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Judge has ruled that trump is liable in the second E Jean Carroll defamation case and the jury will only be required to determine damages when the case opens on Jan 15th.
Carroll is seeking at least $10 million; judge has also said jury should not be influenced by previous award of $5 million so, in theory at least, it could be a biggie.
No doubt trump will be looking to appeal and delay.
The more these legal cases go on, the more shit I learn about Trump, the more convinced I am that he (and his legal "teams") are now simply carving out a new career or industry as grifters.
Wrack up the outrage, the donations come poring in and Trump and his team reap the rewards. Now, the Presidential election is just a motivator for the outrage....
Jack Smith is taking a keen interest in the fund raising and further charges may follow if they are deemed to be illegal.
Trump is definitely starting to realise he may die in jail.
Jack Smith also interested in and, reportedly, concerned by trump's daily social media posts criticising the process, prosecution, 'unfairness/witch hunt'.
Concern is that the volume and content of posts will prejudice the DC jury pool.
The judge had specifically warned trump's legal team about this behaviour and said she would consider accelerating the trial start date if it continued.
If she does nothing she will be perceived as weak by trump and his team.
Options:
- impose restructions on trump's use of social media
- accelerate the start date.
She has already flagged these options.
I think trump is daring her...I'll say what I want; what are you going to do about it?
I think trump is daring her…I’ll say what I want; what are you going to do about it?
one of the best descriptions I’ve ever heard of trump is that he ‘thinks in insults’. I really don’t think he can stop himself.
Reported that the Mar-a-Lago IT guy - Yucsil Taveras - who had been referred to as defendant 4 has reached a 'co-operation agreement' with Jack Smith.
That can't be anything other than bad news for trump.
Brilliant word-smithing there. Surely an 'agreement' is a 'cooperation' by definition?
Can you double agree to the same thing twice?
Seems Mark Meadows is going to flip in Georgia
22 years for Proud Boy leader
If Trump gets elected he will walk free.
But these convictions put his ability to run in jeopardy, doesn't their constitution specifically prohibit any one found guilty of insurrection or of giving 'comfort' (modern definition being 'support' or 'encouragement' perhaps)to insurrectionists from holding the office of President (or words to that effect)?
All any of the cases against him need to demonstrate now is that Trump in some way supported/encouraged/endorsed any one of the growing number of convicted insurrectionists and he can't run, can't pardon anyone or bully the various cases against him away.
The calculation the GOP now need to make is what is the probability of his being ineligible to take office Vs his popularity with the base and chances of winning the election? All the other Rep' candidates are a long way behind and while Donny's various legal shenanigans are helping with the MAGA faithful, are they really wooing non-lunatic more moderate voter's?
I really think the republicans need to find a way to boot him from the nomination race ASAP, for their own sakes.
Of course if he doesn't get to run for whatever reason, or worse yet gets to run but loses, and again claims it's a fix, does America edge closer to a new civil war?
mr fez, it's not tautology but if you think it's an example of syntactical inexactitude you could read it as...agreed to co-operate.
The wording I quoted was a direct lift from CNN; you could email them with your comment...
syntaxcorner@cnn.com
But these convictions put his ability to run in jeopardy, doesn’t their constitution specifically prohibit any one found guilty of insurrection or of giving ‘comfort’
.....
I really think the republicans need to find a way to boot him from the nomination race ASAP, for their own sakes.
That 14th amendment thing would be a state level decision. In any of the states a process could be started which results in a decision to exclude Trump from the ballot paper. The question is is that a process that takes place now - before the list of nominees is announced? Or nearer election day once the candidates are all confirmed. It's an action that would only have any meaningful impact in states that would likely vote for Trump/Republican and the government in those states would likely be republican - and the incumbents by this point are either themselves Trumpy or at least prepared to seem Trumpy in the eyes of the electorate. If the party ends up with Trump as their nominee then this means those republican state governments would be faced with making the decision to exclude Trump - but that would mean that they would be responsible for there not being a republican candidate on the ballot paper in that state. Given the people involved in that decision themselves are democratically elected thats asking them to bin their own career.
Democratic states could take the same action too - but it would make no difference to the outcome other than to make it appear to some that they are vote rigging and gerrymandering no matter what the actual outcome of the election - Trump is both a sore loser and a sore winner.
Democratic states could take the same action too – but it would make no difference to the outcome
The outcome might be something else, such as Republican states trying to falsely manufacture situations where they can bar Democratic Presidential candidates from running. Sounds ludicrous, but theres been plenty of ludicrous lately.
But these convictions put his ability to run in jeopardy, doesn’t their constitution specifically prohibit any one found guilty of insurrection or of giving ‘comfort’ (modern definition being ‘support’ or ‘encouragement’ perhaps)to insurrectionists from holding the office of President (or words to that effect)?
As I understand it, that constitutional amendment was put in place after the Civil War to keep Confederate leaders out of Congress (because then they would be able to legislate to overturn the abolition of slavery, etc.) Later, in order to reconcile the North and South, those bans were overturned. That clause has never been used since and I don't think it would be wise for Democrats to try to use it now to block Trump.
Firstly, it won't stop Trump from being nominated and appearing on the ballot. If his name's on the ballot, Democrats have to beat him at the ballot box or Republicans will not accept the winner as a legitimate president.
Secondly, if Democrats try that on a Republican nominee, then Republicans will try it on the next Democrat. Once that starts, every election from now on will be claimed as illegitimate by the losing side.
However, if a Republican candidate such as Chris Christie tries to have Trump disqualified, that's a different matter. That's an argument within the Republican party about whether he's a legitimate nominee before his name goes on the ballots, whereas if a Democrat tried it after he was nominated, it would be whether votes cast for the Republican nominee should be disqualified.
Important thing is, the only way to kill off Trump's toxic popularism is to beat him at the ballot box, not in court.
trump's populism will only be killed off when he dies - and that day can't come soon enough.
The resulting void will be filled by something even more toxic - think ramaswamy on (metaphorical) steroids.
This one might not go to trial, as the crimes are a matter of record, a summary judgement has already been requested.
Former Trump Peter Navarro aide found guilty of contempt of congress for defying Jan 6 subpoena.
Mehta scheduled Navarro’s sentencing for Jan. 12. Navarro was convicted in Washington’s federal courthouse of two misdemeanor counts of contempt of Congress, both punishable by up to a year behind bars.
Mark meadows attempt to move (his) trial in Georgia case to federal court has, unsurprisingly, been rejected.
Poor donny and his acolytes just can't get a break; makes me wonder, why?
In other news...in NYC fraud case Letitia James's team have amended their estimate of the size of trump org's overstatement of value in any one year from $2.2 to $3.6 billion.
Significance? Overstatement of value induces lenders to loan larger amounts on more favourable terms. The bigger the alleged overstatement, the bigger the alleged/potential fraud.
^^?
Cropped image, Trump is actually the recipient of the double hand gesture, the Iowa reference is from the guys top.
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Few articke kicking about re the Iowa State game although where I lifted this from is not that reliable a source.
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I suspect I'm missing something here, but what is the significance of the middle finger? I'm assuming we are all reading that as a rejection of trump, but are we about to find it it is pronouncing undying support for him?
Flip the bird...
You seen Top Gun?
Absolutely and that is what I'm assuming it is meant as...but I'm just wondering if trump has managed to turn this around to mean the complete opposite much like he has done with everything else against him. Just making sure I've not misunderstood and it sounds like I haven't.
A sort of Michael Jackson 'Bad'?
Nah, it's definitely a negative, but we don't know exactly why those guys were giving him the finger- Desantis was at the same event and seems to have had a lot of support present so there's definitely a good chance that they're giving Trump the finger for not being crazy enough or awful enough. There's no "enemy of my enemy is my friend" here so I reckon we should be a bit more careful.
A sort of Michael Jackson ‘Bad’?
or a Trump ‘I’m more humble than you would understand’ or ‘there’s nobody more modest than me’
i think the finger in this case is that Trump had turned up at a Trekkie convention and had greeted then with that pathetic attempt at a Vulcan salute. So they’re flipping him the Romulan War-Bird in response
It will be a judge only trial in the NY fraud case. 👍
Got to confess though - the more I learn about the US justice system and the politicisation of judicial appointments and elections of attorney generals who are overtly aligned to political parties, the more distasteful it seems. No matter how legitimate the prosecution of Trump or any other politician it really does open up the system to looking like it's corrupt.
If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...
the more I learn about the US justice system and the politicisation of judicial appointments and elections of attorney generals who are overtly aligned to political parties, the more distasteful it seems.
The Uk adopting the notion of elected police and crime commissioners is a step along the same path
The Uk adopting the notion of elected police and crime commissioners is a step along the same path
And a terrible waste of scarce Police resources
Flipmode!!
Mugshot grinner Jenna Ellis says
“I simply can’t support him for elected office again,” Ellis said. “Why I have chosen to distance is because of that frankly malignant narcissistic tendency to simply say that he’s never done anything wrong.”
You don’t say…
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/15/trump-lawyer-jenna-ellis
Jack Smith is seeking a gag order on Trump
Junior's Twitter account has taken an interesting turn.
https://twitter.com/David_Leavitt/status/1704474824754462867
^ that’s a download link
edit : sorted
Junior’s Twitter account has taken an interesting turn.
Hacked or just a few too many stimulants this morning?
It's getting to him and it's going to get much worse once the court hearings start.
https://twitter.com/RollingStone/status/1704489683730710836
Would the authorities make him wear "one of those jumpsuits"
With his complexion?
Black is the new orange has a certain irony
Its not looking good for the orange shitgibbon
"
Judge finds Donald Trump committed fraud in New York civil case
A New York state judge has granted partial summary judgment to the New York attorney general, Letitia James, in the civil case against Donald Trump."
From the gruaniad live blog thingy
All his business certificates in NY have been cancelled 👍
The jury, I believe, convenes next week to determine damages.
Squillions, I hope.
How about...the value of the benefits fraudulently obtained PLUS a chunky punitive sum.
No doubt the odious orange one will attempt to appeal this through higher courts immediately.
The squeeze is starting and long may it continue.
Its only a partial guilty call. Some charges still to be decided
I thought this was a joke at first but it seems to be legit, I think, I'm really not sure.
https://twitter.com/MSNBC/status/1582159561494265856
Seems like a good news day 😃
Meanwhile, for "balance" on the BBC
BBC News - Biden dog Commander bites another Secret Service agent
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-66932087
The MAGA Republicans are calling for impeachment of the dog 🤦🏻♂️
From the beeb report:
Judge Engoron on Tuesday also denied the Trump team's request to throw out the case, and separately fined five Trump attorneys $7,500 each for making arguments already rejected by the court
Shades of Blackadder 4 there.
Melchett: Anything to say before we kick off, Captain Darling?
Darling: May it please the court, as this is clearly an open and shut case, I beg leave to bring a private prosecution against the defence council for wasting the court’s time.
Melchett: Granted. Council is fined fifty pounds for turning up.
this article seems to suggest the ruling has effects that reach much further than I thought. I hope its true as I am enjoying the schadenfreude
Trump’s business empire could collapse ‘like falling dominoes’ after ruling
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/27/trump-new-york-real-estate-reaction-fraud
It would probably start with the sale of Trump’s most prestigious real estate assets, experts say, including Trump Tower in New York, golf courses and resorts around the US, and possibly his prized Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, if it is determined to be a business operation instead of his primary residential home.
Trump needs to find some more ex-wives to bury on golf courses, and fast.
At least we'll find out what Mar-a-Lago is really worth. Spoiler: Not over a billion bucks, like Trump claimed.
Mint!
A mahooosive kick in the bollocks for the Orange Shitgibbon. And then a kick in the bollocks for each of his dim witted kids. And hopefully purgatory for the whole ****ing Trump shower of shit.
Have a photo of him being kicked in the bollocks.
Cohen has taken to referring to Trump as ~" mandarin Mussolini" 🙂
Prosecution and defence both saying they need time to work through and understand the implications of the judge's decision.
I cannot see this covering assets which are not clearly and heavily linked to New York; anything beyond that would come under the doctrine of ultra vires.
In other news, trump's longshot attempt to get the insurrection judge to recuse herself has got a thumbs down from the judge.
So, all good.
There's so much shit going on in the world at the moment but, when I open up this thread, I'm suddenly much happier.
Please keep it up chaps and chapesses 😃
And the latest
"Trump suing ex-MI6 officer who alleged he was ‘compromised’ by Russian security service"
He is so going to regret that. all the evidence will come out in court and also it wrecks his defense of being too busy for the trials where he is defendant
I very much doubt Steele will back down
defence council
Counsel, FFS
First defendant pleads guilty in a plea deal in the Georgia election case.
First defendant in Trump Georgia election case pleads guilty
Scott Hall, an Atlanta-area bail bondsman, pleaded guilty to multiple criminal charges in the Georgia election interference case, becoming the first defendant in the Fulton county case to take a plea deal.Hall was charged in relation to the alleged breach of voting machine equipment in the wake of the 2020 election in Coffee county.
Hall pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor counts as part of a negotiated deal. He appeared before Judge Scott McAfee on Friday afternoon after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors.
Addressing Hall, the judge asked:
You understand that you’re pleading guilty today because you believe there exists a factual basis that supports the plea, and you are pleading guilty because you are, in fact, guilty?
Hall replied:Yes sir.
Grauniad live blog thingy
Judge in Fulton County case has rejected appeal/request by Jeffrey Clark, former DoJ lawyer, to have his case removed to federal court - another longshot failure.
Will the plea deal Scott Hall has accepted lead to further deals? I think - and hope - so.
Hopefully in return for testimony against trump
Apart from the comedy value of the evidence having to be heard, if Steele can show in court Trump was compromised by Russia, that could be the best option for the MAGA loons to finally realise he wasn’t the messiah, just a very naughty boy.
I think some more low level defendants will flip like Hall, but it needs someone higher up to testify to really bring it crashing down.
that could be the best option for the MAGA loons to finally realise he wasn’t the messiah, just a very naughty boy.
Sorry, but they will believe he was building strategic relationships with the bad guys so he could control them. He was sacrificing small amounts of intel for the bigger picture. He was the best double agent the USA has ever had an Biden doesn't have the mental capacity or bravery for such amazing work.
Besides which, the real MAGA guys are already fully over to supporting Russia- calling for Ukraine to give up all captured land, demanding the end of support for Ukraine from the states, etc. If Trump does it, it's good and if Biden does it, it's bad so that means that opposing Russia is bad and that giving them secrets is patriotic.
So, the circus begins.
trump has confirmed he will be in court today (2nd Oct) when the case starts.
I would anticipate the opening statements from both sides will take 2 or 3 days so there will be a bit of a wait before trump or any of his family could be called to the stand.
Popcorn at the ready.
I bet he isn't - or doesn't go on the stand for sure because he will be torn apart as a witness.
I would love to see Trump take the stand against even a fairly competent prosecutor.
Test
wouldn't we all 🙂
I would love to see Trump take the stand against even a fairly competent prosecutor.
I agree.
But I also bet that he has every reason to not appear...
He is on the witness list so, if called, either testifies or invokes the 5th amendment.
If he takes the 5th the judge is allowed, in law, to assume an adverse inference from the refusal to answer questions.
Either way, he's stuffed.
tj - you're not a betting man but, if you were, my £10 says he will be in court today and if/when called to the stand he will testify.
tj – you’re not a betting man but,
I know for a fact he'll wager for pies.