House of Trump, House of Putin

1. Trump's Rise Fueled by Russian Mafia Money Laundering

President Trump has allowed Trump-branded real estate to be used as a vehicle that likely served to launder enormous amounts of money—perhaps billions of dollars—for the Russian Mafia for more than three decades.

Laundering operations. Donald Trump's real estate ventures, particularly Trump Tower, became a haven for Russian Mafia money laundering. The lax regulations surrounding shell company purchases allowed criminals to anonymously invest illicit funds in luxury condos. This influx of capital, potentially billions of dollars over three decades, played a crucial role in sustaining Trump's business empire.

Bogatin's purchase. The 1984 purchase of five condos in Trump Tower by David Bogatin, a Russian mobster involved in a gasoline tax evasion scheme, marked a pivotal moment. This transaction not only provided the Russian Mafia with a means to launder money but also potentially served as an initial contact from Soviet intelligence to assess Trump as a potential asset.

Anonymous shell companies. Trump Tower was one of the few buildings in New York City that allowed condo purchases through shell companies, enabling buyers to conceal their identities and the source of their funds. This practice, coupled with all-cash transactions, made Trump properties attractive to those seeking to launder money.

2. The Trump Family's Long History of Mob Ties

Donald Trump was no virgin when it came to organized crime. In fact, the Trump family had a taste for it dating back three generations.

Family history. Donald Trump's connections to organized crime extend back to his grandfather's alleged involvement in prostitution during the Klondike Gold Rush and his father's dealings with mob-tied individuals in Brooklyn real estate projects. Fred Trump's projects in Brighton Beach and Coney Island were often tainted by scandal and involved individuals with links to the Gambino and Genovese crime families.

Roy Cohn's influence. Roy Cohn, Trump's mentor and attorney, played a crucial role in navigating the complex world of New York City real estate, where mob influence was prevalent. Cohn's connections to both establishment figures and mobsters facilitated Trump's early deals, including the renovation of the Commodore Hotel and the construction of Trump Tower.

Mobbed-up contractors. Trump's projects, such as Trump Tower, utilized mob-controlled concrete and carpentry companies, ensuring smooth operations and avoiding work stoppages. This reliance on mob-connected contractors was facilitated by Cohn's role as consigliere to the Genovese and Gambino crime families.

3. KGB's Honey Trap: Ivana Trump and the Russophilia of Donald

In Trump, the Soviets had discovered a man who was so intoxicated by a huge new clientele with boatloads of cash that he engaged in dubious transactions without asking questions.

Ivana's connections. Trump's marriage to Ivana Zelníčková, a Czech national, brought him to the attention of the Czech Ministry of State Security (StB), which collaborated with the KGB. The StB monitored Ivana and her family, potentially seeking to use her or Trump to gather information on US high society.

Russophilia. Following Mikhail Gorbachev's rise to power and the easing of Cold War tensions, Trump developed a strong interest in Soviet affairs. He expressed a desire to play a role in strategic arms limitations and sought information on Gorbachev from a Nobel Peace Prize winner.

KGB recruitment. The KGB, under Vladimir Kryuchkov, sought to recruit influential Americans as assets. Trump's eagerness to engage in dubious transactions without asking questions made him a potential target for cultivation.

4. Mogilevich: The "Brainy Don" Connecting Trump and Putin

To get a sense of the magnitude of his power, one has only to name two people with whom he has had long-term business relationships: Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump.

Mogilevich's rise. Semion Mogilevich, known as the "Brainy Don," is a highly influential figure in the Russian Mafia, renowned for his expertise in financial crimes and his vast criminal network. He is said to be worth more than $10 billion.

Global criminal empire. Mogilevich's organization has been involved in various illicit activities, including arms dealing, drug trafficking, money laundering, and extortion, operating in numerous countries. He has cultivated relationships with powerful figures in both the criminal underworld and legitimate sectors.

Key relationships. Mogilevich's connections with Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump highlight his strategic importance. His ability to launder money and facilitate illicit transactions has made him a valuable asset to both individuals.

5. Putin's Rise: From KGB to Weaponizing the Russian Mafia

As a key component of this battle, Vladimir Putin used a secret weapon that few Americans understood. While the Italian Mafia in the US exists largely to serve its own interests, in Russia things were different. Where Americans cracked down on organized crime, Putin co-opted it. He weaponized it. Russian gangsters became, in effect, Putin’s enforcers.

Putin's early career. Vladimir Putin's early career in the KGB and his involvement in St. Petersburg's municipal government provided him with valuable experience in intelligence operations and navigating the world of organized crime. His judo coach, Leonid Usvyatsov, was a mobster.

Co-opting the Mafia. Unlike the Italian Mafia, which operates independently, Putin co-opted the Russian Mafia, turning them into enforcers for the state. This weaponization of organized crime allowed Putin to project power and influence both domestically and internationally.

Kleptocracy. Putin's greatest triumph is his command over a Mafia state, a political system that is effectively a government of, by, and for organized crime. This kleptocracy has enabled Putin and his cronies to amass vast wealth and power.

6. The Weaponization of Information: Russia's Asymmetric Warfare

The battle was against not just the United States but the West itself, as Russia repeatedly interceded in domestic politics in the United Kingdom, where it fueled the successful Brexit campaign.

Virtual World War III. Vladimir Putin launched a massive global offensive to weaken the United States, Britain, NATO, the European Union, and the entire Western Alliance. This "virtual" war relied on covert operations, disinformation, and cyber warfare.

Disinformation and cyber warfare. Russia used hacking, disinformation, and social media manipulation to sow discord and undermine trust in democratic institutions. This included spreading fake news, exploiting algorithms, and transforming Facebook into a purveyor of Russian propaganda.

Reprisals against dissent. Investigative journalists, rogue intelligence agents, and opposition politicians who revealed the truth about Putin's regime faced brutal reprisals, including assassination. This created a climate of fear and stifled dissent within Russia.

7. The 2016 Election: A culmination of decades of cultivation

In short, at a time at which the United States was confronted with a new form of warfare—hybrid war consisting of cyber warfare, hacking, disinformation, and the like—the United States would have at its helm a man who would leave the country all but defenseless, and otherwise inadvertently do the bidding of the Kremlin.

Long-term cultivation. The Russian operation to influence the 2016 US presidential election was the culmination of decades of cultivating relationships with individuals like Donald Trump. By identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in America's political and financial systems, Russia was able to sow discord and undermine the democratic process.

Trump's role. Whether Trump was a knowing participant or a "useful idiot," his actions inadvertently served the Kremlin's interests. His policies, such as questioning NATO and promoting an "America First" agenda, aligned with Putin's strategic goals.

Russian interference. Russian interference in the 2016 election, including hacking, disinformation, and social media manipulation, likely influenced the outcome. This interference represented a significant assault on American sovereignty and democratic institutions.

8. The Chabad Connection: A Surprising Link Between Trump and Putin

As a result, in early 1992, the so-called Circle of Brothers, the ruling council of the vory, gave Ivankov his marching orders: “Go to the New Land and invade America!”

Chabad's rise in Russia. Putin's efforts to consolidate power involved creating a new religious organization, the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia, under the leadership of Chabad rabbi Berel Lazar. This move aimed to replace older Jewish institutions and ensure loyalty to the Kremlin.

Chabad's ties to Trump. Key figures in the Chabad movement, such as Lev Leviev and Charles Kushner, had close ties to both Putin and Trump. This created a surprising channel of communication and influence between the two leaders.

Geopolitical implications. The Chabad connection highlights the complex web of relationships that intertwined Russian and American politics, business, and religious organizations. It also underscores the importance of understanding the cultural and historical context of these relationships.

9. Manafort's Web: Ukraine, Russia, and Trump's Campaign

As the Commodore project took shape, Cohn, as consigliere for the two biggest crime families in New York, the Genoveses and the Gambinos, was invaluable in helping Trump traverse otherwise choppy waters with concrete contractors, demolition companies, and the like that were often controlled by the mob.

Manafort's Ukraine work. Paul Manafort's work for pro-Putin forces in Ukraine, particularly Viktor Yanukovych, provided him with valuable experience in political manipulation and access to Russian oligarchs. This experience would later prove useful in his role as Trump's campaign manager.

Kilimnik's role. Konstantin Kilimnik, Manafort's close associate, served as a key link to Russian intelligence and facilitated communication between Manafort and Deripaska. This connection raised concerns about potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

Financial entanglements. Manafort's financial entanglements with Russian oligarchs, including Deripaska and Firtash, created a conflict of interest and raised questions about his loyalty to the United States. His alleged money laundering and tax evasion further complicated the picture.

10. The Steele Dossier: Unverified Allegations of Compromise

Then again, maybe James Comey put it best. In January 2017, just a week after Donald Trump was inaugurated, the president invited then–FBI director Comey to the White House for a private dinner. Characterizing Trump as “unethical, and untethered to truth,” likening his behavior to that of a Mafia boss, Comey writes in A Higher Loyalty that Trump told him: “I need loyalty. I expect loyalty.”

Steele's investigation. The Steele Dossier, compiled by former MI6 agent Christopher Steele, contained explosive allegations about Trump's ties to Russia, including claims of kompromat and collusion. While many of the dossier's claims remain unverified, it has played a significant role in shaping the narrative surrounding Trump and Russia.

Kompromat and influence. The dossier alleged that Russian intelligence had obtained compromising material on Trump, which they could use to exert influence over him. This included alleged recordings of Trump engaging in illicit sexual activities in Moscow.

Dossier's impact. The Steele Dossier has been a subject of intense debate and scrutiny, with some dismissing it as unreliable and others viewing it as a roadmap for further investigation. Its impact on public opinion and the ongoing investigations into Trump's ties to Russia is undeniable.

11. The Aftermath: A Presidency Under Suspicion

It is a story that is difficult to tell even though, in many ways, Donald Trump’s ties to Russia over the last four decades have been an open secret, hiding in plain sight. One reason they went largely unnoticed for so long may be that aspects of them are so unsettling, so transgressive, that Americans are loath to acknowledge the dark realities staring them in the face.

A compromised presidency. Donald Trump's presidency has been shadowed by allegations of Russian interference and potential collusion. The numerous connections between Trump and individuals with ties to Russia have fueled concerns about his independence and loyalty.

Ongoing investigations. The investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election, led by special counsel Robert Mueller and various congressional committees, continue to uncover new details about Trump's ties to Russia. These investigations have the potential to reveal further evidence of collusion or compromise.

Long-term consequences. The Trump-Russia saga has had a profound impact on American politics and foreign policy. It has raised questions about the integrity of elections, the influence of foreign powers, and the future of the Western Alliance.

Last updated: April 10, 2025