I don’t think it would surprise anyone who’s been around this site before that I DIDN’T watch Trump LYING his way through over 60 minutes in a sorry excuse for a “town hall” on CNN last night. (May 10, 2023) However, I’ve watched enough clips to be able to say Trump did exactly what I anticipated he would do. Many “liberals” have been incensed that CNN would give him the platform and, I have to admit, I was leaning in that direction. However, Trump came through as I thought he would – and, again, I watched only a few “clips” of the debacle, but he did a lot of “admitting.” Here’s a few examples of why I think this “FAKE town hall” might prove to be valuable.

First, the fact I wasn’t watching doesn’t mean there wasn’t an interested audience. I can guarantee you Jack Smith was either watching or had his DVR working to record EVERY word Trump spoke. And, there were some “doozies.” Again, I wasn’t surprised to watch Trump, for example, ADMIT he STOLE several THOUSAND documents from the “White House” once again claiming it was OK because he “declassified” them all – apparently, with the “mind meld” he has suggested in the past was his way of declassification. He claimed the “Presidential Records Act” gave him the authority to take the documents when the TRUTH is absolutely the opposite. But, he admitted he TOOK the documents – that it wasn’t some foopah by some unsuspecting underling. He said, over and over, “I had a right to do it.”

But, as usual, there’s always more. He was asked if he shared those documents with anyone else? Well, as he was obfuscating the question he, in essence, admitted that yes he did. OK, he didn’t come right out and say so, but when Trump uses his Mafioso language he’s just trying to circle around the question without giving a direct answer, but,, in this instance, I was left with no doubt (and, I didn’t have any doubt anyway) that he was sharing those documents – the only real question is – with who? (The CORRECT answer would have been “no”) Again, as he does, he said, “I absolutely had the right to.” Just like he said he “absolutely had the right to take them” in the first place. My understanding of the basics of our legal system is “ignorance of the law is no excuse.” In this case, just plain ignorance. Especially, if your job is to make sure the “laws be faithfully and fairly enforced.” (my characterization)

And, when he was asked about why he didn’t turn over all of the documents in response to the subpoena – which ultimately led to the FBI exercising a search warrant approved by a judge based on the “probable cause” a crime had been committed – he responded by saying “we were negotiating.” Well, of course, he wasn’t “negotiating” he was OBSTRUCTING – like everything else coming from his lips during this debacle, that was untrue (OK, a LIE). The Justice Department had surveillance footage of the documents – over 1,000 of them – which Trump’s lawyers had certified weren’t there – and which were being moved by ???? and, when they did the search they found TOP SECRET documents in Trump’s DESK! In essence, Trump admitted his guilt in this “town hall” last night – as the audience applauded and laughed in response to his LIES.

Again, yes – there’s – as always – more. He once again admitted the INSURRECTION of January 6, 2021 was something he planned (indirectly) and, as he was refusing to apologize to his former Vice President he once again said, he was wrong – that Pence SHOULD have “sent the votes back, and we would have had a different result.” Of course, that’s complete nonsense. The Electoral College had certified the results on December 14, 2020 – stopping the ceremonial “rubber stamping” of the Electoral College’s vote would have simply created even MORE violence than what we saw on January 6th – where FIVE PEOPLE lost their lives. Surely, Jack Smith was recording EVERY word Trump said. (And, trust me, those words can be used against him) He’s actually planning to finish the job which, to him, failed on January 6th, 2021.

Trump even doubled down on his DEFAMATION of E. Jean Carroll who had just WON almost $5 MILLION in a civil case against him the day before. He clearly DEFAMED her once again – much to the delight of the right wing audience CNN crammed into what was a very small venue. Will she sue him once more? Probably not, because I doubt she wants to go through the whole process once again (although, I believe, she still has a lawsuit which is “pending”) Trump is the classic defendant I’m guessing all lawyers hope to never have to defend. (And, that’s aside from him having a long history of not PAYING them)

Trump suggested he would “pardon” the January 6th defendants soon after taking office should “we the people” be STUPID enough to put him back in the “White House.” (I honestly believe he thinks that would be his “get out of jail free card” – although, I’m not sure why he thinks that – other than believing Merrick Garland doesn’t have the spine to take him on. (Which may be true)

Worst still, he encouraged the House republicans to take our economy over the cliff by forcing a default on the debt. Political operatives likely have already begun making the campaign commercials with that nonsense statement. It was pointed out to Trump he, when he was “in office” said the debt ceiling could NOT be breached (or words to that effect) but, the difference, in response to the question of why he would not say that now was “I’m no longer in office” much to the delight of his group of (sorry) STUPID republicans in the audience. I mean, they laughed about him assaulting Ms. Carroll as well as encouraging republicans to “tank” our economy. As I’ve said many times – it’s all about the POWER and “winning at all costs” – the republicans’ “MO” has long been “the end justifies the means.”

Well, apparently, like the House stooges who are part of his CULT following, he believes the American people will blame Joe Biden if the debt ceiling is breached. Honestly, if that would be the case, I would put the blame on the lack of ability at messaging on the democrats. In my mind, they should be making commercials while planning them to be aired around the nation RIGHT NOW with his absurd comments – making it clear it’s the responsibility of Congress to make sure we don’t default – an “experiment” that would be ten times worse in a time of war. A U.S. default would be like a “wet dream” for Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, and other dictators around the world who want the “West” to fail in its defense of Ukraine – among a plethora of other reasons. (China would like nothing better than for the dollar to tank)

CNN believes (or so they say) they provided a public service by giving Trump the opportunity to LIE with impunity on their airwaves for over 60 minutes to a “staged” audience of Trump loving MAGA republicans. While I would disagree, at the same time, they may end up having a point. When it comes time for Jack Smith and the Justice Department to prosecute Trump for the INSURRECTION and for his STEALING of the documents (where he admitted, in essence, to OBSTRUCTING the investigation) which may or may not have been shared with foreign adversaries (for example, the Saudi’s have provided a lot of MONEY to Trump and his son-in-law since he left office) which would violate the ESPIONAGE Act – segments of this “town hall” may end up being replayed to a jury. Just as Trump admitted his own guilt in the deposition in the E. Jean Carroll civil case, he just can’t help himself when it is time to keep his mouth SHUT. Trump may have admitted to committing several Felonies in the CNN Town Hall!!! Stay tuned……………

Final Thought: I’ve been lobbying for “we the people” to rid this nation of what I’ve called “today’s” republican party since the day Bush/Cheney LIED “we the people” into Iraq – themselves committing WAR CRIMES by authorizing TORTURE of Iraqi’s and Afghani’s – based on nothing more than someone seeking the $5000 “reward” for turning someone in – with no evidence. Just as Trump is walking free along with his numerous co-conspirators (which I doubt the Justice Department has the “stones” to prosecute – the entire bunch of them) – while over a THOUSAND of the 1/6 “suckers” are either behind bars or have pleaded guilty to felonies and have served their time in jail – now with a criminal record – the ONLY people who paid the price for America’s TORTURE policy in the Iraq/Afghanistan “fiascos” were a bunch of Army “grunts” who thought they were following orders at Abu Ghraib. America seems to have a history of the “little people” paying the price for the transgressions of those at the top! No wonder people like Ron DeSantis and Greg Abbott are pushing for the banning of books!

If you get the chance, I recommend you read “Caste” by Isabel Wilkerson. That book has left a lasting mark on my brain beyond virtually any of the other books I’ve read recently – including the January 6th Select Committee’s report – which was also very profound.

By the way, one of those who was laughing and applauding the most heinous stuff in that audience reportedly was Woody Johnson, the owner of the New York Jets. They (the audience) even laughed about Trump referring to a Black Police Officer as a “thug” – because, after warning several times he shot Ashli Babbit who was breaking into the House Chamber – with the mob right behind her – while there were still several members of the House in the chamber. Of course, the crowed, and presumably Mr. Johnson, applauded to show their approval of Trump’s insinuation the cop was not charged because he’s Black. “If that had been the other way around……………..” More “dog whistle racism” from our TWICE IMPEACHED so-called Two time popular vote LOSING (ex) president who’s been indicted for 34 alleged FELONIES and who has been found to have sexually assaulted and defamed a woman (who he defamed once again during the Town Hall) and who is under investigation for NUMEROUS other crimes. It probably won’t happen, but the African American members of the Jets – if they were paying attention – SHOULD be very unhappy. Probably unlikely, because Johnson is a known financial supporter of Trump, but, I can hope!