Roger Stone

Alright, let’s dissect this Wikipedia entry. It’s a rather dry account of a man who seems to have made a career out of being… involved. Not exactly a profile in courage, but certainly a figure of interest, if one appreciates the darker shades of political theater.

Roger Stone

This particular Roger Stone, the one who insists on being known as Roger Joseph Stone Jr. and not some truncated version, is an American political operative. Born on August 27, 1952, in Norwalk, Connecticut, he’s carved out a niche for himself as an activist, a consultant, and, when the mood strikes, a lobbyist. He’s been around the block more times than a seasoned politician, and frankly, he carries the mileage.

For those who might confuse him with another Roger Stone—perhaps a local councillor in Britain or a Welsh village—rest assured, this is the one who traffics in the less savory aspects of American politics.

Education and Affiliations

His academic journey led him to George Washington University , though his time there was apparently cut short. He’s been affiliated with the Republican Party for the bulk of his career, though he flirted with the Libertarian Party between 2012 and 2015. One might wonder if that was a phase, or perhaps a strategic repositioning. He’s also been linked to the New Right , though the specifics of that connection are, shall we say, open to interpretation.

Occupations

Stone’s professional life is a tapestry woven with threads of activism, political consulting, and lobbying. He’s not just a participant; he’s a purveyor of political strategy, often with a decidedly hard edge.

Criminal Record and Pardon

This is where things get… interesting. Stone found himself on the wrong side of the law, facing felony charges that included witness tampering , obstructing an official proceeding , and making false statements to Congress . The penalty was a rather significant 40 months in federal prison. However, as is often the case in these circles, a presidential commutation and subsequent pardon ultimately spared him from serving that time. It raises questions, doesn’t it? About accountability, influence, and the very definition of justice.

Early Life and Political Awakening

Born Roger Joseph Stone Jr. to Gloria Rose (Corbo) and Roger J. Stone, he grew up in Lewisboro, New York . His parents, a PTA president and a well driller, provided a seemingly ordinary, middle-class , blue-collar upbringing. Yet, even as a child, Stone displayed a precocious knack for political maneuvering. He recounted how, during the 1960 presidential election , he engaged in petty deception to boost John F. Kennedy ’s campaign. His high school years saw him mastering the art of political strategy, manipulating student government to his advantage.

His intellectual journey was shaped by Barry Goldwater ’s The Conscience of a Conservative , drawing him towards conservatism . By 2007, he described himself as a staunch conservative with libertarian leanings, a blend that often defines a certain brand of political pragmatism.

Career Beginnings: The Nixon Era and Watergate

Stone’s political career truly took flight in 1972, when he joined Richard Nixon ’s Committee to Re-elect the President . This period, however, is indelibly linked to the Watergate scandal . Stone’s role was that of an operative, tasked with gathering intelligence and engaging in what he himself has referred to as “the black arts.” He maintains his innocence regarding any illegal activities during Watergate, but the association—however distant the Nixon Foundation might try to paint it—lingers. He was a young man, barely out of his teens, but already immersed in the machinations of power.

After Nixon’s resignation, Stone found himself working for Bob Dole , but his association with “dirty tricks” followed him, leading to his dismissal.

In 1975, he co-founded the National Conservative Political Action Committee , an organization that was instrumental in pioneering independent expenditure political advertising, a tactic that has since become a staple of modern campaigns.

The Reagan Years and the Rise of Lobbying

Stone’s involvement with Ronald Reagan ’s campaigns, starting in 1976, solidified his place within the Republican establishment. By 1977, at the young age of 24, he led the Young Republicans , a feat managed by his friend Paul Manafort . Their methods, involving detailed “whip books” on delegates, foreshadowed a career built on meticulous, often ruthless, preparation.

His meeting with Donald Trump in 1979, facilitated by the infamous Roy Cohn , marked the beginning of a long and complex relationship. Stone became a key figure in fundraising for the 1980 Reagan campaign , with Trump himself joining the finance committee. Stone recalls an immediate connection with Trump, a bond that would prove remarkably resilient over the decades.

The 1980s saw the formation of Black, Manafort & Stone (BMS), a lobbying firm that quickly became a powerhouse in Washington D.C. They were known for their aggressive tactics and willingness to represent controversial clients, earning them the moniker “The Torturers’ Lobby” for their work with foreign dictators like Mobutu Sese Seko and Ferdinand Marcos . The firm also represented major corporations, including Rupert Murdoch ’s News Corporation and the Tobacco Institute . Stone’s approach was characterized by his associate Lee Atwater ’s philosophy: “attack, attack, attack—never defend.” Stone himself has described his modus operandi as “admit nothing, deny everything, and launch a counterattack,” a mantra that seems to have guided his career.

The 1988 Bush Campaign and the Willie Horton Ads

Stone was an adviser to Jack Kemp ’s presidential campaign in 1987-88, while his partners worked for George H. W. Bush . He became associated with the controversial Willie Horton advertisements, a tactic used against Michael Dukakis in the 1988 campaign. While Stone denied making or distributing the ads, he admitted to urging Lee Atwater against their inclusion. The controversy highlights the ethically ambiguous terrain Stone often navigated.

The 1990s: Early Trump Connections and a Scandalous Interlude

The 1990s saw Stone and Manafort sell their firm, but their association persisted. Stone continued to lobby for Donald Trump, particularly concerning his casino business .

A particularly notable episode occurred during the 1996 presidential campaign for Senator Bob Dole . Stone resigned his consultancy role after the National Enquirer reported on ads he had allegedly placed in swingers’ publications seeking sexual partners. Stone initially denied the ads, even falsely blaming a discharged employee. However, he later admitted their authenticity, a testament to his willingness to engage in, and later confess to, provocative behavior.

The 2000s: Florida Recount, Killian Memos, and Spitzer’s Father

Stone’s involvement in the 2000 presidential election saw him manage Donald Trump’s brief foray into the Reform Party presidential primaries. Journalist Wayne Barrett accused Stone of orchestrating this move to undermine Pat Buchanan and aid George W. Bush .

He also played a role in the Florida recount , assisting with public relations during the contentious process. The infamous Brooks Brothers riot , a demonstration aimed at halting the recount, is an event to which both Stone and Brad Blakeman have claimed involvement in managing.

In the 2004 United States presidential election , Stone advised Al Sharpton during his Democratic primaries campaign. Critics suggested this was a ploy to undermine the Democrats, a charge Sharpton denied. Stone was also accused of forging the Killian memos , which questioned President Bush’s military service. Stone vehemently denied these accusations.

Perhaps one of his most notorious episodes occurred in 2007 when he was forced to resign from advising Joseph Bruno after allegedly threatening Bernard Spitzer , the father of gubernatorial candidate Eliot Spitzer . Stone left an expletive-laden voicemail, and despite his denials, his voice was reportedly recognized. Even Donald Trump was quoted as saying Stone was caught “red-handed, lying.”

In 2008, Stone founded Citizens United Not Timid, an anti-Hillary Clinton 527 group with an acronym that was, shall we say, strategically provocative.

2010–2014: Libertarian Detours and Political Maneuvering

Stone’s political affiliations continued to shift. In 2010, he managed the campaign of Kristin Davis , a madam linked to the Spitzer scandal, for the Libertarian Party nomination. He claimed a goal of securing half a million votes for her, while simultaneously supporting Republican Carl Paladino . He justified this by stating the campaigns had different objectives. He later faced a defamation lawsuit from Warren Redlich , the Libertarian nominee, over flyers labeling him a “sexual predator,” a suit Stone ultimately won.

He also advised comedian Steve Berke in his 2011 campaign for mayor of Miami Beach, Florida . In 2012, Stone officially switched his party affiliation to Libertarian , predicting a “Libertarian moment” and the demise of the Republican Party. He ran a super PAC supporting Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson and even considered a run for governor of Florida in 2014, ultimately deciding to focus on the medical cannabis referendum.

2015–2019: The Trump Campaign and Media Firestorm

Stone’s most prominent role came as an adviser to Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign . Though he left the campaign in August 2015, his influence remained, and he continued to serve as an informal adviser and media surrogate. His often aggressive media appearances and controversial statements led to him being banned from CNN and MSNBC for offensive Twitter posts.

During the campaign, Stone was at the center of a scandal involving Ted Cruz , with the National Enquirer publishing a story about alleged extramarital affairs, quoting Stone. Cruz accused Stone and the Trump campaign of a smear operation. Stone also formed the pro-Trump group “Stop the Steal,” threatening “Days of Rage ” if Trump was denied the nomination.

The 2017 Netflix documentary Get Me Roger Stone offered a deep dive into his life and tactics. Stone also made controversial statements regarding Saudi Arabia and promoted conspiracy theories, such as the false claim that Huma Abedin was connected to the Muslim Brotherhood .

Proud Boys Ties and Legal Troubles

Stone’s association with the Proud Boys , a radical right group known for violence, drew significant attention. He sought them out for “security” at an event and was photographed with them. The group later rallied behind him, displaying signs supporting him. Stone’s relationship with the group’s former leader, Enrique Tarrio , further solidified these connections. Investigations later emerged into Stone’s potential role in influencing the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers in their participation in the 2021 storming of the United States Capitol .

Connections with WikiLeaks and Russian Espionage

The Mueller special counsel investigation heavily scrutinized Stone’s alleged connections to WikiLeaks and Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election . Stone had tweeted cryptic messages about John Podesta ’s emails before their release, fueling speculation of advance knowledge. He admitted to a “back-channel” with Julian Assange but denied any coordination with Russian intelligence. The FBI investigated his communications with Guccifer 2.0 , a persona linked to Russian military intelligence. The Senate Intelligence Committee’s final report found that Stone had access to WikiLeaks and that Trump had discussed the releases with him.

Arrest, Trial, and Conviction

On January 25, 2019, Stone was arrested and indicted on charges of obstruction, false statements, and witness tampering. The indictment alleged he relayed information about potential WikiLeaks releases to the Trump campaign. His trial began in November 2019, with testimony from Rick Gates and Randy Credico . On November 15, 2019, a jury convicted Stone on all seven felony counts.

Sentencing, Intervention, and Clemency

In February 2020, Judge Amy Berman Jackson sentenced Stone to 40 months in prison. This sentence was reduced following intervention from senior Justice Department officials and public criticism from President Trump, leading to the withdrawal of the prosecutors involved. This intervention was widely condemned as political interference.

On July 10, 2020, Trump commuted Stone’s sentence, and on December 23, 2020, he issued a full pardon.

Post-Pardon and Later Activities

Following his pardon, Stone continued to be a vocal supporter of Donald Trump. He spread false claims of voter fraud after the 2020 United States presidential election and suggested Trump should declare martial law if he lost. He appeared at the “Stop the Steal ” rally on January 5, 2021, urging followers to fight. Video evidence later surfaced showing him meeting with Oath Keepers on the day of the Capitol attack. He was subpoenaed by the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack but invoked the Fifth Amendment .

Stone also supported Russia during its 2022 invasion of Ukraine , echoing Russian talking points about biological weapons programs.

In 2022, he joined the Ontario Party in Canada as a Senior Strategic Advisor. In 2023, he launched “The Roger Stone Show” on WABC radio, which was later syndicated.

Personal Life

Stone married Anne Elizabeth Wesche in 1974, with whom he divorced in 1990. His wife, Nydia Bertran Stone, has been married to him since 1992. He attributes his youthful appearance to a regimen of Chinese herbs , breathing therapies, tai chi , and acupuncture .

Federal Civil Tax Evasion Suit

In April 2021, the Justice Department filed a civil suit against Stone and his wife, alleging they owed approximately $2 million in unpaid federal taxes and used a commercial entity to shield income. In 2022, Stone agreed to a settlement, agreeing to pay over $2 million.

Fashion

Stone has a well-documented interest in men’s fashion, publishing his “Mr. Stone’s Annual Best & Worst Dressed” list for years. He expounds on his style in his book Stone’s Rules, emphasizing confidence and taste. His personal style has been described as flamboyant, with a penchant for tailored suits and a distinct lack of socks. He is known to be a client of the tailor Alan Flusser . His office in Florida is famously a “Hall of Nixonia,” filled with memorabilia related to Richard Nixon .

Books

Stone has authored several books, often delving into political conspiracies and historical analyses, including:

• The Man Who Killed Kennedy: The Case Against LBJ (2013)
• Nixon’s Secrets: The Rise, Fall and Untold Truth about the President, Watergate, and the Pardon (2014)
• The Clintons’ War on Women (2015)
• Jeb! and the Bush Crime Family: The Inside Story of an American Dynasty (2016)
• The Making of the President 2016: How Donald Trump Orchestrated a Revolution (2017)
• Stone’s Rules: How to Win at Politics, Business, and Style (2018)
• The Myth of Russian Collusion: The Inside Story of How Donald Trump REALLY Won (2019)

This man, Roger Stone, is a living embodiment of political strategy at its most audacious, and at times, its most ethically compromised. His life is a case study in the pursuit of power, the manipulation of narratives, and the enduring, often turbulent, relationship between political operatives and the figures they serve.