In a dramatic revelation, recent investigations have uncovered that former President Donald Trump may have received a $10 million cash infusion from Egypt’s President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi during his 2016 presidential campaign.
This discovery has brought to light a complex and secretive probe that ran from 2017 to 2020, involving multiple federal agencies and high-level officials.
The Cash Withdrawal
Five days before Trump’s inauguration, a significant cash withdrawal of $10 million was made from an Egyptian bank, specifically from an account linked to Egypt’s intelligence services. The money was withdrawn in $100 bills and carried out of the bank in duffel bags by unidentified individuals.
The Secret Investigation
This unusual transaction triggered alarm bells within the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The investigation was handed over to Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who was already leading the inquiry into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Mueller’s team, often operating under codenames like “Team 10” due to the $10 million in question, delved deeply into Trump’s financial records and the origins of this cash transfer.
Connections to Trump’s Campaign
Investigators found it significant that Trump, whose campaign was financially strained, suddenly injected $10 million into his own campaign on October 28, 2016, just weeks after a private meeting with Sisi at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This timing raised suspicions that the funds withdrawn from Cairo were funneled to Trump’s campaign under the guise of a personal loan.
DOJ’s Roadblocks
The investigation faced significant hurdles. Attorney General William Barr and U.S. Attorney Jessie Liu were reported to have blocked subpoenas for Trump’s bank records, crucial for tracing the flow of the $10 million. Barr’s actions raised questions about political interference, especially given his instructions to closely monitor FBI agents pursuing Trump’s records. It’s not clear whether Merrick Garland’s DOJ tried to purse the case or simply ignored it like they did regarding Trump’s involvement in Jan 6th.
Political Implications
Trump’s alleged acceptance of foreign funds could violate federal election laws that prohibit foreign nationals from contributing to U.S. election campaigns. Despite the severity of the allegations, the investigation concluded without criminal charges, with officials citing insufficient evidence to continue. Trump’s spokespersons have vehemently denied the allegations, labeling them as fabrications by political adversaries.
The Fallout
These revelations are crucial as they add another layer of complexity to Trump’s controversial presidency and his ongoing political influence. The potential acceptance of foreign funds could have significant legal and ethical ramifications, particularly in the context of U.S. national security and electoral integrity.
The secret probe into the $10 million cash withdrawal from Egypt underscores the intricate and often murky intersections of international politics and domestic electoral processes. The full extent of this investigation’s impact on Trump’s political legacy remains to be seen.