Trump just issued MASSIVE THREAT to news media

[Luis Gonzalez]

If you are the target of slander, you should have a legal recourse...
Did Trump, or anyone else, say he was going to get the feds involved?  NO..
So we need to stop hyping the anti trump noise and look at the facts...

He's running for President for God's sake!

He's making the statement in relation to statements being made about his running for the office!

[Luis Gonzalez]

From Wikipedia:

In United States law, public figure is a term applied in the context of defamation actions (libel and slander) as well as invasion of privacy. A public figure (such as a politician, celebrity, or business leader) cannot base a lawsuit on incorrect harmful statements unless there is proof that the writer or publisher acted with actual malice (knowledge of falsity or reckless disregard for the truth). The burden of proof in defamation actions is higher in the case of a public figure.

The controlling precedent in the United States was set in 1964 by the United States Supreme Court in New York Times Co. v. Sullivan. It is considered a key decision in supporting the First Amendment and freedom of the press.

[NavyCanDo]

Did Trump, or anyone else, say he was going to get the feds involved?  NO..

The moment President Trump uses his bully pulpit to attack and threaten lawsuit against The Washington Times, Fox News, or any other news outlet, for stories they do on him, it involves the feds.

There are already libel laws, as there are gun laws. Making more is never in our interest.

[Jazzhead]

I read Trump's words and I take them at face value.

When I read that he threatens to sue if someone says negative things about him, I see forums like these becoming targets of lawsuits.

It's not just that.   I doubt that Trump is going to sue TBR because seditionists like you and me post here.   But when he "opens up the libel laws"  the folks who run boards like this will find it compelling to purchase costly liability insurance - and many will say why bother and close up shop.

That's the real chilling effect.

One unexplored issue this campaign is that Trump is a pernicious product of our lawsuit culture.  He intimidates his rivals and competitors and critics with his team of lawyers.   He sues when he's pissed and he sues for the hell of it. 

DC - what's your defense of Trump's sue 'em all nihilism?

[sinkspur]

Well, I am with Trump on this.
You and I are held responsible for the things we say why is it that the media can print any lie, any slander and any accusation and the target is publicly destroyed and lives are ruined but we have freedom of the press....
I hope the gates are opened and when the media runs afoul of the truth, they get their rear ends handed to them.

Libel and slander laws are state laws, for the most part, and Trump can do nothing about those.  And no Congress is going to do Trump's bidding on this, because it is purely a vanity exercise.

Nonetheless, this is really chilling.  Trump would put Nixon to shame in his treatment of his "enemies."

[NavyCanDo]

It's not just that.   I doubt that Trump is going to sue TBR because seditionists like you and me post here.   But when he "opens up the libel laws"  the folks who run boards like this will find it compelling to purchase costly liability insurance - and many will say why bother and close up shop.

That's the real chilling effect.

One unexplored issue this campaign is that Trump is a pernicious product of our lawsuit culture.  He intimidates his rivals and competitors and critics with his team of lawyers.   He sues when he's pissed and he sues for the hell of it. 

DC - what's your defense of Trump's sue 'em all nihilism?

Great post....

 

[xyno]

WTH... that people can't see the potential harm with what Trump says he will implement, as PRESIDENT, is astounding. To dismiss it out of hand without nary a bit of examination is worse.  And here I have been told it is just the non-supporters of Trump who are provocative.

Imagine if Hillary or Sanders said something similar.  WHAT??? We would say.  We want tort reform, NOT more legal wrangling.  We want LESS government mirrors, and shell games.  We need MORE transparency, not less.  Our Constitution and way of life is imperiled!!  I guess their attacks on other Bill of Right protections are probably worthy of being considered then.

But, to some, it was Donald.  Hence, it must be brilliant.  In fact, let us all bask in that brilliance without question.  Disregard the jack-booted fellows. 
Did you see the polls?  He's winning.

Now, I will go months before my next post.

[MACVSOG68]

He's running for President for God's sake!

He's making the statement in relation to statements being made about his running for the office!

Indeed, it is about him.  Hopefully no one here is thinking that Trump was looking out for the little guy with his statement on libel?

[MACVSOG68]

WTH... that people can't see the potential harm with what Trump says he will implement, as PRESIDENT, is astounding. To dismiss it out of hand without nary a bit of examination is worse.  And here I have been told it is just the non-supporters of Trump who are provocative.

Imagine if Hillary or Sanders said something similar.  WHAT??? We would say.  We want tort reform, NOT more legal wrangling.  We want LESS government mirrors, and shell games.  We need MORE transparency, not less.  Our Constitution and way of life is imperiled!!  I guess their attacks on other Bill of Right protections are probably worthy of being considered then.

But, to some, it was Donald.  Hence, it must be brilliant.  In fact, let us all bask in that brilliance without question.  Disregard the jack-booted fellows. 
Did you see the polls?  He's winning.

Now, I will go months before my next post.

 

[Bill Cipher]

You guys are so full of crap, your eyes must be brown.   

Sayeth a Trumpkin.    Tell me, do you really appreciate your god calling you so stupid you'll support him no matter what he says?  Do you really appreciate your god calling you so slavish it wouldn't matter to you if he killed someone?

[Bill Cipher]

Libel and slander laws are state laws, for the most part, and Trump can do nothing about those.  And no Congress is going to do Trump's bidding on this, because it is purely a vanity exercise.

Nonetheless, this is really chilling.  Trump would put Nixon to shame in his treatment of his "enemies."

Trump is nothing but a vanity exercise.  Both for The Don himself and his slavish supporters, who get to salve their pretty little egos by feeling that they're doing something good for the country by letting their anger blind them completely.

[Lando Lincoln]

I guess political satire and comedy will come to an end.  That stuff can get kinda mean.

[MACVSOG68]

You guys are so full of crap, your eyes must be brown.   

DC, do you recall the discussions we had back in '08 about an Obama presidency?  And Obama had never said anything about rounding up people, and the FEMA reeducation camps.  Most of the discussions here actually emanate from things Trump has actually said.  These concerns shouldn't just be blown off so easily my friend.   

[MACVSOG68]

I guess political satire and comedy will come to an end.  That stuff can get kinda mean.

What...no SNL? 

[kevindavis007]

It's not just that.   I doubt that Trump is going to sue TBR because seditionists like you and me post here.   But when he "opens up the libel laws"  the folks who run boards like this will find it compelling to purchase costly liability insurance - and many will say why bother and close up shop.

That's the real chilling effect.

One unexplored issue this campaign is that Trump is a pernicious product of our lawsuit culture.  He intimidates his rivals and competitors and critics with his team of lawyers.   He sues when he's pissed and he sues for the hell of it. 

DC - what's your defense of Trump's sue 'em all nihilism?

What makes you think the Dems are wanting this type of law??

[Lando Lincoln]

What...no SNL? 

I'm trying to be less incisive with my comments, LOL!  Gotta keep myself calm for a few days.  xyno poked it in the eye, though.

[kevindavis007]

Question: If Hillary supports this type of proposal what would the reaction of the Trump supporters be??

[Lando Lincoln]

WTH... that people can't see the potential harm with what Trump says he will implement, as PRESIDENT, is astounding. To dismiss it out of hand without nary a bit of examination is worse.  And here I have been told it is just the non-supporters of Trump who are provocative.

Imagine if Hillary or Sanders said something similar.  WHAT??? We would say.  We want tort reform, NOT more legal wrangling.  We want LESS government mirrors, and shell games.  We need MORE transparency, not less.  Our Constitution and way of life is imperiled!!  I guess their attacks on other Bill of Right protections are probably worthy of being considered then.

But, to some, it was Donald.  Hence, it must be brilliant.  In fact, let us all bask in that brilliance without question.  Disregard the jack-booted fellows. 
Did you see the polls?  He's winning.

Now, I will go months before my next post.

Where'd you come from?  Well done.

[Bill Cipher]

Question: If Hillary supports this type of proposal what would the reaction of the Trump supporters be??

To do whatever Trump tells them to do.

[kevindavis007]

WTH... that people can't see the potential harm with what Trump says he will implement, as PRESIDENT, is astounding. To dismiss it out of hand without nary a bit of examination is worse.  And here I have been told it is just the non-supporters of Trump who are provocative.

Imagine if Hillary or Sanders said something similar.  WHAT??? We would say.  We want tort reform, NOT more legal wrangling.  We want LESS government mirrors, and shell games.  We need MORE transparency, not less.  Our Constitution and way of life is imperiled!!  I guess their attacks on other Bill of Right protections are probably worthy of being considered then.

But, to some, it was Donald.  Hence, it must be brilliant.  In fact, let us all bask in that brilliance without question.  Disregard the jack-booted fellows. 
Did you see the polls?  He's winning.

Now, I will go months before my next post.

 

[kevindavis007]

To do whatever Trump tells them to do.

Notice how they ignore that question..

[sinkspur]

It appears the Trump supporters can't bring even themselves to defend this nonsense.

Trump's words, however, are out there and the Democrats are assembling ads against him.

Republicans might be doing the same:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/28/us/politics/donald-trump-republican-party.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

[Lando Lincoln]

Did you see the polls?  He's winning.

So many things in your post, but this is an oft-repeated refrain that puzzles me when it is used as an argument for Trump.  I never knew this was a point to consider.  I guess if that was the case, we here should have voted for Obama - twice.

[Luis Gonzalez]

It's not just that.   I doubt that Trump is going to sue TBR because seditionists like you and me post here.   But when he "opens up the libel laws"  the folks who run boards like this will find it compelling to purchase costly liability insurance - and many will say why bother and close up shop.

That's the real chilling effect.

One unexplored issue this campaign is that Trump is a pernicious product of our lawsuit culture.  He intimidates his rivals and competitors and critics with his team of lawyers.   He sues when he's pissed and he sues for the hell of it. 

DC - what's your defense of Trump's sue 'em all nihilism?

His acolytes will do it in his behalf.

A lawsuit requires no predetermined standard of validity in order to be filed, but once filed it must be defended.

Then again, if a forum gains sufficient power and notoriety to say, impact public opinion at large (Glenn Beck) or a radio show with millions of listeners attacks the President (Rush, Levine) they become targets of an administration openly threatening to sue opposition into silence.

[DCPatriot]

John Adams tried the same thing with his Sedition Act, as did Wilson.  Both failed, but the threats were there.  There are times when I despise the media, but the thought of a less than free press is downright chilling.  We already have libel and slander laws.  You will definitely see a big change in how the WH press corps is treated.  If he thinks some of the moderators have been unfair to him, wait until the daily press briefings.

You mean like Obama and Clinton has ignored FOXNEWS for going on 8 years?  Saying they're not legitimate?

IMO, the mainstream LEFT media IS domestic enemy #1.   "The most insidious power the media have is the power to ignore".

And they are willing accomplices in shielding the Democrats from any criticism.