Sure he is.
Watters: They trapped him in a cage. we call it a courtroom but it’s a cage and he’s like King Kong… And what happens with King Kong. You remember? It’s not going to be good, he’s going to bust out of this cage.
Ford: King Kong died pic.twitter.com/s1fUSYxwuK— Acyn (@Acyn) April 24, 2024
Adventus
"I would like to say 'This book is written to the glory of God', but nowadays this would be the trick of a cheat, i.e., it would not be correctly understood."--Ludwig Wittgenstein
"OH JESUS OH WHAT THE FUCK OH WHAT IS THIS H.P. LOVECRAFT SHIT OH THERE IS NO GOD I DID NOT SIGN UP FOR THIS—Popehat
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
🦍
🎶Tin Soldiers And Nixon Comin’🎶
Quite a photo. https://t.co/dqh75qyV6A
— Steve Vladeck (@steve_vladeck) April 24, 2024
Just so everyone is clear, the Governor of Texas announces he ordered the protestors at the public university arrested because he is discriminating against their viewpoint, and the police confirm they acted at his instance. pic.twitter.com/NdNfxayzSj
— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) April 25, 2024
But you can arrest them, right, Speaker Johnson?Johnson: You cannot censor and silence viewpoints you disagree with pic.twitter.com/sCtN28xbBN
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 24, 2024
sure, okay pic.twitter.com/ceXEbnDofJ
— Suzanne (@SoozieCuzie) April 25, 2024
It was fun while it lasted.I just signed a law protecting free speech on college campuses. #txlege pic.twitter.com/jHIh8431SH
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) June 10, 2019
🎶Four Dead In O-Hi-O🎶
— TJ Wells (@MrWells2011) April 24, 2024Wouldn’t that be up to the Governor of New York? Or is Biden supposed to invoke the Insurrection Act over a handful of campus assholes in New York City?
Except for DEI
Nobody can talk about DEI.Johnson: You cannot censor and silence viewpoints you disagree with pic.twitter.com/sCtN28xbBN
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 24, 2024
Blah Blah Blah
Trump claims hush money trial judge thinks he's 'above the Supreme Court' https://t.co/W7axF11e8I
— Raw Story (@RawStory) April 24, 2024
"Because he thinks he is above the Supreme Court, he is prohibiting me from going to the presidential immunity hearing where some of the great legal scholars will be arguing the case — the most important case in many years on the Supreme Court," Trump told Fox News Digital.First question: would he stay awake?
It’s A Real Thing
It's a thing, and it's real:Trump presenting a ‘Key to the White House’ to the former Japanese PM at Trump Tower last night. pic.twitter.com/cgWsJs6ZoK
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 24, 2024
Special gold-tone ceremonial White House key released in very limited quantities during the presidency of Donald Trump. The key measures 8″ x 2.5″ with both sides of the bow featuring the seal of the President of the United States of America, and both sides of the shaft engraved with text: “Key to the White House” and “President Donald J. Trump.” Includes its original handsome wooden display box, 9.25″ x 4″ x 1.5″, with the underside of the lid featuring an artistic depiction of the north portico of the White House, and the top of the lid laser-engraved with presidential seal. In very fine condition. This White House-exclusive key was specially made for and presented to foreign dignitaries and other VIPs during the Trump-Pence administration.
Trump’s sense of ownership of the building extended even to a souvenir he had created: a “key to the White House.” In his book “Breaking History,” Trump adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner described the tchotchke.“When Trump met with [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu], he whipped out his signature gift — an oversize bronze ‘key to the White House’ in a wooden box carved with the presidential seal. Trump had designed the key himself to give to special guests.”
" ‘This is the first key I’m giving to anyone,’ he said. ‘Even when I’m not president anymore, you can walk up to the front gate of the White House and present it, and they will let you in.’ "— "Breaking History," Jared Kushner
Kushner writes that he “tried to keep from laughing” at the presentation.
Understandably. It is not the case that presidents can simply grant other people lifetime access to the White House. Not only because of the security implications but, again, because the house isn’t the president’s to offer to others. Trump was allowed to stay there by the people; that grant isn’t transferrable.This is Trump, so I’m a little curious about who paid for this souvenir, and why Trump still has one.
Eric IS The Smart One
RNC co-Chair Lara Trump: We have lawsuits in 81 states right now pic.twitter.com/3vZ8mRYvgE
— DNC War Room (@DNCWarRoom) April 24, 2024
Apparently she had just learned the consent decree out of New Jersey (for GOP poll watchers harassing black and Latino voters) had expired. But what she’s saying is aligned with “81 states.”What does this mean, they will have thugs to physically take the ballots to make sure they are marked for Republican candidates? Sounds like a perfect authoritarian election plan to me. https://t.co/yWbJfxt7w7
— Ruth Ben-Ghiat (@ruthbenghiat) April 24, 2024
Trump’s been posting Rasmussen polls and Tom Fitton articles all day. So he’s winning the election and his trial bigly on Truth Social.
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 24, 2024
Apparently this is the “campaigning” he has to miss out on during trial days.
'Welcome relief': Analyst explains why Trump's hush money trial pleases the GOP https://t.co/K6SuRfeZFb
— Raw Story (@RawStory) April 24, 2024
According to Cupp, the trial distracts the public from the fact that the GOP is on the defensive when it comes to subjects like abortion and fallout from the overturning of Roe v. Wade, for which Trump has taken credit.Well, I guess that explains this:
And this:Kari Lake: Unfortunately, Democratic officials in Arizona are not enforcing Arizona’s 1864 abortion ban with no exception for health, rape, or incest. We don’t have that law as much as many of us wish we did pic.twitter.com/DzLdxgtG2t
— DNC War Room (@DNCWarRoom) April 24, 2024
The GOP remain strategic geniuses. Dems remain in disarray.Good morning from the Arizona Capitol, where we’re in the third week of attempts to repeal the incoming territorial abortion ban, which will be among the most restrictive in the US.
— Rachel Louise Just (@RLJnews) April 24, 2024
I’m hearing from multiple people today we will see either a repeal vote or a GOP ballot referral. pic.twitter.com/SAtC5OHyyo
Barack Obama in 2008: “I traveled to 57 states.”
— Federalism Index Project (@FedIndex) April 24, 2024
Lara Trump: hold my beer. We have lawsuits in 81 states
pic.twitter.com/jH77UHf5JK
“Sometimes I Think The Narrative Is A Great, Grey God…”
The “Trump is definitely gonna win” tone of two months ago was embarrassing. The “Biden’s got this” tone after the SOTU was embarrassing. The amount to which coverage shifts every two weeks based on the whims of individual poll….embarrassing!!
— Astead (@AsteadWH) April 24, 2024
Confessions of an NYT political reporter.Ppl ask if I miss writing (I do) but my desire to get out of this type of narrative cycle was much greater than my need to write. Imo, audio can better highlight the stakes of an election w/ nuance partly because we’re untied to day to day horse race discourse
— Astead (@AsteadWH) January 23, 2024
“Those Who Do Not Learn From History…”
Because that worked so well at Kent State!Ok so the upshot from the responses is abt what I figured. Tom cotton and Josh Hawley. Which is about what I figured. As far as I can tell the governor and the university have basically ruled out the idea, as they should.
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) April 24, 2024
Behold The Power Of Government
When the people in government know what the fuck they’re doing, and understand national and world security apart from their petty personal attempts to rig elections with National Enquirer-style fictions.President Biden: "In the next few hours -- literally few hours -- we're going to begin sending in equipment to Ukraine for air defense munitions, for artillery, for rocket systems and armored vehicles." pic.twitter.com/Ir6XUOqY3p
— CSPAN (@cspan) April 24, 2024
"[This legislation I signed] is going to make America safer, it's going to make the world safer and it continues America's leadership in the world." pic.twitter.com/66JpbM2lS6
— Herbie Ziskend (@HerbieZiskend46) April 24, 2024
The Narrative Catches Up As Reality Takes A Breather
The headlines out of Pennsylvania for @realdonaldtrump last night are ugly. pic.twitter.com/uM4M7IUNIo
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) April 24, 2024
Haley won more than 155,000 votes in Pennsylvania's GOP primary even though she ended her campaign more than a month ago, a sign of potential trouble for Trump in one of the key battleground states this fall. @ChrisCameronNYT @anjalihuynh https://t.co/zAq9A8mEM1
— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) April 24, 2024
“Biden directed his senior aides to employ a two-pronged strategy: privately make clear to Johnson the stakes for Europe and the rest of the world if Vladimir Putin claims Ukraine, leaning heavily on intelligence — and lay off attacking the new speaker” https://t.co/ViqRMDIbB0
— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) April 24, 2024
What was obvious to sentient beings for 8 years finally becomes “conventional wisdom.”Ironic that Trump has spent the last decade blasting legitimate media organizations as "fake news," all while working hand-in-glove with actual purveyors of fake news, supermarket tabloids, to improve his political standing
— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) April 23, 2024
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) April 24, 2024
When The Walls Fell
30% of Republicans in PA voted against Trump for a candidate who dropped out 6 weeks ago. pic.twitter.com/nfyj3F77Q3
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 24, 2024
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?Trump presenting a ‘Key to the White House’ to the former Japanese PM at Trump Tower last night. pic.twitter.com/cgWsJs6ZoK
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 24, 2024
Funny that’s not having any effect.Trump: “If you look at what the legal scholars are saying - Jonathan Turley, Andrew McCarthy, Dershowitz - they say there’s no case!” pic.twitter.com/AUfhxA2wwr
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 24, 2024
'Republicans must step in!' Trump begs for help with legal troubles in frantic 2 a.m. ranthttps://t.co/PDIgeLppnr
— Raw Story (@RawStory) April 24, 2024
"We have a Rigged Judge, who is working for the Democrat Party and refuses to terminate this 'case,' which should have never been brought by Soft on Crime Alvin Bragg," Trump posted at 2 a.m. on Truth Social.
"Judge [Juan] Merchan should be immediately removed, and the Appellate Courts have to take over. That also applies to Corrupt Judge [Arthur] Engoron, who knew I did nothing wrong, and still fraudulently fined me $500 Million Dollars while having no knowledge of Valuation, Finance, or in any way what he was doing. Same with Judge Kaplan, who allowed a woman, who I have never met (celebrity photo line does not count!), and know nothing about, to get a lawless judgment of $90 Million Dollars. New York Justice is in shambles, and only the Appellate Courts can save it."Except the courts can’t (or won’t, because they’re rigged, too), so the GOP must.
A Republican doesn’t stand a chance," Trump raged in his overnight post. "This is not Justice."
"This New York Cabal, run by Crooked Joe Biden’s White House, is a hit job on a Political Opponent the likes of which the USA has never seen before," Trump added. "For the Good of our Country, it must be stopped. The Crooked Joe Biden Witch Hunts have to be ended. REPUBLICANS IN WASHINGTON MUST TAKE ACTION!""MOMMY!”
Trump’s Day Off
Q: Any plans for tomorrow since you don’t have to be in court?
— Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) April 24, 2024
Trump: What’s tomorrow? You tell me
(Trump has spent days claiming his trial is preventing him from campaigning) pic.twitter.com/YJ4v1ZHgjG
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Trump Can’t Campaign…
I missed this, where Trump complains the articles he’s clutching should be “put in” at trial. In the same day David Pecker testified about all the articles he published that were lies invented by Trump."They're keeping me in a courtroom that's freezing by the way..." https://t.co/AishWqxjcN
— Josh Dawsey (@jdawsey1) April 23, 2024
'Devastating blow': lawyer highlights Trump hush money trial witness' bombshell testimony https://t.co/YRfavjwEi2
— Raw Story (@RawStory) April 24, 2024
There was an arrangement that Michael Cohen would, according to David Pecker, would call him up after one of the Republican debates," Schneider explained.
"Whoever was doing the best at the debate, [Cohen] would direct him — David Pecker — to run a devastating story about that person."
"That's setting up...for the jury to see, the fact that Trump allegedly seems to have a pattern and history of gaining an unfair advantage during that election," Schneider said. "And I think that that point, although subtle today, is going to come back later on in the trial."
Pennsylvania primary today. Trump couldn’t campaign.A confused Trump claims “places like Philadelphia and Pennsylvania” are being “destroyed,” apparently not realizing that Philadelphia is a place in Pennsylvania pic.twitter.com/HibriQ7EB2
— Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) April 23, 2024
Interesting Haley numbers in the Collar Counties outside Philly (unofficial results as of just after 10 pm ET) pic.twitter.com/dWEGUzQhBJ
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) April 24, 2024
Old news. Real news.Graham: I voted no regarding the border security provisions. My hope was it would get over to the house, we could negotiate stronger border security package. That did not happen. President Trump opposed the bill. pic.twitter.com/IiZbOTZ0TJ
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 23, 2024
Slowly, slowly, slowly, the narrative catches up with reality. While reality leaps relentlessly ahead.The most significant story from Trump's trial is outside the courtroom where the crowds that once appeared to support him are not there. The trial is about 2020; the quiet is about 2024. Remarkable.
— Juliette Kayyem (@juliettekayyem) April 24, 2024
Don’t Try This At Home, Kids!
Seriously. Don’t chop celery this way.Alina didn’t like my celery video I guess. pic.twitter.com/VIjyPY0n42
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 23, 2024
Unless you have a dull knife. And want dirt in your food.Alina Habba gives a masterclass on how to saw celery. pic.twitter.com/XwUBmcGt2P
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 22, 2024
It’s a tough call whether she knew more about introducing a trial exhibit or chopping celery. https://t.co/NyqVgwa7kG
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 23, 2024
🤦🏻♂️
Why do people always act like this has never happened in the history of our country, ever? As Molly Ivins loved to say: “It’s a representative government.” As Ecclesiastes said, “There is nothing new under the sun.”Over 70% of MTG's district voted for Trump in 2020. She is an outgrowth of gerrymandering and excesses in our information ecosystem. https://t.co/D8TYBRAwYo
— Steward Beckham 🇺🇸🇺🇦 🌻 (@iTweetyNerd) April 23, 2024
Who was it said you’ll never go broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public?Watters: Bragg is begging the judge to gag the Republican nominee from talking. The prosecutor complaining he did it right here in the hallway outside. Oh no, right in the hallway outside? pic.twitter.com/5XiSXgSHro
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 24, 2024
Self-awareness is not a success trait. And probably an impediment to getting on TeeVee.Watters: People will say anything for a paycheck pic.twitter.com/uxb4mRxGay
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 24, 2024
Remember when they called it the “boob tube”? I think that’s too highbrow a label now. But, of course, “highbrow” is too highbrow.Lara Trump: If we catch you cheating and we’re looking for you out there to cheat, we will prosecute you pic.twitter.com/f9JHENoNJP
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 24, 2024
Clearly Lara Trump thinks the RNC has become a government above all governments in the U.S. of A. Or maybe she just thinks so because now she gets on TeeVee.Lara Trump: We now have the ability at the RNC not just to have poll watchers… but people who can physically handle the ballots… pic.twitter.com/xd06medJal
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 24, 2024
The irony of this is that David Pecker (Trump: “I never knew him. I think he brought coffee, or something. There was no relationship.”) is in that building testifying about all the fake news stories Trump invented about his political opponents that Pecker put on the front page.BUSTED!!!
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) April 23, 2024
We saw Trump whining that "thousands" of his supporters were prevented from getting near the courthouse to protest – so we sent @mspopok to check out the situation for himself while court was in session.
Of course, it was just another Trump lie! This is very… pic.twitter.com/PiInv5F0Bn
Donald, are the thousands of MAGA protesters in the room with you right now? pic.twitter.com/ybog90OtWC
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 23, 2024
“History Is Bunk!”—Henry Ford
Not that many progressives in charge of the Democrats, actually. Daley was responsible for the police riot in ‘68 (hey! They were on private property, right? Or something.) Conservatives nominated Humphrey over McCarthy (who was hardly seen as being as radical as McGovern). I’ll give you the assaults on LBJ over Vietnam (he was terrible), and not giving him any credit for civil rights and his Great Society legislation (Medicare was a small part of it).Progressives forgot that their beloved 60s student protests, for all their nobility and well intentioned motives, not only failed in their goal (Vietnam continued) but also doomed Democrats at the national level to more than two decades of failures.
— Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) April 23, 2024
1968-1992 consisted of… https://t.co/zJ37YOIw0U
The Reviews Are In!
Romney: I think everybody has made their own assessment of President Trump's character, and so far as I know you don't pay someone $130,000 not to have sex with you. pic.twitter.com/7N9lu8pkww
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 23, 2024
'It was really funny!' Teens who sat in on Trump trial decimate lawyer's performancehttps://t.co/5SYYM1QohE
— Raw Story (@RawStory) April 23, 2024
I think Trump’s problem here is that, even to his followers, he’s not worth the subway fare. https://t.co/RnBTkbsG2V
— George Conway (@gtconway3d) April 23, 2024
Pretty funny that Trump claims none of his supporters will show up outside his trial because there are too many cops around.
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 23, 2024
'Maggot Hagerman!' Trump rages at NYT reporter who says supporters are skipping his trial https://t.co/JMiaiLsqQF
— Raw Story (@RawStory) April 23, 2024
"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," Trump wrote. "It is an armed camp to keep people away.”
"Maggot Hagerman of The Failing New York Times, falsely reported that I was disappointed with the crowds," Trump declared. "No, I’m disappointed with Maggot, and her lack of writing skill, and that some of these many police aren’t being sent to Columbia and NYU to keep the schools open and the students safe. The Legal Scholars call the case a Scam that should never have been brought. I call it Election Interference and a personal hit job by a conflicted and corrupt Judge who shouldn’t be allowed to preside over this Political Hoax. New York Justice is being reduced to ashes, and the World is breathlessly watching. Hopefully, Appellate Courts can save it, and all of the companies that are fleeing to other jurisdictions. They can no longer take a chance on New York Justice!"
Trump just claimed that the police have shut down the streets around the courthouse for blocks & that his protesters can’t be here.
— Vaughn Hillyard (@VaughnHillyard) April 23, 2024
Just…not true. There is one pro-Trump person here & the main street along the courthouse is open to traffic. pic.twitter.com/JyrH3ZkNrX
Funny thing, they don’t have to try very hard. Especially when you’re doing the work for them.Habba: They try and make attorneys on the team look or seem like they don't know what they're doing… I was putting in something in evidence and the judge was making comments that would make the press believe that I didn’t know what I was doing pic.twitter.com/l2qGbrVcU7
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 23, 2024
🤷🏻♂️Habba: The gag order, the unconstitutionality, what is more Columbia Russia? What is more third word? This is why we have people pouring into our country, running for freedom because of things like this pic.twitter.com/PZZgpQb8c3
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 23, 2024
New York’s hottest club is the line for the bathroom on the 15th floor of the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse when the judge gives us a little break
— julia reinstein 🚡 (@juliareinstein) April 23, 2024
- Bathroom breaks are about 5 minutes for 20 reporters
— Morgan McKay (@morganfmckay) April 23, 2024
- Reporters are confined to the courtroom: not allowed to get up, talk to each other (besides quick whispers) or check their cellphones until the floor is cleared - for example court broke at 2 but still inside the courtroom
The five hour days are the worst part. (I regularly go 7-8 hours between breakfast and dinner without eating. It can be done!)I want to clarify - by no means are these the worst conditions I have ever reported through and I am incredibly grateful I have such an amazing job that has given me this opportunity- just reporting back what it’s been like inside and hoping that things get more consistent
— Morgan McKay (@morganfmckay) April 23, 2024
Even I’m not that old..@progressive what do we say about someone who prints the Internet? https://t.co/Kse26jW02X
— Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) April 23, 2024
Funny but not remotely functional https://t.co/DHyIg12QPx
— Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) April 23, 2024
Except Trump is only making that claim in the media. Let’s see if he raises it in the courtroom. (Pro-tip: it would require Trump’s testimony. But it’s also not remotely a defense to the charges. So all Trump’s testimony would do is ruin his credibility.)if you acquittal rests on at least some degree of your credibility going with a totally absurd denial at the front end seems questionable https://t.co/wgc6sJbC29
— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm) April 23, 2024
Fox News dips into Biden's event in Tampa in time to hear him say that Democrats have to win this election "because of the alternative ... democracy depends upon it." They cut out of it after a minute. pic.twitter.com/ZtDIyzSkuE
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 23, 2024
Biden: Trump described the Dobbs decision as a miracle. Maybe it’s coming from that bible he’s trying to sell. Woah, I almost wanted to buy one to see what the hell is in it pic.twitter.com/27Em3nQrym
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 23, 2024
Wow. Biden in Tampa on Trump: "He said there has to be punishment for women exercising their reproductive freedom ... maybe it's coming from that bible he's trying to sell. I almost wanted to buy one just to see what the hell is in it." pic.twitter.com/DbBkOI5lWH
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 23, 2024
Trump: Every time Biden opens his mouth, he gets himself into trouble pic.twitter.com/rmXxa5hWkV
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 23, 2024
Projection is a really harsh mistress.Trump: And they are keeping me, in a courtroom that’s freezing all day long. Biden is out there campaigning, that’s probably an advantage because he can't campaign nobody knows what he is doing he can't put two sentences together. pic.twitter.com/ssTkQtKPeb
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 23, 2024
This!!! 👇👇👇 #VoteBiden pic.twitter.com/Cr277c0CDi
— Jon Cooper (@joncoopertweets) April 13, 2024
I read that Blanche (who is forever now Seamy Todd to me) was looking forward to this trial giving a big boost to his private legal career. I'd really love to know what he was doing in his time at SNDY, which I think should be investigated for a number of issues. I wonder if he was part of the faction that sandbagged Hillary Clinton or did similar things from that rogue branch of the DoJ.
You put me in mind of Jarrell’s “Death of the Ball Turret Gunner.” I read a footnote to it once that said the hose mentioned there was a steam hose. It seems an apt metaphor for Blanche’s career after Trump.
Numb And Number
threatening us with a good time pic.twitter.com/kIn6I3ygYk
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 23, 2024
Trump is not being strategic. He’s just desperate for money, and he figures jail will flail (!) the outrage nerve attached to his supporters wallets one more time.During the break after his gag order hearing, Trump attacks the judge. pic.twitter.com/Ltl94cGfC6
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 23, 2024
#DonSnorleone"I'm here in a courtroom sitting up as straight as I can all day long" -- Trump seems to admit he's having trouble staying awake in court pic.twitter.com/bQOfUzpozI
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 23, 2024
“The Only Thing That Matters Is The Front Page”—David Pecker
Donald Trump, the King of Fake News & Election Interference. It was all rigged. pic.twitter.com/EvQ6p1HiiH
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 23, 2024
Another one planted by Trump. pic.twitter.com/QYYWy7SMOr
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 23, 2024
Ted thought he knew dirty politics. Then he ran into Donald Trump. And got run over. pic.twitter.com/jaHfQDK4Gd
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 23, 2024
Came directly from Trump. And Ted still kisses his ass. pic.twitter.com/sAYTvP1Mcc
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 23, 2024
The fruit of their agreement, Pecker testified, ultimately included a series of stories suggested by Cohen and “embellished” by the Enquirer about Ben Carson’s “bungl[ing]” a patient’s brain surgery, Ted Cruz’s alleged sex partners, and Marco Rubio’s “cocaine connection.” 2/
— Lisa Rubin (@lawofruby) April 23, 2024
That Pecker offered to augment that variant of Clinton coverage “pleased” both Trump and Cohen, Pecker remembered in discussing their August 2015 Trump Tower meeting.
— Lisa Rubin (@lawofruby) April 23, 2024
That pretty much sums it up.Explosive evidence revealed tying Trump to election conspiracy in hush money casehttps://t.co/Nb97Ie5ubm
— Raw Story (@RawStory) April 23, 2024
Plus ce la change...What strikes me about the testimony of Pecker is that the Trump media strategy hasn’t changed much since 2015. They still continue to feed rumors & false stories to friendly media outlets and influencers to smear their opponents. Only difference is now they publish them for free.
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 23, 2024
Why Blanche Lost Credibility
Do you remember the scene from “The Paper Chase” when Kingsfield hands some coins to a student and tells him to go call his mother, and tell her he’s never going to be a lawyer?Blanche says that "reposting an article from a news site" or "a news program" doesn't violate the gag order.
— Adam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) April 23, 2024
Justice Merchan asks him where the case law supports that.
"I don't have any case law," Blanche says, calling the proposition "common sense."
🪦 R.I.P. Todd Blanche, Esq.
☠️Blanche: "President Trump is being very careful to comply" with the gag order.
— Adam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) April 23, 2024
Merchan, sharply: "Mr. Blanche, you are losing all credibility."
Monday, April 22, 2024
What’s To Understand?
NOT Trump’s lawyer in New York.Kise: The real threat to democracy is the willingness to abuse the power of your office to influence what should otherwise be free and fair election… pic.twitter.com/nXAmR0Esp5
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 23, 2024
Or influence a fair jury trial.NEW: In what could be viewed as an egregious violation of his gag order, Donald Trump bashed the jury during an interview after his day in court today by claiming that "95% are Democrats." https://t.co/ASjwjve2OI
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) April 23, 2024
IOW, the way every defendant in a classified case wants the case to be tried. Before CIPA, that’s why so few classified cases were tried to juries. Nothing new here, IOW, just trying to threaten the prosecution with what they don’t want. And recognizing Cannon is so far over her head, she’s looking up to see bottom.Kise on classified documents case: I think what we’ve learned is that the special counsel wants to keep everything secret and President Trump wants to everything open pic.twitter.com/gXTz9x7f4S
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 23, 2024
I guess he’s seen the pictures.Trump, proven inciter of violence, just emailed followers: "ALL HELL BREAKS LOOSE IN 24 HOURS!"--at Tues hrg on whether he's violated his gag order. "I COULD BE THROWN IN JAIL AT THAT VERY MOMENT!"
— Jackie Calmes (@jackiekcalmes) April 22, 2024
He issues an SOS: "We need a HUGE outpouring of support before the day is over..."
MASSIVE TURNOUT for Donald Trump today in New York. pic.twitter.com/uElbybSz4V
— The Good Liars (@TheGoodLiars) April 23, 2024
What if they held a trial protest and nobody came? I’m just guessing the crowd who travel to a field in North Carolina aren’t coming to downtown Manhattan anytime soon.I counted a total of 3 Trump supporters at courthouse today. The loudest person was the guy yelling at them “Bill Clinton balanced the budget!” pic.twitter.com/fbELdxn7Xw
— Lawrence O'Donnell (@Lawrence) April 22, 2024
He has been hoping for something of a circus around his trial, but the reality is that only two to three dozen supporters over the last week have shown up," said Haberman, who has been covering the trial in person. "He looked very unhappy."So his desperation is expanding? Makes sense.
Also makes sense.Trump is portraying the lack of protests on the courthouse steps as about him. But the criminal courthouse steps are very narrow and protests are not normally allowed there, particularly when a former POTUS guarded by USSS is inside https://t.co/4V8xDIvJAR
— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) April 22, 2024
Newt was rooting for the police.Fox News' Newt Gingrich says Trump's hush money trial is “literally like some of the civil rights workers in Mississippi in the 1960s” pic.twitter.com/xU4MZk4xfp
— aliciasadowski (@aliciasadowski6) April 23, 2024
In fact...Telling that none of Trump’s family or surrogates *actually deny* the allegations made against him. https://t.co/RKaUsNcrIG
— MaTT FLaMMaBLe (@MaTTFLaMMaBLe) April 23, 2024
I’m really not worried about how the right-wing press covers this trial.Umm...well...hmm...you know you just described the crime. I don't understand what you don't understand about what you just said. https://t.co/gKXzxVTLjh
— Michael Steele (@MichaelSteele) April 23, 2024
Can't get enough of the Trump hush money trial? This sheet pan prime rib with ketchup will make you feel like you're ordering room service with Trump and Stormy Daniels.
— New York Times Pitchbot (@DougJBalloon) April 23, 2024
C’mon, you gotta give me that one!They say there's not such thing as a perfect Drudge headline...oh...wait. pic.twitter.com/ke7XqoxS0R
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) April 22, 2024
Masterclassing
If my knife was that dull, I’d replace it (and take the old blade to a knife sharpening service). Way too much effort going into cutting celery. (And considering how much dirt hides in a celery bunch, I’d never cut up celery that way. You have to separate the stalks and rinse them.)Dr Alina Habba gives a masterclass on how to saw celery. pic.twitter.com/XwUBmcGt2P
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 22, 2024
Gott mit... who, exactly?So Marge and the Republicans who are crushing him are defying God’s will then. pic.twitter.com/u4p8ANVU3E
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 22, 2024
She showed up at a dinner at her home where there were about 25 people from the Log Cabin Republicans. Not exactly a “return to campaigning” or a “masterclass.” pic.twitter.com/GatBkOaCSp
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 22, 2024
Whether it's Trump threatening to arrest the members of Congress who investigated him or Joe Biden giving too few sit-down interviews, both candidates have shattered long-standing norms of presidential behavior.
— New York Times Pitchbot (@DougJBalloon) April 22, 2024
A little louder for the folks in the back!Kari Lake says she is concerned that Hillary Clinton may be plotting to send a hit man after her to take her out. Story …https://t.co/xxU2rpmtlz
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 22, 2024
Hillary said the following: "His bromance with Putin - it was actually called that by the former PM of Australia who said he saw Trump with Putin and Trump was just gaga over Putin. Because Putin does what he would like to do - kill his opposition, imprison his opposition, drive journalists and others into exile, rule without any check or balance. That's what Trump really wants."Lake responded:
Lake responded to the clip, "That's really rich coming from a woman like Hillary Clinton. How many of her friends have mysteriously died or committed suicide?"
"Then know they can't win on their policies ... They know they can't win on that so they have to try every other measure to try to control the government. It's comical that Hillary is talking about Trump wanting to kill his opponents? I just want to say, as I'm speaking about this topic I want everyone out there to know that the brakes on my car have recently been checked and they work. I'm not suicidal. Hillary, I don't mean any harm to you, please don't send your henchmen out to me. We understand what you're about."See how quickly that turned from a comment on Trump into a threat on the life of Lake? Truly Trumpian.
Or by DEI trying to teach them to recognize people not exactly like them, are people, too.Demonstrators are descending upon the campuses of America's elite colleges. Are they angered by the Israel/Gaza war, or by the questionable quality of their university presidents' research?
— New York Times Pitchbot (@DougJBalloon) April 22, 2024
Another masterclass. Besides, I thought he needed to be campaigning.Watters: Trump needs exercise. He’s usually golfing and you’re going to put a man who’s almost 80 sitting in a room like this on his butt for all that time? It’s not healthy. He needs sunlight. He needs activity. It’s really cruel and unusual punishment pic.twitter.com/xT1RKZyIgc
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 22, 2024
Actually, the silly part is suggesting golf is exercise. It’s not really even a good walk. And the way Trumps does it (he drives his cart onto the greens), it’s not even a walk.Watters suggests Trump is being treated worse than prisoners in Guantanamo Bay pic.twitter.com/xg8W12GeLn
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 22, 2024
Trump had better disavow her immediately, or he’s lost Texas. Sear? Brisket? What fresh hell is this?I’m sorry, is she pan frying it???? https://t.co/FLNOUjtt7n
— Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) April 22, 2024
So many people knew.According to the prosecution's opening statement:
— Adam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) April 22, 2024
On election night 2016, as Trump edged closer to being declared the victor, Stormy Daniels' then-attorney Keith Davidson sent this text message to National Enquirer editor in chief Dylan Howard:
"What have we done?"
Because all the businesses have already left the city, donchaknow?I counted a total of 3 Trump supporters at courthouse today. The loudest person was the guy yelling at them “Bill Clinton balanced the budget!” pic.twitter.com/fbELdxn7Xw
— Lawrence O'Donnell (@Lawrence) April 22, 2024
“Week one of Donald Trump’s hush money trial could have been mundane. It entailed what the legal world refers to as voir dire, during which the judge makes evidentiary judgments to determine which jurors can rule impartially on the case.” https://t.co/rFoIGHGkQl
— Molly Jong-Fast (@MollyJongFast) April 22, 2024
Bill Maher predicted last year that this trial would only rally pro-Trump voters and help him secure the presidency. “I think this is a colossal mistake if they bring these charges,” the pundit argued. “I mean, yes, [Trump’s] done a lot of bad things, and I'm sure he did this—everything they accused him of [doing], he did. But first of all, it’s not gonna work. It’s gonna be rocket fuel for his 2024 campaign.”It’s certainly drawing people to the courthouse.
Yet last week felt like the opposite of “rocket fuel.” If anything, what we saw was a grumpy 77-year-old man who was exhausted from hours of sitting on a hard chair in a cold room, falling asleep to potential jurors talking about their (oft-negative) feelings about him. Before the trial started, Trump’s campaign sent out a fundraising email promising that it was “72 hours until all hell breaks loose.” But there was no hell to speak of. Trump supporters didn’t storm the courthouse like they did the Capitol back in January 2021. In fact, the only turnout Trump got was a smattering of his usual toadies, including Andrew Giuliani. We don’t know what the next four days of Trump’s trial will hold. But if he and his supporters are already feeling depleted, imagine how they’ll feel in June.Well, with all those businesses leaving the city…
Of course.Trump is asked how members of his family are holding up during his trial.
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 22, 2024
His answer contains not one word about how his family is holding up. pic.twitter.com/f0zb2Ieccp
Free Bird
A man set himself on fire outside that building last week. I think NYPD can make its own deployment decisions.Trump calls for police to leave the area around the NYC courthouse where he’s being tried so MAGAs can run wild pic.twitter.com/RwVVzgOjUj
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 22, 2024
Trump is free to campaign this afternoon.Love a candidate who really hits those kitchen table issues that keep Americans up at night: the reputation of the firm that put up Trump's nine figure bond. https://t.co/C1dRP06RMz
— Mike Rothschild (no relation) (@rothschildmd) April 22, 2024
Hope springs eternal.Marge says that MAGA voters are so angry at Mike Johnson and feel so betrayed that she is very worried that many of them won’t show up to vote for Republican candidates in November because they are so disillusioned. pic.twitter.com/2Kkg2fuTti
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 22, 2024
As opposed to an indirect violation. (Sorry, but that one’s been hanging out there all day. A “direct” violation would actually be one in the presence of the court. Those are much more likely to draw the “remedy” if imprisonment.)A direct violation of the court’s gag order. https://t.co/s1rRB0bzyT https://t.co/PsZXAk4fr2 pic.twitter.com/sya2oCAkHj
— southpaw (@nycsouthpaw) April 22, 2024
The Day In Court (And Out)
Tell me again Trump will not testify.What prosecutors just did was present something to appear like "a very clean and nice story," Blanche says.
— Kaelan Deese (@KaelanDC) April 22, 2024
"You're going to hear witnesses talk about conversations ... people they met with, from 2016."
"The story that you just heard you will hear is not true."
Isn’t the state’s case that Trump misrepresented what that $130,000 was for?Trump’s legal defense is he stiffed Cohen on the $130,000? https://t.co/eLwhJoZQnC
— Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) April 22, 2024
Tell me again why she isn’t on the defense team?The lawyer went to jail for it https://t.co/FtLNNrbBgN
— Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) April 22, 2024
SO SAY WE ALL!If this is not used as an opportunity to get to the truth about salacious National Enquirer stories from the Clinton era, like Hillary having a baby with a Martian or whatever I saw at the grocery checkout line, it'll be a waste. https://t.co/xJdh6Nucs0
— Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) April 22, 2024
"Anything you say can and will…”Keep talking https://t.co/mMXVIurdxf
— Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) April 22, 2024
In cross-examination? In a week or two? And the jury will decide who’s credible, and who isn’t. Does he understand what trials are for?Trump again going after witness Michael Cohen: When ware they going to look at all the lies that Cohen did in the last trial… He got caught lying. Pure lying. When are they going to look at that? pic.twitter.com/hE8uUvgG7m
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 22, 2024
No, apparently he doesn’t know.The fact that they never took it as a tax deduction is telling, not exculpatory: This guy deducted his son’s $5 Boy Scout dues as a charitable donation.
— Asha Rangappa (@AshaRangappa_) April 22, 2024
More evidence of trying not to leave a paper trail https://t.co/Vl4zLREuKA
And the walls come tumbling down. As NBC pointed out, Trump could campaign on weekends and Wednesdays. This trial date wasn’t a surprise.Ahh yes. “People” said to him. I am sure they were big, strong crying men with tremendous tears in their eyes saying “sir, I can’t believe it”.
— Spiro’s Ghost (@AntiToxicPeople) April 22, 2024
He’s insane. Makes up fantastical conversations that never happened, constantly, and we just shrug. https://t.co/iXWptwcfEX
I think he did that.Trump on Mar-a-Lago: They valued a million dollar asset at $18 million pic.twitter.com/pZiJxKKwVE
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 22, 2024
Trump’s lawyer Todd Blanche argued in his opening statement, among other things, that Stormy Daniels tried to take advantage of Trump by extorting him after he simply had an innocent conversation with her about The Apprentice. Mr recap of his opening …https://t.co/iwKORtJslm
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 22, 2024
He argued that Trump paid Cohen a total of $420,000, not just $130,000 that was paid to Stormy Daniels. He then said this shows that Trump was paying Cohen for legal services and not reimbursing his hush money payment.That depends entirely on how it was recorded. Doesn’t the prosecution have the books? I know the judge told the jury that nothing the lawyers say is evidence. So, who’s putting on this evidence?
Blanche then told the jury, "There's nothing wrong with trying to influence the election. It's called democracy." He said that what Stormy Daniels did was "extortion," and that there was "nothing illegal about a non-disclosure agreement." He said that there were all kinds of "salacious allegations" being made about Trump at the time and he was just trying to protect "his brand" and his family.And his chances for election?
He then noted that Cohen talks constantly about Trump and how he wants to see him go to prison, and told the jury that just last night Cohen said that Trump is a "despicable human being" and he was hoping to see him "in an orange jumpsuit" someday. He then tried to argue that Cohen perjured himself twice in Trump's civil fraud trial, which drew an objection from the prosecutor. The objection was sustained and the judge instructed the jury to disregard the statement.Oddly enough, Trump lied in that trial, too. Which I’m sure came out in the Sandoval hearing.
"Just based on what I'm hearing here, I am fearful that Todd Blanche may be sort of overselling his hand, going back to the psychology, and I think we've all made this point here that you want to create a rapport with the juror, and you want them to like you," Polisi said.
"The worst thing you can do is over-promise and under-deliver. It sounds like Blanche is over-promising here. There's a lot of reasons why him stating that Trump knew nothing about these payments or the purpose thereof is just flatly proven wrong by the documents."
There's also a recording of a phone call where Trump and Cohen are discussing the payments to Daniels to ensure her silence about an extramarital affair, prosecutors have said.
"There's a phone call of Trump saying, 'Let's pay her in cash,' Cohen saying, 'No, we're going to do it my way," Polisi said.
"Also, the way retainer agreements work with an attorney is that, yes, there is sort of an evergreen standard payment, in this case it was $35,000 a month or whatever to get up to that amount, but then the lawyer bills you or invoices you for services rendered, and here there is nothing.
"Michael Cohen did not — we all sort of live and die by the billable hours. We have to say what we do, how we do it, when we do it. The invoices here simply show Michael Cohen saying, 'I'd like that check now for my retainer agreement.' He's not done any legal services.
"I think it's not doing him any service, the defense, by trying to really state too much. They don't have to really necessarily deny knowledge, and I think they're making a mistake by doing that."
The gag order hearing will be very interesting https://t.co/pJOJCjbwBD
— MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) April 22, 2024
And speaking of transparency:I think they’re up to 12 possible violations now for the contempt hearing in the morning. https://t.co/GGhz4KGxKW
— Mueller, She Wrote (@MuellerSheWrote) April 22, 2024
NEW: NY Courts will release daily transcripts of Donald Trump's criminal trial. pic.twitter.com/Uv4COykfuF
— Frank G. Runyeon (@frankrunyeon) April 22, 2024
Maybe We Do Need Cameras In The Courtroom
Dear lord it's only 10:30am, gramps. https://t.co/KmQlBFrdbE
— Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) April 22, 2024
Do you think there is any truth to the claims that Trump is either: a) sedated so that he doesn't act nuts; b) being deprived of his Adderall so that he doesn't act nuts?I think he stays up late (he usually starts tweeting after midnight) and sleeps late (White House staff says he never came down to work before 11:30). Court hours are “late” for my once working hours, but early for Trump.
Trump On The Campaign Trail
And his rallies sound pretty much like this:He has averaged less than 1 rally a week for the past 18 months and 6 golf outings a week. This is all straight BS. pic.twitter.com/hq6HzjNMf8
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 22, 2024
If he’d just put the cash in escrow with the court, there wouldn’t be a hearing on the bond today.Trump: I put up $175 million in cash but she said the bonding company isn't good. She doesn't like the bonding company because she doesn't know if their collateral is good. I put up $175 million in cash and she is questioning the bonding company. pic.twitter.com/hkt1HZe7Up
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 22, 2024
Is that a reference to inflation? Apparently lunch at McDonald’s costs $700.Trump: Nobody is going to be listening or coming to New York anymore. Businesses Re going to be fleeing because people are treated so badly pic.twitter.com/KFhMk04qgp
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 22, 2024
Because Trump can’t afford the lawyers anymore?Trump: Letitia James, she is the worst attorney general in the country… Somebody has to step in. The governor, somebody has to do something pic.twitter.com/XkrghU1TTC
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 22, 2024
Cat got your tongue?Trump: That’s taking place in front of a crazed judge…. That’s uhhh. You know who that is. I don’t have to mention names. I want to be nice pic.twitter.com/L7pACgQLA3
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 22, 2024
Or there’s a show cause hearing tomorrow. Meanwhile...Trump Posts Newsmax Clip Attacking Judge’s Daughter
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) April 22, 2024
Trump’s potential gag order violations continue to stack up https://t.co/3MjJnGCwWP
The fish rots from the head.This is MAGA. The grifters are just following the business model of the Grifter in Chief. pic.twitter.com/UhigLiHUAG
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 22, 2024
“THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING!”
The jury is certainly watching.Trump shakes head as Judge Merchan lays out devastating rules for his cross-examinationhttps://t.co/cm4EgnMVAE
— Raw Story (@RawStory) April 22, 2024
And Wondering What The News Is In This
'Obviously, none of that is true': CNN's Kaitlan Collins reacts to Trump's courtroom spielhttps://t.co/PGxw5IRmpy
— Raw Story (@RawStory) April 22, 2024
Before walking into opening statements of the first ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president, Donald Trump stopped to hit the press with his usual talking points
....
His rant in front of the courtroom was quickly shut down by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins.
“Obviously, none of that is true,” she told host Anderson Cooper, focusing on the allegations of Biden’s involvement.
....
Collins said it had left viewers, “Drinking their morning coffee and wondering what he’s talking about.”And wondering why they’re seeing this. When they aren’t wondering what the hell is wrong with that guy.
Preparing To Face The Day
Only one of those things was predictable.It’s crazy to think that in the span of just two weeks we had a solar eclipse and a Republican do the right thing for the right reason https://t.co/MqgyseSkwF
— George Conway (@gtconway3d) April 22, 2024
Does he train by eating $700 worth of McDonald’s for lunch?I’m prepared to concede this contest to him. This is one he should win. pic.twitter.com/9nZ9jvABGS
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) April 22, 2024
You know what doesn’t get canceled because of rain?
— Mary L. Trump (@MaryLTrump) April 22, 2024
A criminal trial. 😎
Pundits who claim being stuck in a courtroom for a criminal trial will help Donnie in the polls are just wish-casting.
— Dave N. (@Autolykos_84) April 22, 2024
On a related note, anyone else notice how the media has pretty much entirely stopped obsessively covering every poll result?
OK, Twitter, get the Pecker jokes out of your system now.
— Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) April 22, 2024
I see the jokes are already old.But what we’ll get out of tomorrow is whether dumb jokes about the Pecker will replace the focus on flatulence.
— emptywheel (@emptywheel) April 21, 2024