The Daily The Outsize Life and Quiet Death of the Steele Dossier
Dec 13, 2021
Michael S. Schmidt, a Washington correspondent for The New York Times, delves into the controversial Steele dossier, originally crafted as opposition research on Donald Trump. He discusses its transformative impact on American politics and media narratives during Trump's presidency. The arrest of Igor Danchenko, a key source for the dossier, raises significant questions about its credibility. Schmidt critiques the media's role in amplifying unchecked allegations and explores the political ramifications of the dossier, shedding light on the complexities of journalism during this turbulent time.
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Unusual Opposition Research
- Michael Schmidt recounts attending opposition research meetings where typically old-school political corruption is discussed.
- In 2016, however, the focus shifted to allegations of a candidate's co-option by a foreign power.
Dossier's Initial Dismissal
- Schmidt received a copy of the dossier, read it, and found it intriguing but difficult to verify.
- He deemed the document insignificant, forgetting it at his parents' house.
Dossier's Origins
- The Steele dossier's origins predate the Clinton campaign, arising from Republican primary concerns about Trump.
- After Trump secured the nomination, the Clinton campaign inherited the research effort.