Donald Trump: We're going to 'open up' libel laws

[kevindavis007]

Donald Trump said on Friday he plans to change libel laws in the United States so that he can have an easier time suing news organizations.


During a rally in Fort Worth, Texas, Trump began his usual tirade against newspapers such as The New York Times and The Washington Post, saying they're "losing money" and are "dishonest." The Republican presidential candidate then took a different turn, suggesting that when he's president they'll "have problems."


"One of the things I'm going to do if I win, and I hope we do and we're certainly leading. I'm going to open up our libel laws so when they write purposely negative and horrible and false articles, we can sue them and win lots of money. We're going to open up those libel laws. So when The New York Times writes a hit piece which is a total disgrace or when The Washington Post, which is there for other reasons, writes a hit piece, we can sue them and win money instead of having no chance of winning because they're totally protected," Trump said.


Under current law, largely determined at the state instead of federal level, public persons, such as politicians, can win a suit against a media organization only if the person can prove that the publication published information with actual malice, knowing it to be wholly incorrect, as well as in cases of reckless disregard. The case that set this precedent — New York Times Co. v. Sullivan — was decided by the Supreme Court in 1964.


"You see, with me, they're not protected, because I'm not like other people but I'm not taking money. I'm not taking their money," Trump said on Friday. "We're going to open up libel laws, and we're going to have people sue you like you've never got sued before."




Read more: http://www.politico.com/blogs/on-media/2016/02/donald-trump-libel-laws-219866#ixzz41JF13JLZ


I guess it is proof that Donald Trump hates Freedom of the Press. 

[Frank Cannon]

This certainly doesn't have and Totalitarian overtones, does it.

[kevindavis007]

This certainly doesn't have and Totalitarian overtones, does it.

Hey who cares just as long as our guy is Totalitarian who cares.

[jmyrlefuller]

Let me guess, he was misquoted, the Slimes and Compost deserve it, it won't happen to us good guys, etc.

[kevindavis007]

Let me guess, he was misquoted, the Slimes and Compost deserve it, it won't happen to us good guys, etc.

Nah...  It won't you are just paranoid.

[sinkspur]

He's full of it.

HE can't do jack without Congress and a GOP House will never agree to curtail freedom of speech.  And threatening media for criticizing a public figure  is a loser in a libel suit anyway.

Most libel laws are state laws, and he has nothing to say about those.

But this is just another example of Trump's bullying and willingness to use the power of government to suppress dissent toward him.

Very Hugo Chavez of him.

[kevindavis007]

He's full of it.

HE can't do jack without Congress and a GOP House will never agree to curtail freedom of speech.  And threatening media for criticizing a public figure  is a loser in a libel suit anyway.

Most libel laws are state laws, and he has nothing to say about those.

But this is just another example of Trump's bullying and willingness to use the power of government to suppress dissent toward him.

Very Hugo Chavez of him.

Also it proves he doesn't support the 10th amendment.

[massadvj]

I SO want a POTUS who makes it up as he goes along.

[Frank Cannon]

I SO want a POTUS who makes it up as he goes along.

We already have one of those now. Don'tcha see how well it's going?

[sinkspur]

On top of all this news, we almost missed the birth of @realDonaldTrump's fifth wife.

[EasyAce]

Donald Trump on the stump---from 1945 (the boy had ambition even then)

[HAPPY2BME]

Donald Trump is going after the media, threatening to sue publications for writing negatively about him.

During a Friday rally in Texas, Trump launched into a monologue about how he felt that the media was treating him unfairly, alleging that the New York Times and Washington Post, in particular, were not covering him well.

“The New York Times, which is losing a fortune, which is a failing newspaper, which probably won’t be around much longer … but I think the New York Times is one of the most dishonest media outlets I’ve ever seen in my life,” the businessman said. “They have an agenda that you wouldn’t believe.”

“If I become president, oh, do they have problems. They’re gonna have such problems,” Trump said.

He added:

"One of the things I’m gonna do, and this is only gonna make it tougher for me, and I’ve never said this before, but one of the things I’m gonna do if I win … is I’m gonna open up our libel laws so when they write purposely negative and horrible and false articles, we can sue them and win lots of money. We’re gonna open up those libel laws."

"So that when the New York Times writes a hit piece which is a total disgrace, or when the Washington Post … writes a hit piece, we can sue them and win money, instead of having no chance of winning because they’re totally protected."

Trump continued his speech, threatening to roll back the media’s First Amendment protections in the Constitution.

“With me, they’re not protected, because I’m not like other people… We’re gonna open up those libel laws, folks, and we’re gonna have people sue you like you never got sued before,” he said.

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/02/26/donald-trump-threatens-to-sue-media-outlets-as-president-with-me-theyre-not-protected/

[kevindavis007]

Donald Trump is going after the media, threatening to sue publications for writing negatively about him.

During a Friday rally in Texas, Trump launched into a monologue about how he felt that the media was treating him unfairly, alleging that the New York Times and Washington Post, in particular, were not covering him well.

“The New York Times, which is losing a fortune, which is a failing newspaper, which probably won’t be around much longer … but I think the New York Times is one of the most dishonest media outlets I’ve ever seen in my life,” the businessman said. “They have an agenda that you wouldn’t believe.”

“If I become president, oh, do they have problems. They’re gonna have such problems,” Trump said.

He added:

"One of the things I’m gonna do, and this is only gonna make it tougher for me, and I’ve never said this before, but one of the things I’m gonna do if I win … is I’m gonna open up our libel laws so when they write purposely negative and horrible and false articles, we can sue them and win lots of money. We’re gonna open up those libel laws."

"So that when the New York Times writes a hit piece which is a total disgrace, or when the Washington Post … writes a hit piece, we can sue them and win money, instead of having no chance of winning because they’re totally protected."

Trump continued his speech, threatening to roll back the media’s First Amendment protections in the Constitution.

“With me, they’re not protected, because I’m not like other people… We’re gonna open up those libel laws, folks, and we’re gonna have people sue you like you never got sued before,” he said.

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/02/26/donald-trump-threatens-to-sue-media-outlets-as-president-with-me-theyre-not-protected/

So if Hillary said exactly the same thing - that she intends to weaponize libel laws to use against a critical press and political enemies - you'd be OK with that? Also do you hate the Constitution?? Do you realize the Constitution is a suicide pact??

[ABX]

Are we sure Trump isn't a $cientologist?

[kevindavis007]

There is no clause in the first amendment, freedom of speech and freedom of the press that says what is to be printed has to be true. King George would think all of what Ben Franklin and Thomas Paine wrote against the king was a lie and would hold them accountable by the neck if he got the chance.

[EasyAce]

. . . I’m gonna open up our libel laws so when they write purposely negative and horrible and false articles, we can sue them and win lots of money.

Note the phrasing: "purposely negative and horrible and false articles." Note the priority placed upon the merely "purposely negative." As if he has
designs upon using or expanding the libel laws first to quash mere criticism.

Of course this isn't the first time an actual or would-be president sought to use the laws, if not the apparatus of government, to quash criticism,
so in that regard Mr. Trump is hardly unique. But this is one of the most flagrant proclamations of such intent I can remember in a lifetime
of watching the nation's largest organised crime family (by which I do not mean the Mafia!) . . . and a further exposure of The Donald as
a constitutional pygmy.

[HAPPY2BME]

So if Hillary said exactly the same thing - that she intends to weaponize libel laws to use against a critical press and political enemies - you'd be OK with that? Also do you hate the Constitution?? Do you realize the Constitution is a suicide pact??

=================================

'weaponize' libel laws is not the same thing as suing for libel.

The option is there for anyone.  The burden is on the claimant.

[kevindavis007]

=================================

'weaponize' libel laws is not the same thing as suing for libel.

The option is there for anyone.  The burden is on the claimant.

Newsflash: There have states that libel laws.. So there is no need to fix it. I guess Trump hates the 10th Amendment.

[HAPPY2BME]

Newsflash: There have states that libel laws.. So there is no need to fix it. I guess Trump hates the 10th Amendment.

======================

File a lawsuit on him for libel.

[ABX]

I'm starting to believe in reincarnation.

[EasyAce]

I'm starting to believe in reincarnation.

So am I . . .


Der Donkel


" . . . unt I shall rule ze vurlt!"

[HonestJohn]

So am I . . .

Careful.  The Mods like to pull Trump-Hitler comparisons.  It makes Trump supporters violent.  I learned from personal experience.

[libertybele]

Also it proves he doesn't support the 10th amendment.

Exactly.  I also doubt that Trump even knows how the three branches of government operates. He feels since he is Donald J. Trump he can do what he wants.  He has lots of money, he's made lots of money. He's going to build a wall, "We have to build a wall. It's going to be a great wall. They're going to call it the Trump Wall."  After all; “The line of ‘Make America great again,’ is Trump's phrase, "that was mine, I came up with it about a year ago, and I kept using it, and everybody’s using it, they are all loving it. I don’t know I guess I should copyright it, maybe I have copyrighted it.”

What a buffoon!

[Wingnut]

[kevindavis007]

Exactly.  I also doubt that Trump even knows how the three branches of government operates. He feels since he is Donald J. Trump he can do what he wants.  He has lots of money, he's made lots of money. He's going to build a wall, "We have to build a wall. It's going to be a great wall. They're going to call it the Trump Wall."  After all; “The line of ‘Make America great again,’ is Trump's phrase, "that was mine, I came up with it about a year ago, and I kept using it, and everybody’s using it, they are all loving it. I don’t know I guess I should copyright it, maybe I have copyrighted it.”

What a buffoon!

That is my number one reason why I will not support Trump.  He just doesn't know how this Government operates and I don't think he respects the Constitution..