In endorsing Clinton, ex-CIA chief says Putin made Trump his ‘unwitting agent’

Morell's criticism of Trump was as strong as his praise for Clinton. He noted that Putin is a trained intelligence officer, and he suggested that the Russian leader has been using Trump's personality for his own gain. In the primaries, Morell said, Putin "played upon Mr. Trump's vulnerabilities" by complimenting him.

"In the intelligence business, we would say that Mr. Putin had recruited Mr. Trump as an unwitting agent of the Russian Federation," Morell said.

Wash ington Post

Interesting article, and interesting all the players in this election with so many conflicting angles. Personally I'm not a huge Trump fan, and ironically my only positive I can think of is an improved relationship with Russia. Granted I am not well versed with the true situation right now with Russia as media can never paint the full picture, but with our long list of problems our current provocation of Russia is absolutely beyond me.

All these people are getting paid to bad mouth Trump. Hrc doesn't even have to talk anymore

a reply to: Jordan River

I dislike Hillary just as much, but neither make if hard to bad mouth them, doubt anyone needs to be paid.

Only warmongers can criticise an improved relationship with Russia.

If Trump becomes President the first thing he should do is take every action in his power to eradicate the Hawk lobby (represented by Clinton) from Government.

a reply to: Jordan River

Also I find it ironic Hillary is probably the most disliked mainstream politician in recent history and conveniently the opposing candidate has just as many negatives. How ironic.

a reply to: Jordan River

Well, considering the amount of money the Clinton foundation has stolen, it's no wonder we see this much of propaganda against Trump.

a reply to: CriticalStinker


Considering that the leftist agenda of the Democratic party has far more to associate itself with the communists than does Trump, I'm not concerned about that angle. I'm more concerned by Hillary's early sympathizing and antics.

I must be a agent of the Russian Federation, because I would love to see Russia bomb the shiz out Hillary and her crooked thieves.... or at least expose the lying *****!

a reply to: Nikola014

Again, like most people I dislike both sides of the Isle on this election (like most). But with the long list of negatives for both how could anyone call any statements propaganda. Trump hasn't even detailed any of his platforms, he speaks at a fifth grade reading level and never describes what he would actually do. Most times I would agree the media is filled with propaganda but with Trump I have a hard time arguing negative media about the man.

Starting with Wikipedia, it took 3 minutes to learn that Michael Morrell, the author of this endorsement, works for Beacon Global Strategies with 3 partners, and all 4 of them are hoping to be appointed to high level positions by Ms. Clinton should she be elected.

a reply to: CriticalStinker

This was my take on why Morell endorsed Clinton.

He was taken aback by Trump's ties to Putin and to Russia in general.

Trump has been making his intentions/loyalties clear, saying that as POTUS, he may not support NATO while at the same time ensuring that anti-Russian rhetoric is stripped from the GOP platform.

When the Republican Party releases its platform Monday, the official Republican party position on arms for Ukraine will be at odds with almost all the party’s national security leaders.

Inside Trump’s financial ties to Russia and his unusual flattery of Vladimir Putin.

“Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets,” Trump’s son, Donald Jr., told a real estate conference in 2008, according to an account posted on the website of eTurboNews, a trade publication.

“We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia.”

Would it be fair to say that in a sense, the Russians "own" Trump?

Trump is assembling a team of advisors who have also worked for Putin’s cronies.

Paul Manafort has also worked for the pro-Russian former president of Ukraine, Viktor Yanukovych, who was deposed in a popular revolution in 2013.

Trump’s foreign policy advisors also include Carter Page, a former advisor and current shareholder in the state-controlled Russian natural gas giant, Gazprom, who has advocated for a less adversarial US stance toward Moscow.

Donald Trump aide slams America's policy on Russia during speech in Moscow.

In an unusual critique for a man attached to a presumptive nominee for the American presidency, Carter Page said the US and other Western countries unfairly vilified Russia for its problems, including corruption, which he said was just as easily found at home.

And here is Trump's team bad mouthing the United States in the Russian capital.

I'd expect this from Obama or Kerry but Trump?

The Chinese played this all wrong.

All they had to do was give him some money.

Instead of advocating a trade war against China, he'd be telling us how great they are.

a reply to: CriticalStinker
I'll link the video of what Putin actually said to keep everyone here honest.

I wouldn't say it was so much a compliment as it was an acknowledgement to Trumps business and leadership skills.
In regard to the ex-cia agent he is just inciting old anti-Russia cold war sentiment.
Typical Hillary stooge... Use fear and emotions to manipulate people.

I have expressed on here many times how vital Russian American relations are. More so than Americas relations with the EU, China, or NATO. The world stage is like a game of chess and people better wake up and see that pieces have begun to move.
Clinton expresses strong support of NATO

a reply to: Nikola014

I want to refine my statement, I stand by that it's hard for me to see propaganda against Trump as he does a fine job of sabotaging himself (should make you wonder how anti establishment he is as this should have been an easy win). I think this is anti peace with Russia propaganda, likely to see lots more in our new cold war.

a reply to: JAY1980

Agreed, a Russia US alliance could connect spheres, and benefit the world. Which makes it obvious why many are against it, peace is bad for power and profit.

a reply to: JAY1980

I wouldn't say it was so much a compliment as it was an acknowledgement to Trumps business and leadership skills.

Multiple bankruptcies and defaulted loans really shows his business skills. The only time a Trump business does good is when someone else runs it.

In regard to the ex-cia agent he is just inciting old anti-Russia cold war sentiment. Typical Hillary stooge... Use fear and emotions to manipulate people.

You mean like Trump has done his whole campaign? Not to mention the Muslims are coming to kill us screamfest known as the RNC.

Is this when people will come out of the woodwork denouncing people for fearmongering with the Russian boogeyman again, or does that only happen when it's someone you don't politically like?

a reply to: buster2010

the Muslims are coming to kill us screamfest known as the RNC.

Sorry Buster, but maybe your perspective will change once you have kids. I can guarantee most families want nothing to do with that feel-good, let-em-all-in, Democrat bs. Terrorism and homeland security are major concerns with the public this election whether the Dems want to admit it or not.

So, a former CIA chief is accusing someone else's intelligence agency of interfering with another country's government.

I literally had to take off my glasses and rub my eyes on that one. What was he doing during his CIA career?

a reply to: JAY1980

Interesting video. I loved how critical he was about the US election process. Putin seems to be in the know on the super delegates and their power over an election.

originally posted by: CriticalStinker
a reply to: Jordan River

Also I find it ironic Hillary is probably the most disliked mainstream politician in recent history and conveniently the opposing candidate has just as many negatives. How ironic.

I find it ironic that according to republicans... The first black President and potentially first woman president are the two most disliked politicians in recent history. Just kind of IRONIC how that worked out.

Also ironic... Their pick is a male misogynist billionaire narcissist war-crime supporter who is already the most hated presidential candidate around the world.

Forgive me, I question their judgment.