After the White House, Trump faces uncertain future and legal threats

By John Whitesides and Steve Holland

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump departs on travel to West Point, New York from the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, U.S., December 12, 2020. REUTERS/Cheriss May/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump is leaving the White House but he is not going to fade away quietly.

 

After failing in his legal efforts to overturn his Nov. 3 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden, who on Monday won the state-by-state Electoral College vote that formally determines the U.S. presidency, Trump will re-enter private life on Jan. 20 with an array of opportunities.

 

They include another White House run in 2024 or new pursuits in media. But they are clouded by potential legal jeopardy and business challenges.

 

Only one thing is certain: Trump's thirst for the spotlight will ensure he does not follow in the footsteps of past presidents like George W. Bush, who quietly took up painting, or Jimmy Carter and his global activism.

 

Trump's future, like his presidency, is likely to be loud, brash and brazen.

 

It will also not be entirely under his control. He faces a range of civil and criminal legal actions related to his family's businesses and his activities before he took office, which could accelerate once he loses the legal protections granted to the occupant of the Oval Office.

 

The real estate developer-turned-reality TV star is considering multiple maneuvers to retain the spotlight.

 

Trump, who has refused to concede his election defeat and continues to make baseless claims of widespread voter fraud, has told allies he is considering another White House bid.

 

He has even discussed not attending Biden's inauguration and announcing his 2024 run that day, a move that would allow him to continue the raucous campaign rallies he thrived on in 2016 and 2020.

 

That would complicate life for a long list of other Republicans considering a 2024 run - including Vice President Mike Pence, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Senators Marco Rubio and Tom Cotton - who would have to weigh whether to take on Trump.

 

But it would be the sort of norm-busting move Trump relishes. The U.S. Constitution allows presidents to be elected to office twice and the terms do not have to be consecutive.

 

Grover Cleveland is the only American president to serve two nonconsecutive terms. He left the White House in 1889 after being defeated for re-election and returned in 1893.

 

Trump has already formed a political action committee that will allow him to raise money and exert influence in the party after he leaves office, whether he becomes a candidate or not.

 

Trump's desire to retain his political influence also was evident in his recent endorsement of close ally Ronna McDaniel for another term as Republican National Committee chairwoman.

 

RNC members will vote in late January on whether to keep McDaniel as chair in an early test of how powerful Trump remains and how willing Republicans are to subjugate the party to his wishes.

 

BACK TO TV?

The former star of reality series "The Apprentice," Trump has also discussed several possible new media ventures to keep him in the spotlight, advisers said, including a television channel or a social media company to compete with those he felt betrayed him.

 

A television news channel would take on Fox News, a close Trump ally that has drawn his ire since the election for being insufficiently supportive. Aides described Trump as particularly irate at Fox News for its election-night decision to call the swing state of Arizona for Biden when the result was still uncertain.

 

Biden eventually won Arizona, but most other networks did not make the call for days afterward.

 

Trump could collaborate with existing conservative cable networks One America News Network or Newsmax, which have both focused heavily on positive portrayals of Trump.

 

Trump also has discussed with advisers a plan to start a social media company to compete with Twitter Inc, which has repeatedly posted content warnings on his tweets that make unfounded allegations of widespread election fraud.

 

But Trump faces significant financial challenges, including a hit to his business brand given his polarizing presidency and to his real estate, travel and leisure industry holdings from the coronavirus pandemic.

 

Forbes estimated in September that Trump's net worth had dropped an estimated $600 million in the previous year, to $2.5 billion. The New York Times reported Trump had personally guaranteed $421 million of his companies' debts.

 

LEGAL JEOPARDY

Once he leaves office, Trump also will have to fight several legal issues, all made more threatening because he will lose the legal protections afforded a sitting president.

 

Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance has been conducting a criminal investigation of Trump and the family company, the Trump Organization. The probe originally focused on hush-money payments made before the 2016 election to two women who said they had sexual encounters with Trump, which the president has denied.

 

But Vance, a Democrat, suggested in recent court filings the probe had broadened and could now focus on bank, tax and insurance fraud, as well as falsification of business records. Trump has called the case politically motivated harassment.

 

New York Attorney General Letitia James, also a Democrat, has an active tax fraud investigation into Trump and the family company that began after his former lawyer Michael Cohen told Congress the president inflated asset values to save money on loans and insurance and deflated them to reduce real estate taxes.

 

The Trump Organization has argued the case is politically motivated. The inquiry is a civil investigation, which could result in financial penalties but not jail time.

 

Trump also faces separate defamation lawsuits related to alleged sexual assaults, both of which he denied, brought by two women - E. Jean Carroll, a former Elle magazine writer, and Summer Zervos, a 2005 contestant on "The Apprentice."

 

Mary Trump, the president's niece, also has filed a lawsuit accusing him and two family members of fraud and conspiracy to deprive her of her share of the family's real-estate empire.

 

Trump also could face a criminal prosecution brought by the U.S. Justice Department for federal income-tax evasion charges. The New York Times recently reported Trump paid $750 in federal income taxes in both 2016 and 2017.

 

Trump rejected the Times' findings and it is not clear if he violated the law. Any federal prosecution would be contentious; Biden has been cautious on the issue and questioned the value of such a prosecution, but says he would not interfere with the Justice Department's judgment.

 

(Reporting by Steve Holland, John Whitesides, Jan Wolfe and Makini Brice in Washington; Editing by Scott Malone and Peter Cooney)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-12-16

 

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9 minutes ago, webfact said:

The probe originally focused on hush-money payments made before the 2016 election to two women who said they had sexual encounters with Trump, which the president has denied.

Ahhh! Cohen has got him there! Sexual encounters with Stormy Daniels at a cost of $130,000, is that a loser or what? Good for you, Stormy, you are so much smarter than he is! 

Oh I think stormy is the least of donalds problems 300,000 dead Americans comes to mind inciting sedition is another how about over 400 mil in the can or his big mouth old donalds in the do do deep really really deep 

10 minutes ago, Tug said:

Oh I think stormy is the least of donalds problems 300,000 dead Americans comes to mind inciting sedition is another how about over 400 mil in the can or his big mouth old donalds in the do do deep really really deep 

His creditors will strip him over debts he can’t service.

 

He and the Trump foundation are already under investigation for financial crimes.

 

He’s facing a defamation case in which he will be forced to provide his DNA which will be used against him.

 

Cohen gave evidence against him, none of which has yet surfaced in indictments.

 

He’s named as a coconspirator on Cohen’s crimes.

 

He’s caught up in the Epstein/Maxwell crimes.

 

Trump is going to be eaten alive.

 Trump will be fighting multiple lawsuits, criminal and civil. He does have about $200 million to pay for the lawyers, donated by people he no doubt secretly regards as losers and suckers.

Given his reputation for cheating people out debts he owes, every lawyer will be wanting money up front to represent him.

He had better get someone more competent than Giuliani to defend him.

The big question is who will be the new Attorney General of the US.  The Biden administration doesn't want to prosecute Trump, but it's going to be hard justifying giving him a free pass.  Biden will decide the issue by selecting an AG who will do what Biden wants, whatever that is.  Generally, the Democrats show little stomach for a fight, so there is reason to worry.

23 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

His creditors will strip him over debts he can’t service.

 

He and the Trump foundation are already under investigation for financial crimes.

 

He’s facing a defamation case in which he will be forced to provide his DNA which will be used against him.

 

Cohen gave evidence against him, none of which has yet surfaced in indictments.

 

He’s named as a coconspirator on Cohen’s crimes.

 

He’s caught up in the Epstein/Maxwell crimes.

 

Trump is going to be eaten alive.

 

 

oh, my gosh!  fed to the kraken!

 

 

 

"we're gonna need a bigger affidavit!"

5 minutes ago, cmarshall said:

The big question is who will be the new Attorney General of the US.  The Biden administration doesn't want to prosecute Trump, but it's going to be hard justifying giving him a free pass.  Biden will decide the issue by selecting an AG who will do what Biden wants, whatever that is.  Generally, the Democrats show little stomach for a fight, so there is reason to worry.

On what basis do you claim the Democrats don’t want yo prosecute Trump?

37 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

His creditors will strip him over debts he can’t service.

 

He and the Trump foundation are already under investigation for financial crimes.

 

He’s facing a defamation case in which he will be forced to provide his DNA which will be used against him.

 

Cohen gave evidence against him, none of which has yet surfaced in indictments.

 

He’s named as a coconspirator on Cohen’s crimes.

 

He’s caught up in the Epstein/Maxwell crimes.

 

Trump is going to be eaten alive.

Trump Foundation?

Yesterday marked a great step forward for bureaucrats and socialists, a huge leap off the cliff for 
Americans!

1 minute ago, rgraham said:

Yesterday marked a great step forward for bureaucrats and socialists, a huge leap off the cliff for 
Americans!

Given that most Trump supporters refused to wear masks at his rallies. I'd say they were the lemmings.

6 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

On what basis do you claim the Democrats don’t want yo prosecute Trump?

 

1.  Despite the clear results of an investigation into torture by the CIA during the Bush presidency, Obama declined to prosecute those CIA people responsible, including Gina Haspel who later became Director of CIA.

 

2.  There has been an abundance of quotes like the following:  

On Tuesday, NBC News reported, “President-elect Joe Biden has privately told advisers that he doesn’t want his presidency to be consumed by investigations of his predecessor, according to five people familiar with the discussions, despite pressure from some Democrats who want inquiries into President Donald Trump, his policies and members of his administration.” The report added, “Biden has raised concerns that investigations would further divide a country he is trying to unite and risk making every day of his presidency about Trump.”

 

https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/trump-prosecute-crimes-biden/

 

3.  Biden has been quoted directly as saying that prosecuting Trump "would be bad for democracy."  

 

Now all of this could simply be posturing as Biden prepares to select an AG ready to let loose the dogs of war on Trump, but you have to ask what benefit would Biden himself derive from prosecuting Trump?  He would be regarded as vindictive and violating a norm of American governance.

 

The best outcome for the Biden administration would be for Trump to arrange a pardon from Pence, which would get the administration off the hook.  Then, it's possible that the Manhattan DA and NY AG would successfully prosecute Trump in the political context of NY State that would enhance their political futures.

10 minutes ago, cmarshall said:

 

1.  Despite the clear results of an investigation into torture by the CIA during the Bush presidency, Obama declined to prosecute those CIA people responsible, including Gina Haspel who later became Director of CIA.

 

2.  There has been an abundance of quotes like the following:  

On Tuesday, NBC News reported, “President-elect Joe Biden has privately told advisers that he doesn’t want his presidency to be consumed by investigations of his predecessor, according to five people familiar with the discussions, despite pressure from some Democrats who want inquiries into President Donald Trump, his policies and members of his administration.” The report added, “Biden has raised concerns that investigations would further divide a country he is trying to unite and risk making every day of his presidency about Trump.”

 

https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/trump-prosecute-crimes-biden/

 

3.  Biden has been quoted directly as saying that prosecuting Trump "would be bad for democracy."  

 

Now all of this could simply be posturing as Biden prepares to select an AG ready to let loose the dogs of war on Trump, but you have to ask what benefit would Biden himself derive from prosecuting Trump?  He would be regarded as vindictive and violating a norm of American governance.

 

The best outcome for the Biden administration would be for Trump to arrange a pardon from Pence, which would get the administration off the hook.  Then, it's possible that the Manhattan DA and NY AG would successfully prosecute Trump in the political context of NY State that would enhance their political futures.

Biden has been categorical in his statement that he will not interfere in the administration of justice.

 

Trump might come to regard Federal prosecution as a blessing, a chance to leave State prison to attend Federal court hearings.

 

I’m of the belief Trump’s crimes are so dangerous to the nation that they cannot be let go as if nothing happened.

16 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Biden has been categorical in his statement that he will not interfere in the administration of justice.

 

Trump might come to regard Federal prosecution as a blessing, a chance to leave State prison to attend Federal court hearings.

 

I’m of the belief Trump’s crimes are so dangerous to the nation that they cannot be let go as if nothing happened.

 

You are missing the point.  "Personnel is policy."  Biden will indeed not interfere in DoJ investigations or prosecutions.  However, he will appoint the Attorney General.  He knows as well as you and I do which candidates for that job will want to prosecute Trump and which will decide that it's better for democracy not to.  Therefore, Biden will decide whether there will be such prosecutions or not.  If he were to pick a career prosecutor like your favorite candidate, Preet Bharara, that means Biden is deciding to prosecute Trump.  If, on the other hand, he picks a politician, particularly one who has never been a prosecutor, like the latest name bandied about, NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo, then there will not be a criminal prosecution of Trump by the DoJ.

 

Seems like it shouldn't be necessary to spell it out in such detail.  

57 minutes ago, cmarshall said:

The big question is who will be the new Attorney General of the US.  The Biden administration doesn't want to prosecute Trump, but it's going to be hard justifying giving him a free pass.  Biden will decide the issue by selecting an AG who will do what Biden wants, whatever that is.  Generally, the Democrats show little stomach for a fight, so there is reason to worry.

I think what Joe Biden was saying he feels (imo rightly so)that potus shouldent interfere with the DOJ if they go after trump I don’t think Biden will stop them also Kamala Harris is extremely well versed on this stuff so he will have a top notch adviser close at hand

1 minute ago, Tug said:

I think what Joe Biden was saying he feels (imo rightly so)that potus shouldent interfere with the DOJ if they go after trump I don’t think Biden will stop them also Kamala Harris is extremely well versed on this stuff so he will have a top notch adviser close at hand

 

There is no basis for such a reading.  Biden picks his Cabinet and sets policy.  It will be the Biden administration.  Biden could have said "It would be bad for democracy for the president to interfere in a DoJ prosecution," but he didn't say that.  He said prosecuting Trump "...would be bad for democracy."  

 

Write this down and post it on your wall to aid in understanding politics:  "Personnel is policy."  Biden will decide the policy by selecting the new AG.

39 minutes ago, rgraham said:

Yesterday marked a great step forward for bureaucrats and socialists, a huge leap off the cliff for 
Americans!

I'd suggest like so many Americans, you have not the foggiest clue what socialism is. It does act as one of Trump's favorite dog whistles.

Australia, New Zealand, the UK and quite a few other democracies have had socialist governments on and off for many years,  and we seem to have come through their periods in power OK.

In fact, the health system we have in Australia, introduced by a socialist government, is streets ahead of what Americans have. It doesn't bankrupt people on their monthly medication costs.

10 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

I'd suggest like so many Americans, you have not the foggiest clue what socialism is. It does act as one of Trump's favorite dog whistles.

Australia, New Zealand, the UK and quite a few other democracies have had socialist governments on and off for many years,  and we seem to have come through their periods in power OK.

In fact, the health system we have in Australia, introduced by a socialist government, is streets ahead of what Americans have. It doesn't bankrupt people on their monthly medication costs.

I bet those Trump's supporters don't understand that Trump's trillion dollars to aid American citizens and companies is a socialist act nor the commodity support programs in the farm bill is socialism. 4 years of indoctrination by the master of manipulation and deceit and millions of gullible supporters.  

Trump supporters are not too bright. They are actually promoting a socialist now, by giving money to trump.

Post containing a trolling graphic removed.

 

Nearly anything with his name on it, and his association with it, fails. And that will be even more so, now that he has lost the election. His name will remain radioactive, the the rest of his life, and the mini empire will continue to dwindle. During the period from 1985 to 1989, three years of which were boom year in NY real estate, he somehow managed to lose $359 million. Between 1990 and 1991 he lost $517 million. And between 1992 and 1995 he again managed to lose $286 million. 
 
The real irony of his whole persona, is that he cannot negotiate his way out of a paper bag, much less negotiate a treaty with an adversary, which made him very dangerous, and very unsuccessful when it came to negotiations with adversaries, much less allies. 

 

To the people who are buying into his conspiracies about fraud, I say man up. Grow up. Deal with it. Trump lost again. Plain and simple. He lost 17 businesses. He lost 19 merchandising deals while in office. He lost all his clout, when it comes to management deals with his name on them. He lost the trade war with China, and the negotiations with Kim. Now, he lost the election. What part of him being a loser do these people not understand? 
 

He is like a 15 year old, ranting school bully, from the lower of the class streams. In my school, they were the D Stream and spent their days beating each other up and trying to read picture books.  He is an odious, stupid idiot.  The shame for America is that 70 million people voted for him. They should hang their heads in embarrassment. 

Prosecution for state criminal offensives other than Florida (ie., NY) may face a difficult path to extradite Trump from Florida. 

Where he has been since 2019 a permanent resident with Trump-loyal Republican governor, Secretary of State and Senator. 

3 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Prosecution for state criminal offensives other than Florida (ie., NY) may face a difficult path to extradite Trump from Florida. 

Where he has been since 2019 a permanent resident with Trump-loyal Republican governor, Secretary of State and Senator. 

 

Can you elaborate?

 

Edited December 16, 20205 yr by cmarshall

He has one possible out from any of these lawsuits and that is to continue to cause havoc and destruction of America until about 10 January and then resign as president which will automatically make Pence the president until 20 January and in that time Pence can give dear little Trumpie wumpie the village idiot a presidential pardon for all his crimes which will make him untouchable

3 minutes ago, Russell17au said:

He has one possible out from any of these lawsuits and that is to continue to cause havoc and destruction of America until about 10 January and then resign as president which will automatically make Pence the president until 20 January and in that time Pence can give dear little Trumpie wumpie the village idiot a presidential pardon for all his crimes which will make him untouchable

Not true! Only federal crimes, not state crimes.  NY will get him.  He's toast.

3 minutes ago, Russell17au said:

He has one possible out from any of these lawsuits and that is to continue to cause havoc and destruction of America until about 10 January and then resign as president which will automatically make Pence the president until 20 January and in that time Pence can give dear little Trumpie wumpie the village idiot a presidential pardon for all his crimes which will make him untouchable

Not exactly. 

He could do that.

He won't do that.

Resigning is not his brand.

Also even if he did such a pardon would only be for federal crimes.

It would have no impact on charges from the state of New York. 

Back to TV ?, ladies and gentlemen it’s “DONALD TRUMP LIVE FROM RIKERS ISLAND” 

 

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Once he leaves office, Trump also will have to fight several legal issues, all made more threatening because he will lose the legal protections afforded a sitting president.

 

I will be satisfy with just 1 legal conviction that will send him behind bars and disqualify him from seeking office evermore. Almost half of US voters think that Trump will go down as one of the worst presidents in history and that's according to a Poll by Fox. 

43 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Prosecution for state criminal offensives other than Florida (ie., NY) may face a difficult path to extradite Trump from Florida. 

Where he has been since 2019 a permanent resident with Trump-loyal Republican governor, Secretary of State and Senator. 

I don't know whether extradition is needed if someone is charged with crimes in one state whilst permanently resident in another, in US law?

 

If it is, then we should be in for an entertaining 2021!