Diplomat Worried Trump Would Stiff Ukraine After Leveraging Favor | Rachel Maddow | MSNBC

Rachel Maddow reads highlights from the opening statement of former Ambassador Bill Taylor to the House impeachment inquiry in which he describes Donald Trump's scheme to put Ukrainian President Zelenskyy "in a public box," which he worried still might not move Trump to release aid to Ukraine to fight Russia. Aired on 10/22/19.
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Diplomat Worried Trump Would Stiff Ukraine After Leveraging Favor | Rachel Maddow | MSNBC

98 comments

  1. This not only proves that Trump is a criminal, it also proves that his supporters who defend him are dumb beyond comprehension.

    1. @kingpest13 I don’t know how you are defining “die hard Trump idiots” but you are surrounded by Trump voters and supporters every day. They have jobs and own their own businesses. They either a) regret voting for him or b)would vote for Satan before voting for a Democrat so felt they had no choice or c) think he’s doing a fine job because they don’t follow the news/live in a right wing bubble or d) are so brainwashed by his rhetoric they’ll defend anything he says or does. I have to believe the d) category is relatively small or I’d never be able to sleep at night and my insomnia is bad enough with Tump in office as it is. [Note: there are bigots in all those categories, but not all are. I am unfortunately related to plenty of b). Also, you can’t ask someone who they voted for when interviewing them for a job. I mean, you can, but they can tell you it’s none of your business which is true.]

    2. Trump can tell those dumb supporters that he’s gonna push the red button and they will chant – PUSH THE BUTTON!!!

  2. Isn’t this exactly what Lindsey Graham wanted? “Proof outside the phone call that there was a quid pro quo for the Ukrainian financial aid.”

    1. @Mark lmao dude, they JUST got Taylor’s testimony. Give them a few more hours if not a day to convene the House together to finally vote. When and if they vote, then you can finally celebrate about having that vote the GOP have been harping about, which is really about starting the next step in the impeachment process. The inquiry never needed a vote as the Speaker has the authority to do so under the Constitution. While the constitution doesn’t say they need to vote to start it “formally”, the other administration’s who did impeachment only did it as formality of bipartisanship.

    2. @Mark …. Great concept. Non Partisan? An interesting Request. Why ask for Nonpartisan politics for Trump Now. Isn’t that the standard procedure of the Mitch McConnell’s GOP ENGINEERED Supreme Court. And McConnell’s packing of the Federal Courts.

      And nothing could be more nonpartisan than Trump/McConnell’s Tax Bill. Working Class individuals pay 37% Tax on EARNED Income, the 1% pay 15% on UNEARNED INCOME. Trump’s Nonpartisan Tax Relief: Working Individuals Tax Break ENDS in Several Years; the 1% Tax Break Is Permanent. It will never End.

      And Trump’s demand of a favor from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Create dirt on an Election Rival? A Classic nonpartisan act. I believe in Nonpartisan applied without Partisanship.

  3. I’m not an American but I am Airborne. I believe this officer, Mr Taylor, to be a Gentleman. Time to bring trump down.

    1. @StephBer1 It is awful, yes. I really loved the work I did (I was a psychiatric nurse). I had no choice really but to report to my superiors as the crimes committed by a small group of nurses were very serious. I wasn’t actually sacked, but was ‘sent to Coventry’ as they say and some went to the extreme accusing me of all sorts of things. I simply had to leave as the pressure almost had me having a breakdown. I hope that your husband got over the experience 🙂

    2. @Diane Hooper thank you Diane. You know the finest thing was that, whilst I was experiencing all of that, one of my patients who had to be kept in a sided cot, put his arm through the bar one night, thanked me for caring for him, then promptly passed away. That was such a wonderful experience and an example of why I enjoyed the work so much. 🙂

  4. Bill Taylor has served his country for half a century. Old Bonespurs betrayed his country for FIFTY years. Who would you trust?

    1. Keith Pieterse so what is years if you don’t love your own country and just doing it for the recognition and the perks that come along with it he doesn’t care about our freedom of speech as long as he has what he needs I don’t like Trump much but I bet he never gets a break from being spied on. to being criticized for anything and everything no matter what he does I can’t say many people would be that willing to step up as much as he fights for Americans He is fighting every second of the day with no breaks because nobody ever leaves him alone and there are a lot people that have the same ideals as him and they are finally being heard in congress. which everyone else on the hill was to intimidated to speak their mind or how they felt about issues the American people might think of as very important to them Thank God he didn’t go to West Point or he would have also been brainwashed into the Global Way instead of the American way.

    2. 4c1dr3fl3x So what Russians are In the highest Government offices I think you mean Isis recruits in Congress nobody is asking and trying to pass bills to help or protect Russians in their country or here

    3. @Zorak0515 : I suggest you have a word with your mother. She’s waiting for you in the toolshed…erm…trollshed. Now Naff Off you Plonker!

  5. This is the smoking gun. He names names, dates and exactly how this scheme was run. We’ve got them!!! Perry, Giuliani, Pompeo, Barr, Pence and Trump are all complicit.

    1. Left Is Best I’m laughing so hard! “We’ve got them!” “The walls are closing in”. Doesn’t this sound familiar? You fell for “Russian collusion” and here you are with your head in the propaganda trough again. You libs will never learn! 🤣

  6. Any Republican that continues to support Treasonous Trump after today should suffer the same fate as he will. Orange jumpsuits instead of red hats.

    1. That ship has sailed. They should have stopped their support for him long ago. NEWS FLASH, they are still supporting him after this.

    2. ​@Crystal Giddens
      *Absolutes*
      *Noun – a principle which is regarded as universally valid,..,*
      Solar System
      Terrestrial
      Earth
      Planetary
      Genesis 1:8
      Psalm 73:9
      S ~ south Black
      U ~ Yellow Brown Red
      N ~ north White
      Psalm 49:11
      Hebrews 10:11
      Matthew 6:10
      Maori Malgache Mayan Malayalam Marathi
      S ~ Aboriginal zulu
      U ~ Asia european
      N ~ Anglo saxon Mahican
      Matthew 18:18
      Job 28:28
      N ~ North (u) negative
      Ո ~∀xis magnetic
      S ~ South (s) positive
      Revelation 21:1
      S ~ ↧ S. South hemisphere
      U ~ Man
      N ~ ↥ n. North pole
      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
      *…or, which may be viewed without relation to other things*
      Matthew 6:10
      N ~ North (u) negative
      Ո ~∀xis magnetic
      S ~ South (s) positive
      Matthew 18:18
      S ~ south Black
      U ~ Yellow Brown Red
      N ~ north White
      Psalm 49:11
      Maori Malgache Mayan
      S ~ Aboriginal zulu
      U ~ Asia european
      N ~ Anglo saxon
      Psalm 73:9
      Proverbs 25:3
      S ~ ↧ S. South hemisphere
      U ~ Man
      N ~ ↥ n. North pole
      Revelation 21:1
      Nah, Man does not know
      what Man is talking about.
      Man is not amazing.
      Man is not great.
      Man can not prove
      it to be wrong.

    3. @Crystal Giddens Man is not God.
      The
      Animal
      Man Mammal is
      Mathematical &
      Mechanical &
      Electrical & in
      Denial.
      But a God, Man is not
      ♖☧♗♔♕♗☧♖
      ☧enal code _caucus_
      ☧ublic ☧eople
      ☧upil ☧erson
      ☧easant of
      ☧eers, beers, and Pₓ ♙
      mama
      baby innocence
      papa
      responsibility
      responsible, Man is not either.
      Roman judaeo tribalism
      elephants verses donkeys
      More irresponsibilty
      Stability
      Tranquility
      Harmony
      unison
      Unity
      peace aka family
      S ~ south Black
      U ~ Yellow Brown Red
      N ~ north White

    4. Crystal Giddens are you kidding me clown? They tried everything to find dirt on Obama and they found none. You really are a gullible tool. Why you waste your time here proving how stupid you are. I have followed the right wing media for decades and you have no idea what you are talking about. Laughable S always little Crystal. Btw I am still waiting on answers to my from the last few weeks

    1. @Mainely Like the Dems who told Ukraine that if they did not investigate Trump they would not vote for aid for them?

    2. @Aranyani Fox Uh uh! You’ve just chosen the wrong case to defend! LOL With hunter who is good at nothing, employed as consultant?? How will you explain that? It takes only an empty head for someone to find it clean! That’s the sad reality, and it’s not surprising! LMAO

      OTHER SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
      COMPLAINT TIMELINE: Whistleblower accuses Trump, Giuliani of Ukraine Collusion https://youtu.be/NQa0Hl17zSo
      BIDEN A SMOKESCREEN: Democrats covering Russia investigation origin in Ukraine https://youtu.be/Wdeznr_J-4I
      DEEP STATE INVOLVED: Democrats involved in Ukraine, Russia cover-up https://youtu.be/SjObE5VEA94
      DNC CORRUPTION: What’s on the hacked Democrat server in Ukraine? https://youtu.be/gU-3yUbEpp4
      Solomon: Biden and media narrative on Ukraine, Burisma doesn’t fit with DOCUMENT proof https://youtu.be/A-IIlBwislA
      South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham provides info on on-going AG Barr investigation that is making the DNC in panic: https://youtu.be/ynZ5Uh_4n54

    3. @Aranyani Fox
      Simply calling people troll or Russian bot is a typical weak minded response from “your kind”

      Extremely weak and pathetic

  7. The story is complete. Trump extortion detailed from the top, vice-president Pence, secretary Pompeo, attorney general Barr to the dirty bottom Giuliani.

    1. Todd Jones my my what a clever retort, did you think up that little name all by yourself? Meanwhile, the subject isn’t going to change. Trump is corrupt and disloyal and his supporters clearly hate America.

    2. Todd Jones Actually, Russian collusion did occur and worse than that was massive obstruction of justice by Trump. The only reason he wasn’t charged was because of the OLC guidance that he could not be charged while sitting in office. Don’t worry snowflake, will charge him eventually, there’s so much evidence only a blind person or someone who hates America could ignore it.

  8. It has come to this, the Mafia is more honourable and trustworthy than the President of the United States. At least when they extort you they keep their end of the “bargain”.

    1. so keep trying to get rid of the most successful president in US history because he’s fulfilling campaign promises and can’t be controlled by donors. Makes sense. But only in a liberal mind.

    2. @Emily Xiong because it is a prop. If they don’t shout their lines repeatedly, their little pea brains can’t remember them.

  9. So now we have proof of what the president himself and his associates already confessed to publicly. Now what?

    1. Now what? Now every thinking, caring, patriotic citizen of these United States needs to call their Senators and Congressmen and and in the strongest but most respectful terms possible, encourage them to do what’s right for the country, not their party! Call. And then call again. And then again. And get your family members to call. And your friends.

      Remind them this is OUR country, we’re just letting them serve on our behalf for a time. They too can be removed if they don’t do what’s right.

    2. @Saltponds239 The Impeachment TRIAL will have PUBLIC testimony, that’s the day Chump dies in a pool of Orange Goo…like the Wicked Witch!!! Have fun and get your Prison vistor pass now, before the line gets too long!!!

    3. Even they confessed, you have a lot of people who defend this way of doing it, or think it’s a fake new. So they are trying to revive some of the values of the citizens of the United States. When the true is not the real one, it’s a relative fact… you have a rough slope to overcome.

    4. There is no crime here. Out of all the Democrats to choose from I wouldn’t even vote them to be mayor. Let alone president. None of these presidential candidates will help the Average working class American.

    1. Carolyne Brown —
      How right you are! Except for Saudi Arabia, countries around the world have no reason to trust America right now. Even after the administration changes hands, it will be an arduous diplomatic road to recover from what Trump has done. And to think that, not that long ago, the US was the type of country that allies could trust and count on…

    2. @L. Turner just like the attacks against Robert Mueller. A Vietnam hero and servant to our country for decades…about to retire and then Trump tarnishes him and his followers believe a draft dodger over him 😞

  10. And we’re not even talking about Rick Perry, Ghoulinani and assorted crooks’ plans to corruptly manoeuvre the Ukrainian state gas company into the hands of Republican donors – American Oligarchs anyone????

    1. Yes they are horrible ! Please call Congress 202-225-3121 for impeachment of General Phone Spurs. Thank you kindly for your input.

    2. Mike, you hit the nail on the head. That’s what is going on. I am sure that Putin had a say in this. This helps Putin in many ways.

  11. Pompeo tried to act like he didn’t know what was going on and lying to American people, Republicans involved in this plot to you can see it. Corrupt officials and president all need to go to prison.

    1. This a very serious test of our country. If these people are not held accountable, it will be a major step to the downfall of our government and country. 😢

    2. Pompeo knew. He was on the call where the president asked a foreign government to investigate a political rival.

    3. Wendell Hackley It should be easy now finally to bring charges against these people except for the fact that William bar is part of the corruption. It’s pretty hard to have justice when the mayor and the chief of police are all in on it, who else is going to enact justice?

    4. Plot?? Corrupt officials?? Corruption in Ukraine needs to be investigated. Meddling in our 2016 election via Ukraine needs to be investigated. Biden’s Ukranian dealings should be investigated.

    1. Bono Budju
      Must admit I was a bit worried then….until I found out that it was just Ricky Madcow disease’s ramblings !! 😂

    1. Korpulian Santos More like 22 minutes of Propaganda. Didn’t 2.5 years of “Russian collusion” teach you anything? Taylor’s testimony is nothing but hearsay. It’s another nothing-burger. You’ve got 5 more years to whine!

    2. Korpulian Santos… totally agree.
      And yet there are still hate filled cultists (Ronda and Rod) that hold the flag for this despicable person.
      I guess lessons learned here will impact Psychology lectures as well.

    3. @Ronda Michalides Do you write novels because that was pretty entertaining fiction you just wrote. I see satire is also one of your strong points. Bravo!

  12. ladies and gentlemen, may I present your choice:
    “West Pointer, Lifelong Service to Country” vs. “All the Bone Spurs Rubles Can Buy”
    Choose wisely!

    1. Investigations into Ukrainians meddling in US2016 election are taking place. Investigations into Ukrainian corruption involving previous administration is taking place. Investigations into both Bidens activities in Ukraine are taking place.

    2. @Mark yawn. . . . tell me when they find something . . . oh wait, there’s nothing there and we already know this because those investigations were already done and are now closed. Sorry to have to break it to you but Russia was responsible for the attack on the 2016 election and they’re already active in 2020. Also, the company Biden’s son worked for was investigated, and it was found out that they were not doing anything wrong, the investigation ended with exoneration. Now how about the current investigation into Trump that just blew wide open today with all that shocking testimony, now it’s only a matter of time before he gets Impeached, along with Mike Pence by the sounds of it; so that means. . . . let’s see, third in line to the Presidency is. . . wait for it. . . . NANCY PELOSI! I love her, she’s great, I can’t wait for her to be sworn in, I’ll feel sooooo much better knowing that the country is in capable hands.

    1. @Mark
      We convinced our allies to abandoned defensive positions and equipment based on the promise that we will be there to protect them.
      Then Agolf cuts and runs.

      How many condos is the honor of America worth?
      But, rerouting the military to protect Saudi oilfields is our responsibility?

    2. @Mark stay tuned. If you’ve not seen Trump do enough yet to make you a believer, you will eventually.. and probably sooner rather than later.

    3. Dude…. look at his current and past wives, The mother of DJTJ, Eric and ivanka. Why does a rich man from New York back in the 70’s go to Russia to look for a wife? I always thought that is odd.

    4. @Barbara Arndt Putin is holding out the possibility of a very lucrative Russian trump hotel deal…. dangling it before trump’s nose … like a bone before a hungry, slavering dog.

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