[nathanaldensr]

So it's Donald Trump's fault that a group of people completely fabricated information. Got it.

[simonh]

If you build a solid reputation for something, that makes you vulnerable to future allegations along the same lines. It doesn't justify false allegations in any way.

[vannevar]

No, but it's Donald Trump's fault that the fabrications seemed plausible based on his past behavior.

And to be fair, many of the Steele dossier claims had some corroboration (eg, numerous meetings between the Trump campaign and the Russians).