Fact Check: Trump is not codenamed Krasnov
What We Know
The claim that Donald Trump was recruited by the KGB under the code name "Krasnov" originated from a Facebook post by Alnur Mussayev, a former KGB officer, on February 20, 2025. Mussayev alleged that Trump was enlisted by the KGB during a trip to Moscow in 1987, when Trump was 40 years old, and assigned the code name "Krasnov" (EuroNews). However, Mussayev did not provide any evidence to substantiate his claims. Furthermore, his position within the KGB has been questioned, as sources indicate that he was likely working for the Ministry of Internal Affairs at that time, not the KGB (Yahoo).
The rumor gained traction on social media, with various users mocking the claim and others attempting to present it as fact. Despite the viral nature of the claim, there is no credible evidence linking Trump to KGB recruitment or espionage (Snopes).
Analysis
The credibility of the claim hinges on the reliability of the source, Alnur Mussayev. While he identifies as a former KGB officer, the lack of corroborating evidence and the questionable nature of his claims raise significant doubts. Notably, the KGB's 6th Directorate, which Mussayev claims to have been part of, was primarily focused on guarding against economic espionage rather than recruiting foreign assets (EuroNews).
Additionally, the amplification of this claim can be attributed to Trump's controversial foreign policy stance, which some perceive as favorable to Russia. This context has led to a resurgence of speculation regarding Trump's ties to Russian interests, but speculation alone does not constitute evidence (Yahoo).
Moreover, the 2019 Mueller report, which investigated Russian interference in the 2016 elections, found links between the Trump campaign and Russian operatives but did not establish that Trump himself was a Russian agent or asset (EuroNews).
Conclusion
The claim that Donald Trump was codenamed "Krasnov" by the KGB is True in the sense that it is based on a false premise. There is no credible evidence to support Mussayev's assertion that Trump was recruited by the KGB or that he operated under that codename. The allegations lack substantiation and are rooted in speculative narratives rather than verified facts.
