There have been a lot of turning points, but to me this is one of the scariest...

[Ohioboy]

It's alarming how quickly ABC folded under Trump's phony lawsuit. Plus, that's not all. He's going after a pollster, and suing over the way 60 Minutes edited an interview with Harris. Such lawsuits almost sound laughable, but they can do severe damage even if Trump doesn't expect to win them.

If he's doing this to the large media, what does that mean for independent sources and internet podcasts that have little resources to defend themselves? How long will it be before Trump starts to go after people who do podcasts he doesn't like? All it would take is a threat in many cases.

America needed ABC to stand up to Trump's "law fair" ( the term Magats use to dismiss and ignore legitimate legal action against Trump). I'm sure ABC could have won. If not, they could have at least defended themselves honorably. Instead, Trump and his Magats are taking it as proof that the media is always lying about him.

I fear that freedom of speech is about to suffer since ABC didn't stand up for itself.

[Ferryboat]

1. He wants to get a case in front of Supreme Court

Rehash lible laws. Easier to sue for defamation.

[underpants]

4. He wants them to spend money and/or settle

If it gets to the 5th Circuit or SCOTUS, that works for him too.

[calimary]

15. Frankly, the only point to understand here is "he wants." There's no need to go any further.

We really shouldn’t be bowing to ANYTHING along those lines. All we’ll ever get is more “he wants”, in increasing levels of extremism.

There’ll be NO END to that madness. He just wants.

[Xoan]

2. Anyone who's not familiar with Trump's ...

business model is a sucker.

[Sneederbunk]

3. ABC coverage of TSF will forever be suspect.

[biophile]

5. Classic SLAPP lawsuits

Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation
Designed to intimidate, impoverish and stop those who exercise their legal right to speak out, even if they speak the truth.
It tends to have a domino chilling effect, making a few unfortunate people very visible examples of “what can happen to you, too”

[peacebuzzard]

6. the pirate radio stations may have a comeback under this incoming president.

Pirate radio stations or ham radio broadcasters worked undercover and some offshore during the Latin American /deep South American hard-right dictatorships of the 1960s and 1970s. Threats from the dictatorships were real, swift, and took no prisoners. Those who could go undercover did so or escaped to more accepting nations. Many left-leaning politicians simply disappeared. The pirate stations were the voice of the silenced.
Do I think it could happen here? No. There are too many of us. But pirate stations are today's internet podcasts. They can exist anywhere and may actually be the start of a huge era .

[yellow dahlia]

21. Good point.

Will independent media need to go more underground?

[Orrex]

7. It'll be so great when he just fucking dies already.

[Harker]

8. Here there will be much rejoicing, and honking of car horns. n/t

[Blue_Tires]

19. It will be a start, but the disease of Trumpism will still spread

[ScratchCat]

9. What we need is

A court ruling or a Federal statute that a sitting POTUS can't file or participate in personal lawsuits against private entities while POTUS and the reasoning can be the same used in every other argument about a POTUS and legal proceedings. It would legally make sense as well. Frankly, for the Republican originalists out there, I doubt the Founders intended on a POTUS being able to sue the media.

[Shipwack]

10. The passage of the Sedition Act says otherwise...

Or at least says that they weren’t all of one mind.

[Hekate]

14. With the Skeezy Six on the SCOTUS?

[Submariner]

11. A company that makes cartoons for kids

and runs a handful of amusement parks has no business owning and operating a national TV network in the first place. MAGA Disney is now in the trump tool box as one of the go to corporate assholes when he needs money or LOYAL support.

[yellow dahlia]

22. Good point.

[JohnnyRingo]

12. For ABC, Kimmel is the canary in the coal mine.

If he suddenly gets replaced or works under rules that forbid lying (aka jokes) about the president, we know it's all over for the rest.

[AdamGG]

17. Kimmel should be

Last edited Tue Dec 24, 2024, 01:22 AM - Edit history (1)

making nightly jokes ridiculing ABC for this. It would be like Letterman in the 80's doing bits ragging on NBC after they were bought by General Electric. It could be edgy tv and boost his ratings. If ABC fires him, he could maybe land a show on HBO like Bill Maher did after ABC fired him.

[littlemissmartypants]

13. Every bit of what he's doing...

Is straight out of the authoritarian's playbook.


https://protectdemocracy.org/work/authoritarianism-explained/

Applicable Section
Quashing criticism or dissent

It's nothing new. He didn't create it. He's following a well worn and familiar plan. It's all been tried before. Our focus doesn't have to be on figuring it out. Our focus needs to be on how we fight back.

Defeating the Authoritarian Playbook: Our Strategy
How We Can Protect Democracy
The autocrats have a shared playbook. With four strategic priorities, we can ensure democracy strives and thrives.

Learn what you can do
https://protectdemocracy.org/about/democracy-playbook/

❤️

[erronis]

23. thank you for that resource (ProtectDemocracy.org).

I'll be trying to understand the positions but at first glance it looks very valuable.

[littlemissmartypants]

24. My pleasure, erronis. ❤️

[AdamGG]

16. This is how it starts

He just needs a couple examples like this for it to have an inhibiting effect on many in MSM, which is all about a financial bottom line. Smaller organizations won't have the resources to handle all the legal expenses. ABC should have been willing to take the hit and battle on this. They're probably concerned about losing MAGAT viewers, but they would have gained the loyalty of everyone on our side.

Hitler took power in 1933, but Kristallnacht didn't happen until 1938, when German Jews were forced out of owning businesses. My point isn't that Trump will commit a genocide, but that authoritarianism is implemented in steps. One of the first steps is shutting down critical journalism. It's scary how quickly ABC folded on this and also that other media isn't criticizing them more for it.

[Skittles]

18. if he could have his critics rounded up and executed, HE WOULD

I have ZERO DOUBTS about that, none at ALL.

[yellow dahlia]

20. I agree wholeheartedly!

ABC should have stood up! The First Amendment is compromised because of their actions.

And how far are they going to go? Can people no longer use their real names when writing and criticizing, no matter the forum.

Why do some of choose noms de plume in social media? We should not be scared, in this country....but. You are right - it has me scared.

[live love laugh]

25. ABC led the charge to take Biden down. Not sure why you expect much from them.

[Blue Owl]

26. How about this: FUCK THAT RACIST RAPIST

[Beringia]

27. I had the thought of the show Democracy Now not being able to handle a lawsuit because of money

That is my go to news show that I trust implicitly

[Roy Rolling]

28. Your Last Line!

We must measure accurately and not be overly emotion.

We must avoid statements of surrender like “I fear that . . .”

DO NOT FEAR.