If Trump is controlled by Putin, who is Trump's controlling agent?

[guillaumeb]

Could it be someone like Steve Bannon? Or is he too much of a fascist to be trustworthy to Putin?

Could it be Mike Pence? Or does he receive his orders directly from God?

Could it be Melanija Knavs? Or Melania Trump, as she is now known?

The KGB has been known to use women to trap men before. She is from a country that was under Russian control. Is it possible that she is part of a KGB long game? Or did Putin merely see an opportunity to use her as the contact after he had financial information and blackmail on Trump?

[liberal N proud]

1. Bannon is the Russian operative running everything

[2naSalit]

3. I think that's the one.

[salin]

2. Michael Cohen (his lawyer)?

[world wide wally]

34. Sez who?

[salin]

40. I am guessing. But TPM has found some very interesting

Ukranian connections, investments (got rich through), and the "Peace plan proposal" that was offered to Flynn to get to Trump came through Cohen with and expat Russian and the Russian sympathizing Ukranian MP who claimed that Russia had Kompromat on the sitting Ukranian Prime Minister. Josh Marshall has written quite a bit about Cohen in his editor's blog at Talkingpointsmemo.com

[bravenak]

4. Bannon

[Eyeball_Kid]

13. Not sure. Bannon seems too arrogant to submit to handling by Russia.

He's got his own delusional nexus of evil. I think that with Bannon, interests converge, but they're separate operations.

[dhol82]

5. Ivanka got the orders when she met Wendy last summer.

[roamer65]

6. Kislyak, through Sessions.

He is joining Dump in FL. Rinse Penis and the Grim Reaper Bannon have been left out.

Smells like it to me.

[guillaumeb]

9. Or, Priebus and Bannon are considering how to sell out Trump

while preserving their respective agendas.

[ananda]

15. That's plausible.

With Rybolovlev as a shadowing enforcer.

[KittyWampus]

7. Melania? Yeah, I know it's not true. But that's my little insiginficant revenge

for all the garbage lobbed at the greatly esteemed Michelle Obama.

[guillaumeb]

10. One acted like a First Lady,

the other married Trump.

One guess as to which one had the better deal.

[safeinOhio]

26. I think it might be.

She has been in a long battle with Moose and squirrel.

[Eyeball_Kid]

8. I think it's becoming clear that Trumpy is in charge of the US operation, but

as you suggest, he's got handlers here. It could be the Russian Ambassador or one of his emissaries.

We also have to raise suspicions that the GOP Congressional leadership may be complicit. I suspect McConnell, because of he ease with which his wife slipped into a Cabinet position. Ryan is also suspect because both he and McConnell knew about the Russian interference early on but insisted on remaining quiet, and even threatened to frame the Russia/Trumpy problems on Democratic witch hunts before the election.

[guillaumeb]

12. Agreed.

McConnell, Trump, and Comey would all be candidates. All 3 would do anything for power and all 3 put Party before country.

[nycbos]

11. His wife. That is why she says in New York.

They don't want to draw attention to her.

[guillaumeb]

14. If not a controller, a possible contact.

Putin might have information about her as well. And the mere fact of her marrying Trump shows she will do anything for money.

[nycbos]

16. She from Eastern Europe

Speaks several languages. She could be FSB.

[safeinOhio]

27. Her father was a Party member

And now lives....in trump tower.

[nycbos]

33. Sounds like something out of a spy novel

[Bradical79]

20. I think she's just avoiding the abuse -nt

[madinmaryland]

17. President Bannon. nt

[guillaumeb]

18. A clear early favorite.

And he was in the Navy. Are there any fellow travelers in the Navy?

[madinmaryland]

23. Wow. A Repubican who actually served in the military! Whoda thunk!! nt

[guillaumeb]

25. McCain, Graham, and others.

But the military is home to many right wingers and Christian fascists.

[JHan]

19. If I had to guess, I'd go with Gorka.

[guillaumeb]

21. Sebastian Gorka?

Why?

[JHan]

29. lol .. he looks like one...

Tell me he don't look like he stepped off central casting in a 60's spy movie

Seriously though, there are so many tangents in this it's hard to point to a singular person.

[guillaumeb]

31. Agreed. It could easily be a group effort.

And it could be the Russian bank money connection that Trump is obviously desperate to conceal.

[WheelWalker]

22. It's called a "handler". My money is on Jared.

[guillaumeb]

24. He is close. Possibly closer than Melanija.

Could there be multiple people watching him?

[WheelWalker]

28. Without question, and compartmentalized so they probably don't know about each other.

I was reading the Aldrich Ames story this past summer. I learned a lot about how espionage is conducted. An excellent read, btw.

[guillaumeb]

30. And Putin himself would be well aware of how to conduct espionage.

An arrogant fool like Trump, an insecure man who is so desperate to be flattered, would present an easy target.

[Bradical79]

32. Maybe there's no direct "controlling agent"

And it's more of a poorly organized comitee project with Bannon somewhat in charge. We know several of them have met with Russian spies/officials independantly, and a couple have been removed from direct access already. Could be multiple seperate deals at this point. Probably easier than trying to have one person steer someone with Trump's ego and mental instability.

Also would make some sense if destabilization is the primary goal, as a bit of chaos and idiocy would be useful.

[woodsprite]

35. Yeah, Brannon's name hasn't really been mentioned

As part of the Russian interactions.

[guillaumeb]

37. More reason to suspect Bannon? eom

[Bradical79]

39. Maybe an alliance of convenience in his case

That weirdo has got some similiar goals to Russia as far as dismantling government and destabilization goes.

“Lenin wanted to destroy the state, and that’s my goal too. I want to bring everything crashing down, and destroy all of today’s establishment.”
- reported quote from Steve Bannon

[guillaumeb]

36. Agreed. Destabilization is most likely the primary goal.

Plus the instability would give Putin more ability to maneuver in Europe.

[Marcuse]

38. Perhaps

[world wide wally]

41. Based on historical precedence, I would have to say Bannon and Melania

historical precedence , of course, would be Boris and Natasha

[guillaumeb]

44. Boris and Natasha? eom

[world wide wally]

47. These two

https://m.

[guillaumeb]

48. Very silly. eom

[JI7]

42. not melania but i Would like it if she left him for putin

[guillaumeb]

43. What a story THAT would make.

But Trump would probably drop the bomb for that one.

[TDale313]

45. Dunno, but omg can you imagine...

Being his handler? Talk about a nightmare job.

[guillaumeb]

46. Trying to reason with an insecure lunatic?

Agreed.