Trump on Trial

[O Really]

Not that he'd answer truthfully, but did anyone think to ask, if the inflated property values were not intended to defraud, then what reason was there? So somebody says "I'll give you a $50 million loan, with collateral" What value is collateral if not to protect the loan? And what value is there to exaggerating the value of collateral if not to induce the lender to lend? So if you're lying to provide encouragement for the lender to give you more money, how is that not fraud just because you eventually repaid the loan? Sure there are variations in estimated property values, and sometimes property will in fact sell for way above (or below) it's estimated/assessed value, but you can't count on 10 times more.

They'll never get him on the stand, but it wouldn't take somebody long out of first year law to pin him in a corner.

[Vrede too]

Not that he'd answer truthfully, but did anyone think to ask, if the inflated property values were not intended to defraud, then what reason was there? So somebody says "I'll give you a $50 million loan, with collateral" What value is collateral if not to protect the loan? And what value is there to exaggerating the value of collateral if not to induce the lender to lend? So if you're lying to provide encouragement for the lender to give you more money, how is that not fraud just because you eventually repaid the loan? Sure there are variations in estimated property values, and sometimes property will in fact sell for way above (or below) it's estimated/assessed value, but you can't count on 10 times more.

They'll never get him on the stand, but it wouldn't take somebody long out of first year law to pin him in a corner.

Even if Dolt. 45 eventually repaid the loans, something we only have his word for, did the fake high value of the collateral get him more favorable terms?

Michael Cohen suggests that PART of the reason is to rate higher on the Forbes list. I doubt that he or his lawyers will suggest that he's that vain and stupid at trial, though.

[O Really]

"...vain and stupid" might be the best defence he's got.

[billy.pilgrim]

Not that he'd answer truthfully, but did anyone think to ask, if the inflated property values were not intended to defraud, then what reason was there? So somebody says "I'll give you a $50 million loan, with collateral" What value is collateral if not to protect the loan? And what value is there to exaggerating the value of collateral if not to induce the lender to lend? So if you're lying to provide encouragement for the lender to give you more money, how is that not fraud just because you eventually repaid the loan? Sure there are variations in estimated property values, and sometimes property will in fact sell for way above (or below) it's estimated/assessed value, but you can't count on 10 times more.

They'll never get him on the stand, but it wouldn't take somebody long out of first year law to pin him in a corner.

The county property appraiser's office is supposed to show a value close to actual value. Residential property taxes can't increase more than 3%/year after its full value assessment, but that has nothing to do with commercial property.

[GoCubsGo]

Wow, what would a bad week look like?

[O Really]

Funny.
But no lawyer is ever going to say "we're in a bit of deep shit here."

[GoCubsGo]

Funny.
But no lawyer is ever going to say "we're in a bit of deep shit here."

LOL

Two good points, but wouldn't it be less embarrassing to say nothing at all than to look this much the fool? (Not that this is anything new, just business as usual.)

[O Really]

Sure, but (semi-serious answer), saying nothing would be seen as acknowledgement of the ass-kicking they've been taking. Putting a positive spin on catastrophe may make people think "I wonder what they have up their sleeve to combat this, or what do they know that we can't see?" It would be really hard to defend Trump and not look a fool, no matter what.

[GoCubsGo]

Makes me think...

They got nuffin'.

[O Really]

Makes me think...

They got nuffin'.

'Zactly

[Vrede too]

Makes me think...

They got nuffin'.

'Zactly

They know that they lose on the evidence, in the courts. So, all they've got is PR, desperately trying to make the case that Dolt .45 is the victim of a rigged and corrupt system while raking in donations and praying for positive elections . . . or a civil war.

Speaking of 'Zactly nuffin':

Trump drops his $500 million lawsuit against former attorney Michael Cohen

... Trump had been scheduled to sit for a deposition in the Cohen case Monday, when he's also scheduled to hold a campaign event in New Hampshire.

In a statement Thursday night, Cohen said: "This case was nothing more than a retaliatory intimidation tactic, and his attempt to hide from routine discovery procedures confirms as much. Mr. Trump’s cowardly dismissal spells the end of this latest attempt to deter me from providing truthful testimony against him....

Cohen is listed among 28 witnesses the New York Attorney General’s Office intends to call in a civil fraud trial that kicked off this week against Trump, his two adult sons and the family's business....

[GoCubsGo]

Trump drops his $500 million lawsuit against former attorney Michael Cohen

... Trump had been scheduled to sit for a deposition in the Cohen case Monday, when he's also scheduled to hold a campaign event in New Hampshire.

In a statement Thursday night, Cohen said: "This case was nothing more than a retaliatory intimidation tactic, and his attempt to hide from routine discovery procedures confirms as much. Mr. Trump’s cowardly dismissal spells the end of this latest attempt to deter me from providing truthful testimony against him....

Cohen is listed among 28 witnesses the New York Attorney General’s Office intends to call in a civil fraud trial that kicked off this week against Trump, his two adult sons and the family's business....

Someone doesn't want to be deposed....and never will.

[Vrede too]

Not that he'd answer truthfully, but did anyone think to ask, if the inflated property values were not intended to defraud, then what reason was there?

Even if Dolt. 45 eventually repaid the loans, something we only have his word for, did the fake high value of the collateral get him more favorable terms?

Michael Cohen suggests that PART of the reason is to rate higher on the Forbes list. I doubt that he or his lawyers will suggest that he's that vain and stupid at trial, though.

"...vain and stupid" might be the best defence he's got.

Yeah, I might be wrong.

Trump demands ‘full apology’ from Forbes after dropping off wealthiest Americans list

... “For years Forbes has attacked me with really dumb writers assigned to hit me hard, and I am now up 60 Points on the Republicans, and beating Crooked Joe by a lot,” Trump said. “So much for Forbes!” ...

Every time he spews that lie I scurry to the con RCP to check.

General Election: Trump vs. Biden
RCP Average 9/14 - 10/9
Trump (R) 45.3
Biden (D) 44.5
Spread Trump +0.8

The smallest claimed MoE is 1%.

2024 Republican Presidential Nomination
RCP Average 9/18 - 10/9
Trump +45.0

+45 is a lot, but it's not "up 60 Points".

I also found this:

Betting Odds - 2024 U.S. President
RCP Average
Trump 33.4
Biden 31.3
Newsom 8.1
Obama 5.7
Kennedy 4.8
Haley 4.0, worse than RFK Jr is really bad
DeSantis 4.0
Harris 3.1
Ramaswamy 2.9

Apparently, we can't even bet on ex-VP Q-tip, ND Gov Doug Burgum, Chris Christie, Larry Elder, Asa Hutchinson, Tim Scott and a few others
2024 Republican Party presidential primaries: Declared major candidates

[Vrede too]

Trump tells crowd he’s willing to go to jail. See Chris Christie’s reaction

Speaking on behalf of the sane and patriotic American people and Christie’s due skepticism notwithstanding, we are very willing to put him in jail. See? We can all get along.

[GoCubsGo]

Trump tells crowd he’s willing to go to jail. See Chris Christie’s reaction

Speaking on behalf of the sane and patriotic American people and Christie’s due skepticism notwithstanding, we are very willing to put him in jail. See? We can all get along.

Christie isn't really wrong. Trump's skeered of jail, actually campaigning, facing other candidates etc. and will continue to dodge and evade because he can.

[Vrede too]

Trump tells crowd he’s willing to go to jail. See Chris Christie’s reaction

Speaking on behalf of the sane and patriotic American people and Christie’s due skepticism notwithstanding, we are very willing to put him in jail. See? We can all get along.

Christie isn't really wrong. Trump's skeered of jail, actually campaigning, facing other candidates etc. and will continue to dodge and evade because he can.

I don't think Christie is wrong, either. I was just taking P01135809 at his word for discussion's sake. Lock him up!

[billy.pilgrim]

I can't imagine why he's not in jail.

[Vrede too]

I can't imagine why he's not in jail.

Idealistic billy.pilgrim, what have you done with cynical billy.pilgrim?

[GoCubsGo]

Opps.

[Vrede too]

Opps.

https://twitter.com/TristanSnell/status ... 9286550919

John Lauro seems like he ought to be competent, and you would think that a Georgetown grad would get himself admitted to the DC bar because of familiarity if nothing else. Dolt .45 FAILS, again.