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Rabbit Hole

The Conspiracy Theory So Far Out There Even Trump’s Biggest Defenders Are Walking Away From It

CLOWNSTRIKE

The Ukrainians had to Google it. George Kent had never heard of it. And yet Trump was so obsessed he tried to will it into existence—but triggered an impeachment inquiry instead.

Betsy Swan

Former Political Reporter

Erin Banco

National Security Reporter

Adam Rawnsley

Updated Nov. 14, 2019 6:31PM ET / Published Nov. 14, 2019 5:14PM ET 
BEAST INSIDE

Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast

When President Donald Trump brought up the word “Crowdstrike” on his now-infamous July 25 phone call with Ukraine’s president, he caused some head-scratching in Kyiv. According to two sources familiar with the call, aides to President Volodymyr Zelensky who listened to the call had no idea what Trump was talking about when he urged the newly elected Ukrainian leader to look into a mysterious “server” supposedly hidden somewhere in Ukraine. 

At that time, Trump’s obsession with the debunked conspiracy theory was understood and embraced perhaps only by his staunchest allies—but now even they don’t appear to see the Crowdstrike theory as a viable defense in the impeachment inquiry (perhaps not least because nobody knows what the hell it is). 

So, why did the Russian-friendly theory fail to gain steam?

Betsy Swan

Former Political Reporter

@woodruffbets

Erin Banco

National Security Reporter

Erin.Banco@thedailybeast.com

Adam Rawnsley

adam.rawnsley@thedailybeast.com

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