Donald Trump Jr. released a stunning chain of emails Tuesday detailing the setup of a controversial campaign meeting with a Russian lawyer who offered compromising information on Hillary Clinton.
Trump Jr.’s release came at almost exactly the same time as a New York Times report detailing the content of the emails, which show that he was told beforehand that the lawyer promising dirt on Clinton was part of a Russian government effort to help his father’s presidential campaign.
{mosads}The emails are between Trump’s eldest son and Rob Goldstone, a music producer who represents a Russian pop star named Emin Agalarov. Goldstone has connections to both Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Trump— Agalarov’s father, Aras, was Trump’s partner in bringing the Miss Universe pageant to Russia in 2013.
The messages — exchanged under the subject line “Russia – Clinton – private and confidential” — also mention then-campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner, who both attended the meeting with Trump Jr.
Read the statement Trump Jr. tweeted out Tuesday and the email chain below:
To everyone, in order to be totally transparent, I am releasing the chain of my emails with Rob Goldstone about the meeting on June 9, 2016. The first email on June 3, 2016 was from Rob, who was relating a request from Emin, a person I know from the 2013 Ms. Universe Pageant near Moscow. Emin and his father have a very highly respected company in Moscow. The information they suggested they had about Hillary Clinton I thought was Political Opposition Research. I first wanted to just have a phone call but when that didn’t work out, they said the woman would be in New York and asked if I would meet. I decided to take the meeting. The woman, as she has said publicly, was not a government official. And, as we have said, she had no information to provide and wanted to talk about adoption policy and the Magnitsky Act. To put this in context, this occurred before the current Russian fever was in vogue. As Rob Goldstone said just today in the press, the entire meeting was “the most inane nonsense I ever heard. And I was actually agitated by it.”
June 3, 2016, 10:36 a.m.
From Rob Goldstone to Donald Trump Jr.
Good morning
Emin just called and asked me to contact you with something very interesting.
The Crown prosecutor of Russia met with his father Aras this morning and in their meeting offered to provide the Trump campaign with some official documents and information that would incriminate Hillary and her dealings with Russia and would be very useful to your father.
This is obviously very high level and sensitive information but is part of Russia and its government’s support for Mr. Trump – helped by Aras and Emin.
What do you think is the best way to handle this information and would you be able to speak to Emin about it directly?
I can also send this info to your father via Rhona, but it is ultra sensitive so wanted to send to you first.
Best,
Rob Goldstone
June 3, 2016, 10:53 a.m.
From Donald Trump Jr. to Rob Goldstone
Thanks Rob I appreciate that. I am on the road at the moment but perhaps I just speak to Emin first. Seems we have some time and if it’s what you say I love it especially later in the summer. Could we do a call first thing next week when I am back?
Best,
Don
June 6, 2016, 12:40 p.m.
From Rob Goldstone to Donald Trump Jr.
Hi Don
Let me know when you are free to talk with Emin by phone about this Hillary info – you had mentioned early this week so wanted to try to schedule a time and day Best to you and family Rob Goldstone
June 6, 2016, 15:03
From Donald Trump Jr. to Rob Goldstone
Rob could we speak now?
d
June 6, 2016, 3:37 p.m.
From Rob Goldstone to Donald Trump Jr.
Let me track him down in Moscow
What number he could call?
June 6, 2016, 15:38
From Donald Trump Jr. to Rob Goldstone
My cell thanks
d
June 6, 2016, 3:43 p.m.
From Rob Goldstone to Donald Trump Jr.
Ok he’s on stage in Moscow but should be off within 20 Minutes so I am sure can call Rob
June 6, 2016, 16:38
From Donald Trump Jr. to Rob Goldstone
Rob thanks for the help.
D
June 7, 2016, 4:20 p.m.
From Rob Goldstone to Donald Trump Jr.
Don
Hope all is well
Emin asked that I schedule a meeting with you and The Russian government attorney who is flying over from Moscow for this Thursday.
I believe you area aware of the meeting – and so wondered if 3pm or later on Thursday works for you?
I assume it would be at your office.
Best,
Rob Goldstone
June 7, 2016, 5:16 p.m.
From Donald Trump Jr. to Rob Goldstone
How about 3 at our offices? Thanks rob appreciate you helping set it up.
D
June 7, 2016, 5:19 p.m.
From Rob Goldstone to Donald Trump Jr.
Perfect…I won’t sit in on the meeting, but will bring them at 3pm and introduce you etc. I will send the names of the two people meeting with you for security when I have them later today.
best
Rob
June 7, 2016, 18:14
From Donald Trump Jr. to Rob Goldstone
Great. It will likely be Paul Manafort (campaign boss) my brother in law and me. 725 Fifth Ave 25th floor.
June 8, 2016, 10:34 a.m.
From Rob Goldstone to Donald Trump Jr.
Good morning
Would it be possible to move tomorrow meeting to 4pm as the Russian attorney is in court until 3 i was just informed.
Best
Rob
June 8, 2016, 11:15
From Donald Trump Jr. to Rob Goldstone
Yes Rob I could do that unless they wanted to do 3 today instead… Just let me know and ill lock it in either way.
d
June 8, 2016, 11:18 a.m.
From Rob Goldstone to Donald Trump Jr.
They can’t do today as she hasn’t landed yet from Moscow 4pm is great tomorrow
Best
Rob
June 8, 2016, 12:03 p.m.
From Donald Trump Jr. to Paul Manafort and Jared Kushner
Meeting got moved to 4 tomorrow at my offices.
Best,
Don