Serious Trouble An Expensive Settlement
Dec 18, 2024
This episode dives into the hefty settlement Disney's ABC faced over controversial remarks linking Trump to criminal behavior. Legal complexities surround presidential immunity and its implications on Trump's court outcomes. Flynn's failed defamation case against Wilson showcases the tricky line between personal attacks and political speech. Tensions escalate with a healthcare threat incident, while Biden's commutations spark debates on criminal justice reform. The discussion also touches on the fraught concepts of punishment and rehabilitation in an evolving legal landscape.
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ABC's Expensive Settlement
- ABC News settled with Trump for $16 million over George Stephanopoulos’s repeated assertions that Trump was found “liable for rape.”
- This substantial settlement is surprising given the potential substantial truth defense and difficulty proving damages.
Trump Sues Over Inaccurate Poll
- Trump sued the Des Moines Register and pollster Ann Selzer over an inaccurate poll, claiming it violated Iowa consumer protection law.
- This is likely frivolous as consumer protection laws generally don't apply to political speech like polling.
Flynn's Failed Defamation Suit
- Mike Flynn lost a defamation case against Rick Wilson over tweets calling Flynn “Putin’s employee” and “Q.”
- The court ruled these were opinions/hyperbole, not provable facts, and Flynn's legal team performed poorly.