Stormy Daniels | Reason Archives (original) (raw)
Biden Notes Trump's History of 'Sexual Assault' but Highlights '34 Felonies' That Victimized No One
Facing an opponent who has been credibly described as a sexual predator, Biden instead emphasizes Trump's cover-up of a consensual encounter.
Jacob Sullum | 6.17.2024 2:05 PM
Laurence Tribe Bizarrely Claims Trump Won the 2016 Election by Falsifying Business Records in 2017
That take on the former president's New York conviction echoes similarly puzzling claims by many people who should know better.
Jacob Sullum | 6.7.2024 1:20 PM
A Jumble of Legal Theories Failed To Give Trump 'Fair Notice' of the New York Charges Against Him
The lack of a clear rationale for charging Trump with 34 felonies raises a due process issue that is likely to figure in his appeals.
Jacob Sullum | 6.6.2024 2:35 PM
Should Donald Trump Have Been Convicted?
Plus: A single-issue voter asks the editors for some voting advice in the 2024 presidential election.
Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Peter Suderman | 6.3.2024 5:18 PM
Does Donald Trump's Conviction in New York Make Us Banana Republicans?
Welcome to a system in which laws and regulations are weaponized by the powerful against opponents.
J.D. Tuccille | 6.3.2024 7:00 AM
The Prosecution's Story About Trump Featured Several Logically Impossible Claims
Whatever Trump did after the 2016 presidential election, it seems safe to say that it did not retroactively promote his victory.
Jacob Sullum | 5.31.2024 1:35 PM
First Felon
Plus: The L.P. candidate for president, flooding in Brazil, TikTok influencers going after rich husbands, and more...
Liz Wolfe | 5.31.2024 9:30 AM
Trump's Conviction Suggests Jurors Bought the Prosecution's Dubious 'Election Fraud' Narrative
There was a glaring mismatch between the charges against the former president and what prosecutors described as the essence of his crime.
Jacob Sullum | 5.30.2024 8:00 PM
Trump Jury Instructions Invite Conviction Based on a Hodgepodge of Dubious Theories
The judge said the jurors need not agree about the "unlawful means" that Trump allegedly used to promote his 2016 election.
Jacob Sullum | 5.29.2024 5:25 PM
Prosecutors Say Trump Tried to 'Hoodwink the American Voter,' Which Is Not a Crime
Closing arguments in the former president's trial highlight the mismatch between the charges and the "election fraud" he supposedly committed.
Jacob Sullum | 5.28.2024 5:50 PM
Prosecutors Are Still Hedging on Exactly What 'Crime' Trump Tried To 'Aid' or 'Conceal'
This week the judge presiding over Trump's trial ruled that jurors do not have to agree on any particular legal theory.
Jacob Sullum | 5.24.2024 3:10 PM
Alvin Bragg's Case Against Trump Presents a Tangle of Interacting Laws and Intent Puzzles
To convert a hush payment into 34 felonies, prosecutors are relying on a chain of assumptions with several weak links.
Jacob Sullum | 5.22.2024 3:35 PM
The 'Heart' of Alvin Bragg's Case Against Trump Is Misdirection
Contrary to what prosecutors say, the former president is not charged with "conspiracy" or "election fraud."
Jacob Sullum | 5.15.2024 12:01 AM
The Details of Stormy Daniels' Story About Sex With Trump Are Legally Irrelevant
Under the prosecution's theory, Trump would be guilty of falsifying business records even if Daniels made the whole thing up.
Jacob Sullum | 5.10.2024 4:10 PM
Stormy Daniels' 'Credibility Issues' Reflect a Broader Problem With Key Witnesses Against Trump
New York prosecutors are relying on testimony from several people who do not seem trustworthy.
Jacob Sullum | 5.8.2024 4:05 PM
The New York Case Against Trump Relies on a 'Twisty' Legal Theory That Reeks of Desperation
To convert a hush money payment into 34 felonies, prosecutors are invoking an obscure state election law that experts say has never been used before.
Jacob Sullum | 5.3.2024 4:10 PM
Alvin Bragg's 'Election Interference' Narrative Is Nonsensical
Since Donald Trump's alleged falsification of business records happened after he was elected president, he clearly was not trying to ensure that outcome.
Jacob Sullum | 4.18.2024 3:15 PM
Alvin Bragg Says Trump Tried To Conceal 'Another Crime.' What Crime?
The leading possibilities are all problematic in one way or another.
Jacob Sullum | 4.15.2024 1:30 PM
Two New York Cases Lend Credibility to Trump's Complaint of Partisan Persecution
Neither Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg nor New York Attorney General Letitia James can explain exactly who was victimized by the dishonesty they cite.
Jacob Sullum | 2.21.2024 12:01 AM
Alvin Bragg Is Trying To Punish Trump for Something That Is Not a Crime
The essence of the case, the Manhattan D.A. says, is that Trump "corrupt[ed] a presidential election" by concealing embarrassing information.
Jacob Sullum | 2.16.2024 2:05 PM
Was Anyone Victimized by Trump's 34 Alleged Felonies?
The case against the former president is both morally dubious and legally shaky.
Jacob Sullum | 4.12.2023 12:01 AM
Trump Indictment Could Be the Jolt His Flailing 2024 Campaign Needs
Plus: Evidence that social media causes teen health problems "isn't convincing," more states ban gender transition treatments for minors, and more...
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 3.31.2023 9:32 AM
Transforming Stormy Daniels' Hush Payment Into a Felony Would Reinforce Trump's 'Witch Hunt' Complaint
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg reportedly intends to prosecute Trump for falsifying business records.
Jacob Sullum | 3.10.2023 3:30 PM
FEC Drops Case Against Trump for Alleged Hush Money Payments
Plus: The difference between conservatives and libertarians, Utah Supreme Court upholds sex changes on birth certificates, and more...
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 5.7.2021 9:30 AM
The Vice Cops Who Arrested Stormy Daniels Now Face Federal Charges for Fraud and Conspiring to Violate People's Civil Rights
Two former Columbus, Ohio, police officers are accused of harassing strip club owners, patrons, and staff without legal justification.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 3.31.2020 4:05 PM
Trump Plausibly Pleads Ignorance in His Latest Defense Against Criminal Charges for Campaign Finance Violations
Even if hush payments to his alleged mistresses amounted to illegal campaign contributions, the president says, he did not know that at the time.
Jacob Sullum | 12.12.2018 2:50 PM
Give Nixon, McCain, and Bush Some Blame for Trump's Campaign Finance Trouble
Republicans all too often adopt themselves many of the most misguided beliefs of the left. Among these misconceptions: money is inherently corrupt.
Reason Staff | 12.12.2018 6:00 AM
Give Nixon, McCain, and Bush Some Blame for Trump's Campaign Finance Trouble
Republicans all too often adopt themselves many of the most misguided beliefs of the left. Among these misconceptions: money is inherently corrupt.
Ira Stoll | 12.12.2018 12:30 AM
Trump Beat Stormy Daniels' Defamation Claim With a Law Aimed at Rich Bullies Like Him
The president, who routinely threatens to sue people for saying things he does not like, deployed an anti-SLAPP law in his own defense.
Jacob Sullum | 10.17.2018 3:15 PM
Strip Club Staffers Arrested With Stormy Daniels Sue, Claiming Cops Lied As Republican Retaliation
Police initially said the arrests were part of "a long-term investigation into...human trafficking" and prostitution.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 10.11.2018 4:44 PM
Ignorance Is Trump's Excuse
Given the president's confusion about campaign finance law, how could he have "knowingly and willfully" violated it?
Jacob Sullum | 8.29.2018 12:01 AM
Stormy Daniels Was Arrested Because of a Terrible Law That Threatens Free Expression
When you give law enforcement a tool that can be used to target someone who has unpopular views, they will use it.
Marc Randazza | 7.13.2018 5:25 PM
Stormy Daniels Strips for Me and a Roomful of Journalists
...and reminds everyone that sometimes a strip show is just a strip show.
Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 7.10.2018 3:45 PM
Giuliani Confesses to Spreading 'Rumors' About Stormy Daniels
The president's admittedly uninformed and unreliable lawyer says Donald Trump never lies to the press.
Jacob Sullum | 5.7.2018 2:00 PM
One More Word About The Stormy Daniels Affair
Trump's denials of involvement in the Stormy Daniels arrangements may turn out badly for him
David Post |The Volokh Conspiracy | 4.15.2018 9:26 AM
Don't Let President Trump Distract You with Stormy Daniels
The porn star headlined 60 Minutes last night. That won't end his presidency, or Washington's awfulness.
Nick Gillespie | 3.26.2018 9:35 AM
Sex, Lies, and Constitutional Law: The Stormy Daniels Settlement Agreement
There is, it turns out, more to the Stormy Daniels Affair than meets the eye.
David Post |The Volokh Conspiracy | 3.19.2018 2:34 PM