My take on Trump's lawsuits
1) E Jean Carrol case - they found Trump liable here. That's not surprising. Had he treated the court with respect, and did not have his reputation as a womanizer, he might have persuaded a different outcome. Nonetheless, I am not surprised.
2) Federal documents case - In my mind he through his only reasonable defense out the window. At one time, he claimed aides just boxed up stuff and he didn't know what he had. Reasonable considering the chaos of his presidency. But there is plenty of evidence, on tape, that very clearly shows he knew he had stuff he was not supposed to have. I personally think he did not want to relinquish it because it would diminish his ego. He LIKED the power of having classified stuff. And not having it meant having to admit to himself that he lost. I think Trump is screwed here.
3) Federal Jan 6th case - I think there is a desire to hold someone accountable for Jan 6th, but this is in no way a "witch hunt". We clearly heard the rhetoric, and clearly saw the videos. Here is Trump's chance to prove his claim the election was rigged, but I expect nothing. If he can't prove that that, then I think he is screwed on this case. Defense will say that Trump did not specifically tell folks to storm the capitol, but the prosecution will argue that Trump had a sole responsibility to stop the Jan 6th events but did not. It's like giving a pyromaniac matches and gasoline, and then claiming, "but I never told him to burn the building down". Won't fly.
4) Georgia election case. To me it hinges on the "fake electors". Were there "fake electors"? Check. And fake electors don't just decide on their own to be fake electors. There had to be a plan and organization. Whether they find Trump was atop that plan is the question. My guess is his co Defendents will sing when offered deals.
5) Fraud case. To me this only exposes a broader problem with the real estate market that has been going on for over a century, and Trump is not doing much different than countless other real estate developers. I don't feel bad for Trump here, but I do get a sense that part of this stems from a bitterness towards him personally. Maybe if Trump had not been a Jerk to everyone for decades there would not be so much bitterness.
2) Federal documents case - In my mind he through his only reasonable defense out the window. At one time, he claimed aides just boxed up stuff and he didn't know what he had. Reasonable considering the chaos of his presidency. But there is plenty of evidence, on tape, that very clearly shows he knew he had stuff he was not supposed to have. I personally think he did not want to relinquish it because it would diminish his ego. He LIKED the power of having classified stuff. And not having it meant having to admit to himself that he lost. I think Trump is screwed here.
3) Federal Jan 6th case - I think there is a desire to hold someone accountable for Jan 6th, but this is in no way a "witch hunt". We clearly heard the rhetoric, and clearly saw the videos. Here is Trump's chance to prove his claim the election was rigged, but I expect nothing. If he can't prove that that, then I think he is screwed on this case. Defense will say that Trump did not specifically tell folks to storm the capitol, but the prosecution will argue that Trump had a sole responsibility to stop the Jan 6th events but did not. It's like giving a pyromaniac matches and gasoline, and then claiming, "but I never told him to burn the building down". Won't fly.
4) Georgia election case. To me it hinges on the "fake electors". Were there "fake electors"? Check. And fake electors don't just decide on their own to be fake electors. There had to be a plan and organization. Whether they find Trump was atop that plan is the question. My guess is his co Defendents will sing when offered deals.
5) Fraud case. To me this only exposes a broader problem with the real estate market that has been going on for over a century, and Trump is not doing much different than countless other real estate developers. I don't feel bad for Trump here, but I do get a sense that part of this stems from a bitterness towards him personally. Maybe if Trump had not been a Jerk to everyone for decades there would not be so much bitterness.
46-50, M
