Ted Lieu: "allegations of Donald Trump raping children ... of Donald Trump threatening to kill children. "

[AZJonnie]

101. Ya know what, I kinda like you dpibel

That sounds a lot like something I would say

Okay, what Lieu said is his business, and I admit I was acting a little bit on personal grievance WRT that Katie Johnson case. I remember when news of the lawsuit came out in 2016, height of election season. I remember arguing with a RWNJ relative who was like laughing at me that I actually believed something as extreme as what was alleged. I said *I* believe women, you're a dick for not, and Trump is totally capable of the absolutely over-the-top, crazy-depraved stuff being alleged.

They argued that "the liberal media" didn't seem to be covering it that much, why wouldn't this be wall to wall if it were true? I'm like the media isn't that liberal, that's garbage, they seem to be more on Trump's side to me, etc. Then as that summer and fall progressed, same relative sent me a couple of updates on "why the whole thing smells like BS". I said NO NO NO, you're wrong.

Turned out, early November, I ended up entirely embarrassed when the fact that it was nearly undeniably a hoax (carried out by a MAN, not woman, to be clear!) became an unavoidable admission, and I had to mea culpa to my relative. Then, fuckhead WON, like RIGHT THEN. It's not a time I remember with fondness. It's also a story, which, for the past 10 years I've been telling people who bring it up not to rely on it to attack Trump, because it bears EVERY hallmark of a hoax.

So, short story long, seeing one of my favorite congresspeople seeming to rely on this story, as I did? And calling out Trump as an alleged child rapist and murderer, based on filings for *that* story? It concerns me that it could backfire, and possibly end up helping Trump. This is one of only a very few times I have disbelieved allegations made against Mango Mussolini.

But you're right, Ted knows much more than I do about reviewing allegations, and about politicking, so I should have faith.

Anyways, good talk!