Trump..... (The Sophistry Thread)

[moorey]

Aaaaand the Trump Foundation is under the radar, involving him and Eric, DJ and Ivanka.
The ‘charity’ funds have repeatedly been used for Trumps personal legal bills, and seemingly for paying affair hush money.

That said, I still think Manafort is the big issue, and his second trial next month (obstruction of justice, failing to register as a foreign agent and conspiracy to launder money as part of an indictment) will be the money shot. Mueller has delegated everything else, but retained to one all to oversee personally.
He’s already looking at spending the rest of his life in jail though. Not sure what incentive there is for him to flip if he hasn’t already.

 

[Ultra Lord]

He’s already looking at spending the rest of his life in jail though.

Fingers crossed.

 

[moorey]

Fingers crossed.

Without a flip, it’s definite, just on the charges from first trial alone.

 

[B Rabbit]

I'm curious to see if Cohens $50,000 reimbursement for IT services was for paying Russian hackers.....

 

[johnny]

He’s already looking at spending the rest of his life in jail though. Not sure what incentive there is for him to flip if he hasn’t already.

Trump has already been signalling that he'll pardon Manafort so he has no reason to flip. Plead not guilty the whole way, get convicted, get a pardon, walk free. Trump undermines the credibility of the Mueller investigation inoculating his base against the outrage that will happen when he grants the pardon.

 

[Comic Book Guy]

IMHO - Most entertaining president since clinton.

 

[moorey]

Trump has already been signalling that he'll pardon Manafort so he has no reason to flip. Plead not guilty the whole way, get convicted, get a pardon, walk free. Trump undermines the credibility of the Mueller investigation inoculating his base against the outrage that will happen when he grants the pardon.

I don’t think he will.
Pretty sure there’s state charges looming. Can’t pardon those.

 

[johnny]

That's right although so far they have been federal charges, I think.

 

[moorey]

If there’s one think his base won’t like, it’s huge tax fraud. They’ve been happy to tolerate Russian ties, adultery and lies....but pardoning Manafort will not play well, even with his base.

 

[moorey]

That's right although so far they have been federal charges, I think.

They have, and so are next ones, but thought some were coming. Cohen definitely does.

 

[johnny]

I don't think it matters, to be honest. Trumps base doesn't work on substance.

Trump boasted about barely paying tax during the presidential debates, said it made him smart to succeed in doing so. Didn't hurt him. A lot of the right think that taxes are an imposition rather than a duty.

 

[pink poodle]

It's the wait that would have Manafort nervous. What if Trump gets whacked before he can pardon Manafort? What if Manafort gets popped inside before the pardon goes through? It could all come down pretty fast.

 

[pink poodle]

And don't forget the role of tax in the foundation of the nation

 

[moorey]

I don't think it matters, to be honest. Trumps base doesn't work on substance.

Trump boasted about barely paying tax during the presidential debates, said it made him smart to succeed in doing so. Didn't hurt him. A lot of the right think that taxes are an imposition rather than a duty.

Not paying much tax is one think, defrauding the US of A might be another.
The way I see it, if he pardons him, he’s screwed. If he doesn’t, and Manafort wants to avoid dying in jail, he’s screwed.
I remain optimistic.

 

[moorey]

Come to daddy
Exclusive: Ex-Trump World Tower doorman releases 'catch-and-kill' contract about alleged Trump affair - CNN Politics https://apple.news/ATwHw4JywTKK2jQXp949-Uw

 

[moorey]

2 words.
Allen Weisselberg

 

[johnny]

None of these things are enough to end him. They are just a continuation of what everyone already knew or expected of him and the won't shift his base or that of most Reps.

The Russia thing is still the end game.

 

[moorey]

Disagree. That will be his greatest legacy, but mainly domestic discretions will push him out before the worst Russia matters have an impact. Won’t make mid terms

 

[johnny]

Lol, 75 days? Doubt it.

More chance of it after the mids, should the Reps cop a hiding. And I’d say that’s greatest chance, a constant flow of scandals eroding confidence and support from standard reps and the Christian Right plus greater energising of the opposition and the Reps that don’t lose their seats shift to supporting impeachment to save their own arses.

Then everyone shifts to dealing with all the journos getting killed and the targeting of Dem offices by Qanon loonies and idiots that buy into Trumps inevitable claims of a coup.

 

[moorey]

I just don’t think the GOP will want to head into the mid terms with him there. Some of his most staunch supporters are washing their hands of him.
Either way, he’s not serving his full term.