Tom of Temecula
Tom of Temecula's JournalThe Trump Cross Examination Of Stormy Daniels Destroys His Own Defense
Trump claims that he never had sex with Stormy Daniels, but his own lawyer asked Daniels if the sex was consensual. George Conway is in the courtroom and he posted:
Necheles now crossing Stormy to establish that the sex she didn’t have with Trump was voluntary. Got it. Necheles finally asks the one question she should have asked on this cross: whether Stormy had knowledge about what Trump did in connection with the hush-money transaction. Literally this should have been a five-minute cross, focused on that single proposition. Stormy: “I know nothing about his business records.” That’s literally all the defense really needed to establish from this witness. What a self-inflicted wound by the defense.There was also this exchange about the NDA:
Q: You have no personal knowledge about his involvement in that transaction or what he did or didn’t do?
A: Not directly, no.
Q: You didn’t negotiate the NDA with Trump?
A: No, through my attorney.
Q: Cohen paid you, not Trump?
Trump own legal team admits he lied about the affair, which suggests that the jurors can’t believe any argument made by Trump because he has already lied to them. There is no coherant strategy visible in Trump’s legal defense.Trump’s lawyers seem to be performing for their client.
It looks like the entire Trump defense might be that Michael Cohen paid Stormy Danies on his own and Trump had nothing to do with it, but if that is the case, why did Trump never express displeasure with what Cohen did? Why did Trump pay Cohen back the hush money plus more, and then cook the books to lie about why the payment was made. Donald Trump’s defense makes no sense, and it doesn’t seem to be the fault of his attorneys. The evidence is still pointing strongly to Trump being guilty.
https://twitter.com/PoliticusSarah/status/1788605960493162684
https://www.politicususa.com/2024/05/09/the-trump-cross-examination-of-stormy-daniels-destroys-his-own-defense.html
Israeli study finds American far-right antisemitic groups' ideology pushed on progressive social media platforms
In a study by the Institute for Counter-Terrorism Policy at Reichman University, it has been revealed that extreme right-wing antisemitic groups in the USA are aggressively promoting their ideology within the anti-Israel campaign of the American liberal left. These efforts, conducted through clandestine right-wing networks, are believed to be fueling the surge in violence on campuses and city streets as well as the burgeoning wave of online antisemitic rhetoric.
Dr. Liram Kovlentz Stenzler, the editor of the study, highlights an unprecedented scenario where the radical left is absorbing ideologies from the extreme right, adversaries they have historically opposed: "The attack on Jews and Israelis rides on narratives of both the left and the right. Since October 7, we have seen an ideological convergence between the left and the right, which is very dangerous. Even classic right-wing antisemitic messages like 'The Protocols of the Elders of Zion' are now leaking to the left, and suddenly antisemitism against Judaism and Zionism are merging."
Dr. Kovlentz Stenzler points out that U.S. college campuses serve as prime targets for these extreme right-wing actors: "Much of this hate discourse occurs on social networks, and students are the consumers. They don't realize that this discourse partly comes from the extreme right, from people of 'white supremacy.' Students undergo a process of radicalization, are drawn into this ideology, and experience shows that ultimately there will be violence. There is a very great danger in the convergence between extreme left and extreme right, where Jews are their common enemy."
Dr. Kovlentz-Stenzler, who leads the Antisemitism and Extreme Right Global Desk at the Institute and has served as a guest lecturer and researcher at Yale University for two years, has been monitoring extreme right movements not only on mainstream social networks but also on darker platforms including the darknet. The findings are alarming: during the Gaza conflict, these groups saw a unique opportunity to influence global sentiment against Jews and promote their agenda for a "New World Order." These discussions often involve strategies to shift public opinion from merely disapproving of Israel’s actions in Gaza to fostering outright antisemitic aggression.
https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/sk7hjldma
And what is the source for much of that far-right ideology in the US? Russia. That discussion needs to happen sooner rather than later.
Judge uses Brett Kavanaugh's own words to shut down Alabama abortion prosecution
A federal judge used the words of conservative Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh to shoot down an effort to dismiss lawsuits challenging right-wing Alabama prosecutions.
The state’s attorney general has vowed to prosecute anybody helping residents travel elsewhere in the country to seek abortions after Alabama banned them with no exceptions. Pro-reproductive rights group Yellowhammer Fund, along with the ACLU, sued and claimed Attorney General Steve Marshall’s action would be a violation of constitutional rights.
But Marshall, a Republican, filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuits. "An elective abortion performed in Alabama would be a criminal offense; thus, a conspiracy formed in the State to have that same act performed outside the State is illegal," Marshall's office wrote.
This week, U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson denied the motion, reported Newsweek. He used the words written by Kavanaugh in his concurring opinion in the ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade. Thompson wrote that the state, "cannot constitutionally prosecute people for acts taken within the State meant to facilitate lawful out of state conduct, including obtaining an abortion."
https://www.rawstory.com/brett-kavanaugh-2668210191/
Donald Trump Has a GOP Base Problem
Donald Trump's dominance in the 2024 Republican primaries is still being hampered by Nikki Haley's ongoing and potentially significant support. On Tuesday, the presumptive 2024 Republican candidate continued his successful primary season with a resounding victory in Indiana, winning more than 78 percent of the vote.
However, Haley, Trump's last remaining Republican rival who dropped out of the race in March, still managed to achieve 21.7 percent of the vote, amounting to more than 128,000 votes. It's the latest sign that a sizable portion of the GOP's base still does not want to support the MAGA former president.
When broken down further, the Indiana Republican primary results showed that the former United Nations ambassador achieved more than 30 percent in several areas, such as Marion Country, where the state capital, Indianapolis, is located, and the affluent suburb of Hamilton Country.
While discussing the results Ammar Moussa, a spokesperson for President Joe Biden's 2024 campaign team, posted on X, formerly Twitter: "Nikki Haley dropped out 2 months ago. Tonight she's picking up over 100,000 votes and 22% of the primary vote in *Indiana.* Trump has a GOP base problem."
https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-gop-base-primary-results-nikki-haley-1898392
"The inside of his head is basically the movie 'Dune" - Late Night Reacts to the Worm in R.F.K. Jr.'s Brain
Food for Thought. The presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said during a 2012 deposition that doctors told him a parasite had eaten part of his brain. “This explains everything, and nothing,” Stephen Colbert said on Wednesday.
“I just want to say to any R.F.K. Jr. fans who might be watching, do not despair. Just because he has sworn in a deposition that he has parasitic brain damage doesn’t mean he’s going to drop out, because Bobby Kennedy Jr. does not know the meaning of the word ‘quit’ — because that information was in the part of the brain that the worm ate.” — STEPHEN COLBERT
“His family’s like, ‘It is true, but it still doesn’t explain why he’s like that.’” — JIMMY FALLON
“And this is strange: Instead of using dewormer, he injected himself with a Covid vaccine.” — JIMMY FALLON
“Apparently, the worm was giving him all his ideas, like in ‘Ratatouille.’” — JIMMY FALLON
“I don’t know what’s worse — that R.F.K. Jr. had a worm that was eating his brain or that his brain is so poisoned that it killed the worm.” — JORDAN KLEPPER
“Cause of death: starvation.” — STEPHEN COLBERT
“For a guy who seems to believe doctors are con artists trying to scam you into getting a vaccine, he sure did get to one fast when a worm started eating his brain.” — JIMMY KIMMEL
“The inside of his head is basically the movie ‘Dune,’ but you should definitely vote for him.” — JIMMY KIMMEL
“The New York Times today published a report on independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s health issues, including a dead worm in his brain. Or as that’s known in Libertarian circles, a running mate.” — SETH MEYERS
https://dnyuz.com/2024/05/09/late-night-reacts-to-the-worm-in-r-f-k-jr-s-brain/
Trump trial live: Stormy Daniels to return to witness stand for cross-examination on hush money testimony
Donald Trump’s New York hush money trial will resume at Manhattan Criminal Court on Thursday following Wednesday’s recess, with the porn star Stormy Daniels expected to return to the witness stand to face more cross-examination from the defendant’s lawyers.
Ms Daniels appeared on Tuesday to regale jurors with her account of how she met Mr Trump, the infamous sexual encounter she says they had in July 2006 and the events leading up to the 2016 presidential election. After lunch on Tuesday, the defence moved for a mistrial citing Ms Daniels’ “prejudicial” evidence, which was denied by Judge Juan Merchan.
As cross-examination began, the witness was confronted about whether she “hates” Mr Trump and wants to see him in jail – to which she replied she wants to see him held accountable for his actions.
Elsewhere, Mr Trump spent his day off from court hosting an event at Mar-a-Lago for people who bought his superhero NFTs, rather than hitting the campaign trail, and attacked Joe Biden on Truth Social over escalating events in the Middle East, once again insisting the war in Gaza would never have happened if he had remained president.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-trial-live-updates-week-082905844.html
'No one knew she was dead': GOP primary winner reportedly died 2 months ago
A projected Indiana Republican primary winner died two months ago, according to Wednesday reports. Per the Colorado Gazette, 59-year-old Jennifer Pace died "suddenly in early March, according to reporting from the IndyStar and WIBC Indianapolis, and had previously run for the nomination in 2022, earning 12% of the vote."
The state's primary elections were held Tuesday, May 7, Newsweek reports. Pace was nominated to run against Democratic incumbent André Carson for control of Indiana's 7th Congressional District in November. "No one knew she was dead. Last week I researched the candidates online. I read their websites and questionnaire responses. I googled them. No mention of her death. No obituaries," a social media user who lives in the district wrote, according to the Gazette.
"Given her responses I strongly considered voting for her. Local media failed again." Indiana Republican Party Press Secretary and Digital Director Griffin Reid provided a statement to the Gazette on Pace's death, saying, "It is our understanding that that is accurate."
When asked about whether the state GOP knows the cause of her passing, Reid replied, "We do not." Newsweek notes, "The seat is unlikely to become competitive in November, as the district comprises Democratic-leaning Indianapolis."
https://www.rawstory.com/no-one-knew-she-was-gop-primary-winner-reportedly-died-2-months-ago/
Trustee reports show Medicare, Social Security must be defended from Trump
Advocacy groups, congressional Democrats, and U.S. President Joe Biden's reelection campaign on Monday pointed to new government reports on Medicare and Social Security as proof that the key programs must be protected from Republican attacks.
The annual trustee reports show that Social Security is projected to be fully funded until 2035, a year later than previously thought, while Medicare is expected to be fully funded until 2036, five years beyond the earlier projection.
Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee to face Biden in November, "proposed cutting Social Security and Medicare every year he was in office, he's said repeatedly he would cut them, his allies openly plan to target them, and just this weekend he dismissed them as bribes," noted James Singer, a spokesperson for the Democrat's campaign.
"Let's be clear, Donald Trump will steal the hard-earned Social Security and Medicare benefits Americans have been paying into their entire lives and he'll use it to fund tax cuts for rich people like him," Singer warned. "President Biden keeps his promises. He has and will continue to protect Social Security and Medicare from MAGA Republican efforts to cut them—Donald Trump won't."
https://twitter.com/RBReich/status/1787594617665241297
https://www.rawstory.com/trustee-reports-show-medicare-social-security-must-be-defended-from-trump/
Trump's proposals could 'send inflation skyrocketing': economists
Presumptive 2024 GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump and his allies have been hammering incumbent President Joe Biden relentlessly on inflation, claiming that Biden's economic policies are to blame. Trump, according to Axios reporter Zachary Basu, "is betting that high gas and grocery prices will fuel his return to the White House" — while pushing "second-term plans" that, economists say, "could make inflation worse."
"President Biden's approval rating has suffered under the crushing weight of inflation, which voters consistently rank as their top issue for the 2024 election," Basu explains in a report published on May 8. "Trump, meanwhile, is taking advantage of his non-incumbent status, lobbing grenades from the sidelines as Biden has struggled to bring inflation back to pre-pandemic levels." Basu adds, "Simmering frustration with high prices has allowed Trump to build a decisive polling advantage on the economy — while some of his own plans have largely escaped scrutiny."
Basu reports that according to economists and Wall Street analysts, at least four of Trump's economic proposals "carry significant inflationary risks." Those proposals are: (1) "universal tariffs," (2) "lower interest rates," (3) "lower taxes," and (4) "limits on immigration." According to Basu, "Trump's former trade chief Robert Lighthizer, who is likely to serve in a future administration, wants to devalue the U.S. dollar, Politico has reported. That would be a major shift in currency policy that could send prices of imported goods soaring."
Columbia University's Adam Tooze is warning that Trump's economic proposals are a "recipe" for inflation. And James Singer, a spokesman for Biden's campaign, told Axios, "What Trump and his allies are proposing will bring chaos to economic markets, raise costs on working families, and send inflation skyrocketing."
https://www.alternet.org/trump-biden-inflation/
Disaster For Trump As Nikki Haley Gets Over 20% Of The GOP Primary Vote In Indiana
Trump had another massive underperformance to a candidate who dropped out months ago. This time Nikki Haley got over 20% of the vote in deep red Indiana. With more than 90% of the votes counted, Trump leads Haley 78.2% t0 21.8%.
Nikki Haley got more than 20% of the vote against Donald Trump after quitting the Republican primary and not spending one single second in the state. Indiana is one of the most Republican friendly states in the nation. There is no way that under normal circumstances a candidate like Haley who dropped out of the race, after Trump clinched the nomination should be getting anything close to 20% of the vote.
There is a segment of the Republican Party that keeps sending the message over and over again in these primaries that they do not want Donald Trump to be their party’s nominee. The polling says that the hush money trial and all of his legal problems don’t hurt Trump with Republicans, but the primary results tell a different story.
Something is harming Trump and causing nearly a quarter of his party to turn against him.There are warning signs flashing all around the Trump campaign that aren’t there for Democrats and Joe Biden. Very simply stated, if Trump loses 20% of Republicans in November to either Biden or Kennedy, he will lose the 2024 presidential election.
https://www.politicususa.com/2024/05/07/disaster-for-trump-as-nikki-haley-gets-over-20-of-the-gop-primary-vote-in-indiana.html
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