WikiLeaks Offers $100k for ‘Tapes’ of Private Trump-Comey Chats
Anti-secrecy organization WikiLeaks has offered $100,000 for recordings of private conversations between US President Donald Trump and recently fired former FBI Director James Comey.
The president alluded to such “tapes” in a tweet shortly after Comey’s dismissal, when he said the former director had “better hope that there are no ‘tapes’ of our conversations,” should Comey start telling the press about the White House and why he got the axe.
WikiLeaks offers US$100k for the Trump-Comey tapes. To increase the reward send Bitcoin to reward address: 1FfzC3KrbrJ3CRbz4hqHnxSqvYfy9M5CT pic.twitter.com/CJInYx4fcw
— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) May 12, 2017
WikiLeaks provided a link to its online submission form in the tweet and in subsequent tweets told followers they could help increase the award by sending money to a reward account.
Comey was summarily sacked Tuesday evening, in a move Trump first described as following advice from his Justice Department, but later said had long been planned. He blamed Comey’s media-hungry style, calling him a “showboat” and a “grandstander,” and claimed his handling of the investigations into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server had left the FBI in turmoil.
Speculation raged after Comey’s dismissal, however, with many suggesting that by firing the FBI chief, Trump was attempting to obstruct the ongoing probe into his campaign’s connections to Russian business and government figures.
Others, citing Comey associates, said the former FBI chief had declined to pledge a personal oath of loyalty to the president during a private dinner shortly after the inauguration, and this “disloyalty” is what caused him to be dismissed. It is this that Trump’s Friday morning tweet is believe to allude to.
James Comey better hope that there are no "tapes" of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 12, 2017
Critics have said that Trump’s tweet amounts to witness intimidation, as Comey may be called to testify regarding Trump’s alleged Russia ties.
Trump is known to tape congressional hearings to listen to later, though it is not known whether recordings of his private conversations, including this one, exist.
Julian Assange, WikiLeaks founder, was also quick to offer Comey a new role at the whistleblowing organization, saying “Working for WikiLeaks is fulfilling.”
Mr. Comey knows where many bodies are buried. Working for WikiLeaks is fulfilling. James–don't become another lobbyist for Glock or Donkin.
— Julian Assange (@JulianAssange) May 10, 2017
WikiLeaks would be happy to consider hiring James Comey to help lead its DC office should he like to properly investigate the US government.
— Julian Assange (@JulianAssange) May 9, 2017
FBI directors in general serve a term of 10 years, in order to keep them separate from the four-year presidential cycle in the US. Comey had more than six years to go in his term.
The president said Saturday that he would move quickly to name a new FBI director, and is believed to be seriously interviewing four candidates.
WikiLeaks offers US$100k for the Trump-Comey tapes.
You can increase the reward via most methods at https://t.co/lmsmphuH2N (tell us) pic.twitter.com/B1URWyEXZk
— WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) May 12, 2017
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