JOHN YANG:

The e-mails show Donald Trump junior eager to hear dirt on Hillary Clinton, said to be offered as part of Russian government support for his father's campaign.

The chain begins with message from Rob Goldstone. He's a British-born music publicist. The younger Trump met him at the 2013 Miss Universe Pageant in Moscow, which President Trump then owned. Goldstone said a client's father, a real estate developer who teamed with President Trump for that pageant, had been told of official documents and information that would incriminate Hillary and her dealings with Russia.

Goldstone said it was part of Russia and its government's support for Mr. Trump.

Donald Trump Jr. responds: "If it's what you say, I love it."

In a four-day flurry of e-mails, Donald Trump Jr. and Goldstone set up a meeting at Trump Tower in New York with Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya. Also attending, Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner and campaign chairman Paul Manafort.

Veselnitskaya told NBC News today she has no connection to Russian government and knew nothing damaging about Clinton.