I've been wondering about the possibility of civil suits and didn't know if they were covered by the immunity ruling. Good to know they are not. It would be hard, it seems, for him to argue that dangerous threats and vulgar insults uttered against his "enemies" would be covered by Presidential immunity. Would it be better for millions of Americans to sign on to a class action suit, or is there more to be gained by single citizens or groups to launch a massive barrage of suits against Trump and minions that they will have to defend one by one. Or by the thousands.
He seems to relish the publicity opportunity of court. Maybe civil suits can distract him away from his other dark plans. I appreciate the reminder that this is a time to stand up for truth and double down on what is right, not bend the knee.
Trump and Hitler: Frail Leaders, Big Lies, and the Press Under Siege
Donald Trump’s latest tantrum against the press—threatening lawsuits and jail for journalists—is a sad echo of Adolf Hitler's more violent war on media freedom. Trump, like Hitler, cannot abide criticism. Both men, frail and insecure, have decided that the best way to protect their fragile egos is by attacking the very foundation of democracy: a free press.
Trump has launched a series of defamation lawsuits against media outlets he dislikes, including one against ABC over a factual error and another against the Des Moines Register for publishing a poll he didn’t like. It's a classic move for a man who can’t handle the truth: if the press doesn't bow to you, sue them into submission. But Trump's strategy isn't just about seeking justice—it’s about using the legal system to drown out dissent. And with his pick for FBI director promising retribution against journalists, the chilling effect is already here.
Hitler, meanwhile, didn’t bother with lawsuits. He simply seized control. The Reich Press Law of 1933 turned independent journalism into state-approved propaganda, and anyone who resisted was either silenced or executed. No lawsuits needed—just the brute force of a regime that crushed free speech under the weight of its own delusions of grandeur. The Nazis even had their own term for “fake news”: Lügenpresse (lying press), a phrase weaponized to delegitimize dissent and discredit the media entirely.
Both leaders, in their own ways, use the media as a scapegoat for their insecurities. Trump calls the press “fake news” whenever it dares to report facts he dislikes, just as Hitler's Reich Ministry of Propaganda spun every inconvenient truth into a lie. Neither man can stomach the idea that their weak, insecure leadership might actually be questioned.
Tyranny doesn’t spring up overnight; it’s built piece by piece, first with threats and then with silence. Trump and Hitler are cut from the same cloth: insecure, petty men who would rather rule with fear than face the truth. Their war on the press is the first step in eroding democracy itself—and it must be resisted at all costs.
This assumes that the last guard rail is our judicial system. That may be true, but it might be more fragile than we think. It is interesting that in the end we’re trying to save the country through the court system when the people themselves gave the country over.
Puzzle about Nancy Mace claims. Why are all trump’s victim’s claims referred to as “allegations” or “alleged” yet Nancy Mace claims just accepted as true. Nancy Mace reports with little emotion that she was the victim of rape at age 16 but her emotion is detached. Mace claims she has been the victim of domestic violence by an undisclosed male for over a year and moved 4 times but “no reports” and for such an attention seeker, how does no one know who the unknown male is? This is a quote from one media report “ Mace's congressional office declined to answer questions from The Post and Courier, including whether any incident reports were filed with law enforcement. Mace's office has previously said the congresswoman would tell her story in her own time and would not be rushed.” Mace now reports she has PTSD from the physical abuse that has caused her to move 4 times over the past year. I am just troubled by the double standard that the victims of trump, of which there are 27 known victims that have come forward, not including Ivanna trump’s first wife who credibly reported as well, never are given media acknowledgement as truth tellers yet Mace is simply believed despite her record for attention seeking behavior.
There are more ways. #1 We should all make sure we disconnect from PayPal, and X/Twitter, and do our best to not use Amazon. Why do I have to donate to the Democratic Party with PayPal???? Of course I don’t, so I send a check but the Democrats should remove Pay pal as a payment option and we all should get PayPal off a purchase option. And of course X/Twitter should not be a link for anyone.
#2 we need a work stoppage by all reporters, journalists, editorialists, network anchors, network pundits to send a clear message to the Corporate Media owners that freedom of speech and freedom of the press means not caving to trump.
Apparently, we are transitioning to a new stasis whereby the truly committed resisters are all that remain. We resisters now see the extent of our core brotherhood and sisterhood.
These are all great suggestions. Unfortunately, with so many of our newspapers and news providers owned by billionaires or giant corporations, many of those who seek to fight back will end up quitting. Billionaires and large corporations have too many interests to protect, and so will be spineless when it comes to confronting Trump. Sorry to sound like a downer here but that’s the way I see it. But we can’t simply stop fighting. We need to fight this menace with every last breath.
I've been wondering about the possibility of civil suits and didn't know if they were covered by the immunity ruling. Good to know they are not. It would be hard, it seems, for him to argue that dangerous threats and vulgar insults uttered against his "enemies" would be covered by Presidential immunity. Would it be better for millions of Americans to sign on to a class action suit, or is there more to be gained by single citizens or groups to launch a massive barrage of suits against Trump and minions that they will have to defend one by one. Or by the thousands.
He seems to relish the publicity opportunity of court. Maybe civil suits can distract him away from his other dark plans. I appreciate the reminder that this is a time to stand up for truth and double down on what is right, not bend the knee.
Trump and Hitler: Frail Leaders, Big Lies, and the Press Under Siege
Donald Trump’s latest tantrum against the press—threatening lawsuits and jail for journalists—is a sad echo of Adolf Hitler's more violent war on media freedom. Trump, like Hitler, cannot abide criticism. Both men, frail and insecure, have decided that the best way to protect their fragile egos is by attacking the very foundation of democracy: a free press.
Trump has launched a series of defamation lawsuits against media outlets he dislikes, including one against ABC over a factual error and another against the Des Moines Register for publishing a poll he didn’t like. It's a classic move for a man who can’t handle the truth: if the press doesn't bow to you, sue them into submission. But Trump's strategy isn't just about seeking justice—it’s about using the legal system to drown out dissent. And with his pick for FBI director promising retribution against journalists, the chilling effect is already here.
Hitler, meanwhile, didn’t bother with lawsuits. He simply seized control. The Reich Press Law of 1933 turned independent journalism into state-approved propaganda, and anyone who resisted was either silenced or executed. No lawsuits needed—just the brute force of a regime that crushed free speech under the weight of its own delusions of grandeur. The Nazis even had their own term for “fake news”: Lügenpresse (lying press), a phrase weaponized to delegitimize dissent and discredit the media entirely.
Both leaders, in their own ways, use the media as a scapegoat for their insecurities. Trump calls the press “fake news” whenever it dares to report facts he dislikes, just as Hitler's Reich Ministry of Propaganda spun every inconvenient truth into a lie. Neither man can stomach the idea that their weak, insecure leadership might actually be questioned.
Tyranny doesn’t spring up overnight; it’s built piece by piece, first with threats and then with silence. Trump and Hitler are cut from the same cloth: insecure, petty men who would rather rule with fear than face the truth. Their war on the press is the first step in eroding democracy itself—and it must be resisted at all costs.
For a deeper look into how Trump’s tactics echo those of pre-WWII Hitler, read my full article here: https://substack.com/home/post/p-153103008.
It explores their shared strategies of exploiting grievances, manipulating followers, and undermining democracy.
Subscribe for more insights on the dangerous rise of authoritarianism and the fight to protect our freedoms.
This assumes that the last guard rail is our judicial system. That may be true, but it might be more fragile than we think. It is interesting that in the end we’re trying to save the country through the court system when the people themselves gave the country over.
Puzzle about Nancy Mace claims. Why are all trump’s victim’s claims referred to as “allegations” or “alleged” yet Nancy Mace claims just accepted as true. Nancy Mace reports with little emotion that she was the victim of rape at age 16 but her emotion is detached. Mace claims she has been the victim of domestic violence by an undisclosed male for over a year and moved 4 times but “no reports” and for such an attention seeker, how does no one know who the unknown male is? This is a quote from one media report “ Mace's congressional office declined to answer questions from The Post and Courier, including whether any incident reports were filed with law enforcement. Mace's office has previously said the congresswoman would tell her story in her own time and would not be rushed.” Mace now reports she has PTSD from the physical abuse that has caused her to move 4 times over the past year. I am just troubled by the double standard that the victims of trump, of which there are 27 known victims that have come forward, not including Ivanna trump’s first wife who credibly reported as well, never are given media acknowledgement as truth tellers yet Mace is simply believed despite her record for attention seeking behavior.
There are more ways. #1 We should all make sure we disconnect from PayPal, and X/Twitter, and do our best to not use Amazon. Why do I have to donate to the Democratic Party with PayPal???? Of course I don’t, so I send a check but the Democrats should remove Pay pal as a payment option and we all should get PayPal off a purchase option. And of course X/Twitter should not be a link for anyone.
#2 we need a work stoppage by all reporters, journalists, editorialists, network anchors, network pundits to send a clear message to the Corporate Media owners that freedom of speech and freedom of the press means not caving to trump.
Does anyone see the recent election result as the victory of anti-historians over historians?
Apparently, we are transitioning to a new stasis whereby the truly committed resisters are all that remain. We resisters now see the extent of our core brotherhood and sisterhood.
We are Churchill in his darkest hour.
Harry Litman also quit the LA Times, no more column. Good for him. Altho I agree we cannot lose the best journalists. Love your suggestions, Jonathan👍
These are all great suggestions. Unfortunately, with so many of our newspapers and news providers owned by billionaires or giant corporations, many of those who seek to fight back will end up quitting. Billionaires and large corporations have too many interests to protect, and so will be spineless when it comes to confronting Trump. Sorry to sound like a downer here but that’s the way I see it. But we can’t simply stop fighting. We need to fight this menace with every last breath.
Also, selling one’s soul must be gut wrenching! Poor ABC!!
Anticipatory obedience is a perfect term to describe this!!
Thank you! Litigation by democrats is absolutely right. I think the grassroots would donate to special cases too.