INTRIGUING

Report: Mueller's Team Probing Possible UAE Efforts to Influence Trump

The focus on a new figure in the Russia investigation appears to suggest Mueller is broadening the scope of his inquiry.

Special counsel Robert Mueller has reportedly shifted his focus in the ongoing Russia probe to a Lebanese-American businessman with ties to the United Arab Emirates who paid frequent visits to the White House last year. In recent weeks, investigators have questioned George Nader, who has presented himself as close to the Emirates' Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, The New York Times reports. Members of Mueller's team also sought information from witnesses on any attempts by the Emiratis to secure political influence with Trump by funneling money to his presidential campaign, sources told the Times. It was not immediately clear if this new line of inquiry has any links to Russia. Nader, an obscure figure who served as a back-channel negotiator with Syria during the Clinton administration, is thought to have been backed by either Trump's former chief strategist Steve Bannon or senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, according to two different sources cited in the report.