#DevinNunes & a small group of other American execs were there to talk business. But they weren’t there to meet w/representatives from another company. A high-ranking ofcl from the Macedonian government greeted them on the tarmac outside their private jet. Then a police escort ferried them from the airport. They were there to meet w/the #Balkan nation’s newly elected #PrimeMinister.

#law #FARA #LoganAct #NationalSecurity #Kleptocracy #Trump #Balkans #NorthMacedonia #ForeignPolicy #TrumpMedia

At the time, Prime Minister #HristijanMickoski, the leader of the country’s #conservative #nationalist party, offered littlein the way of specifics about the meeting’s purpose: “For now, I would not reveal this type of details,” he told local reporters in the #Balkans who covered the meeting at the time.

#law #FARA #LoganAct #ethics #NationalSecurity #compromised #Kleptocracy #Trump #TrumpMedia #DevinNunes #NorthMacedonia #ForeignPolicy

In a recent earnings call, Chris #Pavlovski, who accompanied #Nunes on the trip & who is the CEO of #Rumble, a video streaming company & close partner of #TrumpMedia, revealed that he had discussed a cloud technology services deal w/the Macedonian government.

The meeting is the first known instance of #Trump’s media company dealing directly w/a foreign government — & in this case one that is eager for a future Trump admin’s assistance on a wide range of #security, #economic & diplomatic issues.

In his public comments, the prime minister boasted about the visiting delegation’s #political connections. He described #DevinNunes‘ another attendee as “two of the closest associates of fmr president of the #UnitedStates Donald Trump.”

As #Trump runs for a 2nd term, #ethics experts have warned that his valuable stake in #TrumpMedia & its Twitter-like platform Truth Social presents opportunities for #influence.

#law #FARA #NationalSecurity #Kleptocracy #Balkans #NorthMacedonia #ForeignPolicy

Advertisers, vendors or investors who have #political agendas could use their business relationships w/the #SocialMedia enterprise to seek favorable treatment from a #Trump admin.

A #TrumpMedia spox didn’t respond to detailed questions, including about what role the company might play in such an agreement or whether one has been reached.

#law #FARA #LoganAct #ethics #NationalSecurity #compromised #Kleptocracy #Trump #Balkans #DevinNunes #NorthMacedonia #ForeignPolicy #TrumpMedia

The spox provided [an #unserious & #flippant] statement saying only, “The ProPublica geniuses, much to our dismay, have discovered #DevinNunes’ secret plan to reconstitute Alexander the Great’s empire & get Chris #Pavlovski named King of Macedon.”

Spokespeople for the #Trump campaign, #Rumble & the Macedonian PM didn’t respond to questions.

#law #FARA #LoganAct #ethics #NationalSecurity #compromised #Kleptocracy #Balkans #NorthMacedonia #ForeignPolicy #TrumpMedia

#Trump’s term in office was marked by concerns that foreign govts sought to curry favor by patronizing his businesses, including his DC, hotel [essentially indirectly bribing him]. Trump’s businesses had numerous dealings abroad even after his attorney pledged he would not enter into new foreign deals while he was president.

#law #FARA #LoganAct #ethics #NationalSecurity #compromised #Kleptocracy #Balkans #DevinNunes #NorthMacedonia #ForeignPolicy #TrumpMedia

If the Macedonian govt makes a deal w/ #TrumpMedia or its partners & #Trump is once again elected president, it could be another instance in which his private business interests intersect w/ #US #ForeignPolicy.

“They want an in w/Trump,” said a US govt ofcl who has been involved in #EasternEuropean issues, noting that #NorthMacedonia seeks US support in diplomatic disputes w/its neighbors.…

#law #FARA #LoganAct #ethics #NationalSecurity #compromised #Kleptocracy #Balkans #DevinNunes

#TrumpMedia launched just a few yrs ago, in 2021 [after he was banned from Twitter], but #Trump’s nearly 60% stake in the company now represents an important chunk of his personal fortune.

Trump Media’s stock [a worthless #MemeStock] is trading at about a quarter of the high it hit in March soon after it went public, but the company’s value remains around $3B, based in part on hype & speculation fueled by Trump fans.

#law #FARA #ethics #NationalSecurity #compromised #Kleptocracy #ForeignPolicy

The company has little revenue & TruthSocial has yet to catch on as a threat to other #socialmedia platforms. #Trump’s stake is currently worth ~$2B. In 1 week, he will be able to sell his shares for the first time.

Joining #DevinNunes on the trip were 2 other figures in Trump’s orbit: #Pavlovski, the #Rumble CEO, & #HowardLutnick, a Trump #donor & #WallStreet exec who helped Rumble go public & was recently named the co-chair of Trump’s #transition team.

#law #FARA #LoganAct #NationalSecurity

…Scenes from the group’s trip to #NorthMacedonia show the #TrumpMedia executives being greeted almost as visiting heads of state, beginning w/what #Pavlovski described in an Instagram post as a “pretty cool … legit police escort” from the airport.

#law #FARA #LoganAct #ethics #NationalSecurity #compromised #Kleptocracy #Trump #Balkans #DevinNunes #NorthMacedonia #ForeignPolicy

https://www.instagram.com/chrispavlovski/reel/C9vFez2Sthd/