Fact Check: "Trump Has a Peepee Tape"
What We Know
The claim regarding a "pee tape" involving Donald Trump originated from the controversial Steele dossier, compiled by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele. This dossier included unverified allegations about Trump's connections to Russia, one of which suggested that Russian intelligence had a video of Trump engaging in sexual acts with prostitutes at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Moscow, specifically involving urination, or "golden showers" (source-1, source-3).
The primary source for this claim was Igor Danchenko, a Russia analyst who gathered information for Steele. In interviews, Danchenko acknowledged that the evidence he collected was largely based on hearsay and not concrete proof. He described how he heard rumors about the tape from various contacts but admitted that he remained skeptical about its existence (source-1).
Despite the sensational nature of the claim, no verifiable evidence has emerged to substantiate the existence of such a tape. Trump has consistently denied the allegations, and subsequent investigations have not produced any corroborating evidence (source-1, source-4).
Analysis
The claim about the "pee tape" has been a focal point of speculation and controversy, particularly during the Trump presidency. The Steele dossier, while it brought attention to potential misconduct, has been criticized for its lack of verifiable evidence. The FBI, which investigated the dossier, did not use the Ritz-Carlton allegation in its applications for surveillance, indicating that it was not considered credible enough (source-1).
Danchenko's own statements reflect a cautious approach to the information he gathered, emphasizing that he was collecting "raw intelligence" rather than verified facts. He noted that much of the information was speculative and that he had no control over how Steele presented it in the dossier (source-1).
The credibility of the sources involved in the dossier has also been questioned. An inspector general's report suggested that some elements of the dossier were based on disinformation from Russian intelligence (source-1). This raises concerns about the reliability of the claims made within it, including the "pee tape."
While the sensational nature of the claim has made it a topic of public discourse, the lack of evidence and the dubious origins of the information suggest that it should be approached with skepticism.
Conclusion
The claim that "Trump has a peepee tape" is Partially True. While the allegation originated from the Steele dossier and has been widely discussed, there is no verifiable evidence to support the existence of such a tape. The information is primarily based on uncorroborated rumors and speculation, and credible sources have cast doubt on the reliability of the claims made in the dossier. Therefore, while the claim has a basis in reported allegations, it lacks substantiation.
Sources
- Analyst Who Reported the Infamous Trump Tape Rumor ... (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/21/us/politics/igor-danchenko-steele-dossier.html)
- Steele dossier (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steele_dossier)
- What Is Donald Trump's Pee Tape? An Explainer. - The Cut (https://www.thecut.com/2018/04/donald-trump-pee-tape.html)
- Comey talks Trump-Russia "pee tape" allegation: the claim ... - Vox (https://www.vox.com/2018/4/15/17233994/comey-interview-trump-pee-tape-russia)
- Feds Arrest Steele Dossier Analyst Who Claimed Trump Pee Tape Existed (https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/steele-dossier-analyst-arrested-igor-danchenko-1253151/)
- Donald Trump's 'pee tape' controversy, explained | Mashable (https://mashable.com/article/donald-trump-pee-tape-golden-showers-explainer)
- Trump's pee tape: analyzing an incredibly convincing fake. (https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/09/inside-the-convincing-fake-trump-pee-tape.html)
- Flight Records Disprove Trump's Claim About 'Pee Tape' Weekend ... (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/flight-records-contradict-trump-pee-tape-whereabouts_n_5ade5610e4b036e7aeb59162)
