1. #88701
    Don't remember if this was mentioned, but it looks like a Trump croney is about to plea guilty to perjury about his testimony in Trump's fraud case. Perhaps this is why Engoron postponed the verdict. Did this guy really think he wouldn't be found out? Why do people go up to bat for Trump at this point?

    A longtime Trump Organization executive is said to be negotiating with Manhattan prosecutors over a potential guilty plea for lying on the witness stand in Donald Trump’s fraud trial.

    Allen Weisselberg, Trump’s former chief financial officer, who oversaw the company’s finances, is in the early stages of working on a perjury plea with the office of Alvin Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, the New York Times reported on Thursday.

    The potential deal would intermingle Trump’s separate New York trials: a fraud trial over inflated financial statements, and a second case over a hush-money payment. Although Bragg’s office did not oversee the fraud trial, which is being prosecuted by the office of the state’s attorney general, Letitia James, Bragg’s office has been investigating a criminal case against Trump over an alleged hush-money payment made during his 2016 campaign.

    Bragg’s office has charged Trump with falsifying business records. Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and fixer, said “legal fees” that were reported on records were actually reimbursements for a payment Cohen made on Trump’s behalf to the former adult film star Stormy Daniels. Weisselberg helped coordinate Cohen’s reimbursement, Cohen has said.

    In exchange for pleading guilty to perjury – a crime punishable with prison time – Weisselberg may not be called to the witness stand during the hush-money trial, according to the newspaper. That trial is scheduled to start in March.

    Prosecutors are probably hoping that if Weisselberg admits to perjury it would dissuade other Trump allies from lying on the stand. Weisselberg, a decades-long employee of the Trump Organization and staunchly loyal ally of Trump, has also disputed that Trump was involved with the hush-money payment. Discrediting Weisselberg as a witness, even if prosecutors not end up calling him to the stand, could strengthen their case.

    Lawyers for Weisselberg did not respond to requests for comment. The Manhattan district attorney’s office declined to comment on the potential deal.

    If Weisselberg pleads guilty to perjury, it would be the second guilty plea deal the former Trump Organization executive has made with prosecutors. Weisselberg spent 100 days at Rikers jail in New York City after pleading guilty to tax fraud for dishing out off-the-table benefits to himself and other Trump executives.

    Along with the former president, Weisselberg is a defendant in Trump’s civil fraud trial. Trump’s adult sons, Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, and former Trump Organization executive Jeff McConney are also defendants. Trump is being sued for $370m for inflating the value of his assets on government financial statements over the course of a decade.

    Weisselberg testified early on in the trial, in October, and was often evasive on the stand, saying he did not recall much about what prosecutors were asking him.

    A key moment of his testimony came when Weisselberg was asked about Trump’s triplex apartment in Trump Tower. In financial documents, Trump reported that the triplex was 30,000 sq ft. In reality, the apartment is closer to 11,000 sq ft.

    On the stand, Weisselberg said he did not notice the discrepancy on financial documents as he “never even thought” about the apartment. “It was de minimis, in my mind,” he said.

    Forbes disputed this statement, though, saying it had emails and notes showing that Weisselberg for years tried to convince the magazine that the triplex was worth more than it actually was. Weisselberg abruptly ended his testimony after the article was published.

    Judge Arthur Engoron, who is overseeing the fraud trial, has signaled that a verdict for the $370m will be filed by mid-February.

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  2. #88702
    Quote Originally Posted by Lenonis View Post
    Well I hope for your sake it turns out they were just really ignorant about the darker side and the come to their senses so the relationship can be salvaged.

    I know in this modern area of politics I've had to let go of a few friendships who decided to embrace the extremism.
    Sadly no they are more enthusiastic about Trump in 2024, our relationship has mostly died aside from the occasional get together. I feel worse for their kids because they don't have that option, but I supposed it's no different than me and my parents they are devout Christians and we're atheists.

  3. #88703
    Void Lord Breccia's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dontrike View Post
    Don't remember if this was mentioned
    Only briefly, and it's worth going over. The judge is possibly waiting for this to shake out before rendering a verdict. He doesn't need to introduce any new evidence for himself, only take this result into consideration. If Team Trump objects, Weaselberg's admission can be used in the appeal, which is arguably worse.

    It should be noted that, while Weaselberg isn't saying "yes, Trump is guilty" he can't admit to lying on the stand without admitting what lie he told was a lie. And that remains evidence.

    Also worth noting, Weaselberg is tied into the Cohen/whore case. Except now as a convicted perjurer. So that's neat.

  4. #88704
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    Quote Originally Posted by Dontrike View Post
    Don't remember if this was mentioned, but it looks like a Trump croney is about to plea guilty to perjury about his testimony in Trump's fraud case. Perhaps this is why Engoron postponed the verdict. Did this guy really think he wouldn't be found out? Why do people go up to bat for Trump at this point?
    I hope they're able to lump a lot of punitive damages on top of this. $370m is a good start, but let's get up to at least half a billion!

  5. #88705
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    Quote Originally Posted by The Stormbringer View Post
    I hope they're able to lump a lot of punitive damages on top of this. $370m is a good start, but let's get up to at least half a billion!
    It's been a while, but I seem to remember reading the damages were capped due to NYState law. I can't cite that either way, and quite frankly, I wouldn't mind being wrong.

    The real jugular here would be shutting down the Trump family's ability to do business. Paying hundreds of millions in cash is difficult enough as it is. If you can't use your PAC (super illegal and will be monitored) and can't do business, that closes down some options. In addition to, of course, the slap in the face of Trump being such a good businessman that every business he owns is either bankrupt or an illegal fraud.

    - - - Updated - - -

    FOX News reports *ding* that yet another defendant has filed yet another motion to disqualify DA Willis.

    (reads article)

    And the entire state prosecution.

    A fourth co-defendant in the Georgia case against former president Donald Trump has filed a motion for the court to disqualify embattled District Attorney Fani Willis.

    Co-defendant David Shafer, who in 2020 served as the Georgia GOP Chairman and a GOP presidential elector for Georgia during the 2020 election, filed a motion in court Monday saying Willis has engaged in a "pattern of prosecutorial, forensic misconduct" which he says should disqualify not only her, but her entire office and prosecution staff.

    Shafer on Monday claimed that Willis has a "pattern of prejudicial public statements" about the case through various media interviews and public speeches, and claimed that in making such statements, she intended to "reject and infect the jury pool." Shafer and his lawyers argue that this is primarily what warrants her removal.
    "Did either Shafer or FOX News point out that Trump also said a bunch of things in public, also contaminating jury pools?"

    No.

    "Do prosecutors routinely say 'we caught this guilty person' on TV?"

    Yes.

    "And are those live, public statements used as an excuse to eject the entire state's prosecution?"

    No.

    "Is FOX News the only site posting this?"

    I found a few local sources, including the Atlanta Journal Constitution, and the Washington Examiner. Most media sources aren't giving this the time of day.

    "Has anyone else found it odd that Trump, a serial adulterer, someone the public heard admit he hit on a married woman while he himself is married, and almost the plurality voted for him twice anyway...yet thinks Willis should be tossed because they split some airline tickets?"

    Of course, but the people who found it odd are well past thinking this makes sense. "She prejudiced people against me by telling them how guilty I was" doesn't sound like "I am innocent" to me, it sounds like someone desperate for a loophole.

  6. #88706
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    Complaining a prosecutor (and the entire state's prosecution) has to be replaced because she is doing her job sure is a take.

  7. #88707
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    Nikki Haley asks for Secret Service protection due to receiving large amounts of threats.

    Yes, I'm posting here because I believe the people threatening her are Trump supporters. They are proven to have large numbers of violent terrorists amongst their ranks.

    "Can she even do that?"

    I did a quick look only, but near as I can tell, the Secret Service can identify her as a major Presidential candidate and say "yes". Normally they do this within 120 days of the election, but let's face it, if Trump supporters are trying to murder her, she probably should have help, and I don't think she should have to pay for it as it would set a bad precedent. Otherwise, why wouldn't you just send your legion of insane, violent terrorist followers to attack over and over? They either succeed, or spend a bunch of money on security.

  8. #88708
    I don't think it should even have anything to do with the election, if a politician is credibly threatened then the government should offer them a protection detail (doesn't have to be SS), regardless of the time of year.
    It ignores such insignificant forces as time, entropy, and death

  9. #88709
    The court rules that Trump doesn't have presidential immunity: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68026175

    Donald Trump does not have presidential immunity and can be prosecuted on charges of plotting to overturn the 2020 election, a US court has ruled.

    Mr Trump had claimed in the landmark legal case that he was immune from criminal charges for acts he said fell within his duties as president.

    But Tuesday's ruling in Washington DC struck down that claim.

    It is a setback for Mr Trump who has for years cited presidential immunity while battling multiple cases.

    The former president is expected to appeal against the ruling, meaning the case could ultimately go to the Supreme Court where conservatives hold a 6-3 majority.

  10. #88710
    Void Lord Breccia's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DarkAmbient View Post
    The court rules that Trump doesn't have presidential immunity[/url]
    Well, on to SCOTUS. Why do I get the feeling they'll refuse to hear the case, rather than go on record one way or the other? Also, as mentioned before, you don't get to just yell "appeal" and it always instantly works. Maybe SCOTUS will use that as an excuse to say "we know Trump appointed us, but even we have limits".

  11. #88711
    Once again we point out the obvious reason why SCOTUS cannot and will not grant Trump immunity, because it would mean Biden could walk up to Trump and shoot him in the face and claim Presidential Immunity.
    It ignores such insignificant forces as time, entropy, and death

  12. #88712
    Quote Originally Posted by Breccia View Post
    Well, on to SCOTUS. Why do I get the feeling they'll refuse to hear the case, rather than go on record one way or the other? Also, as mentioned before, you don't get to just yell "appeal" and it always instantly works. Maybe SCOTUS will use that as an excuse to say "we know Trump appointed us, but even we have limits".
    Well, that would be the smart play for SCOTUS as it would keep the ruling intact. If they were to take up the case and rule that, in fact, the President has immunity like Trump states, that would mean Biden could literally have Trump and everyone else assassinated and cannot be held accountable for it. Not saying he would do that, just that he could.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by Gorsameth View Post
    Once again we point out the obvious reason why SCOTUS cannot and will not grant Trump immunity, because it would mean Biden could walk up to Trump and shoot him in the face and claim Presidential Immunity.
    More like Biden could come up and shoot them in the face and claim Presidential Immunity.

  13. #88713
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    Quote Originally Posted by gondrin View Post
    Well, that would be the smart play for SCOTUS as it would keep the ruling intact. If they were to take up the case and rule that, in fact, the President has immunity like Trump states, that would mean Biden could literally have Trump and everyone else assassinated and cannot be held accountable for it. Not saying he would do that, just that he could.
    "But that's a slippery slope fallacy!"

    Trump led a violent terrorist coup. No, we're well past slippery slope. Trump took us straight to rock bottom. If he has immunity from that, Biden having him executed is actually less bad.

    I do hope you're right about the smart play. I don't think SCOTUS wants to agree with this ruling, at least six of them don't, I think they have to. They might just not want to make it look like it was their idea. Hopefully they refuse to hear the case, and soon enough for America to see justice before election day.

  14. #88714
    Quote Originally Posted by DarkAmbient View Post
    The court rules that Trump doesn't have presidential immunity: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-68026175
    I hope Dark Brandon comes out to say that in light of this ruling he's calling off the Seal Team 6 hit.

    - - - Updated - - -

    https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/...g-203677765970

    Remember when Donald held a "union rally" at an auto parts maker and brought in auto workers and nobody was even a union member, there?

    Anyways, that stunt cost $20K just to rent the factory to make a stage for the play. So in summary -

    During a union auto worker strike Donald Trump -

    Spent $20,000 to rent a non-union parts factory

    Held a rally there to "support the auto workers union"

    Brought in a ton of non-union folks to attend

    Got caught because nobody could have expected local reporters to show up to the event and like, talk to people

    Truly, his genius and handling of money is second to none!

  15. #88715
    I guess the play for team Trump is to hope the Supreme Court delays the ruling until after the elections and Trump wins, so they can then say "Ha he had immunity all along, too bad Biden didn't use it lmao" and Trump then takes the throne as dictator for life by having his opposition killed and claiming immunity for everything.

  16. #88716
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    I must admit as a non-American I find all the Trump drama amusing, but there is one thing I find most perplexing (and also amusing).

    The DA's/etc going after him are raging that they think he committed election interference and they despise election interference and that election interference is the worst, etc etc.

    Buddy, it's an election year and you're trying to drag the candidate whose curranty polling as the favourite to win that election through the courts, what do you think you're doing? lol.

  17. #88717
    Quote Originally Posted by caervek View Post
    Buddy, it's an election year and you're trying to drag the candidate whose curranty polling as the favourite to win that election through the courts, what do you think you're doing? lol.
    I mean, this is the argument Trump is making. It's also stupid. Punishing someone for the illegal stuff they've done isn't "election interference," it's holding someone accountable for their own actions. Running for office is not a "get out of jail free" card.

  18. #88718
    Quote Originally Posted by Breccia View Post
    Nikki Haley asks for Secret Service protection due to receiving large amounts of threats.

    Yes, I'm posting here because I believe the people threatening her are Trump supporters. They are proven to have large numbers of violent terrorists amongst their ranks.

    "Can she even do that?"

    I did a quick look only, but near as I can tell, the Secret Service can identify her as a major Presidential candidate and say "yes". Normally they do this within 120 days of the election, but let's face it, if Trump supporters are trying to murder her, she probably should have help, and I don't think she should have to pay for it as it would set a bad precedent. Otherwise, why wouldn't you just send your legion of insane, violent terrorist followers to attack over and over? They either succeed, or spend a bunch of money on security.
    Regardless of the severity of threats - which I have no reason to doubt - this could also be a play for "see, I'm a serious candidate!" Secret Service protection could be touted as a seal of approval which could be a lifeline.

  19. #88719
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    Quote Originally Posted by Edge- View Post
    Truly, his genius and handling of money is second to none!
    Well what do you expect from a guy who inherited a fortune of X dollars, constantly brags about how he managed to turn it into a fortune of Y dollars due to his business acumen, and is blissfully unaware that if he had just invested that X dollars when he got it and left it alone it would now be worth way more than Y dollars ^^

  20. #88720
    Quote Originally Posted by caervek View Post
    I must admit as a non-American I find all the Trump drama amusing, but there is one thing I find most perplexing (and also amusing).

    The DA's/etc going after him are raging that they think he committed election interference and they despise election interference and that election interference is the worst, etc etc.

    Buddy, it's an election year and you're trying to drag the candidate whose curranty polling as the favourite to win that election through the courts, what do you think you're doing? lol.
    I'm sure you're aware that you're tacitly endorsing that politicians be allowed to violate the law because investigating and prosecuting them could potentially harm their campaign.

    Being investigated and prosecuted because you allegedly committed criminal acts is a consequence, not "election interference". Election interference is when outside actors attempt to manipulate or otherwise involve themselves in a sovereign election.

    This seems to be a basic misunderstanding of facts and terms.

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