Donald Trump visited Moscow in November 2013 for the Miss Universe pageant, which was held at Crocus City Hall. The event was organized in partnership with Russian billionaire Aras Agalarov, a real estate developer with close ties to the Kremlin.
Key Details of the Visit:
Trump Tower Moscow Talks – During the trip, Trump was in discussions with Agalarov about a potential Trump Tower Moscow project. Although Trump expressed excitement about the deal, it never moved forward.
Putin Invitation? – Trump repeatedly hinted that he might meet Vladimir Putin during the visit. Before the trip, he tweeted:
> "Do you think Putin will be going to The Miss Universe Pageant in November in Moscow — if so, will he become my new best friend?"
However, there is no confirmed evidence that he actually met Putin in person. Instead, Trump later claimed that Putin sent him a gift and a "beautiful letter", though details remain unclear.
Connections with Russian Officials – Trump socialized with Aras Agalarov and his son Emin Agalarov, a Russian pop star. They played a key role in later efforts to set up a 2016 meeting between Trump's campaign team and Russian officials.
Miss Universe Afterparty – Trump attended a lavish afterparty in Moscow, where he mingled with wealthy Russian businessmen and celebrities.
While Trump’s 2013 Moscow trip fueled speculation about his ties to Russia, there is no public evidence that
he met with Putin during that visit.