Remember that infamous Trump Tower meeting between Don Jr and the Russian lawyer back in 2016?

It was about US policy regarding adoption of Russian children, right?

Or not.

Loading

Of course it's long been known that the actual point of the meeting was to gather so-called "dirt" on Hillary Clinton, but this is the first time President Donald Trump has admitted it so plainly.

It also contradicts Donald Jr's response back in July 2017, that the meeting had been primarily about the adoption of Russian children, and the Magnitsky Act which is a source of much angst between the two countries.

The tweet, among others, is under scrutiny from Special Counsel Robert Mueller who is going through Mr Trump's Twitter feed looking at whether there was any collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia.

That Twitter feed is a busy and sometimes confusing place so that could take a while.

The tweet was just one of a series from the President during his so-called "vacation" this week.

Such as:

Loading

And this advice to "stay tuned":

Loading

This, which caused a furore in California:

Loading

And this attack on NBA superstar Le Bron James after a CNN interview in which the basketballer said he wouldn't sit down with Mr Trump if asked:

Loading

Sorry, this video has expired LeBron James hits out at Trump for using sport to divide America

'Mike" apparently referred to Michael Jordan who said through a spokesperson:

"I support LeBron James. He's doing an amazing job for his community."

FLOTUS (Melania Trump) also came out in support of Le Bron, her spokeswoman saying that Ms Trump would be open to visiting the school he's opened in his home town of Akron, Ohio.

"It looks like LeBron James is working to do good things on behalf of our next generation and just as she always has, the First Lady encourages everyone to have an open dialogue about issues facing children today."

And also, in Mr Trump's week of tweets, this:

Loading

Right.

Ever heard of a screen free vacay Mr President?

Loading

Regarding the Mueller probe, by the way, which remains the topic de jour in DC, Mr Trump's personal lawyer reckons the chances of a Trump/Mueller interview are about 50/50.

It comes down to what Mr Trump's lawyers will allow him to be asked, as they try to limit the scope of any chat.

We may get some idea of what the Special Counsel's team finds acceptable early next week.

Rudy Giuliani also indicated he hopes this decision can be made before September 1. That's just when the mid-term elections kick off.

Clearly Mr Trump would like that to happen as well to avoid the Republicans losing control of Congress.

Rudy Giuliani (L) has put the odds of a Trump-Mueller interview at "50-50". ( AP: Carolyn Kaster )

As Mr Trump would say, "we'll see what happens", but really, the reporter in me says — what's the point of an interview if you can't ask ALL THE QUESTIONS.

Yes, that's caps people.

Meanwhile, while POTUS was on vacation this week, he was working on boosting his claim that "no one has ever been tougher on Russia than me".

The administration slapped new sanctions on Russia in response to the Skripal attack in which a nerve agent was used on a former double agent in the UK by the Kremlin (although Vladimir Putin has denied it of course.)

What's in these sanctions?

A complete ban on future national security exports to Russia. The State Department says this could cut off hundreds of millions of dollars.

The State Department says "more draconian" sanctions will follow within 90 days if Russia fails to agree not to use chemical weapons.

The Russian embassy in the US replied that the sanctions are based on "far-fetched accusations" and no facts or evidence.

It's 2018, in which we are living in a reality TV show with a spy thriller twist.

As Mr Trump says, "Stay tuned".

There was also this on the sanctions front:

Loading

This is all part of the US exit from the Iran nuclear deal and will target gold, aluminium, steel, coal and automotive industries.

Iran's economy, which is already suffering with hyperinflation and high unemployment will be hit with another round of sanctions on November 4. That's convenient timing for the tough talking President, just before the mid-terms.

National Security Adviser, John Bolton, said on Fox News, this "180-degree reversal" from the Obama administration, is to put pressure on Iran to change its behaviour when it comes to terrorism and Israel.

ICYMI

To a story with an Aussie flavour, and not in a good way — one of Mr Trump's longtime supporters is in hot water after being charged with insider trading and lying to the FBI to cover it up.

House Representative Chris Collins served on the board of Australia-based Innate Immunotherapeutics until 2017. He is accused of leaking confidential information that a drug, that was supposed to cure MS, failed in clinical trials.

Mr Collins is proclaiming his innocence and still plans to run for re-election this November.

"The charges that have been levied against me are meritless, and I will mount a vigorous defence in court to clear my name. I look forward to being fully vindicated and exonerated."

In the continuing trial of former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort (discussed here at length last week), his business partner Rick Gates admitted that they broke the law. He also admitted stealing from Mr. Manafort and it got pretty sordid when discussion turned to extra-marital affairs.

Loading

Steven Seagal was appointed by Russia as a special envoy to the US. Seriously.

Loading

What I'm reading

Next week, Mr Trump is "back to work" and is expected to visit New York and the Vermont and Wisconsin primaries are up. Mid-terms ahoy!