The Russians used Donald Trump’s talking points on Robert Mueller as part of their effort to interfere in the 2018 midterm election.
Politicians on both sides were targets as the Russians tried to sow chaos, but Special Counsel Robert Mueller was also a target.
NBC News’s Tom Winter reported, “There was an article that kind of highlighted controversial topics about Robert Mueller. According to this complaint, it specifically states how this article should be messaged, basically the talking points that should be put out on social media. Specifically they said that you should focus on scandals that occurred while Robert Mueller was FBI director, that he’s part of the establishment, emphasized that this whole Robert Mueller special counsel investigation is an effort to tear the country apart, that it must be stopped at all causes and that he’s sort of a member of the Democratic machine in the United States, that he’s essentially, you know, the swamp, according to messaging putting out. He’s specifically referenced, so they’re trying to amplify some of the talking points we’ve seen about Robert Mueller in a way to mischaracterize him, in an effort to kind of delegitimize his efforts.”
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The Russians were using Trump’s talking points on Mueller
Trump says Mueller is a Democrat and part of the swamp:
..This is a terrible situation and Attorney General Jeff Sessions should stop this Rigged Witch Hunt right now, before it continues to stain our country any further. Bob Mueller is totally conflicted, and his 17 Angry Democrats that are doing his dirty work are a disgrace to USA!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 1, 2018
Trump claims Muller is conflicted:
Is Robert Mueller ever going to release his conflicts of interest with respect to President Trump, including the fact that we had a very nasty & contentious business relationship, I turned him down to head the FBI (one day before appointment as S.C.) & Comey is his close friend..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2018
Trump discredits the investigation:
The Mueller probe should never have been started in that there was no collusion and there was no crime. It was based on fraudulent activities and a Fake Dossier paid for by Crooked Hillary and the DNC, and improperly used in FISA COURT for surveillance of my campaign. WITCH HUNT!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2018
When is Bob Mueller going to list his Conflicts of Interest? Why has it taken so long? Will they be listed at the top of his $22,000,000 Report…And what about the 13 Angry Democrats, will they list their conflicts with Crooked H? How many people will be sent to jail and……
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 28, 2018
The pattern is obvious. Russia and Trump are echoing the same talking points on Mueller. They both want the investigation to end, and the Russians are meddling in the 2018 election in an effort to keep Republicans in control of Congress so that can happen.
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Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
