Giuliani ordered to pay up, Colorado ruling ruining Trump's defense
The David Pakman Show - December 22, 2023
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Giuliani ordered to pay victims IMMEDIATELY, files for bankruptcy
Rudy Giuliani faced a tumultuous week marked by a $148 million defamation jury verdict, followed by a judge's immediate payment order of $146 million to plaintiffs Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss. Despite a brief reprieve with a $2 million reduction in punitive damages, Giuliani's financial woes intensified as he filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, revealing a staggering $500 million debt. This included $146 million from the recent lawsuit, $1 million in taxes, $3.5 million in legal fees, and various potential liabilities from other lawsuits and proceedings. The immediate payment order, coupled with the bankruptcy filing, underscores Giuliani's dire financial crisis, sparing him from potential jail time but placing his assets at risk of seizure to settle the debts. This legal and financial downfall marks a significant blow to Giuliani's legacy, transforming him from "America's mayor" to a figure grappling with bankruptcy and a tarnished reputation while defending Donald Trump.
Colorado ruling ruining Trump’s legal defense in other trials
Trump's lawyers responded to Jack Smith's motion at the Supreme Court, requesting an expedited hearing on whether Donald Trump has immunity. The Supreme Court had initially agreed to expedite the process, but Trump's legal team urged caution, arguing against a rushed resolution. However, their response focused more on political considerations, claiming potential partisanship in ensuring a trial during a presidential campaign. In contrast, Jack Smith presented a strong legal argument emphasizing the gravity of the charges against the former president for actions during his term and the urgent need for resolution. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the Supreme Court's decision, Smith strategically covered all bases, simultaneously filing with the appellate court to ensure a swift hearing in early January.
Trump prosecutor asks SCOTUS to ignore Trump and rule on immunity
This week, the Colorado State Supreme Court ruled that Donald Trump engaged in an insurrection, resulting in his removal from the 2024 ballot under the 14th Amendment's insurrection clause. The legal fallout is significant, particularly concerning Trump's trials in Georgia and the federal case related to overturning election results. Trump's defense in these cases has relied on First Amendment protection, claiming immunity for his speech. However, the Colorado ruling challenges this defense by deeming Trump's speech as furtherance of a crime, aiding or supporting an insurrection. The decision sets a legal precedent that may impact Trump's arguments in other trials. Despite this, the ultimate influence of the Colorado ruling hinges on the U.S. Supreme Court's stance. If the Supreme Court upholds the 14th Amendment's application to Trump, the Colorado ruling's rationale may still be cited in criminal cases. However, if the Supreme Court rejects the ruling, deeming it inapplicable to Trump, it could undermine the argument that his speech was criminal. The complex legal scenarios surrounding Trump's immunity and speech-related charges underscore the uncertainty surrounding these cases as they move forward in 2024.
From yesterday’s show:
MMA fighter says he lost because he supports Trump
MMA fighter Colby Covington, known for his support of Donald Trump, attributed his recent loss to judges allegedly biased against him due to his political affiliation. Covington suggested that the judges' dislike for Trump influenced their decision in the fight. This contradicts the notion of personal responsibility often advocated by Trump and Republicans. The situation highlighted the irony of blaming external factors, a theme observed in some MAGA supporters' reactions to losses, both in sports and elections. Despite Covington's claim of bias, the UFC, where he competes, is considered one of the more pro-Trump sports leagues. The incident underscores the challenges of accepting defeat and the tendency of some individuals to attribute losses to factors beyond personal performance.
More on the show:
-- Farron Cousins, host of Ring of Fire and Farron Balanced, fills in for David
-- Colorado's Supreme Court justices face death threats following their ruling kicking Trump off the ballot
-- Trump lawyer Jesse Binnall wants to prosecute the Colorado Supreme Court justices who removed Trump from the ballot
-- The 118th Congress has been more damaging than people realize
-- Republican Representative Scott Perry is ordered to disclose 1,600 texts and emails to Jack Smith's team
-- Ron DeSantis complains that Trump's four indictments are giving the former president an unfair advantage in the Republican primary
-- Marjorie Taylor Greene once again calls for "national divorce"
-- Kellyanne Conway claims Democrats all drive electric vehicles, get abortions, and think about January 6th too much
-- On the Bonus Show: Matt Gaetz says he's next to get expelled, Laura Ingraham claims Democrats want civil unrest, a quarter of Trump supporters won't vote for him if he's a convicted felon, and much more...
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