# A Perfectly Reasonable Amount of Schadenfreude about Things Happening to Trump & His Enablers (Part 3) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [January 20, 2025, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175 "2025-01-20T19:23:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 70
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2025, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1381 "2025-07-19T16:22:23Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > I hope so! As a Canadian who does not wish to be American, I wish he would ignore us. I’m not alone, most Canadians do not wish to be Americans. Based only on my reading of my friends and acquaintainces. I think you’d really like America. We’ve got the Liberty Bell, Disneyland on both coasts. It’s happening. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2025, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1382 "2025-07-19T16:24:39Z")
Don’t tell him that, it’s top secret. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2025, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1383 "2025-07-19T16:35:09Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > they hedged enough Indeed, even a third-rate copy editor knows enough to use words like the “accused” instead of the “killer” and other CYA textual discretions. The document itself does not accuse Felon-ONE of any actual misdeeds, merely that he was friendly with a guy who was _accused_ (not convicted) of being bad. Defamation against a media outlet is somewhat hard to prove. Ironically, the First Amendment was originally intended to protect us from _lese majesté_, which is the very kind of thing the Cheeto-Faced ShitGibbon is trying to institute. We are _supposed to_ be able to criticize the government. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2025, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1384 "2025-07-19T16:44:29Z")
One way to win a libel suit is to prove that what you said was true. Truth is an absolute defense. . ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2025, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1385 "2025-07-19T16:58:35Z")
And why on earth would ypu want tobe american? Tje economy is going off a cliff, most of us are buying yachts for billionairs, heslth care is a chaotic nightmare, and the right would love to turn us all into serfs. Can I come live with you Canada? ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2025, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1386 "2025-07-19T17:02:41Z")
It’s the hot dogs. Notwithstanding everything else going on, we’ve got the best hot dogs. ---
**Author:** ![Mortimus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e36b37/32.png) [@Mortimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mortimus)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2025, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1387 "2025-07-19T17:07:20Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > It’s the hot dogs. Notwithstanding everything else going on, we’ve got the best hot dogs Don’t forget the apple pie. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2025, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1388 "2025-07-19T17:07:42Z")
A hot dog is the opposite of a cool cat, right? I think I know which one I’d prefer. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2025, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1389 "2025-07-19T17:46:56Z")
Dump bent all those law firms over a barrel. Seems he’s going to cash in on the settlements. Should be some quality billable hours. No cost to him and another “SQUIRREL” distraction. Besides, Obama wrote the note on the morning of 9/11. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2025, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1390 "2025-07-19T18:02:50Z")
> [@Sylvanz](#): > > And why on earth would ypu want tobe american? Well, _technically_, Canadians are american. The are not Americans, but they _are_ american. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2025, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1391 "2025-07-19T18:06:03Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > On the other hand, the plaintiff has to provide sworn testimony that he never wrote it, which could result in a charge of perjury if the document is shown to be genuine – except, SCotUS has effectively declared the plaintiff to be above the law and, possibly, immune to perjury because of the importance of his position. It wouldn’t matter anyway. Perjury is rarely prosecuted against **anyone**. > **[Why is Perjury So Rarely Prosecuted? - JSTOR Daily](https://daily.jstor.org/why-is-perjury-so-rarely-prosecuted/)** > > Perjury is often considered the "forgotten offense." Despite being widespread, it is rarely prosecuted.  ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2025, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1392 "2025-07-19T18:30:54Z")
I got nothing to base this theory on other than maybe crippling hope, but I suspect the WJS set a nice fat trap, and the idiot stepped in it up to his swollen ankles. Some legal-talkin’ folks on CNN think this is a really bad idea (suing) from the idiot, and very well could backfire. _Goddamn!_ **Please** let this bring down this Asshole! ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2025, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1393 "2025-07-19T20:31:28Z")
Trump has the burden of proof (under US law): He has to show that what they wrote was false, and that it damaged his reputation. In fact, since he’s a public figure, he needs to prove “actual malice” (that they knew it was false, or didn’t care whether it was true or false). Sounds like an easy defense if they did any due diligence at all (there’s also the doctrine that if details are wrong but the basic idea is right, they are still okay (in this case, if (for example) the book was a Christmas present and not a birthday present, the WSJ is fine). (All this is ignoring another defense - that of “opinion” because whatever else they did, the WSJ did make a statement of fact). > [@To what extent do people have to prove something to be true, to not be guilty of slander/libel?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-what-extent-do-people-have-to-prove-something-to-be-true-to-not-be-guilty-of-slander-libel/918600/3): > > (not a lawyer) This depends on factors not mentioned in the OP. Basically, to win, John has to show that Sally made a statement of fact (not an opinion - “Seems to me he’s acting like an embezzler”), that implies not disclosed facts (If Sally says “I’ve see the company’s books; John’s an embezzler” she’s in a lot worse trouble than if she says “Based on what the papers say, John’s an embezzler”), which is not true (if Sally has a copy of the company’s books, and they show fishy numbers, she may… ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2025, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1394 "2025-07-19T21:48:33Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > Trump has the burden of proof (under US law): He has to show that what they wrote was false, and that it damaged his reputation. In fact, since he’s a public figure, he needs to prove “actual malice” (that they knew it was false, or didn’t care whether it was true or false). After so many years, I think we all know what this is really about. It’s about intimidation. This is just normal behavior for Trump, he understands how the courts work, and I suspect he’ll drop the case once it gets to the discovery phase. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2025, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1395 "2025-07-19T22:01:07Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > After so many years, I think we all know what this is really about. It’s about intimidation. Yup. As I said before, with his countless “investigations” of enemies, he doesn’t do them to get results. The lawsuit is the point. It’s a legal way to harass people, force them to waste money, and generally be a pest. He’s punishing them with the suit itself. I wonder what woukd happen if he let it get to the discovery phase? 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [July 19, 2025, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1396 "2025-07-19T22:25:35Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > If the authenticity of the birthday note can be proven this will be totally worth it. Totally worth it for who? MAGA will never believe it and liberals couldn’t hate him more. The Wall Street Journal should have left this alone, at least for a while. MAGA was pissed at Trump. Not because they believed he was involved but that he was covering up for the democrats involved. For the first time, there was actual dissent in the ranks. They should have let that play out. Now, we’re back to “poor Trump, everyone is always out to get him” and it feeds the new “hoax” narrative he’s pushing. And, as others have pointed out, either he gets a many millions settlement or he quietly drops it before it gets too far. It’s a win/win for him. Again. ---
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1397 "2025-07-20T01:47:16Z")
Actually, you might be wrong about that. I spend some time lurking on RWNJ sites, and the Epstein files “nothing to see here” has made a dent. Not a huge one, but these are the most rabid supporters. I wouldn’t have predicted it, but it’s absolutely the case. ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1398 "2025-07-20T02:02:48Z")
> [@Spoons](#): > > As a Canadian who does not wish to be American, I wish he would ignore us. I’m not alone, most Canadians do not wish to be Americans. Based only on my reading of my friends and acquaintainces. I’m a New Englander who’d much rather become a Canadian than hijack y’all into our hellhole. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1399 "2025-07-20T03:35:40Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > Actually, you might be wrong about that. I spend some time lurking on RWNJ sites, and the Epstein files “nothing to see here” has made a dent. Not a huge one, but these are the most rabid supporters. OTOH, I commented on my Trump cultist’s post. > If he’s not on the list, why won’t he release the Epstein files? If the Epstein files condemn Democrats, why isn’t he releasing them? It’s because Trump is a pedophile. Someone replied: > Trump has world issues to resolve for now. He is preventing the death of millions by being focused on stopping WW3. Just hang on a little longer ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2025, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175/1400 "2025-07-20T03:58:33Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > > [@Spoons](#): > > > > As a Canadian who does not wish to be American, I wish he would ignore us. I’m not alone, most Canadians do not wish to be Americans. Based only on my reading of my friends and acquaintainces. > > I’m a New Englander who’d much rather become a Canadian than hijack y’all into our hellhole. Canada: a luxury apartment over a meth lab. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175.md?page=69) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers-part-3/1013175.md?page=71)