Now it's serious: Special counsel's new focus could threaten Trump's piggy bank - Alex Wagner - MSNBC

[Rhiannon12866]

As the grand jury working with DOJ special counsel Jack Smith continues to meet, new reporting suggests that the target of the investigation is how money was raised with knowingly false pitch that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump. That same money is still being used to pay for some of the legal expenses of Trump and several of his associates but could be frozen as a result of the inquiry.

Betsy Woodruff Swan, national correspondent for Politico, and Andrew Weissmann, former federal prosecutor, discuss with Alex Wagner. - Aired on 08/08/2023.

[captain queeg]

1. I didn't know that was a possibility. I'd posted yesterday wondering he could be fined

if he continues to ignore the judge. But freezing his assets would get his attention.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. Considering his original reason for "running," all his businesses failed so he turned to grifting

This might be the only issue that could get his attention.

[speak easy]

3. "This might be the only issue that could get his attention"

Oh it would get his attention all right. It would be the financial equivalent of an atomic bomb going off in his front yard.

[Rhiannon12866]

4. Agreed, I believe he only ran to begin with because it was an easy way for him to make money

And now that he's succeeded in making more beyond his wildest dreams, he's not about to give it up. And now that he's experienced the ultimate power, "leader of the free world," he's not willing to give that up, either. And the money making sure goes with that.

[Irish_Dem]

9. Yes giving Trump unlimited power and wealth was like giving unlimited heroin to an addict.

It has made him even crazier than he was before.

I think freezing his financial assets will hurt and scare him.

[Rhiannon12866]

15. I still contend that the only reason he "ran" to begin with was to grift the campaign contributions

All of his previous business ventures failed so this was a last ditch effort. But it worked so well that he couldn't give it up, even held "campaign rallies" while in office. And now that he's experienced "power," he's unwilling to give that up, either. As you said, he's become addicted to the easy money, the power while he was in office and the cheers of "his" crowd, so he goes all out to give them what they want and even prosecution isn't enough to get him to stop.

[Irish_Dem]

16. Yes I agree. It was just a publicity stunt and fund raiser.

Jared Kushner famously said right away he wanted to monetize Trump's voting base as he saw
how popular Trump was becoming.

Once Trump got a taste of fame, adoration, power and money
he was totally hooked and will do anything to keep it.

[Cha]

6. And, his Big Ugly Head.

[Cha]

5. Would it Ever!! They Should BE

For the Biggest SCAM EVER.

[Rhiannon12866]

7. They showed several clips of TFG's outrageous lies on MSNBC tonight

Not only do the deluded inexplicably believe him, but they're dangerous because what he says is meant to provoke anger in his "audience," which we've seen can lead to violent attacks on those who he blames for all his legal troubles. Tonight he was blaming Jack Smith, the judge and - inexplicably - Joe Biden!

And we've already seen what happened when he called out President Obama at one of his "rallies" - he gave out Obama's home address and one of his deranged "followers" tried going there with explosives!

[Cha]

10. Yeah, he's a Clear And Present DAnger

to America and her People.

[Rhiannon12866]

11. He signed off on the warnings, then went right out and continued inciting violence!

The judge said he would be detained if he persisted, it's long past time they followed through...

[Cha]

12. 10am Friday.. we shall see.

[Rhiannon12866]

14. *fingers crossed*

[MagaSmash]

8. The Toxic Combination of millions of Stupid people believing the rantings of a Delusional Nacissist.

[Cha]

13. Yeah, What a Shithole MF Real Live Nightmare.