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Manafort Notes From Russian Meet Refer to Political Contributions

The sources told NBC News that prosecutors want to know what Trump knew about the meeting and whether he sought to conceal its purpose

Paul Manafort's notes from a controversial Trump Tower meeting with Russians during the 2016 presidential campaign included a mention of political contributions near a reference to the Republican National Committee, two sources briefed on the evidence told NBC News.

The contents of the note, which have not been previously disclosed, elevated the significance of the June 2016 meeting for congressional investigators, who are focused on determining whether it included any discussion of donations from Russian sources to either the Trump campaign or the Republican Party.

It is illegal for foreigners to donate to American elections. The meeting happened just as Trump had secured the Republican nomination for president, and he was considered a longshot to win. Manafort was the campaign chairman at the time.

The sources told NBC News that prosecutors want to know what Trump knew about the meeting and whether he sought to conceal its purpose.

CORRECTION (Aug. 31, 8:21 p.m. EST): An earlier version of this article used an incorrect quotation in describing Paul Manafort’s notes. According to a spokesman for Sen. Charles Grassley, whose committee staff has reviewed them, the notes did not include the word "donation." A source who provided the information said the notes used a word that referenced political contributions, and another source said the notes used the word "donor."

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