I was very pleased, when subbing high school history/gov yesterday, that the lesson focused on this PBS series about the Constitution and, in particular, the Bill of RIghts.
For all those teachers out there (or parents of teenagers), your students will benefit from this episode of "Constitution USA"
He pays no one. Contractors for the named hotels tried for years. Which bank was it that denied him a loan because he doesn’t pay? Morgan Stanley? He sues to build his own accounts. It’s “losing” which to him is clearly the worst thing that can happen.
Yet, he really is stupid. He lacks introspection. He thinks everything he does is brilliant, until it isn't. Then comes the anger and blame at everyone but himself. When his regime crashes, it certainly won't be quietly.
I’m thinking, if trump can keep the ball in the air long enough for the Ellisons to take over CNN, they will not only settle for the full value of the suit but CNN will agree to pay *trump’s* expenses. Wouldn’t that be something to see?
Clym, I was wondering the same thing, but that would be shooting themselves in the foot both financially and reputationally, and likely opening themselves up to future suits. But nothing surprises me anymore.
It’s what happened with the 60 Minutes suit, isn’t it? And ABC? Before crypto, the easiest ‘transparent’ way to pay a bribe was to agree to settle a nonsense lawsuit. (Buying ‘collectibles’ is another; they say W is finally collecting decades-old ‘debt’ by ‘selling’ his banal paintings.)
Well, I doubt he's worth $475 million + fees to them now, but maybe a hefty settlement? I'm not a lawyer, just an ordinary guy, but let's face it: 47 is decompensating, aging and becoming less and less popular. I wouldn't think it in the Ellison's interest at this point to dump a lot of money to curry favor; his days are numbered, and CNN and the younger Ellison will live on.
Absolutely. It is wrong for tax payer money to be used on his court costs based on his whim of the moment. Is that actually constitutional? Where does any document say we owe a president's court costs for his personal whims and rants ?
We have people working without pay, families without medical coverage etc. Those pricey court costs would help those issues. This .Just stop it!@@! Make him pay out of pocket. Can anyone answer this? Joyce, what is the legal answer?
Amen, going on about victory is shallow when it does nothing to stop the rich and powerful (specifically, Trump) from weaponizing the courts, the DoJ and the FBI in frivolous suits and delay tactics that basically amount to a miscarriage of justice, as time to litigate serious crimes is lost and unreclaimable (or wasteful) expenses pile up for others.
Without your posts, Joyce, we probably wouldn't hear about some of these cases, and we certainly wouldn't get the kind of explanations you give. We appreciate your work even more when it's good news!
And understand much more about law/laws. I always wished I’d been “the kind of smart” to have gone to law school or to have lived in an era when one read for the law. My time as an expert witness in the industry from which I retired gave me such greater knowledge and understanding of the thinking process. Joyce, you give us hope by explanation. Thank you and you, Susan, for calling it out.
I agree and am thankful as well. When I encourage my patients to register to vote and to stay informed, I share a written list of substack publications to access for accurate information. Civil Discourse is right there at the top and should be a daily 'must read'.
So we will get yet another midnight rant from the toddler-in-chief about how we are all disloyal and everyone that opposes him should be arrested. Bully babies are SO predictable. Hopefully, the white House staff have the cleaning and diapering crew on standby...
Cheetolini has long been a big fan of using the courts as a weapon, but sadly, he doesn't seem to be subject to any accountability. He should be forced to pay all legal costs for each of the frivolous cases he brings.
That could be why he's so prolific with suing while in office - could it be that taxpayer money to the DOJ is paying all the costs? Not sure, but that could be what is happening.
Was this case appealed by citizen Trump or President Trump? Who is paying the tab for the plaintiff’s appeal? What is the outcome for the defendant from a frivolous lawsuit in regards to who pays?
In true Roy Cohn fashion, Trump has learned to flood the zone of the judiciary like throwing pasta against the wall. Sooner or later something will stick and it will pay all his legal bills. Meanwhile, defendants are paying to lawyer up against these suits and being conditioned to never cross T again.
Reading this, I envisioned his ranting Truth Social posts from tonight. So many losses including those of the countries he doesn’t need but does. It’s inconceivable, even with the loyal ignoramuses surrounding him that none considered the Strait of Hormuz issues - not even Bibi whose ego may be greater. And the logic of Russia being paid for oil while they arm Iran. Oh to be reincarnated when schools teach truth in the future! I want to experience this era’s lessons taught.
The way Trump envisions himself, you’ll have to ask him - preferably with tears running down your chiseled, manly face - “Please, sir, reincarnate me!”
I'll keep this short & factual. If someone were to sue trump for every lie he spouts, including where smears every Democrat candidate or Congressman or Congresswoman or Senator or judge who rules against him, he'd be in court on a daily basis. We ALL know he lies every time he opens his maw. Most people who've paid attention since 2014 or so knows this. The big question is WHY don't we do something about THAT? Hmmm? I yield back my time.
Thanks Joyce for taking the time to share your experience and legal expertise in the win for the first amendment in this case so that all us non-lawyers can fully understand this win.
On March 4, 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that states cannot disqualify Donald Trump from the ballot for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attacks on the U.S. Capitol.
On July 1, 2024 SCOTUS granted Trump immunity from prosecution for official acts conducted while in office, setting him free from prosecution of multiple indictments in two separate federal jurisdictions.
On November 3, 2024, Trump was elected president.
On January 20, 2025, Trump was sworn into office and immediately commenced dismantling the United States federal government and departments therein pursuant to Project 2025's Mandate for Leadership authored by the Heritage Foundation & Russell Vought, et al.
Trump's lawless, ongoing, acts of vengeance and revenge taking include wide spread blood letting against black and brown Americans, and against immigrants, and citizens of other countries, and against his perceived political enemies including former federal officials who investigated and prosecuted him on multiple federal indictments.
Presently he is demanding cooperation from NATO members and not receiving it. What he will do in retribution against those members who are allies remains to be seen. If he is not immediately impeached and removed, our world will soon be at war with the U.S. on the losing end.
Remarkably Republican members of congress and cabinet officials have enabled Trump's lawlessness in spite of repeated court rulings against their various official acts.
UNHEEDED WARNINGS: On October 22, 2024, the NY Times, and on October 23, 2024, PBS, published in depth interviews with John Kelly, former White House chief of staff between 2017-2019.
Kelly provided a stark warning to Americans and to the rest of the world that Trump was unhinged and dangerous. He gave specific examples of Trump's lawlessness practiced inside of his first term in office.
Ironic (or maybe hypocritical is more appropriate) that the guy his lawyers have said as president (at least in name only) shouldn't be involved in litigation --- apparently too distracting from killing people and tanking the world economy --- keeps filing defamation and related suits against media organizations. Still active (at last count) in various stages is litigation involving: The Wall Street Journal/Rupert Murdoch; The New York Times/Penguin Random House; the BBC, The Des Moines Register and pollster Ann Selzer; Bob Woodward and his publisher, Simon & Schuster and the Pulitzer Board --- the latter for having the temerity to bestow awards on The New York Times and The Washington Post for their reporting about allegations of collusion between the 2016 Trump presidential campaign and Russia. He may soon have to choose between disrupting his um...presidential...duties to sit for depositions or giving up on the suits. Of course, as with most of the garbage he files, the process with these suits too is the punishment and a hoped for preemptive chilling effect on other media outlets.
As a lawyer, Joyce, I deeply appreciate your clear and well worded explanation of what happened today in this case. Yes, subtle but so important! And I am nerdy enough to have enjoyed every word. Side note: I won three cases against me on motions to dismiss!
I think Trump should be forced to personally pay all court costs related to all of his appeals. Such a “Big Loser”
CNN may be ablle to sue in state court for malicious abuse of process.
I would donate to that effort!
Trial lawyers would probably take it on a contingency.
But if Paramount controls CNN, don't expect it.
Count me in.
Mark Thompson, CNN CEO, is quite trumpy, so probably won't happen.
I was very pleased, when subbing high school history/gov yesterday, that the lesson focused on this PBS series about the Constitution and, in particular, the Bill of RIghts.
For all those teachers out there (or parents of teenagers), your students will benefit from this episode of "Constitution USA"
https://www.pbs.org/video/constitution-usa-peter-sagal-its-free-country/
PBS, BEST NEWS SOURCE.
Do not leave BBC off your list. Great international news coverage!
That would curb his law suits if he had a string of failures. But how do you get him to pay? A court order?
He pays no one. Contractors for the named hotels tried for years. Which bank was it that denied him a loan because he doesn’t pay? Morgan Stanley? He sues to build his own accounts. It’s “losing” which to him is clearly the worst thing that can happen.
Yet, he really is stupid. He lacks introspection. He thinks everything he does is brilliant, until it isn't. Then comes the anger and blame at everyone but himself. When his regime crashes, it certainly won't be quietly.
That's certainly his MO, and it's happening now with his war, blame everyone else.
He’s deathly afraid of being judged stupid. Which judgment he’s been getting the world around post Iran.
Yes, just listen to how many times he refers to specific people (those he likes) as "smart people".
A court order that he would just ignore.
We all want to know tge answer to your question.
ha ha ha
I’m thinking, if trump can keep the ball in the air long enough for the Ellisons to take over CNN, they will not only settle for the full value of the suit but CNN will agree to pay *trump’s* expenses. Wouldn’t that be something to see?
Clym, I was wondering the same thing, but that would be shooting themselves in the foot both financially and reputationally, and likely opening themselves up to future suits. But nothing surprises me anymore.
It’s what happened with the 60 Minutes suit, isn’t it? And ABC? Before crypto, the easiest ‘transparent’ way to pay a bribe was to agree to settle a nonsense lawsuit. (Buying ‘collectibles’ is another; they say W is finally collecting decades-old ‘debt’ by ‘selling’ his banal paintings.)
Well, I doubt he's worth $475 million + fees to them now, but maybe a hefty settlement? I'm not a lawyer, just an ordinary guy, but let's face it: 47 is decompensating, aging and becoming less and less popular. I wouldn't think it in the Ellison's interest at this point to dump a lot of money to curry favor; his days are numbered, and CNN and the younger Ellison will live on.
his paintings are actually quite good. he does portraits which are hard to do.
Lesson taken. Thanks
Absolutely. It is wrong for tax payer money to be used on his court costs based on his whim of the moment. Is that actually constitutional? Where does any document say we owe a president's court costs for his personal whims and rants ?
We have people working without pay, families without medical coverage etc. Those pricey court costs would help those issues. This .Just stop it!@@! Make him pay out of pocket. Can anyone answer this? Joyce, what is the legal answer?
100% Agree!
Amen, going on about victory is shallow when it does nothing to stop the rich and powerful (specifically, Trump) from weaponizing the courts, the DoJ and the FBI in frivolous suits and delay tactics that basically amount to a miscarriage of justice, as time to litigate serious crimes is lost and unreclaimable (or wasteful) expenses pile up for others.
Without your posts, Joyce, we probably wouldn't hear about some of these cases, and we certainly wouldn't get the kind of explanations you give. We appreciate your work even more when it's good news!
And understand much more about law/laws. I always wished I’d been “the kind of smart” to have gone to law school or to have lived in an era when one read for the law. My time as an expert witness in the industry from which I retired gave me such greater knowledge and understanding of the thinking process. Joyce, you give us hope by explanation. Thank you and you, Susan, for calling it out.
I agree and am thankful as well. When I encourage my patients to register to vote and to stay informed, I share a written list of substack publications to access for accurate information. Civil Discourse is right there at the top and should be a daily 'must read'.
Great idea. Thinking how I can share more elsewhere.
So we will get yet another midnight rant from the toddler-in-chief about how we are all disloyal and everyone that opposes him should be arrested. Bully babies are SO predictable. Hopefully, the white House staff have the cleaning and diapering crew on standby...
Cheetolini has long been a big fan of using the courts as a weapon, but sadly, he doesn't seem to be subject to any accountability. He should be forced to pay all legal costs for each of the frivolous cases he brings.
That could be why he's so prolific with suing while in office - could it be that taxpayer money to the DOJ is paying all the costs? Not sure, but that could be what is happening.
Debi, you nailed it!
Interesting, s new momiker for the orange one. I like it.
Was this case appealed by citizen Trump or President Trump? Who is paying the tab for the plaintiff’s appeal? What is the outcome for the defendant from a frivolous lawsuit in regards to who pays?
In true Roy Cohn fashion, Trump has learned to flood the zone of the judiciary like throwing pasta against the wall. Sooner or later something will stick and it will pay all his legal bills. Meanwhile, defendants are paying to lawyer up against these suits and being conditioned to never cross T again.
How is this justice?
It's not, and won't be until he is laying prostrate forever.
Oh boy, as if we didn’t have enough wee hours tirades and tantrums! Personally, I’m ready for a Big Lie … down.
Reading this, I envisioned his ranting Truth Social posts from tonight. So many losses including those of the countries he doesn’t need but does. It’s inconceivable, even with the loyal ignoramuses surrounding him that none considered the Strait of Hormuz issues - not even Bibi whose ego may be greater. And the logic of Russia being paid for oil while they arm Iran. Oh to be reincarnated when schools teach truth in the future! I want to experience this era’s lessons taught.
The way Trump envisions himself, you’ll have to ask him - preferably with tears running down your chiseled, manly face - “Please, sir, reincarnate me!”
Ha! I’ll stay away in that case. In the Epcot looking place in “Defending your Life.”
I'll keep this short & factual. If someone were to sue trump for every lie he spouts, including where smears every Democrat candidate or Congressman or Congresswoman or Senator or judge who rules against him, he'd be in court on a daily basis. We ALL know he lies every time he opens his maw. Most people who've paid attention since 2014 or so knows this. The big question is WHY don't we do something about THAT? Hmmm? I yield back my time.
If he breathes, he lies 🤷♂️
Thanks Joyce for taking the time to share your experience and legal expertise in the win for the first amendment in this case so that all us non-lawyers can fully understand this win.
I really appreciate columns like this
On March 4, 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that states cannot disqualify Donald Trump from the ballot for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attacks on the U.S. Capitol.
On July 1, 2024 SCOTUS granted Trump immunity from prosecution for official acts conducted while in office, setting him free from prosecution of multiple indictments in two separate federal jurisdictions.
On November 3, 2024, Trump was elected president.
On January 20, 2025, Trump was sworn into office and immediately commenced dismantling the United States federal government and departments therein pursuant to Project 2025's Mandate for Leadership authored by the Heritage Foundation & Russell Vought, et al.
Trump's lawless, ongoing, acts of vengeance and revenge taking include wide spread blood letting against black and brown Americans, and against immigrants, and citizens of other countries, and against his perceived political enemies including former federal officials who investigated and prosecuted him on multiple federal indictments.
Presently he is demanding cooperation from NATO members and not receiving it. What he will do in retribution against those members who are allies remains to be seen. If he is not immediately impeached and removed, our world will soon be at war with the U.S. on the losing end.
Remarkably Republican members of congress and cabinet officials have enabled Trump's lawlessness in spite of repeated court rulings against their various official acts.
UNHEEDED WARNINGS: On October 22, 2024, the NY Times, and on October 23, 2024, PBS, published in depth interviews with John Kelly, former White House chief of staff between 2017-2019.
Kelly provided a stark warning to Americans and to the rest of the world that Trump was unhinged and dangerous. He gave specific examples of Trump's lawlessness practiced inside of his first term in office.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/22/us/politics/john-kelly-trump-fitness-character.html
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-said-hitler-did-some-good-things-and-wanted-generals-like-the-nazis-former-chief-of-staff-kelly-claims
AWESOME DECISION by the Court!!!
Great narrative explanation from Joyce Vance!
Thank you!
Thank you, Professor. Chalk another one up. Go big blue. ☮️❤️☘️🌻🇺🇸
Ironic (or maybe hypocritical is more appropriate) that the guy his lawyers have said as president (at least in name only) shouldn't be involved in litigation --- apparently too distracting from killing people and tanking the world economy --- keeps filing defamation and related suits against media organizations. Still active (at last count) in various stages is litigation involving: The Wall Street Journal/Rupert Murdoch; The New York Times/Penguin Random House; the BBC, The Des Moines Register and pollster Ann Selzer; Bob Woodward and his publisher, Simon & Schuster and the Pulitzer Board --- the latter for having the temerity to bestow awards on The New York Times and The Washington Post for their reporting about allegations of collusion between the 2016 Trump presidential campaign and Russia. He may soon have to choose between disrupting his um...presidential...duties to sit for depositions or giving up on the suits. Of course, as with most of the garbage he files, the process with these suits too is the punishment and a hoped for preemptive chilling effect on other media outlets.
Joyce - you are my Miss Marple of the legal system ! Thank you for each exciting episode of “Trump Fails”!
As a lawyer, Joyce, I deeply appreciate your clear and well worded explanation of what happened today in this case. Yes, subtle but so important! And I am nerdy enough to have enjoyed every word. Side note: I won three cases against me on motions to dismiss!
A lie by any other name is still just as big.