Editorials & Other Articles

mahatmakanejeeves

(57,370 posts) Thu Apr 16, 2020, 07:02 AM Apr 2020

The True Danger of the Trump Campaign's Defamation Lawsuits

The suit is the latest in Trump's effort to suppress criticism of him as he seeks reelection.

It's what
@neal_katyal
& I warned of in
@TheAtlantic
:

"In filing these suits, Trump seems to be trying to turn America’s justice system into a campaign tool."

Link to tweet

9 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

The True Danger of the Trump Campaign's Defamation Lawsuits (Original Post) mahatmakanejeeves Apr 2020 OP

where we need ACLU to come into play for all those being sued AND also initiate counter lawsuits beachbumbob Apr 2020 #1

Exactly, Sir --- Counter-Suits And Still More Counter-Suits The Magistrate Apr 2020 #2

If the facts are as described in the OP ... Laelth Apr 2020 #3

undertake countersuits and we need ACLU to do this on all behalfs beachbumbob Apr 2020 #4

The ad in question is entirely Trump's words. It'll get TONS of free airplay because of the suit. lagomorph777 Apr 2020 #5

Here's the ad that's got Trump so wound up. Snarkoleptic Apr 2020 #6

Why he needs such a large war chest.... Chakaconcarne Apr 2020 #7

Trump should be found to be a vexatious litigant and not allowed to file any Dustlawyer Apr 2020 #8

"If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying"? czarjak Apr 2020 #9

beachbumbob

(9,263 posts)

1. where we need ACLU to come into play for all those being sued AND also initiate counter lawsuits

Reply to mahatmakanejeeves (Original post)

Thu Apr 16, 2020, 07:16 AM

Apr 2020

this is CRITICAL to be done and keep this in the headlines until November

The Magistrate

(95,244 posts)

2. Exactly, Sir --- Counter-Suits And Still More Counter-Suits

Reply to beachbumbob (Reply #1)

Thu Apr 16, 2020, 08:38 AM

Apr 2020

"Defeat of a hated enemy is something to be for."

Laelth

(32,017 posts)

3. If the facts are as described in the OP ...

Reply to mahatmakanejeeves (Original post)

Thu Apr 16, 2020, 08:52 AM

Apr 2020

... Trump's lawyers should be disbarred for filing a frivolous lawsuit. Truth is a complete defense to a charge of defamation. Suing someone for telling the truth implies the filing a frivolous lawsuit--by definition. "It make me look bad" is not sufficient to sustain a charge of defamation. It must be a lie that makes you look bad or otherwise damages you. If it's the truth that makes you look bad, it's not defamation.

-Laelth

beachbumbob

(9,263 posts)

4. undertake countersuits and we need ACLU to do this on all behalfs

Reply to Laelth (Reply #3)

Thu Apr 16, 2020, 09:01 AM

Apr 2020

sue the trump campaign committee members personally as well as trump personally. 2 ways to play the game as the COST of filing a lawsuit is quite small

lagomorph777

(30,613 posts)

5. The ad in question is entirely Trump's words. It'll get TONS of free airplay because of the suit.

Reply to Laelth (Reply #3)

Thu Apr 16, 2020, 09:16 AM

Apr 2020

And because it's all true, the suit will be dismissed with prejudice.

Sounds like a win-win to me; in fact I wonder if the ad's creators hoped for exactly this outcome?