SMOKE...FIRE...AND THE TRUMP PRESIDENCY IS JUST ABOUT READY TO BECOME AN INFERNO

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     "If I was Donald Trump, I'd be a nervous wreck, shaking in my boots, peeing in my pants, and scared to death." I wrote those words for a post on Facebook at 3:24 P.M. on Thursday, November 29th, 2018. On that day, Trump's former attorney and so-called "fixer," Michael Cohen, pleaded guilty in a New York federal court for lying under oath to Congress about Trump's business dealings in Russia.  Cohen admitted that he made false statements out of "loyalty" to Trump and, therefore, to protect his old boss about "The Donald's" knowledge of a planned Trump Tower real estate project in Moscow.  In his plea deal, Cohen confessed that he "made these statements to be consistent with Individual-1's political messaging."  Individual-1 is Donald Trump.

     Cohen committed perjury in October 2017 when he falsely stated in sworn testimony that the proposed Trump Tower project in Russia had come to an end in January 2016...prior to the Republican caucus in Iowa.  But Trump was engaged in a business relationship with the Russians throughout the 2016 presidential campaign - well in to the summer of that year - when he insisted he had no ties whatsoever to anybody in Vladimir Putin's government or the country as a whole.  Trump lied over and over again at a time when The Kremlin was interfering in American democracy by meddling in our election.

     I don't believe that Cohen would have pleaded guilty to lying about the Moscow deal unless Special Counsel Robert Mueller had absolute proof about Trump's knowledge of the project, which Mueller would have shared with Cohen.  That being said...Trump has labeled Cohen a "weak person" and claims Cohen's testimony is just more lies so that his prison time can be reduced.

     Cohen's cooperation with Mueller about Trump's business dealings with Russia will likely give him a lighter sentence - and rightfully so - along with undoubtedly providing Mueller with everything he needs to know about Trump's alleged order to pay hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal so that the two women - who Trump allegedly had extramarital affairs with - would keep their mouths shut before the election.

     In another of my Facebook posts on November 29th - this one at 5:18 P.M. - I wrote..."Donald Trump can no longer claim 'no collusion.'"  Michael Cohen's testimony shows that Trump was in bed - metaphorically speaking - with one of Putin's right-hand men. After Cohen pleaded guilty to parroting Pinocchio, Trump told reporters on The White House south lawn..."So he's lying about a project that everybody knew about." However...in July 2016...Trump was specifically asked about his financial dealings with Russia and he was definitive with his response.  "I will tell you right now.  Zero.  I have nothing to do with Russia."  But then...we know that Donald Trump is America's "liar-in-chief."

     Over the last two years, I have - on more than one occasion - written columns where I argued - with no doubt in my mind - that Putin and his cronies have some sort of leverage over Trump.  I - to this day - continue to pose the same question. What do Putin and the Russians have on Donald Trump?

     During the campaign and all throughout his presidency, Trump has never uttered one bad word about Vladimir Putin.  Trump should have disclosed his bromance with Putin long before the 2016 election.  And now that Trump made it to a chair behind The Oval Office desk - thanks in part to the Russians - they now control Trump as he is one of Putin's puppets.

     What else has Michael Cohen told Mueller?  How far under the bus has he thrown Donald Trump?  But spilling the beans about Trump is not just Cohen's doing, but presumably former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn has provided Special Counsel Mueller with a plethora of damaging information that could soon contribute to burying the Trump presidency.  The retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General was interviewed 19 times by Mueller's team and by Justice Department lawyers. Furthermore...because of both Cohen and Flynn's cooperation with Mueller...who else might be indicted for crimes that eventually may connect the dots to Donald Trump? Might we see one or more of Trump's three eldest children and/or his son-in-law be taken away in handcuffs by federal agents?  And if any of them does wind up wearing orange jumpsuits, how will Trump react?  What will he do?  I have written many times that anything of that sort will result in Trump making a deal, which would force him to resign the office of president.

     Later today, Friday, December 7th, 2018, Mueller is expected to release more information that could rile Trump in to a rage.  But no matter what Trump supporters think... Trump's days in The White House are numbered.

     Where there's smoke...doesn't necessarily mean there's fire.  But usually there is. And in this case...with Donald Trump...the smoke is black and thick...the fire is a burning blaze... and the Trump presidency is just about ready to become an inferno.

     And that's The Controversy for today.

     I'm Gary B. Duglin.

     "We'll talk again."

The Controversy is a publication of GBD Productions.  Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Controversy is Gary B. Duglin.  

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