Trump Campaign Tip Came from Family with Local Ties
Emails made public this week show the Trump campaign in 2016 was offered information from a Russian government source that would “incriminate” Hillary Clinton. And Donald Trump Jr. eagerly accepted that offer, agreeing to meet with a high-powered Russian lawyer he believed could help the campaign on June 9, 2016. Trump’s emails suggest that the source of the tip were members of a family with whom the Trumps were friendly: the Agalarovs.
Aras Agalarov is a billionaire property developer in Russia, and his son Emin is a pop singer. In 2013, Aras Agalarov worked with Donald Trump to bring the Miss Universe pageant to Russia, and Trump appeared in Emin Agalarov’s 2013 music video, “In Another Life.”
While news accounts have generally described the Agalarovs as Russian-Azerbaijani, property records show they have also put down roots in New York and New Jersey.
In 2006, according to PropertyShark, Aras Agalarov and his wife, Irina, purchased a 8,260-square foot home in Alpine, NJ, for $8 million.
Public records also show Irina Agalarova and daughter Sheila Agalarova bought three condominiums in buildings around Manhattan starting in 2013. One residence, a 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath, includes views of the Chrysler building, and is now listed for rent at $9,500 per month. According to the records, none of the condos were mortgaged – the price was always paid in full. And unlike many wealthy people who purchase property in New York City, Irina and Sheila Agalarova did not use shell companies to hide their identity.
Attorneys listed on the documents all refused to comment for this story. Sheila Agalarova did not respond to voicemails. But social media feeds and party photos show both women with the media-friendly Emin, who usually appears mugging for the camera.
It’s unclear when the Agalarovs first came to the United States. In February, Emin Agalarov told Forbes that he attended Tenafly High School and Marymount Manhattan College.
“All in all, I have no business interests in America. My kids were born there. My mom and sister live there. But I really don’t have any business or interests there, and I probably won’t any time in the future,” Emin Agalarov said.
He told the magazine he visited Trump Tower shortly before Donald Trump announced his run for President, and has performed at one of his golf courses.
Emin Agalarov’s Instagram feed also includes a birthday video message from Donald Trump. “You’re a winner, you’re a champ, you’re great at real estate, and boy can you entertain,” Trump told Agalarov. Agalarov responded with a video message of his own: “I’ve been watching the entire election. You’re an absolute winner. You proved everybody wrong. It’s incredible. Congratulations.”
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