Former Trump Campaign Chairman Notes Include Cryptic "Donations" During Russian Meeting At Trump Tower

Paul Manafort

NBC News reports that former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort made notes about "donations" and the Republican National Committee during the now infamous June 2016 meeting with a Russian government attorney at Trump Tower.

Paul Manafort's notes from a controversial Trump Tower meeting with Russians during the 2016 presidential campaign included the word "donations," near a reference to the Republican National Committee, two sources briefed on the evidence told NBC News.

The references, which have not been previously disclosed, elevated the significance of the June 2016 meeting for congressional investigators, who are focused on determining whether it included any discussion of donations from Russian sources to either the Trump campaign or the Republican Party.

It is illegal for foreigners to donate to American elections. The meeting happened just as Trump had secured the Republican nomination for president, and he was considered a longshot to win. Manafort was the campaign chairman at the time.

Manafort's notes, typed on a smart phone and described by one briefed source as cryptic, were turned over to the House and Senate intelligence committees and to Special Counsel Robert Mueller. They contained the words "donations," and "RNC" in close proximity, the sources said.

Previous statements from Don Jr. mentioned Manafort was "on his phone" as if he wasn't interested.

"On his phone taking notes" now makes it seem like the meeting was more important than initially characterized.