(Cartoon image is by Daryl Cagle at cagle.com.)In one of the most embarrassing displays of weakness and/or gullibility ever by an an American leader, Donald Trump turned his back on his country and figuratively kissed Vladimir Putin butt. The shocking moment brings to mind a question many have been asking for months -- What dark secret is Putin holding over Trump? Is the "pee tape" real? Does Russia have even darker evidence -- like evidence of criminal activity?
One reporter had the guts to ask Putin the question -- Does the Russian government have any compromising material on Donald Trump or his family? Here is Putin's answer:
I did hear these rumors that we allegedly collected compromising material on Mr. Trump when he was visiting Moscow. Now, distinguished colleague, let me tell you this, when President Trump visited Moscow back then I didn't even know that he was in Moscow. I treat President Trump with utmost respect, but back then, when he was a private individual, a businessman, nobody informed me that he was in Moscow. But let's take St. Petersburg economic forum, for instance. There were over 500 American businessmen, high-ranking, high-level ones. I don't even remember the last names of each and every one of them. Look, do you think that we tried to collect compromising material on each and every single one of them? Well, it's difficult to imagine, and utter nonsense of a bigger scale than this. Well, please, just disregard these issues and don't think about this anymore.
It was a simple question, and it could have been answered with a "yes" or "no". Putin did neither. His answer was that of a skillful politician avoiding the question.
Why didn't he say yes? Because the press would have wanted to know more, and the world would know that Trump is being blackmailed by Russia.
Why didn't he say no? Because Putin didn't want to let Trump off the hook. It was his roundabout way of reminding Trump that the secret is real and could be released if Trump doesn't cooperate.
I am now convinced that the Russians do have compromising material on Trump. I'm just not sure whether it's just the "pee tape" (which I believe is real), or whether there is more.
