Full Breakdown
Christopher Steele Defends Controversial Russia Dossier in First Major Interview
5/3/2026, 9:54:46 AM
Steele’s First Major Interview Reopens Dossier Debate
In early October 2021, former MI6 officer Christopher Steele gave his first interview with ABC News host George Stephanopoulos since the 2016 dossier’s leak. Steele reaffirmed confidence in the dossier’s sources and methods, while conceding that some details may be inaccurate. He defended the allegation of a 2013 tape showing Donald Trump directing prostitutes to perform a “golden shower” in a Moscow hotel and insisted Michael Cohen’s alleged 2016 Prague meeting with Russian contacts remains credible despite Cohen’s denial and FBI finding that the claim was false.
Background & Context
The 2016 dossier, compiled by Steele’s firm for opposition-research clients, was leaked in January 2017. Mueller’s investigation later confirmed Russian attempts to influence the election, documented numerous contacts between Trump campaign officials and Russian-linked individuals, and noted a Moscow real-estate discussion by the Trump Organization.
Key Figures
Christopher Steele (former MI6 officer) authored the dossier; Donald Trump (45th U.S. president) is the subject of the “golden shower” claim; Michael Cohen (Trump’s former personal attorney) is named for the Prague allegation; George Stephanopoulos (ABC News anchor) conducted the interview; FBI assessed the Prague claim.
Why It Matters
The interview revives debate over the dossier’s credibility, influencing public perception of Russian interference and shaping ongoing political narratives about Trump’s conduct and the reliability of opposition-research intelligence.
Official Statements & Responses
Steele told Stephanopoulos he “stands by the work we did, the sources that we had, and the professionalism we applied,” adding “not everything in the dossier is 100% accurate.” He doubts the Cohen-Prague claim, though FBI concluded the allegation was false. Washington Post reported Trump’s comment that his sexual kinks do not involve being peed upon.
Criticism & Opposition
Michael Cohen mocked Steele, calling him “a/k/a Austin Powers” and sarcastically suggesting future dossiers would prove the existence of Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and Elvis. Cohen also denied the Prague meeting, aligning with the FBI’s finding that the allegation was false.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The alleged “golden shower” tape remains unverified; no public evidence has been presented, and Steele offers no independent confirmation. The Cohen-Prague claim is contradicted by Cohen’s denial and the FBI’s conclusion, yet Steele has offered no additional corroboration. These discrepancies illustrate gaps in the dossier’s evidentiary foundation.
Verbatim Quotes
- “stand[s] by the work we did, the sources that we had, and the professionalism which we applied to it.” — Christopher Steele, former MI6 officer
- “I’m prepared to accept that not everything in the dossier is 100% accurate. I have yet to be convinced that that is one of them.” — Christopher Steele, former MI6 officer
- “I’m pleased to see that my old friend Christopher Steele, a/k/a Austin Powers, has crawled out of the pub long enough to make up a few more stories. I eagerly await his next secret dossier which proves the existence of Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster and that Elvis is still alive.” — Michael Cohen, former personal attorney to Donald Trump
- “Earlier this month, Donald Trump announced to a room full of Republican donors that his sexual kinks do not involve being peed upon.” — Donald Trump, former U.S. President (statement reported by The Washington Post)
What's Next
Steele’s interview coincides with the release of a documentary on the dossier, suggesting further public scrutiny and the possibility of renewed investigations into the unverified claims.
