He did. While doing it where the most press was assembled in the nation to garner the most attention. It didn't matter what the event was that the press was there to cover.
Thank you for proving my point. He chose the trump stage.
And if the press had been concentrated elsewhere at the time he would have chosen to have done it there instead.
Maybe, but that’s not what happened. Dude made it political by choosing the trump stage.
I’m done here.
A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives. – Jackie Robinson
Trump did not commit crimes, defense says in hush money case
NEW YORK, April 22 (Reuters) - Donald Trumpdid not commit any crimes, his lawyer said on Monday in the first day of a historic trial that will determine whether the former president illegally covered up a hush money payment to a porn star during the 2016 election.
"There’s nothing wrong with trying to influence an election. It’s called democracy. They put something sinister on this idea, as if it’s a crime,” Trump lawyer Todd Blanche said.
Blanche spoke shortly after prosecutors laid out their case arguing that Trump broke the law by deceiving voters.
“This case is about a conspiracy and a cover-up, an illegal conspiracy to undermine the integrity of a presidential election, and then the steps that Donald Trump took to conceal that illegal election fraud,” prosecutor Matthew Colangelo said.
Colangelo told the jury that they would hear Trump working out the details of the scheme in his own voice on recorded conversations.
Both lawyers made their opening statements in what may be the only one of Trump's four criminal prosecutions to go to trial before his Nov. 5 election rematch with Democratic President Joe Biden.
Colangelo told jurors that Trump engaged in a "catch and kill" conspiracy with his former lawyer Michael Cohen and tabloid publisher David Pecker to cover up unflattering information about Trump and help him defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton.
That included payments to women who said they had sexual encounters with Trump, including a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels, at a time when he was facing other revelations of sexual misbehavior, he said.
Bragg's office last year charged Trump with falsifying business records to cover up a $130,000 payment that Cohen made to Daniels in the waning days of the 2016 campaign for her silence about a sexual encounter she says she had with Trump a decade earlier. Trump has pleaded not guilty.
As the trial opened, Justice Juan Merchan ruled that prosecutors would be able to ask Trump, if he testifies, about two other court cases: one that found he fraudulently misstated the value of his real estate assets, and another that found he defamed writer E. Jean Carroll after she accused him of rape.
Merchan also said prosecutors would be able to show jurors a transcript of a tape from the 'Access Hollywood' TV show in which Trump makes vulgar comments about grabbing women's genitals, though jurors will not be allowed to see the tape itself.
Wearing a blue tie and dark blue suit, the Republican presidential candidate stared at the judge and occasionally spoke to his lawyer. A Secret Service agent wearing an earpiece sat directly behind him. Jurors watched Colangelo without expression as he gave his opening statement.
The case is seen by many legal experts as the least consequential of the Trump prosecutions. A guilty verdict would not bar him from taking office, but it could hurt his candidacy. Reuters/Ipsos polling shows half of independent voters and one in four Republicans say they would not vote for Trump if he is convicted of a crime.
'CATCH AND KILL'
Colangelo said Trump falsified checks, invoices and other documents to disguise his reimbursements to Cohen as legal expenses. Those payments totaled $420,000 in all, a sign that the tight-fisted Trump was desperate to cover up his conduct, Colangelo said.
Pecker is the first witness prosecutors plan to call after opening statements, the New York Times and CNN reported on Sunday. According to prosecutors, Pecker agreed during an August 2015 meeting with Trump and Cohen to act as the campaign's "eyes and ears" by looking out for negative stories about Trump.
“Pecker was not acting as a publisher, he was acting as a co-conspirator,” Colangelo said.
American Media, which published the National Enquirer, in 2018 admitted that it paid $150,000 to former Playboy magazine model Karen McDougal for rights to her story about a months-long affair with Trump in 2006 and 2007. American Media said it worked "in concert" with Trump's campaign, and it never published a story.
The tabloid reached a similar deal to pay $30,000 to a doorman who was seeking to sell a story about Trump allegedly fathering a child out of wedlock, which turned out to be false, according to prosecutors. Trump has said the payments were personal and did not violate election law. He has also denied the affair with McDougal.
In the New York trial, Trump is charged with falsely recording his 2017 reimbursement of Cohen for the Daniels payment as a legal expense in his real estate company's books. Prosecutors say he did so to conceal the fact that Cohen's payment exceeded the $2,700 limit on individual campaign contributions at the time.
Testimony about those payments could help prosecutors establish that Cohen's payment to Daniels was part of a broader pattern.
Prosecutors plan to call at least 20 witnesses total, according to Trump's defense team. The trial could last six to eight weeks.
Before the trial began Monday, Trump called for supporters to protest peacefully at courthouses "all over the Country," but few were on hand to greet him when he arrived at the downtown courthouse. Trump suggested tight security measures were responsible for the sparse turnout, but the streets surrounding the courthouse were open to the public.
"Lower Manhattan surrounding the Courthouse, where I am heading now, is completely CLOSED DOWN. SO UNFAIR!!!" he wrote on social media.
Trump faces three other criminal indictments stemming from his efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat and his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House in 2021.
Trump has pleaded not guilty in those cases, and he portrays all of them as a broad-based effort by Biden's Democratic allies to undercut his campaign.
Merchan, who is overseeing the hush money trial, imposed a limited gag order on Trump after he criticized witnesses, prosecutors, the judge and his daughter. Prosecutors are pressing Merchan to penalize Trump for violating that order.
Also I dont care what Pit's opinion is. He can go drink toilet water.
Why do you insist on making this a left vs Right issue. wherever this kid worked, it's pretty clear he was a disturbed individual.
Because libtards across the internet are spreading false information that he was a right winger. I mean, just look at a OCDs post mocking him. I am setting the record straight.
It's the old right wing woo is me thing. I've yet to hear one person say he was a right winger or MAGA guy. NOT ONE
Your limited worldview does not mean it never happened.
Point to someone that did
⬇️
Originally Posted by OldColdDawg
I wonder how many more cuckoo for conspiracy theories types will MELT DOWN now that Trump is facing justice for being the lying POS he is?
The goof, the goof, the goof is on fire, we don’t need no water let that….
[/quote]
Ok, One Person... Got any others or are we just going to label things because one poster says it?
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe." Damanshot
Also I dont care what Pit's opinion is. He can go drink toilet water.
Why do you insist on making this a left vs Right issue. wherever this kid worked, it's pretty clear he was a disturbed individual.
Because libtards across the internet are spreading false information that he was a right winger. I mean, just look at a OCDs post mocking him. I am setting the record straight.
It's the old right wing woo is me thing. I've yet to hear one person say he was a right winger or MAGA guy. NOT ONE
Your limited worldview does not mean it never happened.
Point to someone that did
⬇️
Originally Posted by OldColdDawg
I wonder how many more cuckoo for conspiracy theories types will MELT DOWN now that Trump is facing justice for being the lying POS he is?
The goof, the goof, the goof is on fire, we don’t need no water let that….
[/quote]
Ok, One Person... Got any others or are we just going to label things because one poster says it?[/quote]
I already posted one link discussing it. Google is a thing. I understand you operate at a kindergarten level so perhaps google is too complicated for you.
Wow, Twitter/"X" is something. ...I guess one could say something stinks about this trial.
...and giving up DatButtStank while falling asleep?
Perhaps 'Don Snoreleone' needs to bring a Thermos of covfefe to the proceedings.
That is pathetic. We have a choice between 2 demented octogenarians for president. Our broken two party power mongering system makes it impossible for either to come up with a viable opponent.......who in a legit process would defeat the other in a landslide.
And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul. - John Muir
I don't think Biden is demented or a doddering ole fool like Trump. Biden isn't dangerous, Trump is. Trump and his Croonies will sell us out to Putin and Russia and China. Biden won't.
Would I prefer a strong young leader in office, Yeah. But don't forget with age comes experience and wisdom. Something that Trump has never had. He's a crook. I'll take Biden every time
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe." Damanshot
Or sell out to Russia or cause civil unrest when lying about losing the election for years, or continually lie and call everyone he disagrees with nasty names and makes up lies about them often time making them a target of his followers by means of threatening to kill them or........
Sure the bar is low but claiming Biden is the same as the one who lowered the bar to where it is now is disingenuous at best. Sadly most of the people claiming that even know it.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
Trump uses court break to slam Judge Merchan on social media
The former president is blasting the judge and the gag order he is under as Merchan weighs whether the former president’s posts and comments count as violations.
“HIGHLY CONFLICTED, TO PUT IT MILDLY, JUDGE JUAN MERCHAN, HAS TAKEN AWAY MY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH,” Trump wrote on his social media site during a brief court break. “EVERYBODY IS ALLOWED TO TALK AND LIE ABOUT ME, BUT I AM NOT ALLOWED TO DEFEND MYSELF. THIS IS A KANGAROO COURT.”
I don't think Biden is demented or a doddering ole fool like Trump.
He's not like Trump, but he is a demented, doddering ole fool. I agree with the rest of your post (which I think was your overarching point), though.
Add: I think the US has a better chance of surviving another Biden term than it does another Trump term. Both are awful options.
Last edited by oobernoober; 04/23/2412:36 PM. Reason: clarify last part
There is no level of sucking we haven't seen; in fact, I'm pretty sure we hold the patents on a few levels of sucking NOBODY had seen until the past few years.
trump is a 77 year old petulant orange farting brat. Career criminal who is unfit and unqualified for office. If Mitch McConnnell wasn't a weak hypocrite trump would have been impeached.
I don't think Biden is demented or a doddering ole fool like Trump.
He's not like Trump, but he is a demented, doddering ole fool. I agree with the rest of your post (which I think was your overarching point), though.
Add: I think the US has a better chance of surviving another Biden term than it does another Trump term. Both are awful options.
Not sure he's (Biden) is quite that bad yet. He has his moments and he's declining "rapidly".... Shame on the Democratic Party. Yes both are beyond awful options. But as a comparison.... Not even close. Dont forget that whoever is elected not only heads the Govt but surrounds themselves with othets of a similar ilk..... Trump is a corrupt mean vindictive [censored]... We dont need him subverting the government to enact his spiteful self interest agenda.
The more things change the more they stay the same.
I think what I am most worried about is that the last time he was elected, he had a cabinet put in place with people who at least had business being in the post, like Mattis (Flynn and DeVos being the exceptions). The amount of turnover due to resignations that happened was egregious though, mostly from those people, like Mattis et al, that refused to put head of state over country or be "yes men." I feel very confident that the next time around he would place only stark loyalists in those posts. He does not want to be held in check by his cabinet if he gets another bite at the apple. That is evident through the crazy amount of firings and resignations that happened the last round, combined with the fact he kicked Pence to the curb.
Blue ostriches on crack float on milkshakes between the sidewalk titans of gurglefitz. --YTown
I feel very confident that the next time around he would place only stark loyalists in those posts. He does not want to be held in check by his cabinet if he gets another bite at the apple. That is evident through the crazy amount of firings and resignations that happened the last round, combined with the fact he kicked Pence to the curb.
You have every right to be confident. He has made it clear you are correct......
Feeling betrayed, Trump wants a second administration stocked with loyalists
Trump's fixation on loyalty appears to be growing as he contemplates a second term in the White House.
I was just listening to the news lady reading from the transcript of the trial. There was a part that they were talking about Pecker would get a call from Cohen and he's say, trump wants you to start a rumor about Hillary that she's a devil worshiper and cult leader. Pecker said they would do that and they embellished the story with all made up data proving Hillary did those things. Or that Ted Cruz was having affairs with 5 different women. Is that where the nutballs that voted for trump get the info they yell and scream about.
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.” Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe." Damanshot
Pit dropping truth-bombs all over their heads and the Tweedle Bros can't handle it.
You two were made for each other. No wonder you spend days in here snuggling each others bottoms. Pit is like PeeWee Herman with a dog got a bone attitude. Nevermind, he probably looks genius to you. Him and donnie.
Your feelings and opinions do not add up to facts.
Pit dropping truth-bombs all over their heads and the Tweedle Bros can't handle it.
You two were made for each other. No wonder you spend days in here snuggling each others bottoms. Pit is like PeeWee Herman with a dog got a bone attitude. Nevermind, he probably looks genius to you. Him and donnie.
The Eve of the left.. ^^^^^^^^
All noise with no substance.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
Fact check: Trump falsely claims police turned away ‘thousands’ from Manhattan courthouse and that supporters ‘can’t get near’
Former President Donald Trump is a famed exaggerator of the size of his crowds. For years, he has lied about how many supporters attended his presidential inauguration and numerous campaign rallies.
Now he’s pushing a wildly inaccurate claim about how many supporters have attempted to show up at his first criminal trial – and he’s making additional false claims about security measures around the Manhattan courthouse, which he is baselessly blaming for keeping these supposed supporters away.
After The New York Times published a story that said Trump was unhappy with the meager crowd he saw when he arrived at the courthouse for opening statements on Monday, Trump posted on social media on Tuesday to deny the story, denigrate a Times reporter and make this claim: “Thousands of people were turned away from the Courthouse in Lower Manhattan by steel stanchions and police, literally blocks from the tiny side door from where I enter and leave. It is an armed camp to keep people away.”
Trump also wrote on social media on Monday that “Lower Manhattan surrounding the Courthouse, where I am heading now, is completely CLOSED DOWN.” And he told reporters inside the courthouse on Tuesday: “For blocks you can’t get near this courthouse.”
Facts First: Trump’s claims are all false. The police have not turned away “thousands of people” from the courthouse during his trial; only a handful of Trump supporters have shown up to demonstrate near the building. And while there are various security measures in place in the area, including some street closures enforced by police officers and barricades, it’s not true that “for blocks you can’t get near this courthouse.” In reality, the designated protest zone for the trial is at a park directly across the street from the courthouse – and, in addition, people are permitted to drive right up to the front of the courthouse and walk into the building, which remains open to the public. If people show up early enough in the morning, they can even get into the trial courtroom itself or the overflow room that shows near-live video of the proceedings.
CNN journalists reporting from the courthouse area have seen a smattering of visibly pro-Trump demonstrators present in the designated protest zone at Collect Pond Park across from the building, but nowhere even close to “thousands.” There were well under 100 visible Trump supporters gathered there at the outset of the trial in mid-April, and there have often been three or fewer there on subsequent days.
Trump may have been suggesting that thousands would have been present if not for repressive security measures. But that’s nonsense. Trump supporters are free to walk into not only the protest zone but also the courthouse itself, though they, like everyone else, have to observe decorum rules if they go inside.
Security isn’t as restrictive as Trump has claimed
Police have prohibited public access to some of the streets and sidewalks near the courthouse during the approximate hours that court is in session, and there are additional blockages during the brief periods of heightened security when Trump’s motorcade is arriving and departing for the day.
But aside from those coming-and-going periods, there is nothing close to a complete closure of the area. In fact, the cars of members of the public can regularly be seen traveling right in front of the courthouse in CNN’s live television coverage from the scene during court hours.
George Conway, the conservative attorney and vocal Trump critic, wrote on social media on Wednesday: “I took an Uber right to the front entrance of the courthouse yesterday morning. It’s all very peaceful and orderly, the court officers and police officers are nice, and if you walked your dog down the street the two of you would outnumber the Trump supporters there.”
