As I missing something? The guy, scumbag though he may be, had no connection to the transition team or the campaign.
If this was in January after the election it also weakens the Trump is Putin's puppet narrative.
The fact it happened in January
strengthens the narrative. Putin helping Trump become President was the
Quid. After the election they would have to meet to negotiate the
Pro Quo.
Also Prince has strong ties to the Trump Transition. He is a huge donor. His sister rode those donations to a cabinet position she is in now way qualified for and Prince was spotted multiple times in the transition offices. The only reason Prince wasn't working for Trump in a official capacity is because he was too toxic.
Is this a big deal? Im thinking it isnt since this thread's moving way slower than last week's about that one dude who wanted immunity.
Yes. It is a big deal. The article indicates that this meeting is part of the FBI's investigation which gives us another clue as to it's scope. This backchannel would also provide more indications that there was a Quid Pro Quo relationship between Trump and Moscow. Also this tidbit about the man who set up the meeting is key:
WaPo said:
Current and former U.S. officials who have worked closely with Zayed, who is often referred to as MBZ, say it would be out of character for him to arrange the Jan. 11 meeting without getting a green light in advance from top aides to Trump and Putin, if not the leaders themselves. ”MBZ is very cautious," said an American businessman who knows Zayed. ”There had to be a nod."
The Flynn immunity thread moved faster because what was going on there was more immediately understood by anyone who's watched
The Sopranos.