Live Thread: Trump's hush money trial begins in NYC

[DB]

It's called ridding oneself of a nuisance claim.  $130,000 is lunch money ---- even for her since she lost her countersuit and ended up owing Trump's legal fees.

The two surest financial wins for unscrupulous individuals are the race and harassment cards ----- which is why the accepted way to remove the dregs is with a check and an NDA --- for both businesses and rich individuals.

Checks are cut and NDAs are signed Every.Single.Day.

LOL.. Sorry I'm not that stupid.

[Right_in_Virginia]

And then came Michael Avenatti .....

[corbe]

[Right_in_Virginia]

LOL.. Sorry I'm not that stupid.

Okay, let's go with uninformed.   

[corbe]

   I think 'Non-Believer' would be more accurate.

[Hoodat]

   No One has done more to crush the aspiring Young Conservative movement that arose from the Tea Party  (10 years) than DJT and I'm including Cocaine Mitch in that equation.

It's not so much Trump, but the zealots who champion his inner Democrat.  We all knew Trump wasn't a Conservative in 2016.  Trump never lied about that.  He never said he wanted to drain the Swamp or end baseline budgeting.  Trump never said he was going to deport illegals or stop federal funding of abortion.  Not once did he ever complain about the GOP Establishment, even filling his cabinet with the worst of them.  It was his sycophants who pushed those lies over and over again, and continue to do so now.

When Trump saved Mitch McConnell's career in 2014, his sycophants make excuses.  When Trump gives Planned Parenthood $2 billion in taxpayer money, his sycophants make excuses.  When Trump piles on $8 trillion in new debt, his sycophants make excuses.  When Trump dishes out $3 trillion in cash to people so that they don't have to work during Covid, his sycophants make excuses.  When Trump names the RNC Chairman as his Chief-of-Staff, his sycophants make excuses.  When he fills his cabinet and inner circle with the likes of Tom Price, Jeff Sessions, Christopher Wray, Elaine Chao, Nikki Haley, etc., his sycophants make excuses.  And when Trump failed to veto a single Democrat bill in four years of office, his sycophants make excuses.   

[DB]

Okay, let's go with uninformed.   

LOL... More of either she's lying now or lying then... They are liars... That's the only established fact. And you want to pick which lies make your case... In short peddling lies.

[Smokin Joe]

It's called ridding oneself of a nuisance claim.  $130,000 is lunch money ---- even for her since she lost her countersuit and ended up owing Trump's legal fees.

The two surest financial wins for unscrupulous individuals are the race and harassment cards ----- which is why the accepted way to remove the dregs is with a check and an NDA --- for both businesses and rich individuals.

Checks are cut and NDAs are signed Every.Single.Day.

Yeah, it is a holdup without a gun. Claims are often cheaper and easier to get rid of with a settlement, an NDI, and a claim that no guilt is implied by the payoff. Avoids scandals and legal fees, and eliminates risk of no payout for the alleged victim. It only works where the pockets are deep and scandal will hurt the brand/sales/reputation.

Why don't we hear about it more often? That's where the NDI, linked to the payout comes in. Talk and no money. But she already got hers, she just got greedy (and likely has been encouraged to come forward, whether that was a fiscal incentive or not).

[LMAO]

LOL!  You mean to tell us you're trying be "noble" here?  Not buying it, @LMAO ...and you're one of the more reasonable NTs on the forum IMO.   

You’re confusing voting based on the issues versus based on a man. Just because I choose not to vote for a candidate based on his political positions and issues doesn’t mean  I believe anything goes when it comes to harming that person.



There’s no “trying to be noble.” My view is based on the fact that all of these people ran for  their elections promising to get Donald Trump.  That means that they’re going to do whatever it takes to keep that promise. This is similar with what that Nifong did to the Duke lacrosse players several years ago with that rape accusation. He promised the black community a conviction if they voted for him. When he found out that there wasn’t the case, he tried to make one. You don’t use the law, or abuse the law, to keep a political promise.

Despite your belief, I have no personal animosity towards Donald Trump. He hasn’t done anything to me personally or to my family.


Besides, these individuals in New York City are the same people who have no problem letting off every rapist and murder so their new found love of the law seems very hollow to me

[LMAO]

It's a stupid lie at that.  No one faults Trump for paying her off.  It wasn't illegal.  No law was broken.  And it happened five years ago.  Trump is in the right here.  There's no reason to lie about it.

If he would’ve used campaign funds to pay her off, it would’ve been illegal, but, if I recall, he was investigated for that, and he was cleared

Ordered to be in court every day and even miss his own sons high school graduation from a city that doesn’t even require bail for violent offenders

Ultimately, the burden of proof is on those prosecuting, but this is New York City

[LMAO]

It's not so much Trump, but the zealots who champion his inner Democrat.  We all knew Trump wasn't a Conservative in 2016.  Trump never lied about that.  He never said he wanted to drain the Swamp or end baseline budgeting.  Trump never said he was going to deport illegals or stop federal funding of abortion.  Not once did he ever complain about the GOP Establishment, even filling his cabinet with the worst of them.  It was his sycophants who pushed those lies over and over again, and continue to do so now.

When Trump saved Mitch McConnell's career in 2014, his sycophants make excuses.  When Trump gives Planned Parenthood $2 billion in taxpayer money, his sycophants make excuses.  When Trump piles on $8 trillion in new debt, his sycophants make excuses.  When Trump dishes out $3 trillion in cash to people so that they don't have to work during Covid, his sycophants make excuses.  When Trump names the RNC Chairman as his Chief-of-Staff, his sycophants make excuses.  When he fills his cabinet and inner circle with the likes of Tom Price, Jeff Sessions, Christopher Wray, Elaine Chao, Nikki Haley, etc., his sycophants make excuses.  And when Trump failed to veto a single Democrat bill in four years of office, his sycophants make excuses.   

Off-topic, but last night while driving back from work, I was listening to Bill O’Reilly’s show, and he had a financial person that was discussing inflation, the debt, and where things are heading on our current path

It should be mandatory listening for both MAGAs  and leftists

[mystery-ak]

DAY 2

Trump’s trial so far: Former president seeks rare face-to-face access with jurors
By
Kaelan Deese
April 16, 2024 7:00 am
.
The first day of the highly anticipated hush money trial for Donald Trump got underway in Manhattan on Monday, beginning the thorny process of finding an impartial jury to sit on a trial for the first former president indicted on criminal charges.

Trump made his way to the New York County Criminal Court on Monday morning where he is facing 34 criminal charges for allegedly falsifying business records, an alleged effort to hide hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels to cover up an affair she claims he had with her in 2006. The night before may have been sleepless for the former president, who at times could be seen with his eyes closed during the first full day in court.

Although no video or cameras were permitted inside the courtroom during the proceedings, information about the trial was able to be relayed near-instantaneously with the help of reporters inside the courtroom. While the only words Trump could be heard speaking were mostly muttered to his attorneys, he frequently spoke to the camera outside the courtroom and offered bystanders a thumbs-up when asked how he was doing.

Unlike the former president’s previous jury trial in the defamation case brought by writer E. Jean Carroll, Trump won’t be allowed to ditch the court throughout the multiweek event.

more
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/2967061/trumps-trial-so-far-former-president-seeks-rare-face-to-face-access-with-jurors/

[mystery-ak]

DA Bragg asks judge to hold Trump in contempt of court

Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg called on Judge Juan Merchan to hold former President Trump in contempt of court on Tuesday.

Bragg filed the motion just minutes after the second day of Trump's hush money payments trial got underway in Manhattan. The motion relates to Merchan's gag order against Trump, which prohibits him from speaking publicly about prosecutors, witnesses, court officials and their families.

Bragg's motion argues Trump has "willfully violated this Court's order by publishing several social media posts attacking two known witnesses— Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels."

"Both the public and the participants in the criminal trial deserve reassurance that the judicial system stands ready to protect them and to preserve the rule of law in the face of defendant's extreme and deliberate provocations," Bragg argues in the motion.

"It is absolutely critical that defendant immediately halt any conduct that would violate the April 1 order's narrow restrictions to protect the integrity of the ongoing trial. A finding of criminal contempt, imposition of sanctions, and stark warnings from this Court are the minimum remedies necessary to achieve this indispensable objective," it continued.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom

[mystery-ak]

Trump lashes out at Judge Merchan, President Biden as day 2 of trial begins

Former President Trump lashed out at Judge Juan Merchan and President Biden as he entered the courthouse for day two of his hush money payments trial on Tuesday.

Trump called Merchan a "Trump-hating judge," and claimed that Biden was pushing the charges against him in an effort to derail his presidential campaign.

"We have a Trump-hating judge...this is a trial that never should have happened. It should have been thrown out a long time ago," Trump said. "I was paying a lawyer and it was marked down as a legal expense. That's exact

"I should be in Pennsylvania, Florida, in many other states," he added. "This is all coming from the Biden White House because the guy can't put two sentences together."

Trump went on to say Judge Merchan should recuse himself from before turning to enter the court room.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom

[DB]

Yeah, it is a holdup without a gun. Claims are often cheaper and easier to get rid of with a settlement, an NDI, and a claim that no guilt is implied by the payoff. Avoids scandals and legal fees, and eliminates risk of no payout for the alleged victim. It only works where the pockets are deep and scandal will hurt the brand/sales/reputation.

Why don't we hear about it more often? That's where the NDI, linked to the payout comes in. Talk and no money. But she already got hers, she just got greedy (and likely has been encouraged to come forward, whether that was a fiscal incentive or not).

If paying money to make people making shit up go away was done by billionaires the line to get a payoff would be miles long...

She was paid to be quiet about their "encounter" and she was complying. Then when he ran for president she saw an opportunity to get far more than $130k from the tabloids. It is as simple as that. Billionaires don't throw money at false claims, they sic their lawyers on you destroying you economically. To throw money at them only invites more of the same.

There was also a Playboy Bunny that was paid off.

There is no indication either made any public threat to get paid off when they were asked to sign NDAs (nondisclosure agreements) by Trump's fixer lawyer. It was Trump's standard operating procedure to keep his private entertainment quiet.

Trump has lied nonstop since it became public knowledge. Trump made that mess all by himself.

[mystery-ak]

17 minutes ago
Trump shrugs off key claim in criminal case: 'I was paying a lawyer'
By Priscilla DeGregory

Donald Trump shrugged off a key element of the criminal "hush money" case he faces, saying he didn't lie on business documents and was really "paying a lawyer."

Prosecutors charged the former prez with falsifying business records by claiming payments to ex-lawyer Michael Cohen were "legal expenses" rather than repayment for Cohen fronting a $130,000 payment to keep ex-porn star Stormy Daniels quiet about her alleged affair with Trump.

“I was paying a lawyer and marked it down ‘legal expense,’” Trump told reporters before entering court Tuesday morning. “An accountant I didn't know marked it down as a legal expense. That's exactly what it was. And you get indicted over that?”

[mystery-ak]

NY Post

14 minutes ago
Uptown Manhattan man makes it past first round of jury selection
By Priscilla DeGregory

An Uptown Manhattan man is the first to make it past initial questioning Tuesday in Trump jury selection.

The New York native has lived on Riverside Drive for 14 years and he works for the Social Security Administration reviewing disability benefits.

He is married with no kids to a graphic designer and likes to garden and hike.

The man has an eclectic career background, including having a law degree and previously working as a locksmith.

He could still be dismissed when he's eventually questioned by lawyers on both sides.

Upper West Side woman second to clear initial questioning in jury selection
By Priscilla DeGregory

An Upper West Side woman has made it through the first round of questioning.

She works for a senior living company and is unmarried and has three kids -- one of whom works for the postal service.

She could still be dismissed when questioned by Trump's lawyers and prosecutors.

6 minutes ago
Chelsea man third prospective juror to clear first round of questioning
By Priscilla DeGregory

A man who has lived in Chelsea for the past five years and who is originally from Oregon is the third person to make it through preliminary questioning Tuesday during jury selection.

The man is a corporate lawyer and he likes to run and hike in his free time.

He said he gets his news from Google, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times.

6 minutes ago
Fourth prospective juror to make it through preliminary questioning is Hell's Kitchen man
By Priscilla DeGregory

The fourth person to be clear in initial questioning during Trump jury selection is a man who is originally from Mexico and lives in Hell's Kitchen.

The man became a US citizen in 2017 and works in marketing.

He isn't married and has no children. But he has a dog and likes to travel, scuba dive and ski.

He gets his news from an array of outlets including Google, Facebook, the Huffington Post, the New York Times and MSNBC.

[Cyber Liberty]

Trump lashes out at Judge Merchan, President Biden as day 2 of trial begins

Former President Trump lashed out at Judge Juan Merchan and President Biden as he entered the courthouse for day two of his hush money payments trial on Tuesday.

Trump called Merchan a "Trump-hating judge," and claimed that Biden was pushing the charges against him in an effort to derail his presidential campaign.

"We have a Trump-hating judge...this is a trial that never should have happened. It should have been thrown out a long time ago," Trump said. "I was paying a lawyer and it was marked down as a legal expense. That's exact

"I should be in Pennsylvania, Florida, in many other states," he added. "This is all coming from the Biden White House because the guy can't put two sentences together."

Trump went on to say Judge Merchan should recuse himself from before turning to enter the court room.
Posted by Anders Hagstrom

"Lashed out..."

[libertybele]

You've posted many times your intention to leave a choice for POTUS blank this November.  Is this your miraculous strategy?

...and voting Trump is your miraculous strategy?

[deb]

...and voting Trump is your miraculous strategy?

Rhetorical question, no doubt. 

[mystery-ak]

14 minutes ago
Man who's read Trump's books makes it through first round of questioning
By Priscilla DeGregory

The sixth person to make it through initial questioning Tuesday was a man who has read several of Donald Trump's books including "The Art of the Deal."

But the man, of Battery Park, said that wouldn't "prevent" him from being fair and impartial.

"I feel no one is above the law," he said.

He works in sales and has lived in the Big Apple for 30 years. He's originally from Boston.

He is on the board of his synagogue and is a member of the ACLU.

[mystery-ak]

9 minutes ago
Prosecutors, Trump lawyers start questioning group of 18 potential jurors
By Priscilla DeGregory

Lawyers are starting to question a group of 18 jurors who've made it past the first round of questioning by a judge.

They are slated to be questioned separately for 30 minutes first by prosecutors and then by Trump's lawyers -- in a process called voir dire.

"No one is suggesting that you can’t be a fair juror because you have heard of Donald Trump," prosecutor Joshua Steinglass said to kick off voir dire. "This case is about did this man violate the law."

“This is case is really not about how you feel about Donald Trump. It's about the rule of law and whether Donald Trump broke it."

[mystery-ak]

9 minutes ago
Trump 'looks exactly like he does on TV': dismissed juror
By Priscilla DeGregory

A woman who was dismissed from jury selection at the trial against Donald Trump Tuesday said the former president "looks exactly like he does on TV."

Kara McGee was let go because of a conflict in her schedule at work in cybersecurity.



Excused juror Kara McGee speaks to reporters on her way out of court in Manhattan on Tuesday.

"I don’t like him," she said of the former commander-in-chief.AP

Outside court, McGee said she "hilariously" thought the presumptive Republican presidential nominee "looks exactly like he does on TV" after making eye contact with him when she raised the issue of her schedule.

"I don’t like him," she said to CNN of the former commander-in-chief. "I don’t approve of what he did as president, but the right to a fair trial is extremely important."

She said while she realized the trial is an important milestone in history, she also realized Trump is "just a dude," the outlet reported.

With Post wires

[DB]

Trump campaigned on how great "New York values" were, now he's about to get a firsthand experience with them...

[mystery-ak]

April 16, 2024
‘Hush money’ trial kicks off, and judge allows the infamous Billy Bush locker room talk to be admitted
By Jack Hellner

Can somebody please explain to me how what President Trump said to Billy Bush in 2005 has anything to do with the Stormy Daniels trial in New York? Here’s what Forbes reported yesterday:

    Former President Donald Trump’s first criminal trial will include his inappropriate comments about women that surfaced ahead of the 2016 election, Judge Juan Merchan ruled Monday as proceedings got underway[.]

Even if Trump had actually had an affair with Stormy (both parties have denied this, although Daniels has flip-flopped), the comments to Bush would have still been irrelevant. The crass locker room talk between Bush and Trump certainly does not have anything to do with the supposed $130,000 nuisance payment and Non-Disclosure Agreement.

What Trump said on the tape certainly wasn’t “election interference,” which is what the prosecution alleges in this case, so the purpose of allowing the locker room talk with Bush is meant to further bias the jury, nothing more.

Nuisance payments and NDAs are executed all the time, legally. They are clearly meant to hide things from other employees, the public, stockholders, banks, the media, and the government among others.

more
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2024/04/hush_money_trial_kicks_off_and_judge_allows_the_infamous_billy_bush_locker_room_talk_to_be_admitted.html