorifed reaction". 👍

brush

(60,750 posts)
3. There's nothng there. Pitiful Gabbard is just trying to get back in trump's good graces...
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 05:45 PM
Sunday

by accusing Pres O of the very thing we all saw trump commtt on TV on J6.

Gabbard is a kiss ass. Nothing to it.

EdmondDantes_

(700 posts)
4. There was that brown suit and presidenting while black
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 05:50 PM
Sunday

The thing I assume Gabbard is talking about is the Russian interference in the 2016 election because no votes were altered (which Obama never said, and really when you've got Trump begging for "finding votes" maybe this isn't the smartest approach anyway) and some wording comments in various files and then the surveillance of Carter Page some of which were later determined to be invalid by the obviously not at all biased DOJ in 2019.

It's a flailing distraction.

electric_blue68

(22,676 posts)
42. Being REELECTED was the Real "Crrime"!....
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 07:36 PM
Sunday

After all the MAGATS, drumph could convince themselves that once was a fluke! Imho.

B.See

(5,975 posts)
50. Recall that on the very inauguration of
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 08:00 PM
Sunday

his first term in office, the bstrds met in secrecy to lend oath to a conspiracy - to make Obama a one term President, by undermining and obstructing him at every turn.

So clearly his reelection BROKE them... melted them down in ways that Trump and racists LIKE him apparently have yet to recover from.

electric_blue68

(22,676 posts)
57. Oh, yeahhh, right! Your mentioning reminds me of reading about that, TY!
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 08:15 PM
Sunday

Oh, soooo this!

"So clearly his reelection BROKE them... melted them down in ways that Trump and racists LIKE him apparently have yet to recover from.".

WarGamer

(17,598 posts)
5. I don't think this can even be discussed without breaking multiple ToS...
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 05:51 PM
Sunday

At this point... it's nonsense.

pbmus

(12,828 posts)
6. .....
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 05:52 PM
Sunday

There is no definitive evidence that former President Barack Obama committed any treasonous act or was involved in a scandal that meets the legal definition of treason. However, recent allegations, primarily from President Donald Trump and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, have claimed that Obama and his administration engaged in a “treasonous conspiracy” related to the 2016 presidential election. These claims center on the assertion that Obama’s administration manipulated intelligence to falsely suggest Russian interference in the election to undermine Trump’s victory. Let’s break this down based on available information:

### Background of the Allegations
- **Tulsi Gabbard’s Report (July 2025)**: Gabbard, as Director of National Intelligence, released a declassified report alleging that Obama administration officials, including figures like James Clapper, John Brennan, and James Comey, “manufactured” intelligence to create a narrative of Russian interference in the 2016 election. The report claims this was part of a “years-long coup” to subvert Trump’s presidency. Gabbard has called for criminal investigations, including against Obama, and referred documents to the Department of Justice.[](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/18/tulsi-gabbard-obama-2016-election-russia)[](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/18/tulsi-gabbard-2016-election-investigation-00463779)[](https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5409448-gabbard-alleges-obama-officials-manipulated-intelligence/)
- **Trump’s Statements**: Trump has publicly accused Obama of treason, claiming “irrefutable proof” that Obama led efforts to “steal” or “obfuscate” the 2016 election, often tying these allegations to the broader “Russia hoax” narrative. He has suggested Obama should face prosecution, though no concrete evidence has been presented to support these claims.[](https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/22/politics/trump-obama-treason-accusation-analysis)[](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-accuses-obama-treason-escalating-attacks-over-2016-russia-probe-2025-07-23/)[](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/us/politics/trump-obama-clinton-epstein-treason.html)
- **Context of the Claims**: These allegations appear to be a revival of long-standing disputes over the 2016 election, where U.S. intelligence agencies concluded Russia conducted influence operations (e.g., social media campaigns, hacking Democratic emails) to favor Trump over Hillary Clinton. Gabbard’s report disputes this, focusing on a December 2016 intelligence assessment that found no evidence of Russian cyberattacks altering vote tallies, suggesting Obama’s team suppressed this to push a false narrative.[](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/obama-pushes-back-trumps-outrageous-bizarre-treason-claim-rcna220393)[](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/22/donald-trump-accuses-barack-obama-of-treason-over-2016-election-claims)

### Counterarguments and Rebuttals
- **Obama’s Response**: Obama’s office issued a rare statement calling the allegations “bizarre,” “ridiculous,” and a “weak attempt at distraction.” It emphasized that the 2016 intelligence community’s findings, affirmed by a 2020 bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report (led by Marco Rubio), concluded Russia sought to influence the election but did not manipulate votes.[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/07/22/obama-response-trump-treason-claims/)[](https://time.com/7304820/trump-treason-obama-response-distraction-epstein-guilty-president-prosecution/)[](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/obama-trump-russiagate-tulsi-gabbard-treason-b2794134.html)
- **Democratic and Expert Criticism**: Democrats, including Rep. Jim Himes and Sen. Mark Warner, have dismissed Gabbard’s report as “baseless” and “politically motivated,” accusing her of misrepresenting intelligence. Experts, like former CIA analyst Fulton Armstrong, argue the report conflates distinct issues (e.g., influence campaigns vs. vote tampering) and manipulates ambiguities in intelligence assessments.[](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/22/obama-breaks-silence-trump)[](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/us/politics/gabbard-obama-trump-russia.html)[](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/gabbards-unprecedented-claim-president-led-treasonous-conspiracy-rcna217151)
- **Established Findings**: The 2017 intelligence community assessment, the Mueller Report (2019), and the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report (2020) confirmed Russia’s interference through disinformation and hacking, though no evidence showed vote tallies were altered. These findings contradict Gabbard’s claim that the Obama administration fabricated the interference narrative.[](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/22/obama-breaks-silence-trump)[](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-accuses-obama-treason-escalating-attacks-over-2016-russia-probe-2025-07-23/)[](https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/18/tulsi-gabbard-2016-election-investigation-00463779)

### Legal Definition of Treason
- Treason, as defined by the U.S. Constitution (Article III, Section 3) and 18 U.S.C. § 2381, involves levying war against the U.S. or providing aid and comfort to its enemies, requiring clear intent and tangible acts with two witnesses or a confession in open court. Legal experts, such as those cited in TIME, argue that disagreements over intelligence assessments do not meet this threshold, calling the accusations “silly.”[](https://time.com/7304820/trump-treason-obama-response-distraction-epstein-guilty-president-prosecution/)[](https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/obama-to-face-treason-charges-over-2016-russia-collusion-hoax-tulsi-gabbard-drops-bombshell-amid-traitor-reports-101752871973625.html)
- Even if Obama directed a misleading assessment (which is unproven), this would not legally constitute treason, as it does not involve waging war or aiding enemies. Any prosecution would also face challenges due to presidential immunity for official acts, as noted by a recent Supreme Court ruling.[](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/24/justice-department-obama-2016-election)

### Context and Motives
- **Distraction from Epstein Scandal**: Multiple sources suggest Trump and Gabbard’s focus on Obama may be an attempt to divert attention from scrutiny over Trump’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, which has frustrated his base.[](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cedgqnp897lo)[](https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-obama-accusations-barack-obama-treason-2102486)[](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/gabbards-unprecedented-claim-president-led-treasonous-conspiracy-rcna217151)
- **Political Retribution**: Trump’s history of targeting political opponents, including revoking security clearances and investigating perceived enemies, frames these accusations as part of a broader campaign of retribution.[](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/22/us/politics/trump-obama-clinton-epstein-treason.html)[](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/jul/25/trump-says-obama-committed-treason-this-is-alice-in-wonderland-style-justice)
- **Social Media Amplification**: Posts on X and other platforms have amplified these claims, with some calling for Obama’s prosecution or even execution. However, these reflect sentiment rather than evidence and have been criticized for fueling extremist rhetoric.[](


)[](https://www.newsweek.com/barack-obama-trump-treason-arrest-russia-death-threats-2102949)[](
)

### Critical Analysis
The allegations rely heavily on Gabbard’s interpretation of declassified documents, which critics argue misrepresent or cherry-pick data to fit a narrative. No major investigation, including special counsel John Durham’s three-year probe, found evidence of a criminal conspiracy by Obama’s administration. The timing of these claims, amid Trump’s Epstein-related controversies, suggests a political motive rather than a substantive legal case. The lack of concrete evidence and the dismissal by bipartisan and expert sources undermine the credibility of the “treason” narrative.

### Conclusion
There is no verified evidence supporting claims that Obama committed treason or orchestrated a scandal related to the 2016 election. The accusations stem from a contentious report by Tulsi Gabbard, amplified by Trump, but are contradicted by established investigations and widely criticized as baseless or politically driven. They appear to serve as a distraction from other controversies rather than a grounded legal or factual case. For further details on Gabbard’s report or DOJ actions, you could monitor updates from primary sources like the Department of Justice or reputable news outlets.[](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/22/obama-breaks-silence-trump)[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/07/22/obama-response-trump-treason-claims/)[](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-accuses-obama-treason-escalating-attacks-over-2016-russia-probe-2025-07-23/)

Brenda

(1,717 posts)
23. Great job pbmus, thanks.
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 06:58 PM
Sunday
- **Obama’s Response**: Obama’s office issued a rare statement calling the allegations “bizarre,” “ridiculous,” and a “weak attempt at distraction.” It emphasized that the 2016 intelligence community’s findings, affirmed by a 2020 bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report (led by Marco Rubio), concluded Russia sought to influence the election


### Critical Analysis
The allegations rely heavily on Gabbard’s interpretation of declassified documents, which critics argue misrepresent or cherry-pick data to fit a narrative. No major investigation, including special counsel John Durham’s three-year probe, found evidence of a criminal conspiracy by Obama’s administration. The timing of these claims, amid Trump’s Epstein-related controversies, suggests a political motive rather than a substantive legal case. The lack of concrete evidence and the dismissal by bipartisan and expert sources undermine the credibility of the “treason” narrative.


She's been either threatened or bribed. Like all the others.

Septua

(2,826 posts)
25. Good reply...
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 07:05 PM
Sunday

"These allegations appear to be a revival of long-standing disputes over the 2016 election, where U.S. intelligence agencies concluded Russia conducted influence operations (e.g., social media campaigns, hacking Democratic emails) to favor Trump over Hillary Clinton. Gabbard’s report disputes this, focusing on a December 2016 intelligence assessment that found no evidence of Russian cyberattacks altering vote tallies, suggesting Obama’s team suppressed this to push a false narrative."

That part was the "scandal" connection I thought she was attempting to make...as I understand, nobody seriously questioned vote-altering-cyberattacks because the machines aren't hooked up to "cyberspace."

But needless to say, the kooks are running with it.

Definition of Treason...I stay brushed up on that. I visit a technical service forum relative to my work. I been there for years but just recently discovered a forum for the political kooks. I recently posted a reply saying Trump accusing anyone of treason is the epitome of hypocrisy, listing is attempts to overturn an election, overthrow the government, stealing classified documents and revealing classified information.

Someone replied all that was Democrat indoctrination. You can't win an argument with Trump idiots.

Once the technical crowd as a whole, discovers I'm a flaming progressive, they'll either blackball or ban me...

usonian

(19,377 posts)
10. Bingo. Bully's pride wounded to the core.
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 06:15 PM
Sunday

He has hated Obama with an all-consuming obsession. Obama is Caesar's ghost to him, and racism is the core of his politics, and the GOP, guardians of pedophiles.
ETA
https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/trump-obama-ai-video-arrest-concerns-rcna220382

Wiz Imp

(6,280 posts)
12. Gabbard's memo supposedly laying out Obama's "treasonous conspiracy"
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 06:22 PM
Sunday

In reality does not even identify a single illegal act, let alone treason. The memo doesn't name a single law he supposedly broke (because he didn't break any laws).

Attilatheblond

(6,779 posts)
53. Trump mob knows their magas never read beyond a headline
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 08:06 PM
Sunday

Facts, evidence, collaborating information never needed

still-prayin4rain

(369 posts)
59. She's shameless. I literally feel second hand embarrassment watching her tell these ridiculous lies.
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 08:34 PM
Sunday

Wiz Imp

(6,280 posts)
62. Not only shameless and despicable, but totally incompetent as well.
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 08:49 PM
Sunday

You'd think if you were going to accuse someone of treason, somewhere in the mountain of lies you tell about them would be something that could be identified as a crime - yet she manages to accuse Obama of treason without ever naming even one thing he supposedly did that was illegal. All the shit she made up about him would have been completely legal even if it had been true.

Irish_Dem

(72,738 posts)
31. Obama's sins: Handsome, sexy, debonaire, intelligent, well spoken, kind, wonderful public servant.
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 07:18 PM
Sunday

All the things Trump is not.

Irish_Dem

(72,738 posts)
49. Who went to law school and became a lawyer.
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 07:54 PM
Sunday

Instead of participating in cocaine and hooker sex parties like people
who shall not be named.

Irish_Dem

(72,738 posts)
52. She lies in her bio and pretends to have a college degree.
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 08:06 PM
Sunday

She never graduated, she only attended one year.

Her genius skill set does not involve book learning.

sheshe2

(93,026 posts)
32. He had the audacity...
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 07:20 PM
Sunday

He had the AUDACITY to be 'Presidenting' while black.

Period.
EOM

louis-t

(24,426 posts)
34. The act of being Black while
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 07:24 PM
Sunday

being handsome, smart, funny, having a loving wife, kids and the rest of the world that respect him, being a great athlete, having a great singing voice, being able to speak in complete sentences, not having to threaten people to accomplish goals.

ProfessorGAC

(73,762 posts)
37. Plus, He Had 8 Years To Pull Off A Massive Grift
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 07:31 PM
Sunday

And, he did no such thing. That's unforgivable in the Trump world.
How dare he be honest!

H2O Man

(77,542 posts)
36. Recommended.
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 07:27 PM
Sunday

You would have to look back at the film of President Obama mocking the felon at the press dinner.

It was Gabbard's attempt, of course, to slither back into the felon's favor after she had said something about Iran shortly before the bombing. Nothing uttered from her mouth should ever be repeated, but those who watch the news know. It made the sociopath-in-chief furious, because it was the opposite of what he was saying. Thus, he was ignoring her, and seriously considering replacing her. For she had slipped up and told the truth, something frowned upon in this administration.

Joinfortmill

(18,673 posts)
39. I am so outraged at this. There are no words
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 07:32 PM
Sunday

I hope Trump does the world a favor and drops dead soon. Now, would be a good time.

Eugene

(65,988 posts)
40. Pretty much the same grievances since 2017, but Tulsi now says they constitute treason.
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 07:32 PM
Sunday

Among other things, Dump claims the 2016 election, which he won, was stolen from him. He says he should have won all 50 states in 2016 and 2020.

As with "Obamagate" and Hillary Clinton's "many [unspecified] crimes," MAGA claims the proof is self-evident to those who do their "homework."

unblock

(55,446 posts)
43. He's had not an ounce of credibility since the birthergate nonsense and he's just recycling the same crap
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 07:36 PM
Sunday

He's like a comedian who's bombing so he panics and tries to recycle the first big joke of his career.

CTyankee

(66,658 posts)
46. Was that when Paul McCartney came to the White House and sang "Michelle, la belle."
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 07:43 PM
Sunday

One of the Obama girls whispered something to her dad and you saw Obama shake his head, probably to tell her that "no, Paul McCartney didn't write that song about mommy."

It was a wonderful, precious moment of a wonderful president and his family.

cadoman

(1,545 posts)
56. this is all that is public w/respect to it that I am aware of
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 08:14 PM
Sunday



https://www.dni.gov/index.php/newsroom/press-releases/press-releases-2025/4086-pr-15-25

The allegation boils down Obama "making up" the Russian collusion assessment--overriding the known intelligence.

Thing is, Obama was CiC, he was the final call on what the intelligence was. So even if it was wrong, it was an official act performed in the defense of the country. I think even a right-wing SC will be loathe to override the Commander in Chief's intelligence assessment--even if it allegedly went against the intelligence data.

There's also multiple years of Krasnov kowtowing to Russian demands--clear and overwhelming public evidence of collusion that is irrefutable.

bullimiami

(14,050 posts)
58. A serious problem with all of news media and even here...
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 08:28 PM
Sunday

People can’t stop taliking about the shit that comes out of trumps mouth.

Everyone would be much better off if we discussed ONLY what he does.
Ignore what he says.
It’s bullshit. Mention it in passing if you must and dismiss it for the garbage that it is.
Then spend your time on what he is doing and the damage it does and how we might counter it.

snot

(11,237 posts)
60. Here's a summary as I understand the allegations:
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 08:36 PM
Sunday

It starts with the hacks or leaks of Hillary's emails. Her campaign maintained that the emails were made public through Russian hacking and not through a leak from within Hillary's campaign (Seth Rich being a suspected leaker) or through Hillary's negligence in using an inadequately-secured, non-State Dept. server in her basement for emails connected with her employment, instead of sticking with the federally-secured State Dept. email system.

After the 2016 election, the CIA & FBI initially assessed that the Russian government had not engaged in any significant hacking of the election, or at least not to an extent sufficient to affect the outcome. As part of their investigation, the CIA &/or FBI had reviewed the Steele dossier, which had been paid for by the Hillary campaign and which purported to show collusion between Trump and the Russians to rig the election in Trump's favor (and I guess the outing of Hillary's emails was supposedly part of that effort?). The intelligence agencies initially assessed that the dossier was from a source known to be unreliable and that, for that & other reasons, should not be relied on. (Part of the idea is that the Hillary campaign initially paid for the Steele dossier in order to divert attention from their contents, which were potentially embarrassing to her campaign, and as well as blame for the leak/hacking, among other motives.)

The documents released by Gabbard appear to show that when the conclusion reached by the agencies that there was no evidence of significant Russian election rigging and/or collusion was communicated to Pres. Obama, he sent the agencies back to try to reach a different conclusion.

At that point, the story goes, the agencies had already noted that there was little or nothing to support the collusion theory except the Steele dossier, so they resurrected that; in addition, they and/or other Dems tried to imply that there was also other evidence of collusion that could not be revealed for reasons of national security.

The Steele dossier was supposedly the principal evidence relied on in obtaining a warrant to spy on Carter Page, a member of Trump's campaign &/or admin., in order to try to dig up more evidence re- collusion.

The feds' reliance on the Steele dossier is at the core of the argument that Russiagate was a hoax; the claim is that the feds knew that it was bogus but hid their own doubts about it & basically lied about it to a federal court in order to get a warrant, initiating an extended fishing expedition and providing an opening for all kinds of "where there's smoke, there must be fire" slurs, as well as violating the Constitutional rights of Trump & his staff.

I believe Tulsi's documents are also claimed to suggest that the agencies never really did have any additional, "secret" evidence of significant hacking or collusion, as some officials had suggested; and in any case, unfortunately, the Mueller investigation never turned up enough further evidence to bring charges against Trump.

republianmushroom

(20,789 posts)
61. Simple, to start he is a black man,
Sun Jul 27, 2025, 08:38 PM
Sunday

second, he is very intelligence and third, he is a Democrat. Any one of those three is scandalous as per republicans.

Jack Valentino

(2,881 posts)
65. He was a BLACK Democrat who got elected president, TWICE...
Mon Jul 28, 2025, 01:51 AM
Monday

"That's it and that's ALL."
~ Legends of the Fall

DFW

(58,596 posts)
66. The first time was a candle. Only the second time was a s'candle.
Mon Jul 28, 2025, 10:28 AM
Monday

The third time might have been a scandal, but it never got that far.

Kid Berwyn

(21,516 posts)
68. It's a beginning.
Mon Jul 28, 2025, 10:33 AM
Monday

First ya make up something bad about your political opponents, say, call them a traitor. Then ya say there’s evidence and announce it with much fanfare, and then you lock them up.

Ask Steve Bannon or Stephen Miller: It’s NAZI 101.

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