Donald Trump’s latest act of media intimidation sets an alarming precedent

The Washington Compost ^ | August 22, 2016 | Callum Borchers

[Navy Patriot]

Donald Trump has hired the lawyer who helped Hulk Hogan win an invasion-of-privacy case against Gawker and given him a new mission: threaten legal action against several media outlets that picked up a Slovenian magazine's report claiming that Melania Trump worked as an escort in the 1990s.

The website Liberal America on Monday posted a letter it received from Hollywood attorney Charles Harder demanding a retraction and an apology. Politico reported that at least three other news organizations, including London's Daily Mail, received the same notice, which warns that Melania Trump will "institute immediate legal proceedings against you" if her conditions are not met.

[Jim W N]

Trump (Melania) has a case and I would think Donald or his lawyers could help with that.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

Precisely.

DJT can “shuffle” this off from his campaign and allow Melania to bring tort, making it HER decision.

That would be Trump showing that women, in his family, are strong and forthright in their own defense [defusing the “war against women” stupidity]

[Redwood71]

Jim,

I don’t disagree that legal action can be taken, and the war of intent or word distortion or misunderstanding starts. What I’m saying is that the liberal media does this all the time trying to get something to stick with the voters uneducated capacity in how libs play the game. I’m sure you believe that if every action was sued, then the national enquirer or publications like it would be in the bread line or jail. You can be assured that an I was misinfomed statement from the accusers was put somewhere, probably where no one could find it, and the reporter was fired for about 10 minutes. It’s not about how you play the game, but winning as fast as possible. Remember, conservatives have opponents. Liberals have enemies. Love and war.......

red

[Jim W N]

I, too, hate the litigious element of our society.

However, I see a legitimate complaint here and like the idea of the press having to justly account for their actions.

[Redwood71]

Jim,

No question there is a definite litigation problem. But let’s toss in a couple of first amendments, a few we’re being misunderstoods, and a couple of reporters falling on their sword showing a few alligator tears, and all will be right with the world because they aren’t going to get the people that are using the news for a weapon. They’re going to get some employee that makes pennies on the dollar and they can replace him/her with another fish ready to step in front of a train for them for a few bucks and an addition to a resume. Either that, or they will be back on the job in six months after being put in their corner.

And that’s a normalcy. The wrong people will get hurt, or nobody will. And all the public will remember will be the story. Not the aftermath because it won’t be printed as the news media all stick together. For them, silence is golden.

red