‘That’s Rudy’: Trump Reportedly Shrugged At Giuliani’s Russia Ties

Topline

Intelligence officials warned President Donald Trump last year that Russia was using his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani in an influence operation, but the president largely dismissed the warnings, the Washington Post reported Thursday, shedding new light on Giuliani’s foreign ties as the former New York City mayor has spent the last year spreading scurrilous allegations about Joe Biden — some of which were promoted by Trump himself.

Key Facts

Key Background

U.S. intelligence officials have warned for months about Russian efforts to spread misinformation and meddle with the result of the 2020 election, but Trump has shrugged off some of these warnings. Meanwhile, close Trump associate Giuliani has raised hackles for his foreign ties, especially after Trump faced impeachment last year for reportedly trying to pressure the Ukrainian government into investigating his political rival Biden. While Trump faced allegations he had abused his office, allies like Giuliani began promoting a discredited conspiracy theory about Biden’s conduct in Ukraine, claiming the former vice president was guilty of abusing his power. Giuliani reportedly met last year with Andrii Derkach, a Ukrainian lawmaker and alleged “active Russian agent” who spread out-of-context tapes designed to smear Biden.

Further Reading

White House was warned Giuliani was target of Russian intelligence operation to feed misinformation to Trump (Washington Post)