“Power is not an institution, and not a structure; neither is it a certain strength we are endowed with; it is the name that one attributes to a complex strategical situation in a particular society,” Michel Foucault once wrote. That lens power as leverage frames the latest incendiary allegations surrounding Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
One retired KGB official, Alnur Mussayev, has claimed that Putin maintains a ‘kompromat’ dossier on Trump, carefully assembled details so sensitive they could supposedly ruin him. The claims reach into areas of illicit finances, sexual misconduct, and even recruitment by Russia during the Cold War. All of Trump’s numerous protestations of innocence in handling Russia do not appear to end these claims.
Aside from the political scandal, the disclosures also involve issues of national security, geopolitics, and the psychological strain of continual political scandal. This is a brief summary of the most disconcerting aspects of the narrative, from the rumoured contents of the file itself to the overall history of Russian spy activity.
1. The Alleged ‘Kompromat’ File
Mussayev indicates that Putin’s file is not a loose collection of salacious gossip; it’s a comprehensive file. It reportedly contains recordings of violence against women done by Trump, bank records of illegal dealings linked to his business, and witness affidavits from Russian agents who are willing to corroborate the claims. Mussayev indicates that this file is employed as an active blackmail tool: comply with the Kremlin directives, or be exposed.
2. Strategic Leaks as Pressure Tactics
Clozer to the Edge editor Rook T. Winchester said this about how Moscow supposedly dishes out servings of kompromat not to drown Trump in a public scandal but to get him back on track with the Kremlin policy. “When Trump stalls or drifts away from Russia’s agenda, deploys just enough to remind him who’s in charge,” Winchester wrote. The alleged objective: discredit NATO, destabilise the EU, and bully Ukraine into concessions without a public scandal.
3. Leverage Without A Price Tag
In contrast to the usual blackmail scenario, Mussayev claims Putin isn’t interested in money. The leverage itself is the bribe. Winchester warned that if true, “the American presidency is compromised at its core operationally.” That would mean decisions about judges, executive orders, and foreign policy could be made under duress from overseas a chilling thought for any democracy.
4. The 1987 ‘Krasnov’ Recruitment Claim
Mussayev previously accused Trump of being recruited by the KGB during a 1987 visit to Moscow, being assigned the codename “Krasnov.” The visit, which was arranged by Soviet officials as Trump was looking into a hotel business, was taking place under a KGB directive to approach “leading Western individuals” for collaboration. While unsubstantiated, the claim is in line with previous KGB practices documented in Cold War records, wherein influential foreigners were cultivated as subtle contacts.
5. Rumours of the Steele Dossier
The kompromat story brings to mind the infamous Christopher Steele dossier, compiled by the same ex-MI6 man who also claimed Moscow hotel salacious video and financial entanglements. Fusion GPS’s Glenn Simpson said that Steele worried that Trump was being blackmailed, calling it a “national security threat.” Even with no decisive proof available, parallels between Mussayev’s accusations and other earlier intelligence rumour-mongering are hard to dismiss.
6. The KGB Long Game on Defectors
Historical records, including declassified KGB Wanted Lists, show how Soviet and current Russian intelligence recruit and manage defectors over many years. These lists included personal details, family connections, and recruitment or neutralisation tactics for the targets. The alleged Trump file is within this history of long-term, high-stakes cultivation, albeit this time, the target is a former U.S. president.
7. The Psychological Impact of Political Scandal
For politically engaged Americans, frequent exposure to high-stakes allegations like these can be exhausting. Professionals like Dr. Michelle Riba suggest limiting exposure to factual news sources only and avoiding confrontational debates when possible. Political exhaustion can present as worry, mood swings, or even physical symptoms, so it is essential to balance being informed with the preservation of one’s mental health.
Whatever the validity of Mussayev’s claims, they tap into a deep reservoir of fear about foreign penetration of U.S. leaders. The alleged kompromat, the calculated leaks, and the background of Russian intelligence imply an elevated game of influence. For the observer, the task is to distinguish fact from fantasy but recognise the enduring reality: in geopolitics, information can become the weapon of choice.
