"Happy Valentine's Day, Daddy"

 

"I've always treated you better than Melania, haven't I?"

Trump Crime Family Members To Begin Testimony In New York Fraud Case

 

At long last, members of the Trump Crime Family will begin to testify in the New York civil fraud trial starting today:

... The relationships between Trump and his three eldest children are likely to be on display over the next two weeks, as Donald Jr., Eric and Ivanka are all scheduled to take the witness stand in the civil fraud trial in New York over the Trump Organization’s business practices. Donald Jr., 45, is up first, scheduled to appear on Wednesday; Eric Trump, 39, is scheduled to appear the following day, and Ivanka Trump, 42, on Nov. 8. Trump himself is scheduled to testify on Monday.  [snip]

Trump’s adult sons are co-defendants and will probably face questions on the stand about whether they knew of or participated in efforts to pump up the value of company properties on financial statements. Ivanka Trump is likely to be asked about, among other things, her and Deutsche Bank’s role in helping the Trump Organization redevelop the Old Post Office property in D.C. into a luxury hotel.

Control over at least part of the siblings’ collected fortune could be on the line. James has asked that a judge bar Trump and his three eldest children from running New York businesses, buying real estate and taking out loans, and fine them $250 million.

A lawyer for Ivanka Trump did not respond to a request for comment, and a lawyer for Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump declined to comment...

We fully expect the crime family members to take a leaf from the Malignant Loser's playbook in their appearances:

In his initial deposition before the attorney general, Trump invoked his Fifth Amendment right not to answer questions for fear of self-incrimination more than 400 times, using it for every question.

Can you say "I take the fifth," or "I don't recall," or "I'm a concrete guy"? 

Of course, as Judge Engoron has repeatedly pointed out, the determination that the Trump Crime Family organization engaged in fraud has already been established.  This phase of the trial is to determine how much of a financial bath to give the organization, and ultimately the shutting down of its operation in the State of New York.

That, as many have pointed out, is what gnaws at the Malignant Loser most:  the kneecapping of his business "empire" and hit to his "fortune." (Recall that he went ballistic recently when Forbes dropped him from their list of the wealthiest 400 Americans, again.)   His claims that the suit is "hurting his children" is risible, since he's a raging sociopathic narcissist who would gladly throw any or all of them under a bus to save his worthless orange hide.

Let the testimony games begin --

Happy Trump Family Starts Testifying in Their Fraud Business Trial Day to all who celebrate 🎉

— Karen Schwartz (@pithywidow) November 1, 2023

 

Boy, I tell you: if the fate of MY financial empire rested on the testimony of slack-brained Don Jr. and Eric trump, LMAOOOOOOOOOOOO pic.twitter.com/C7TadEVBhK

— BrooklynDad_Defiant!☮️ (@mmpadellan) November 1, 2023

 

 

Trump Angry Over Ivanka's Court Date

Now that the Malignant Loser's lusted-after daughter Ivanka will have to testify at his business fraud trial in New York on Friday, the Malignant Loser is reportedly angry and anxious about the prospect. Law professor Joyce Vance writes on her Substack platform:

"Trump’s attacks on others involved in his cases as unethical, racist, crazy and lying go beyond hyperbolic. It is a deliberate attempt to inflame the most volatile people among his followers. Anyone who doesn’t yet realize Trump would, quite literally, burn the country down to save his business and spare himself prison isn’t reading the room. And we enter dangerous terrain with Don Jr. testifying this Wednesday, Eric scheduled for Thursday, and Ivanka on Friday. The former president gets his chance to bat cleanup on Monday, November 6.

Trump is especially spun up about Ivanka testifying, saying it was unfair of the Judge to force her to testify, since she’s been dismissed as a defendant in the case. He conveniently overlooks the fact that most witnesses in a case aren’t plaintiffs or defendants. In Ivanka’s case, she’s a fact witness who was around for many of the transactions and meetings that are called into question in the Attorney General’s $250 million lawsuit. Who better to testify than someone with first hand knowledge? Ivanka was dismissed from the lawsuit because her direct participation happened too long ago to come within the 'statute of limitations'—the number of years back the AG is permitted to go with her allegations. Fortunately for Ivanka, she left Trump Organization for the White House in 2017, which puts her beyond the reach of New York law as a defendant, but does nothing to rule her out as a witness."  (our emphasis)

We're gratified that New York State's terrific Attorney General Letitia James didn't let Princess Ivanka wiggle out of testifying about what she knew about the fraudulent transactions while she was an active member of the Trump Organization during the time in question. We can imagine him glaring knives at presiding Judge Arthur Engoron as his daughter / object of his desire takes the stand and is forced to choose between perjuring herself and helping to convict him. Be assured that the prosecutors will have copies of memos and other documents that will link her to business dealings, and make it hard for her to deny. A good build up to the Malignant Loser's time on the stand next week.

(photos: The perversions of a sick man)

 

New York AG James Pursuing Ivanka's Testimony (UPDATED)

Yesterday afternoon, New York State's stellar Attorney General Letitia James filed a motion with Judge Arthur Engoron in the Trump civil business fraud case to compel the testimony of the Malignant Loser's lusted-after daughter Ivanka Trump.  Earlier this year, Ivanka Trump was dropped from the civil suit on statute of limitation grounds and improper service of subpoenas, but Attorney General James believes some circumstances contradict Ivanka's claim that she severed relations with the Trump Organization prior to the scope of the charges. From Newsweek:

"On Thursday, however, James filed a motion arguing that Ivanka Trump should still be compelled to testify in the trial, regardless of whether she was a defendant in the civil suit.

'Ms. Trump remains under the control of the Trump Organization, including through her ongoing and substantial business ties to the organization. Ms. Trump reappointed herself to a participating member of several Trump Organization entities following her departure from government,' James wrote.

Ivanka Trump only 'disclaims any connection' when asked to answer for her involvement with the Trump Organization, James alleged, adding that her efforts to distance herself from her father's business carry 'no legal weight.'

'She does not seem to be averse to her involvement in the family business when it comes to owning and collecting proceeds from the OPO sale, the Trump Organization purchasing insurance for her and her companies, managing her household staff and credit card bills, renting her apartment or even paying her legal fees in this action,' she wrote.

James also disputed Ivanka Trump's attorneys arguing she was not properly served a subpoena.

'As an initial matter, Ms. Trump tries to draw a distinction between whether the subpoena had been served on her individually or as an officer of the entities addressed beneath her name in the subpoena. All roads here lead to Rome; regardless of how the subpoenas are parsed, sufficient service was effected to compel Ms. Trump's testimony, whether individually or as an officer or agent of the corporate entities,' James wrote."  (our emphasis)

If you thought the Malignant Loser was agitated this past week during Michael Cohen's testimony and Judge Engoron's refusal to end the trial, his agitation level will go thermonuclear when his spoiled, lusted-after daughter has to testify for the State of New York under oath. He will violate his gag order in milliseconds. 

UPDATE:  The judge has ruled she'll have to take the stand to testify.

(photo: "OK daddy, but you have to increase my allowance." Getty Images)

 

Trump's Latest Pervy Talk About His Daughter

The Malignant Loser has a long history of making totally inappropriate sexual comments about his daughter Ivanka. Recall his appearance years ago on The View, where in her presence he said he'd probably be dating her if she weren't his daughter. In his brief fling with Stormy Daniels, she said he compared her to Ivanka prior to sex. He once allegedly admitted to being more sexually attracted to her at age 13 than to his wife. While he was in the White House, the Malignant Loser frequently made sexual comments about her, fantasizing about sex with her, to the extent that his former Chief of Staff Gen. John Kelly had to admonish him. There's more, if you can stomach it.

The beat goes on: in a campaign rally yesterday in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the Malignant Loser went off message on his lusted-after daughter, according to RawStory:

"At the second speech in Cedar Rapids, Trump said he had to tell his daughter about his indictments and she responded, 'Again?' He then started to go off-track and talk about how beautiful he thinks Ivanka is.

'The beauty, the style. The style, the beauty... The whole package,' he said.

Trump then said he's 'not allowed' to talk about her beauty. In the past, the former president has been accused of sexualizing her."  (our emphasis)

No doubt that prohibition came from his wife Melanie Melania, who has clearly noticed her husband's incestuous desires for his daughter. It certainly didn't come from his delusional Christofascist evangelical cult members, who believe that he was sent by Jeebus. 

Javanka's Jan. 6 Testimony Will Be Broadcast

The House Select Committee Investigation the January 6 insurrection at the Capitol will be airing footage of testimony it received, including from the Malignant Loser's daughter / lust object Ivanka and her jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none husband Jared Kushner, that will lay out the story of the attempted coup in a dramatic, convincing way. According to reports:

"On Thursday night, Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and Vice Chairwoman Liz Cheney (R-WY) will launch a series of televised hearings featuring a combination of live witnesses, pretaped interviews with figures that include Trump family members and previously unseen video footage," The Washington Post reported Saturday. "The hearings mark the culmination of an inquiry that has involved more than 1,000 interviews and reviews of more than 125,000 records."

"To tell that story, the committee will draw on testimony from administration insiders, including a previously obscure aide who has given the committee a detailed reconstruction of meetings and movements in the West Wing. The committee also has video recordings of interviews with Trump’s daughter Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner, that some inside the process believe will make for gripping television," the newspaper reported. "Although the committee has not made a final decision, people familiar with the investigation believe the panel will screen footage of testimony from Ivanka Trump and Kushner — including Trump’s account of her father’s actions in the West Wing on Jan. 6." (our emphasis)

It will be a major task to hold the interest of a public that's divided between reality and cult worship, but it's important to make the case against the corrupt sedition of the Malignant Loser digestible and clear for the record.

The "previously obscure aide" mentioned above is apparently Cassidy Hutchinson, a special assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs in Chief of Staff Mark Meadows' office. Hutchinson gave the Committee some 20 hours of testimony that could figure prominently in their presentation. Late last month, Politico reported that she disclosed that Meadows burned papers after meeting with rabid Trumper Rep. Scott Perry (Sedition-PA), who was urging Republican-controlled legislatures to override President Biden's victory. Hutchinson may have provided one or more smoking guns to the Committee, and hopefully they'll make maximum use of them.

(photo: members of the House Select Committee. J. Scott Applewhite / AP)

 

Monday Reading

As always, please go to the full articles at the links.

E.J. Dionne, Jr., on the hole being dug by dimwit narcissist Donald "Rump" Trump for his loathsome party:

President Trump doubled down last week on his repulsive charge that immigrants from south of our border are “rapists.” It was another sign of what an appalling man he is but also an indication of how much political trouble he faces. 

Trump is a demagogue who relies on the angry energy of his supporters. But he finds himself in an untenable position: No matter how many hot buttons he pushes, he cannot arouse the passion he needs on his own side to counter the determination and engagement of those who loathe him. 

The upshot is a vicious cycle that could be disastrous for the Republican Party this fall. So far, Trump has failed to stir his base, but he has become, unintentionally, one of the most effective organizers of progressive activism and commitment in the country’s history. 

Charles Blow on the cable network that's beyond redemption, and its "Fox & Friends," whose dimwit hosts shape policy in Rump's America:

This show, with its kindergarten-level intellectual capacity, moved from parroting conservative policies to constructing presidential priorities. “Fox & Friends” has essentially become Donald Trump’s daily briefing. 

Countless media outlets have written and talked about the strangely intense connection between Trump and the show. 

As The Guardian put it, “The show manages to serve as a court sycophant, whispering in the ear of the king, criticizing his perceived enemies and fluffing his feathers.” 

Politico Magazine concurred, saying the show “feels intentionally designed for Trump himself — a three-hour, high-definition ego fix.” [snip]

In a way, America is being governed by the dimmest of wits on the most unscrupulous of networks. The very thought of it is horror-inducing.

Peter Leyden and Ruy Teixeira on the two systems, two classes and two cultures that exist in America, and why one (blue) side must, and will, win (found via Infidel 753's good read):

The next time you call for bipartisan cooperation in America and long for Republicans and Democrats to work side by side, stop it. Remember the great lesson of California, the harbinger of America’s political future, and realize that today such bipartisan cooperation simply can’t get done. 

In this current period of American politics, at this juncture in our history, there’s no way that a bipartisan path provides the way forward. The way forward is on the path California blazed about 15 years ago.

The New York Daily News has a little insight into the person killed in the fire in Trump Tower in New York City on Saturday, and Rump's previous characterization of him:

Todd Brassner, a 67-year-old art dealer who lost his life Saturday in the Trump Tower fire, despised building owner Donald Trump, a friend of the victim told the Daily News. The feeling was evidently mutual, with now-President Trump allegedly calling Brassner a “crazy Jew” soon after the art dealer moved into the Fifth Ave. high-rise more than two decades ago, Brassner pal Patrick Goldsmith said Sunday.

Thank goodness one American industry and company will not suffer any negative impacts from Rump's trade war with China, purely by coincidence:

Exempt from the proposed tariffs against China, however, is the clothing manufacturing industry. [snip]

Exempting clothing from the tariffs provides a big break to American clothing companies that hold trademarks in China. One of those clothing companies belongs to the First Daughter of the United States, Ivanka Trump.

Lastly, to broaden your horizons, please check out the always enlightening/ amusing/ appalling link round- up at the aforementioned Infidel 753's joint.

The Trumpanov Dynasty: Princess Ivanka Edition (Cont.)

Looks like the Trump kleptocracy is the only thing succeeding in the first 100 days:

... Ivanka Trump [is] setting up something that sounds a lot like the Clinton Foundation, only in this case run from within the White House by a top presidential aide who is also the President’s daughter, who also runs her own large international company and who also has two brothers who are currently running the President/Father’s company and trying to rake in as much money as possible on the fame and power of the presidency. Also, let’s be honest, the Trumps are a notoriously corrupt family, especially when it comes to running foundations.

The report indicates that both "countries and companies" will be contributing to the foundation which, get this, "will benefit female entrepreneurs around the world." We're guessing the female entrepreneur it will benefit most will be one I. Trump.

But, the Clinton Foundation and the Clinton emails!!