NEW YORK — In May 2016, as Donald Trump began racking up Republican primary victories, his friend Tom Barrack sent an email to an official in the United Arab Emirates.
“Trump is the man,” Barrack said, suggesting “HH” could pack his bags.
Federal prosecutors have alleged “HH” is “His Highness,” in this case, UAE ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, or MBZ. And they argue the email was part of Barrack’s efforts to ingratiate himself with the Gulf State by suggesting he could steer U.S. policy in its favor. Other emails appear to show Barrack trying to arrange a meeting between Trump and MBZ.
