There are some in India, still confused about the former US President #DonaldTrump’s conviction – whether it is politically motivated or the rule of law, is taking its course.
A brief explainer on the case and why it matters to us in India.
A Thread:
A brief explainer on the case and why it matters to us in India.
A Thread:
The case:
It’s a bit complicated. It has been made complicated deliberately. Many (including journalists) cannot explain what the allegations are. Most think it’s the ‘hush money’ Trump paid to former porn star #StormyDaniel
It’s not.
2/n
It’s a bit complicated. It has been made complicated deliberately. Many (including journalists) cannot explain what the allegations are. Most think it’s the ‘hush money’ Trump paid to former porn star #StormyDaniel
It’s not.
2/n
The charges leveled are ‘falsifying business records’
Trump paid his lawyer, Michael Cohen, to pay Stormy to STFU. The payment to Cohen was given as ‘salary’ on which Cohen even paid taxes.
This is the ‘mislabeling’ of expenses for which Trump has been convicted. Really?
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Trump paid his lawyer, Michael Cohen, to pay Stormy to STFU. The payment to Cohen was given as ‘salary’ on which Cohen even paid taxes.
This is the ‘mislabeling’ of expenses for which Trump has been convicted. Really?
3/n
This crime is termed ‘misdemeanor’ (a minor crime). But in Trump’s case, the definition of the crime was changed to Felony (a serious crime), which can put him in jail.
The logic given was that ‘mislabeling’ was done to hide another crime.
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The logic given was that ‘mislabeling’ was done to hide another crime.
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What was the other crime?
Here it gets more complicated. Trump is accused of two things which are contradictory. First, tax fraud: Trump gave 'hush money' for Stormy, but Cohen paid taxes on that. Yes, you read it right. Cohen paid EXTRA tax, for which Trump is liable.
5/n
Here it gets more complicated. Trump is accused of two things which are contradictory. First, tax fraud: Trump gave 'hush money' for Stormy, but Cohen paid taxes on that. Yes, you read it right. Cohen paid EXTRA tax, for which Trump is liable.
5/n
The second is that Trump paid the 'hush money' from campaign funds, which is a federal electoral offense.
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6/n
There are 2 issues: NEVER in past has federal electoral law been used by the State to convict someone
Secondly Trump could be accused of tax fraud OR campaign fund violation
If he paid Cohen then it’s not from campaign fund & if given from campaign fund, it’s not tax fraud!
7/n
Secondly Trump could be accused of tax fraud OR campaign fund violation
If he paid Cohen then it’s not from campaign fund & if given from campaign fund, it’s not tax fraud!
7/n
Let me try again:
Cohen paid an amount to Stormy Daniels larger than the allowed individual contributions to a campaign. But if this amount was reimbursed, it can't be a violation of electoral law. And if it was a violation, then tax fraud doesn't apply.
8/n
Cohen paid an amount to Stormy Daniels larger than the allowed individual contributions to a campaign. But if this amount was reimbursed, it can't be a violation of electoral law. And if it was a violation, then tax fraud doesn't apply.
8/n
But there is an even more 'serious' offense.
Trump is accused of 'conspiring to influence elections'. How? Because if he had not paid hush money, people would have known the 'real character' of Trump, and may not have voted for him.
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Trump is accused of 'conspiring to influence elections'. How? Because if he had not paid hush money, people would have known the 'real character' of Trump, and may not have voted for him.
9/n
What?!
The real character of Trump?!
So there were actually real people who really did not know the real Donald Trump?! That they would NOT have voted for him if they knew that he 'loved' a porn star for a night?!
10/n
The real character of Trump?!
So there were actually real people who really did not know the real Donald Trump?! That they would NOT have voted for him if they knew that he 'loved' a porn star for a night?!
10/n
In a nutshell:
It is the FIRST time in US history that 'Federal Election Law' has been used as a direct state crime. The definition of the crime was CHANGED for the case. It is the FIRST time in New York that someone is charged for 'falsifying business records' as a felony
11/n
It is the FIRST time in US history that 'Federal Election Law' has been used as a direct state crime. The definition of the crime was CHANGED for the case. It is the FIRST time in New York that someone is charged for 'falsifying business records' as a felony
11/n
More facts:
Judge in Trump’s case, Merchan, has donated $, in violation of rule prohibiting NY judges from making political donations, to a pro-Biden, anti-Trump political op. His daughter, Loren, headed a digital media firm that works with Democrats
This detail was erased
12/n
Judge in Trump’s case, Merchan, has donated $, in violation of rule prohibiting NY judges from making political donations, to a pro-Biden, anti-Trump political op. His daughter, Loren, headed a digital media firm that works with Democrats
This detail was erased
12/n
But don’t act like you were not warned.
The CIA Director, no less, had already predicted in 2018 that Trump would not be allowed to contest!
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The CIA Director, no less, had already predicted in 2018 that Trump would not be allowed to contest!
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And how narratives have to be set, and none other than Prince Soros tells us how. He asked everyone to use one term – #ConvictedFelon for Trump. And you see how they have happily complied.
The same way #ElectoralAutocracy #Fascism are circulated.
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The same way #ElectoralAutocracy #Fascism are circulated.
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Fun fact: A US state has passed a law – to call even serious criminals NOT felons – but 'Individuals Impacted by Law'.
Funnier Fact: Open Society Foundations APPEALS for more hiring of convicted felons! Guess, his appeal might as well be effective this time.
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Funnier Fact: Open Society Foundations APPEALS for more hiring of convicted felons! Guess, his appeal might as well be effective this time.
16/n
But that’s not all – paying '#HushMoney' to the 'side affairs' is kinda not a big deal in the US, it seems.
In fact, American taxpayers apparently pay for their leaders’ fun. And the US Congress doesn’t want the laws to change! Obviously.
17/n
In fact, American taxpayers apparently pay for their leaders’ fun. And the US Congress doesn’t want the laws to change! Obviously.
17/n
Why does it matter to us?
Not Trump, but the Regime Media. To know who all are on Democrat-Deep State mouthpieces – and when they pontificate on India and other places, who is giving instructions and why!
18/n
Not Trump, but the Regime Media. To know who all are on Democrat-Deep State mouthpieces – and when they pontificate on India and other places, who is giving instructions and why!
18/n
Some media are more 'free' than others. They change their tune faster than Trump can say Stormy. When Trump 'only mentioned' it was a threat to democracy. When Trump is indicted on trumped-up charges, it is democracy.
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19/n
It also reveals the long arm of the Deep State.
Eh, Freedom House?! Who could have thought?! (More instruments would be deployed soon)
20/n
Eh, Freedom House?! Who could have thought?! (More instruments would be deployed soon)
20/n
Oh by the way, where are those Indian intellectuals who bemoan every 'democratic backsliding' all over the world – from #Bangladesh to #China to #Israel to #Russia and to #India?
Where art thou?
(Guess, it’s hard to speak against paymasters.)
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Where art thou?
(Guess, it’s hard to speak against paymasters.)
21/n
Oh, but please, oh please tell us more about how fragile Indian democracy is, how compromised our judiciary is, and how there is no free media.
Please also tell us, one more time, how democracy is backsliding!
22/22
Please also tell us, one more time, how democracy is backsliding!
22/22
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