Donald Trump’s son was forced to release emails showing what he was told was Russia’s attempt to harm Hillary Clinton’s campaign – here’s what they said

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

Donald Trump Jr was on Tuesday forced to release damning emails that show he welcomed what he was told was a Russian government attempt to harm Hillary Clinton’s election campaign.

Rob Goldstone: who is the man who set up Trump Jr's meeting with a Russian lawyer? Read more

Here are the emails in full:

3 June 2016

Rob Goldstone to Trump Jr

Emin [Agalarov, a Russian pop star represented by Goldstone] just called and asked me to contact you with something very interesting.

The Crown prosecutor of Russia met with his father Aras [a Moscow-based developer who tried to partner with Trump in a hotel project] this morning and in their meeting offered to provide the Trump campaign with some official documents and information that would incriminate Hillary [Clinton] and her dealings with Russia and would be very useful to your father.

This is obviously very high level and sensitive information but is part of Russia and its government’s support for Mr Trump – helped along by Aras and Emin.

What do you think is the best way to handle this information and would you be able to speak to Emin about it directly?

I can also send this info to your father via Rhona [presumably Rhona Graff, Trump’s longtime executive assistant], but it is ultra sensitive so wanted to send to you first.

Trump Jr to Goldstone

Thanks Rob I appreciate that. I am on the road at the moment but perhaps I just speak to Emin first. Seems we have some time and if it’s what you say I love it especially later in the summer. Could we do a call first thing next week when I am back?



6 June 2016

Goldstone to Trump Jr

Let me know when you are free to talk with Emin by phone about this Hillary info – you had mentioned early this week so wanted to try to schedule a time and day. Best to you and your family.

Trump Jr to Goldstone

Rob could we speak now?



Goldstone to Trump Jr

Let me track him down in Moscow. What number he could call?

Trump Jr to Goldstone

My cell.

Goldstone to Trump Jr

He’s on stage in Moscow but should be off within 20 minutes so I am sure can call.

Trump Jr to Goldstone

Rob thanks for the help.

7 June 2016



Goldstone to Trump Jr

Hope all is well. Emin asked that I schedule a meeting with you and the Russian government attorney who is flying over from Moscow for this Thursday. I believe you are aware of the meeting – and so wondered if 3pm or later on Thursday works for you? I assume it would be at your office.

Trump Jr to Goldstone

How about 3 at our offices? Thanks Rob appreciate you helping set it up.

Goldstone to Trump Jr

Perfect ... I won’t sit in on the meeting, but will bring them at 3pm and introduce you etc. I will send the names of the two people meeting with you for security when I have them later today.

Trump Jr to Goldstone

Great. It will likely be Paul Manafort (campaign boss) my brother in law [Jared Kushner] and me. 725 Fifth Ave 25th floor.

8 June 2016



Goldstone to Trump Jr

Good morning. Would it be possible to move tomorrow meeting to 4pm as the Russian attorney is in court until 3 I was just informed.

Trump Jr to Goldstone

Yes Rob I could do that unless they wanted to do 3 today instead ... just let me know and I’ll lock it in either way.

Goldstone to Trump Jr

They can’t do today as she hasn’t landed from Moscow. 4pm is great tomorrow.

Trump Jr then forwards the entire exchange to Manafort and Kushner under the subject heading “FW: Russia - Clinton - private and confidential”

Trump Jr to Manafort and Kushner

Meeting got moved to 4 tomorrow at my offices.

Trump Jr tweeted out copies of the emails on 11 July 2017 in response to the burgeoning controversy. He included this note:

To everyone, in order to be totally transparent, I am releasing the entire email chain of my emails with Rob Goldstone about the meeting on June 9, 2016. The first email on June 3, 2016, was from Rob, who was relating a request from Emin, a person I knew from the 2013 Ms Universe Pageant near Moscow. Emin and his father have a very highly respected company in Moscow. The information they suggested they had about Hillary Clinton I thought was Political Opposition Research. I first wanted to just have a phone call but when that didn’t work out, they said the woman would be in New York and asked if I would meet. I decided to take the meeting. The woman, as she has said publicly, was not a government official. And, as we have said, she had no information to provide and wanted to talk about adoption policy and the Magnitsky Act. To put this in context, this occured before the current Russia fever was in vogue. As Rob Goldstone said just today in the press, the entire meeting was “the most inane” nonsense I ever heard. And I was actually agitated by it.

Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) Here's my statement and the full email chain pic.twitter.com/x050r5n5LQ

Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) Here is page 4 (which did not post due to space constraints). pic.twitter.com/z1Xi4nr2gq

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