There is nothing “normal” about Donald Trump. Neither in politics, nor in business, nor even in court. Last Thursday will remain a reference in the disorder that sets in wherever it goes.
We are in the middle of an election campaign for the presidency of the United States. However, it barely attracts attention as the back and forth in court has proven to be much more dramatic and captivating.
And true to form, from one courtroom to another, Donald Trump managed to siphon, this time, the air from the legal world.
View of Manhattan Criminal Court
AFP
TOO MUCH, EVEN FOR A GOSPEL NEWSPAPER
In New York first, he had a long face listening to a “good friend” tell why he had paid a “playmate” Playboybut refused to be involved in the gossip of a porn actress.
Because David Pecker, the former editor of what has long been the benchmark gossip newspaper in the United States, the National Enquirermade it clear that he was a man… of principle.
After paying $30,000 to a doorman who was looking for a buyer for an apparently false story about a child fathered by Trump, then $150,000 to Karen McDougal, the “1998 Playmate” of Playboy who had a 10-month relationship with Trump to tell to anyone who would listen, David Pecker ended up saying no to Stormy Daniels.
There is no question of being associated with a “porn star”, his newspaper appearing prominently at the checkout counter of Walmart stores where, of course, many families with children do their shopping. Even for the editor of a sulphurous tabloid, Donald Trump’s escapades went too far.
Getty Images via AFP
MURDERING A RIVAL IS DEFENDABLE
At the same time, in the American capital, his claim to have total immunity for what he did during his presidency was being debated before the Supreme Court.
Everything is in moderation, his lawyer alleged. That is to say… the less conservative judges wanted to know: “If the president decides that his rival is corrupt and orders the military to assassinate him…” or “… if If the president ordered the army to stage a coup, would he benefit from immunity?
We must be wary of prejudices; Trump’s lawyer was less scrupulous than the editor of a sassy tabloid. “It all depends on the circumstances,” replied John Sauer, but yes, “these could very well be official acts protected by presidential immunity.”
An interpretation that gives a worrying meaning to the “one-day dictatorship” that Trump promises if he returns to the White House.
NOT IMMUNE AGAINST ITS THROUGHS
Finally, back in New York, a federal judge denied his request for a new trial in the defamation case brought by columnist E. Jean Carroll. Donald Trump’s lawyers had argued that the $83.3 million awarded to Carroll was excessive.
E. Jean Carroll
Archive photo, AFP
Justice Lewis Kaplan was sharp: “Mr. Trump’s malicious and relentless attacks on Mr.me Carroll’s have been broadcast to more than 100 million people. They included public threats and personal attacks that endangered Ms. health and safety.me Carroll.”
In other words, there is indeed a limit to stretching the elastic of justice before it finally bursts in his face.
