Fact Check: "Trump is 'following orders' from a hidden boss, claims former operative Lev Parnas"
What We Know
Lev Parnas, a former associate of Rudy Giuliani, has made several allegations regarding President Donald Trump's involvement in Ukraine-related activities. In a notable interview, Parnas claimed that Trump was aware of and directed efforts to pressure Ukraine into investigating Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden. Parnas stated that Trump was "following orders" from a hidden boss, implying that there were external influences on Trump's decisions (Vox).
A secret recording from a 2018 dinner appears to support Parnas's claims. In this recording, Trump can be heard agreeing to Parnas's suggestion to fire Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, stating, "Get rid of her! ... Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. Okay? Do it." This interaction suggests that Trump was not only aware of the situation but actively engaged in the decision-making process (Vox).
Analysis
While Parnas's allegations are serious, the context and implications of his claims require careful examination. The recording of Trump agreeing to Yovanovitch's firing lends some credibility to Parnas's assertions about Trump's involvement in Ukraine matters. However, the claim that Trump is "following orders" from a hidden boss is more ambiguous.
Parnas himself has been described as a controversial figure, having been indicted on campaign finance violations, which raises questions about his motivations and reliability as a source (Politico). His statements may be influenced by his legal troubles and desire to mitigate his own culpability. Furthermore, Trump's consistent denials of knowing Parnas complicate the narrative, as he has publicly distanced himself from Parnas's claims (Politico).
The reliability of the sources discussing Parnas's claims varies. Vox provides a detailed analysis of the recording and its implications, while Politico highlights Trump's denials and the legal context surrounding Parnas. Both sources are reputable, but they approach the narrative from different angles, which is important for understanding the broader implications of Parnas's statements.
Conclusion
The claim that Trump is "following orders" from a hidden boss, as stated by Lev Parnas, is Partially True. While there is evidence suggesting that Trump was involved in decision-making regarding Ukraine, particularly in the case of Ambassador Yovanovitch, the assertion that he is merely a puppet following orders lacks sufficient substantiation. Parnas's credibility is questionable due to his legal issues, and Trump's denials further complicate the narrative. Thus, while there are elements of truth in Parnas's claims, the full context and implications remain unclear.
