‘A Big Mess’ — Local Russia Expert Puts Trump Jr. Emails into Context

“It’s damning in a much larger sense that most people don’t know,” says Wayne State Prof. Aaron Retish.

Laura Weber Davis/WDET

A clearer picture is coming into focus regarding Russia’s attempts to interfere in the 2016 election. Last week, details emerged about Donald Trump Jr.’s meeting with a Russian lawyer who offered damning information on Hillary Clinton.

In an email correspondence ahead of the meeting, the Russian attorney stated that the Kremlin hoped to assist the Trump campaign.

What does this revelation tell us about our relationship with Russia?

Detroit Today host Stephen Henderson speaks with Aaron Retish, a history professor at Wayne State University with a specialization in Soviet and Russian history, to put the latest news related to Russia into context

“The whole thing’s a big mess,” says Retish. “And each revelation seems to get messier and messier.”

“We now have this smoking gun that says there was Russian interference in the U.S. election, that they were trying to promote Donald Trump. But I also think it’s damning in a much larger sense that most people don’t know.”

To hear more from Prof. Aaron Retish about the implications and possible repercussions of the story, click on the audio player above.

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  • Detroit Today
    Dynamic and diverse voices. News, politics, community and the issues that define our region. Hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Stephen Henderson, Detroit Today brings you fresh and perceptive views weekdays at 9 am and 7 pm.