In "American Kompromat," author Craig Unger delves into the complex web of relationships and compromising information that shaped Donald Trump's presidency. This eye-opening book explores the deep-rooted connections between Trump, Russia, and other influential figures, revealing a disturbing picture of how foreign powers and shadowy organizations may have influenced the highest office in the United States.
Introduction
The phrase "kompromat" might sound like something out of a spy novel, but in the world of politics and espionage, it's a very real and powerful tool. Short for "compromising material," kompromat refers to damaging information that can be used to blackmail or control individuals in positions of power. In "American Kompromat," Unger presents a compelling case that Donald Trump's presidency was heavily influenced by various forms of kompromat held by Russia and other actors.
The book takes readers on a journey through decades of Trump's business dealings, personal relationships, and political aspirations, uncovering a trail of suspicious connections and questionable decisions. From early contacts with Soviet agents to his presidency and beyond, Unger paints a picture of a man who may have been compromised long before he ever set foot in the White House.
The KGB's Early Interest in Donald Trump
One of the most startling revelations in "American Kompromat" is the suggestion that the KGB, the Soviet Union's notorious intelligence agency, had established contact with Donald Trump as early as 1980. This connection allegedly began in an unlikely place: a small electronics store in Manhattan called Joy-Lud Electronics.
The Joy-Lud Connection
Joy-Lud Electronics was no ordinary store. Owned by Soviet émigrés, it catered to a specific clientele: Soviet diplomats, KGB officers, and members of the Politburo. The store specialized in selling televisions and other electronics that were compatible with Soviet systems, making it a popular spot for Soviet officials looking to bring back coveted Western technology.
However, Joy-Lud had one customer who stood out from the rest: Donald Trump. In the late 1970s, Trump made a significant purchase from the store, buying hundreds of television sets on credit for his Grand Hyatt New York hotel project. This transaction caught the attention of the KGB, who saw an opportunity to cultivate a potentially valuable asset.
The Role of Semyon Kislin
The key figure in this early connection was Semyon Kislin, one of Joy-Lud's owners. While Kislin denies any involvement with the KGB, Unger suggests that he likely served as a "spotter agent" for the Soviet intelligence agency. In this role, Kislin would have been tasked with identifying potential targets for KGB recruitment and reporting his findings to his handlers.
The unusual nature of Trump's large purchase from Joy-Lud – both in terms of volume and the extension of credit – raised suspicions. Was this simply a business transaction, or was there more to it? Unger raises the possibility that the KGB may have even installed bugging devices in the televisions, though this remains speculation.
Regardless of the exact details, this early contact marked the beginning of what would become a long and complex relationship between Trump and Russian interests.
Cultivating an Asset: The KGB's Approach to Trump
As the 1980s progressed, the KGB's interest in Donald Trump grew. They recognized in him a combination of ambition, vanity, and a willingness to engage in questionable business practices that made him an ideal target for cultivation.
Trump's Russian Mafia Connections
During the 1970s and 1980s, Soviet Mafia groups began establishing a presence in New York City. These criminal organizations needed ways to launder money and manipulate financial markets, and they found a willing partner in Donald Trump. Unger details how Trump sold numerous luxury condos to members of the Russian Mafia, effectively providing them with bases of operation and means to launder potentially billions of dollars.
This relationship was mutually beneficial: the Mafia got the properties and legitimacy they needed, while Trump received a steady stream of buyers for his high-end real estate. However, it also potentially left Trump indebted to these criminal organizations, creating a vulnerability that could be exploited.
The Moscow Trip and KGB Manipulation
A pivotal moment in Trump's relationship with Russia came in 1987 when he was invited to Moscow to discuss the possibility of building a Trump Tower in the Soviet capital. While the exact details of this trip remain shrouded in mystery, Unger presents a compelling narrative of how the KGB likely used this opportunity to further manipulate Trump.
According to former KGB agent Yuri Shvets, the Soviet intelligence agency would have employed a carefully crafted strategy of flattery and persuasion. They would have praised Trump's potential as a political figure and validated his ideas, all while subtly planting their own viewpoints in his mind.
The effectiveness of this approach became apparent upon Trump's return to New York. Almost immediately, he began echoing KGB talking points, even going so far as to take out full-page ads in major newspapers arguing for positions that aligned with Soviet interests. Within the KGB, these ads were celebrated as evidence of a successful operation.
The "Useful Idiot" Strategy
Unger argues that the KGB's cultivation of Trump wasn't necessarily part of a long-term plan to install him as a puppet in the White House. Instead, they likely viewed him as what they called a "useful idiot" – someone who could be manipulated into serving Soviet interests without being directly controlled or even fully aware of their role.
This strategy proved remarkably effective. Over the years, Trump consistently took positions and made statements that aligned with Russian interests, often to the detriment of American foreign policy goals. Whether this was due to direct influence, kompromat, or simply a genuine alignment of views remains a subject of debate, but the pattern is undeniable.
The Epstein Connection: A Web of Kompromat
No discussion of kompromat and Donald Trump would be complete without addressing the role of Jeffrey Epstein. Unger dedicates significant attention to Epstein's rise from a working-class background to becoming a multimillionaire with connections to the world's elite.
Epstein's Island and Video Evidence
Central to Epstein's operation was his private island in the Caribbean, known as Little Saint James or "Little Saint Jeff's." This island became the site of countless instances of sexual abuse, with dozens of women and girls coerced into traveling there and engaging in sexual acts with Epstein and his guests.
What many of Epstein's high-profile visitors may not have realized was that their activities on the island were allegedly being recorded. Unger suggests that Epstein amassed a vast collection of compromising videos featuring some of the world's most powerful men. If true, this collection would represent an unprecedented trove of kompromat.
The Trump-Epstein Connection
Donald Trump's name appears in Epstein's infamous "black book" of contacts, and it's one of the names that was circled by Epstein's house manager as a potential "witness." While this doesn't prove Trump's involvement in or knowledge of Epstein's crimes, it does indicate a closer relationship than Trump has publicly acknowledged.
Unger cites an associate of Epstein who claims to have been shown photographs of Trump with young women, though these photos have not surfaced publicly. The implication is clear: if such material exists, it could be used as powerful kompromat against Trump.
The Missing Kompromat
One of the most intriguing aspects of the Epstein story is the question of what happened to his alleged collection of compromising videos and photos. Unger explores the possibility that this material may have fallen into the hands of John Mark Dougan, a former police officer who worked near Epstein's West Palm Beach mansion.
Dougan is a figure with apparent ties to Russian intelligence, raising the specter that this treasure trove of kompromat may now be in the possession of the Russian government. If true, this would give Russia unprecedented leverage over a wide range of influential figures, potentially including Trump himself.
The Opus Dei Connection: Religious Influence in Government
While much of "American Kompromat" focuses on Trump's connections to Russia, Unger also explores another source of influence: the Catholic organization known as Opus Dei. This section of the book reveals how a seemingly benign religious group may have played a significant role in shaping American politics and jurisprudence.
Opus Dei's Origins and Goals
Opus Dei was founded on the principle that people can achieve holiness through their everyday work and activities. However, Unger argues that beneath this surface lies a more sinister agenda. The organization's founder, Josemaría Escrivá, allied himself with Francisco Franco's fascist regime in Spain, helping to place Opus Dei members in key government positions.
In the United States, Opus Dei set its sights on influencing the judicial system, with the ultimate goal of creating an authoritarian presidency that could implement its vision. This strategy involved targeting the Supreme Court and other judicial appointments, seeking to place conservative judges who would roll back progressive policies on issues like birth control, abortion, and gay rights.
The Federalist Society Alliance
Opus Dei found a powerful ally in the Federalist Society, a conservative and libertarian legal organization with a membership of around 70,000, including several current and former Supreme Court justices. This alliance allowed Opus Dei to extend its influence far beyond its own membership, shaping the direction of American jurisprudence.
Unger argues that the appointment of several conservative justices to the Supreme Court during Trump's presidency was a significant victory for Opus Dei and its allies. These appointments potentially gave Trump – and by extension, Opus Dei – the ability to receive favorable rulings on key issues from the highest court in the land.
William Barr: The Authoritarian Attorney General
One of the key figures in Unger's narrative is William Barr, who served as Attorney General under Trump. Barr's legal philosophy and actions as Attorney General played a crucial role in expanding presidential power and protecting Trump from various investigations.
The Unitary Executive Theory
Barr is a strong proponent of the unitary executive theory, which argues for an expansive interpretation of presidential powers. In Barr's view, this theory essentially grants the president unlimited authority to act without congressional approval. This interpretation aligns closely with the authoritarian ideals of Opus Dei, raising questions about Barr's connections to the organization.
While Opus Dei denies that Barr is a member, Unger points out several ties between Barr and the group. These include his service on the board of directors for the Catholic Information Center, an organization with strong Opus Dei influence, and his employment of an Opus Dei member as a speechwriter.
Protecting Trump
Throughout Trump's presidency, Barr repeatedly used his position as Attorney General to shield the president from scrutiny and enable what many viewed as abuses of power. Some key examples include:
- Arguing that Trump had the authority to fire FBI Director James Comey, even if it was an attempt to obstruct justice.
- Providing a distorted summary of the Mueller report, allowing Trump to claim vindication in the Russia investigation.
- Gaining new powers to declassify government secrets related to the Russia investigation, potentially compromising intelligence agencies' ability to control sensitive information.
Unger argues that Barr's actions were not just about protecting Trump, but about advancing a broader agenda of expanding executive power and moving the country towards a more authoritarian model of governance.
Trump's Presidency: Serving Putin's Interests
One of the most disturbing aspects of Trump's presidency, as detailed in "American Kompromat," was the extent to which his actions seemed to benefit Russian interests, often at the expense of American national security and foreign policy goals.
The Taliban Bounty Program
Unger highlights a particularly shocking example: the revelation that Russia had been offering bounties to the Taliban for killing American troops in Afghanistan. Despite this information being included in intelligence briefings as early as February 2020, Trump took no action to address the threat or confront Russia over the program.
This lack of response fits into a broader pattern of Trump's behavior towards Russia throughout his presidency.
Pro-Russian Actions
Unger catalogs a series of decisions and statements made by Trump that served Russian interests:
- Altering the Republican Party platform in 2016 to weaken support for Ukraine against Russian aggression.
- Announcing the withdrawal of American troops from Syria in 2018, strengthening the position of Russia's ally, Bashar al-Assad.
- Repeatedly criticizing NATO and suggesting that the U.S. might withdraw from the alliance, aligning with Putin's goal of weakening the organization.
- Consistently praising Putin and accepting his denials of Russian interference in the 2016 election, despite contrary evidence from U.S. intelligence agencies.
The Asset Theory
Given this pattern of behavior, Unger argues that the most plausible explanation is that Donald Trump was effectively a Russian asset. While he may not have been a knowing or willing agent, the combination of kompromat, financial entanglements, and decades of cultivation by Russian intelligence made him susceptible to influence and manipulation by Putin's regime.
The Power of Kompromat
Throughout "American Kompromat," Unger emphasizes the incredible power that compromising information can wield in the world of politics and international relations. The book paints a picture of a vast network of kompromat, with various actors holding potentially damaging information on others:
- Russia likely possesses kompromat on Trump from his decades of business dealings and personal activities.
- The alleged Epstein video collection could compromise numerous powerful individuals.
- Trump's own knowledge of others' misdeeds could serve as a form of reverse kompromat, deterring them from turning against him.
This web of mutual compromise creates a complex system of leverage and influence, shaping decisions at the highest levels of government and international relations.
The Broader Implications
While "American Kompromat" focuses primarily on Donald Trump and his connections to Russia, the book's implications extend far beyond one presidency. Unger's work raises troubling questions about the vulnerability of American democracy to foreign influence and the power of kompromat to shape global events.
Some key takeaways include:
The long-term nature of intelligence operations: The KGB's cultivation of Trump began decades before he entered politics, highlighting the patience and foresight of foreign intelligence agencies.
The intersection of business and politics: Trump's business dealings made him vulnerable to compromise, underscoring the importance of thorough vetting and transparency for political candidates.
The role of religious organizations in politics: The influence of groups like Opus Dei on the judiciary and government policy demonstrates the complex interplay between religion and governance.
The expansion of executive power: The actions of figures like William Barr raise concerns about the balance of power in the American system and the potential for authoritarian overreach.
The ongoing threat of foreign interference: The book serves as a warning about the continued efforts of foreign powers to influence American politics and the need for vigilance in protecting democratic institutions.
Conclusion
"American Kompromat" presents a deeply researched and alarming account of the forces that shaped Donald Trump's rise to power and his actions as president. While some of the book's claims remain speculative or contested, Unger builds a compelling case for the profound influence of Russian interests and compromising information on Trump's behavior and decision-making.
The book serves as a wake-up call, highlighting the vulnerabilities in the American political system and the sophisticated methods used by foreign powers to exploit them. It underscores the need for greater transparency, stronger safeguards against foreign influence, and a renewed commitment to the principles of democracy and the rule of law.
As readers digest the information presented in "American Kompromat," they are left to grapple with unsettling questions about the true nature of power in the modern world and the hidden forces that shape global events. Unger's work challenges us to look beyond the surface of politics and consider the complex web of relationships, compromises, and secret influences that may be guiding the actions of our leaders.
Ultimately, "American Kompromat" is not just about Donald Trump or any single administration. It's a stark reminder of the ongoing threats to democratic governance and the constant vigilance required to protect it. As we move forward, the lessons and warnings contained in this book should inform our approach to politics, media consumption, and civic engagement, helping us to build a more resilient and transparent democracy for the future.