NYT "Daily" Podcast Accused of Gaslighting on Steele Dossier

The Steele Dossier's Role in the Intelligence Community Assessment

• 🎯 The CIA attached a summary of the Steele Dossier, described as unsubstantiated allegations and conspiracy fiction, as an annex to its assessment.
• 💡 Critics argue that the dossier, despite being called "unsubstantiated" by Michael Schmidt, was effectively integrated into the assessment through a footnote in the main body.
• ⚠️ This integration, they contend, compromises the analytical integrity of the conclusion that Russia aimed to help Trump win the election.

John Brennan's Influence and Objections

• 🧠 John Brennan, then CIA Director, reportedly pushed for the dossier's inclusion, stating it "rings true," despite internal objections from Russia experts.
• 🚫 Senior CIA officers argued the dossier failed to meet basic intelligence standards, but Brennan allegedly refused to remove it.
• 🗣️ Brennan's public claims that the dossier was not incorporated into the assessment are contradicted by recent declassifications and House Intel reports.

Michael Schmidt's Reporting and Defense

• 🔍 Michael Schmidt's reporting is criticized for downplaying the dossier's significance and omitting facts that undermine his narrative.
• 🎭 Critics accuse Schmidt of creating "straw men" and dismissing evidence to defend a predetermined conclusion, labeling his reporting as "gaslighting."
• 📰 The New York Times, where Schmidt works, is accused of being a part of peddling the conspiracy theory surrounding the dossier.

Allegations of Clinton-Originating Conspiracy

• 📧 FBI Director Cash Patel declassified an email suggesting Hillary Clinton allies approved a plan to tie Trump to Russia.
• ⚠️ However, a previous special counsel determined this email was likely a fake, possibly a composite created by Russian intelligence from hacked emails.
• 🧐 The authenticity of these hacked emails is questioned, with Durham's investigation expressing uncertainty about their genuineness.

Broader Implications and Trust in Agencies

• 📉 The discussion highlights a perceived partisan bias within intelligence agencies and media outlets that promoted the Russia collusion narrative.
• 🤥 Skeptics of the Russia interference claims were labeled as apologists or conspiracy theorists, while now declassified information suggests the "consensus" was driven by a few individuals.
• 🏛️ The revelations have led to a loss of trust in these agencies for some, revealing what they describe as corruption and partisanship among former leadership.