Judge Tells Us What We All Knew – Trump is a Fraud

…but the biggest fraud is on his supporters

A judge in New York state’s case against the Trump Organization (TO)  issued an extraordinary summary judgement on Tuesday, finding the TO, Trump and his two adult sons liable for massive fraud perpetrated against their banks, insurance companies, and business partners. The TO fraudulently overvalued properties[1] in their pursuit of loans.

“A New York judge ruled on Tuesday that Donald J. Trump persistently committed fraud by inflating the value of his assets, and stripped the former president of control over some of his signature New York properties.” (New York Times, (Sept. 26, 2023)

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The summary judgement means that the trial will be about how much the fine will be, not whether fraud was perpetrated — the judge is already convinced of that. The NY attorney general, who has argued that Trump inflated the value of his properties by as much as $2.2 billion, is seeking $250 million. The ruling also would strip the TO of business certificates that allow some of Mr. Trump’s New York properties to operate. Of course Trump called the judge “deranged” (his new favorite word) and his lawyers said they will appeal.  

Will this affect his support with voters? His thousands of obvious lies hasn’t. A coup attempt didn’t. Exposure and prosecution of that coup attempt hasn’t. Maybe those who were attracted to him for his Apprentice persona and self-proclaimed business acumen will finally see the FRAUD inherent in that image and turn away?

I can only hope.  

Making Voting More Accessible in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s impressive new Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro instituted a common-sense policy that is likely to increase participation in the democratic process. A September 19 press release states that:

“…automatically combining the verification processes of DMV registration and voter registration…will enhance the accuracy and security of Pennsylvania voter rolls while saving taxpayers time and money…Commonwealth residents who are obtaining new or renewed driver licenses and ID cards and are eligible to vote will be automatically taken through the voter registration application process unless they opt out of doing so.…Pennsylvania is the birthplace of our democracy, and as Governor, I’m committed to ensuring free and fair elections that allow every eligible voter to make their voice heard,” said Governor Josh Shapiro. “Automatic voter registration is a commonsense step to ensure election security and save Pennsylvanians time and tax dollars. Residents of our Commonwealth already provide proof of identity, residency, age, and citizenship at the DMV – all the information required to register to vote — so it makes good sense to streamline that process with voter registration. My Administration will keep taking innovative actions like this one to make government work better and more efficiently for all Pennsylvanians.”

Pennsylvania is now one of 23 states that have implemented this process, making it easier to register to vote. Of course, Trump is railing and wailing against the initiative, despite the fact that 22 other states, both red and blue – have also implemented such automatic voter registration. Note: as Pennsylvania’s attorney general during the tumultuous battle over its electoral votes in 2020, Shapiro successfully fended off sham lawsuits challenging the vote tally, as well as Republican legislators seeking a path to overriding the popular vote. Those efforts were led by state senator Doug Mastriano, who brought busloads to January 6 and whom Shapiro later dominated in the 2022 governor’s race.

CORRECTION: Mea Culpa

My last post (SHUT DOWN the “Shutdown Shenanigans”) incorrectly said that the Republican caucus in the House of Representatives was holding an increase to Uncle Sam’s borrowing limit hostage to gaining big cuts to programs they don’t like (as well as policy changes); I misstated their demands. The battle over the debt limit took place earlier this summer, and was resolved in June with the passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, which “increases the federal debt limit, establishes new discretionary spending limits, rescinds unobligated funds, expands work requirements for federal programs, and modifies other requirements related to the federal budget process.”

The current threat by rump Republicans to shut down the government (still “shutdown shenanigans”) stems from their unwillingness to abide by this earlier agreement in the current appropriations process, demanding deeper cuts and program changes that were not part of the earlier agreement. The consequences I described in that post were somewhat overstated. For example, Social Security checks will not be delayed, but enrolling new eligibles will be. Medicare would be similarly affected. Other consequences remain. Federal employees and contractors will go without payment; the economy will take a hit, and with it, financial markets. Rating services will have more reason to question our country’s credit-worthiness. I got some detail wrong, and it’s important to own up to that, as my stock-in-trade is facts. But I submit that the over-riding narrative stands.

As of this morning, the Senate has taken the initiative to pass a “continuing resolution” that Majority Leader Schumer said: “will continue to fund the government at present levels, while maintaining our commitment to Ukraine’s security and humanitarian needs while also ensuring those impacted by natural disasters across the country begin to get the resources they need.” However, it remains to be seen if McCarthy is willing to put it on the House floor for a vote. With all Dems likely to support it, and many “sensible” Republicans, it would clearly pass; however, the freedom caucus and their ilk would likely boot McCarthy from the Speaker’s chair if he allowed such a vote. He values his post as Speaker more than the good of the country, so what do you think he’ll do?

As always, thanks for reading. Please feel free to comment, share this post with friends, and think about what YOU can do to promote a healthy, fact-based democracy.

[1] One example: representing his Trump Tower apartment as being three times its actual size. Overvaluation of Mar-a-Lago was many times worse. Tax assessors measured its market value as between 18 and 28 million dollars in 2011- 2021; Trump’s filings valued it as between $426 and $612 million. (https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23991872-ny-ruling-on-trump-business-fraud, p. 26)