Notes taken by then-Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort in a 2016 meeting with Russian officials show the word “donations” near references to the Republican National Committee (RNC), two sources told NBC News.
The notes on Manafort’s smartphone from the meeting were allegedly turned over to special counsel Robert Mueller and the Senate and House Intelligence committees, all of which are investigating possible ties between Russia and President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE’s campaign.
NBC reported Thursday that a source briefed on the information described the notes as cryptic but containing the words “donations” and “RNC” in close proximity.
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Donald Trump Jr., son-in-law Jared Kushner and Manafort met with Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya at Trump Tower after an intermediary said she could provide potentially damaging information on then-Democratic presidential nominee Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhite House accuses Biden of pushing ‘conspiracy theories’ with Trump election claim Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton qualifies to run for county commissioner in Florida MORE.
The meeting, which has come under high scrutiny, came just as Trump was set to gain the Republican nomination for president.
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Donations to American campaigns from foreign individuals or entities is illegal in the U.S. under the Federal Election Campaign Act.
Earlier this week, NBC News reported that Mueller is looking into if Trump tried to hide the purpose of the meeting.
Mueller recently partnered with New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman (D) to investigate Manafort’s past lobbying work with Russian connections, Politico reported on Wednesday.
FBI agents raided Manafort’s home in July, but authorities have not accused him of any wrongdoing.
The RNC did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill.