We are supposed to be a representative government, with the power in the hands of the people. I am a 75 year old USA born Jewish citizen. My ancestors all lived under the rule of people such as Hitler and Stalin. What happened there can happen there.
Hitler (and his allies) could have been stopped before he seized power and came close to taking over the world. He was not. Eventually, of course, he was stopped, at enormous costs in lives and suffering.
Stalin could have been stopped before he took over the Soviet Union at enormous costs in lives and suffering. To rationalize it by claiming that he stopped Hitler takes us down very evil Hyena and Jackal hole. Eventually, the Soviet Union and its allies were (mostly) driven from power; again at enormous costs in lives and suffering.
Eventually, Trump and his allies and dupes could threaten the survival of our species. We cannot change the past. We can only do what we can in the here and now. What will our children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and other descendants say about us? We do not need to be called the "greatest generation" and similar encomiums. It is our turn as Americans and citizens of the world to be the "good enough" generation to keep the human species alive. Thank you.
1
Something is not quite right with our president, and it seems to be getting worse. This Fox interview is the latest data point; he is delusional and unhinged, to say the least.
35
Trump’s shtick is getting really old. The guy is all show and no go. Can’t wait for our first woman president.
27
The evidence, provided by mostly Republican "deep state" appointees is crystal clear; Trump is guilty. What is becoming clearer is the level of corruption within the Republican party; purchased by the Russian government.
24
The people calling the witnesses liars, and those disrespecting, are the very same people that will never appear under oath.
If Donald Trump wants the whistle blowers identity revealed, he should be required to release the names of those "they say Ukraine has the server" people. AND he should also be required to defend himself, on the stand, under oath. The whistle blower, should be required to testify, as well.
5-10-2017!
6
In the near future historians will look back at this disaster of an administration, an administration whose actions are centered on the popularity of the central character and little else and ask themselves, what where we thinking given there are much more intelligent persons in this country who would be much more effective executives.
But, people gravitate toward blood sport and have for centuries. And those spectators revel in spilled blood and the sight of blood on the victor’s sword.
The spectators care little about who was vanquished to gain the upper hand.
This is what gave us Trump, quite possibly the most ineffective president I have lived through in my 70 years.
However, when picking a candidate to vote for I look at the issues, the history and the makings of the person, critical thinking if you will, not the blood on the sword.
As long as the voters are willing to succumb to the spectacle in the bloody arena we will have another four years of what Gail Collins called Trump-totally unhinged, and his interview on Fox “News” reinforced the gladiator is, well, unhinged.
6
Every patriotic American must hear what the president, who is the speaker of the armed forces and executive branch is saying. He's not Joe Public with opinions. He decides tariffs, military engagement, and which laws to be enforced or not. What he says matters more than what anybody else says and if what he says is illegal, he has immunity. That's what makes a patriotic American: the ability to believe his president, right or wrong.
1
Dear Donnie,
You could have let your staff testify under oath that a different narrative was true. You yourself could have offered testimony under oath that something else did or didn't happen.
Lying during a Fox TV interview does not come at the risk of perjury as does lying to Congress under oath. America has grown tired of your constant lies and twitter tantrums.
We The People will vote you out of office soon. Congressional Republicans who fail to challenge your threat to our democracy will also lose their seats in a Blue Tsunami 2020 election that will dwarf the 2018 Blue Wave.
Signed,
the majority of truly patriotic Americans
71
Tainted by such debunked theories as the world is flat, we find ourselves looking into a black hole that has no place for intellectual curiosity or honest discourse. Trump has been propagating falsehoods for decades. He is well versed in the practice of making sure that any one who disputes these falsehoids will be smeared, discredited, and dismissed, if possible. Conversely, when things get a bit too hot for Trump, he typically buys his way out and buries the incriminating evidence.
His ultimate success at dismantling the institutions and precepts which would normally enforce accountability depends on the strength of the heart and soul of our nation. It is a real test of our fundamental values.
30
"I guarantee you, that never took place." Says the man who need crib notes to keep track of his lies.
36
Why not use the more commonly used term lies than the softly softly phrase 'a series of falsehoods.' BTW, wouldn't you agree the Russians have a more streamlined newsgency in TASS then Trump has in Fox News?
14
Folks who do not want another 4 years of President Trump might be interested in the following:
I’m a middle aged independent centrist white male who thinks Obama was the best President of my lifetime. I recently got a haircut at a swing-state barbershop at the end of the work day. No one else in the shop except for me and the barber. Barber says Trump is a thug etc. but the barber voted for Trump in 2016 and really likes how his 401 k is doing. He was an Obama voter in 2008/2012? He had other bad things to say about Trump but also thought Trump was a patriot and loved America/ supported the military. Barber says he will probably vote for Trump again in 2020. True story.
Democrats will likely lose if they don’t nominate Mike Bloomberg or another centrist with substantial heft. So many people think like my barber.
810
@Doug M
I would not call what your barber is doing thinking. His attitude is reprehensible. Have so many Americans really become so blindly self-centered?? And even if that is the case, have we become so stupid that we do not understand that:
1. Trump initially rode the economic wave that Obama started?
2. Trump has been driving the economy with the financial equivalent of meth and it is not a healthy economy?
3. There is little room left for additional tax cuts or interest rate reduction to further artifically stimulate the economy and when the downturn comes it will be like a bad hangover?
Has your barber thought of these things or is he incapable of seeing past his next quarterly statement?
503
@Doug M
a more detailed bu similar analysis can be found here: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/05/podcasts/the-daily/whos-ahead-2020.html?searchResultPosition=1
16
@Doug M Roughly 69 million people voted in the last election. This sample size of one is utterly irrelevant. Trump has his base and had a decent turnout of right leaning independents. His base has remained, but I do not believe he has retained enough independents to get over the finish line in 2020.
203
Many around the world will be impressed about these public hearings showing US democracy in action. Matters of this importance would never receive daylight in the UK. Although the Chilcot Report on 2003 Iraq war did reveal Tony Blair for his misdeeds by making special deals with GWB in private.
Questions now arise about the loyalty of Fiona Hill to the US government. Her credibility on the line as she is British-born and speaks Russian. More remarkable the aid figures for Ukraine quoted by David Holmes were sensational. Aid from US at 3 billion dollars and from the EU over 12 billion dollars. So the EU has been very generous in helping Ukraine. But taken in the context of the previous revelations about Petro Poroshenko former leader of Ukraine named in the Panama Papers it seems that Ukraine fits the bill of being open to corruption. Ukraine of all places may bring down the Trump presidency; as the wagons circle without much effort.
134
@Simon Cardew
You should listen or read carefully the evidence presented about Ukraine's efforts to overcome corruption. The corruption is coming from Putin and his puppets, and Trump is helping them. Putin wants Ukraine's rich resources as he is drawing down his vast wealth to maintain his ascendancy. Rachel Maddow's Blowout, Chapter 19, would help, but based on your opinion here, I suspect you'd refuse to take a look or acquaint yourself with the history.
However, the narrative from our professional diplomats and experts is clear and Trump is exactly on the wrong "side" with regard to corruption. That's why this is so evil.
History and facts matter.
111
@Simon Cardew, You write, "Questions now arise about the loyalty of Fiona Hill to the US government." Any immigrant who speaks a foreign language is now suspected of disloyalty? Wow, I always thought that Trump's wife looked suspicious.
169
@Simon Cardew On what basis do you question the loyalty of Fiona Hill? Just because she was born in the UK? And speaks Russian? You find it suspicious that a diplomat whose portfolio includes Russia would have taken the trouble to learn the language? Is that the xenophobic level to which political discourse has sunk?
154
The bottom line, unfortunately, is that Trump was right about being able to commit murder in broad daylight on Fifth Avenue with no consequences. It is clear that no testimony before the Senate will convince enough Republicans to be true to their oaths of office. So a Senate trial will be a waste of the country's time and, worst case, could result in the same sort of backlash as the Clinton impeachment.
The House should pass a resolution of censure, specifying in detail how the president has abused the power of his office and defied the coequal branch of government. Then turn the final call over to the people and hope that this isn't the beginning of the end of the American century.
8
How many lies. It is all that trump knows. The infamous restaurant call was overheard by several state employees at the lunch. Plus, with Russia owning the cell companies and it being on an unsecured phone, Putin listened in too. Time to end America's acceptance of trump behavior creep. We need to stop comparing what he does to the previous thing but to the standards and expectations of the office of President. Could you imagine if former Presidents Reagan, Bush 41 or Bush 42 conducted themselves this way? Or used the office to investigate political rivals? Or discount intel and investigative results? You wouldn't. And we should not now. We cannot allow more disgrace of the office and need to speak up. END TRUMP BEHAVIOR CREEP. This is not behavior and actions appropriate for the President of the United States.
17
Trump accused a witness of lying. Really? Has the whole world gone mad? Let me say it again, Trump accused a witness of lying. Stop and think of how ridicules he is.
14
Pure projection. When narcissists accuse others of negative behaviors it’s because they themselves are already doing them.
14
Well Mr. President. We could clear much of this up with your appearing before these investigative committees under sworn oath.
9
A few days ago Trump said he couldn’t remember this phone conversation. If he can’t remember it, he surely can’t guarantee it never happened.
12
These are serious charges by the President. Congressman Schiff should immediately recommend prejury investigations into testimonies of Holmes and Sondland.
Investigation would uncover whether whitnesses lied, or the president is lying or suffering from memory loss.
4
A perfect example of everyone in the parade is out of step except 45!
3
Trump admits to grabbing women or what the law calls sexual assault, he has a history of lying and he often looks like he is crazy so why would anyone believe him. The American public has a problem in that they worship the office of the President and whoever holds the title. People pay big bucks to hear Obama or Clinton spout nonsense. In a way the American Presidency is like the British Monarchy and the incumbent is less important than the institution but still gets worshipped by many. As a Canadian I have seen a steady change in our southern border which treats us as possible invaders and not the relatives many of us are. I see other changes which are pushed regardless of who is president.
4
Trump has made a hobby of calling people liars with absolutely no evidence. He has resorted to schoolyard name-calling, libellous accusations, foul language, and disparaged professional employees of the country’s security services, and more.
The sad fact is that he still does not recognise how stupid and venal he appears on the world stage. Nobody with any sense believes a word he says, the likes of Pompeo et al have no tangible defence for this traitorous individual, blindly speaking in support with hollow words. It is beyond belief. He has to go.
16
I know perfectly well what Trump will say about people he doesn't like: either he doesn't know him/her -- or -- he/she is lying. Why does the press repeat these lies? I guess because the president says it, but there's absolutely no need to perpetuate these ridiculous falsehoods.
Trump is today's version of a gangster and true bully. Republicans are his enablers, although privately they all agree Trump is a criminal.
Bolton is a sell-out! He's not testifying because he has a book deal in the works and doesn't want to lose his advance money. How unpatriotic is that.
10
Rather than fake media rants, POTUS should testify under oath. That should clear up many misconceptions.
6
No surprises here. The guilty always lie. But nobody lies like Liar Trump. How much longer must we put up with this creep?
11
Trump accuses someone of lying! What a sick joke. Trump lies every time he opens his mouth so when he accuses someone of lying he confirming that they told THE TRUTH!
9
Times reporters: It's time to stop using the euphemism "falsehoods". Call them what they are, "blatant lies".
10
Trump takes the meaning of pathological liar to new heights. There is nothing, not the slightest little fact, that he won't try to distort.
9
“I guarantee you that never took place,” Mr. Trump said.
And everybody in the NYC real estate world remembers what his "I guarantee you" meant back then.
33
from The Mayo Clinic's web site.
Antisocial personality disorder, sometimes called *sociopathy*, is a mental condition in which a person consistently shows no regard for right and wrong and ignores the rights and feelings of others. People with antisocial personality disorder tend to antagonize, manipulate or treat others harshly or with callous indifference. They show no guilt or remorse for their behavior.
Individuals with antisocial personality disorder often violate the law, becoming criminals. They may lie, behave violently or impulsively, and have problems with drug and alcohol use. Because of these characteristics, people with this disorder typically can't fulfill responsibilities related to family, work or school.
Symptoms may include:
Disregard for right and wrong
Persistent lying or deceit to exploit others
Being callous, cynical and disrespectful of others
Arrogance, a sense of superiority and being extremely opinionated
Recurring problems with the law, including criminal behavior
Repeatedly violating the rights of others through intimidation and dishonesty
Impulsiveness or failure to plan ahead
Hostility, significant irritability, agitation, aggression or violence
Lack of empathy for others and lack of remorse about harming others
Unnecessary risk-taking or dangerous behavior with no regard for the safety of self or others
Poor or abusive relationships
Failure to consider the negative consequences of behavior or learn from them
37
Who should I believe, sworn testimony by career diplomats or a serial liar who won't testify under oath? What a joke.
58
Trump may wish he hadn’t told so many lies today in his Fox phone call. The State Dept has just now released its first tranche of documents FOIA’d by a watchdog group. These could confirm Much of what has been testified to by the courageous diplomats in the hearings this week.
20
@Carol Clark If the comments turn out to have been lies, then he will surely explain he never made those comments. "Some very bad people" were trying to make him look bad.
5
Notice that “perfect” is not “innocent.”
Trump attempted to walk the fine line between “requesting a favor” and “extortion.” He crossed it, “though.”
The Democrats have no choice but to impeach Trump no matter what the Republicans in the Senate will do nor how the public will react. The evidence and Trump’s own words prove he withheld government funding until a whistleblower sounded the alarm.
Even if Trump released the funds, he still abused his power, obstructed justice, and solicited a foreign government for aid against a political rival.
What is even more threatening as the Republicans in the Senate prepared to excuse Trump’s behavior is that any American businessman who conducts business overseas is under threat of investigation at Trump’s whims.
Republicans who clamored to unseat Saddam Hussein 16 years ago because he jailed opponents at his whim are now rallying around his American political descendant. The last rationale for the invasion of Iraq has now fallen.
15
Sondland's testimony has yet to be contradicted by anyone under oath. Until it is, it doesn't matter what Trump says.
25
At least Nixon went down with dignity; Trump is incapable of such.
35
Pelosi, Schiff and the rest of the Democrats in Congress should round up Trump's co-conspirators and tell them that unless they deliver Trump's resignation or remove him under the 25th that they will themselves face impeachment proceedings and criminal prosecution.
21
Democracy and American values are seriously threatened by Trump. This is no time for games, if Bolton knows something, he should testify. Otherwise, he is just another user, “What’s best for me?”
31
The Barr Justice Dept doesn’t dispute that a potus can be impeached - while it insists that a sitting potus cannot be criminally prosecuted.
Are impeachment & criminal prosecution in fact two different animals?
Might the difference between these two animals be what Trump is trying to get the public to forget?
Trump would have us believe that he has all the constitutional rights afforded an accused criminal, and more.
He squawks about witch hunts. About his criminal right to a defense, to his own witnesses, to be innocent until proven guilty beyond any iota of doubt. And about his imaginary rights: to “out” a whistleblower, intimidate witnesses, show contempt of Congress, forbid witnesses to testify, ignore subpoenas, slander & obstruct any constitutionally-required oversight.
What if he is not entitled to his real & imagined criminal rights?
After all, (as I understand it) here’s what Trump has at stake in impeachment: his JOB - NOT any criminal punishment. No imprisonment, no capital punishment, no fines, nothing.
Without an ability to exact criminal punishment, impeachment is no criminal trial.
Rather, impeachment is purely & simply all about the right of his employers - the American public, acting through the Legislative Branch - to fire their employee from his job.
Impeachment is the Employee-in-Chief’s disciplinary hearing where his misdeeds are scrutinized to decide if he is to be fired.
We have the absolute right to impeach & fire him if we so decide.
15
Sondland’s motive for testifying was self serving, bailing out when the getting out is good, is no hero. But to get up there and throw them all under the bus takes a lot of... I’m sure there’s a lot more he’s not telling, and he has the proof to back it up. He’s playing Trump‘s hand. You can’t fire me, I quit.
7
When the Boltons of this world get a senior position at the White House and are vetted and sworn in.. Do they swear allegiance to the Country or the President.. or Vlad..
16
Let’s see, who should I believe; someone speaking under oath or someone who lies on a daily basis? How about you, Mr President testify under oath? Hummm? What was that? I can’t hear you.
25
Why this proven pathological liar Trump won't go under oath and tell HIS truth if he thinks others lied? I guess Trump can't help himself since he is mentally sick but GOPs are the unforgivable enabler.
25
NYTimes: "President Trump unleashed a series of falsehoods on Friday...."
I thought a key journalism rule was to use the fewest, simplest words to say what you really mean.
As in: "President Trump lied repeatedly Friday....?"
26
Unhinged, unbalanced and ... unleashed?
Scary what he is capable of in this position
What a terrible, terrible person.
18
I do not know of anyone else for whom I can for sure say that this individual when contradicted by facts always lies.
Has anyone in this persons 73 years heard him to say that he may have been mistaken. This guy is a born liar, he makes up stories or hangs on to fake stories as facts, (if that's the case he in absolutely unfit to be the leader). It is a shame for America that almost half of the population doesn't care about his lies and are still supporting him. It is not saying much about our character.
He was the one who led the birther movement against President Obama, anytime one of his goons go against him, he is the first one to tell the world, "Oh I hardly knew the person"
It is pathetic
21
The older Trump children learned well from Dad Trump. Just as awful, except maybe Tiffany.
One wonders about Barron, however, and what Melania might think or do to try to protect her son from the evil influence from even a pretty much absent father !!
2
Trump Attacks Impeachment Inquiry and Accuses a Witness of Lying..."
Cynically, hilarious!
Analogy: a leaky row boat questions the seaworthiness of an (Iowa_class) battle wagon!
6
What nerve to accuse anyone of lying!
8
Putin’s Puppet says it all.
The crime boss know Fiona Hill’s and Gordon Sondland’s testimonies were damning and put Trump in the cross hairs.
Watching the GOP surrogates and the crime boss’ propaganda machine continue with the lies and conspiracies is abhorrent.
Fiona Hill’s testimony called it like it is. Her testimony should send chills down every American’s spine.
The GOP, Fox News, and Trump are
d-e-s-t-r-o-y-i-n-g Democracy and the United States.
18
I applaud Eileen Sullivan (and NYT) for her lede: "...President Trump unleashed a series of falsehoods on Friday in an effort to invalidate the impeachment inquiry and counter sworn testimony ..."
In any other presidency this lede would get her fired, for at the very least blurring the line between opinion and reportage. Today, however, it is long past due to call Trump's avalanche of mendacity by its true name: lies, falsehoods. He is not 'wrong' or making 'unsupported' statements; he is lying, as he has probably lied publicly at least once every single day since taking office.
I am pleased Sullivan is not putting lipstick on that pig.
13
Look, Trump's "A couple of times" is pretty much the same thing as Sondland's "20 conversations". Right?
3
Come on, who would you believe?
4
Mindless lashing out, like a cornered animal. The stable genius howls and sputters and grasps at straws. His enablers, apologists and sycophants hold on for dear life. The same for Fox and Friends. They are madly rearranging the deck chairs on the SS Trump. The band plays on. She struck an iceberg called the truth. I hope they are all doomed.
17
If Trump wants to assert that the call with Sondland, with Holmes looking on, did not happen, he is free to make that statement under oath and then permit the release of White House call logs, including private calls from Trump's cell phone. Sondland says he spoke with Trump by phone about 20 times including on July 26th, Trump denies the call ever took place. Phone records will show who is lying.
13
“I guarantee you that never took place,” Mr. Trump said, referencing the Sondland phone call. Is this "guarantee" anything like the "guarantee" you made to students at Trump University?
15
Poor Donald. Everybody's picking on him.
11
Subpeona Mr. Sondland's phone! End of story. Another Trump lie exposed, and this time with some consequences.
8
It would appear that Trump and his goons have been receiving Russian training in disinformation, obfuscation, etc. But then, he was probably ripe anyway.
5
Vlad and the head of the GRU will be sworn in as Trump"s character witnesses.
9
Simple soultion: Pompeo, Bolton and Mulvaney under oath, end of story. Why they are not compelled to testify under a Congressional Subpoena is a mystery since there is a crime and there is no Executive Privilege under this circumstance.
12
Excuse me; am I to understand that Donald J. Trump is accusing someone else of lying? The same Donald J. Trump who is universally known as a great (possible The Greatest) liar, famous for launching one fabrication after another after another, free-styling through a collection of Tall Tales the likes of which no American president has ever, ever attempted to do. This many has the audacity, the unbridled gall, to call someone else a liar? that's downright hilarious.
11
To all the impeachment witnesses: Thank you for your courage. Thank you for your honesty. Thank you for your intelligence. Thank you for your love and belief in America. Thank you for serving us all with your extraordinary gifts. You all testified at great risk to yourselves and your careers. I have seldom, in my life, witnessed such selfless character. I couldn't be prouder...and to think some of you weren't even born in this country. You have put many a "native" to shame. Amazing.
19
I’d say pants on fire but the pants turned to ash years ago. I’d go with Pinocchio’s but I’m all out of them. So it’s “WOLF!!!!!” I m hearing.
8
It is very beautiful to behold that the Republican Party keeps pretending that Trump is not certifiably insane.
If he is your relative—and assuming that you care—you would have consulted a mental health professional after witnessing Trump’s countless breaks from reality. Obvious lies, wandering around the White House lawn, forgetting the name of the First Lady/Third Wife, the neediness for applause, etc.
But no one in Trump’s orbit cares.
Not even the First Lady/Third Wife.
And who can blame her? Trump cheated on her with both a Playboy Playmate and a Penthouse Pet while she is recovering from childbirth.
Trump. Once a liar, always a liar.
13
@Opinioned! - "If he is your relative—and assuming that you care—you would have consulted a mental health professional after witnessing Trump’s countless breaks from reality. "
A dear friend of mine recently departed after a year of declining health. When she started texting us all at 3 in the morning to see what we were doing, her family took away her phone. Tweeting about Rosie O'Donnell at 3 in the morning should have given his family a clue quite some time ago.
6
The guy who tells more lies per day than most people would in a year, calls someone a liar.....is that a double negative?.....he means they are telling the truth.
11
Can phone records not be subpoena-ed from Sondland or trump's cell phones? I think that if trump is telling the truth & no phone was ever made, then the records on one or the other's phone could be pulled & verified. trump accuses everyone of doing the exact things he is doing. How can republicans remain so blind, deaf, & stupid? And of course trump wants a trial because he knows the republicans will cut it short & not impeach him. The Supreme Court will rule in trump's favor on all things now & in the future. They will declare him above the law. He will then proceed to wreak havoc on the rest of the laws of the country, The Constitution & the World. He needs to be voted out to protect the people who own land along the border from being stolen from them. What if the assessments show the underground not to be suitable for building this stupid wall? Will he back off? How much longer can the base continue to be so brainwashed by this man & his chums? VOTE HIM OUT!! so he can be indicted & arrested for everything else he is guilty of doing.
9
What is wrong with 35% of Americans? Why do they excuse Mr. Trump's behavior?
I can only assume that each of these people also has no character, no morals, and is a liar, a cheat, and a crook.
As such, I will not do business with any of them. I will not trust any of them. It would be foolish to do otherwise.
When people show you who they are, believe them the first time.
18
@MidtownATL Yes, it's good litmus test. I'm sure there are thousands of swindlers who think so, too, and they're lining up behind Trump for for their chance to manipulate the most gullible of his supporters.
3
Bloomberg wants to defeat Trump in the ballot box unlike Nancy Pelosi and Schiff and he has no confidence in the current batch of Democratic presidential candidates are a match to Trump. What does that tell you?
2
@Girish Kotwal why is there an impeachment provision in the Constitution Girish? Please explain. enlighten us
2
@Girish Kotwal
That Mike has an oversized ego and sense of self-importance & doesn’t want to pay Warren’s wealth tax.
That’s all.
6
The Barr Justice Dept does not dispute that a potus can be impeached - while it insists that a sitting potus cannot be criminally prosecuted.
Is it that impeachment & criminal prosecution are two different animals?
Might the difference between these two animals be what Trump is trying to get the public to forget?
Trump squawks his hatred about witch hunts... About his criminal right to know his accusers, to call his own witnesses, to be innocent until proven guilty beyond any iota of doubt... About his imaginary right to show contempt of Congress, to forbid witnesses to testify, to ignore subpoenas, to slander & obstruct any constitutionally-required oversight.
Trump would have us believe that he has all the constitutional rights afforded an accused criminal, and more.
What if he is not entitled to his real and imagined criminal rights?
After all, (as I understand it) here’s what Trump has at stake in impeachment: his JOB - NOT any criminal punishment. No imprisonment, no capital punishment, no fines, nothing.
Without an ability to exact criminal punishment, impeachment is no criminal trial.
Rather, impeachment is purely & simply all about the right of his employers - the American public, acting through the Legislative Branch - to fire their employee from his job.
Impeachment is the Employee-in-Chief’s disciplinary hearing where his misdeeds are scrutinized to decide if he is to be fired.
We have every right to impeach & fire him if we so decide.
5
Bolton is no hero. Law-abiding, maybe (sometimes), but he's not America's savior.
4
Let's get this liar up on a stand in the Senate. Perjury is also a crime.
9
This was no "interview", it was just another fireball of bombast directed at just about everyone that's every "wronged" this man child. He called Speaker Pelosi "crazy as a bed bug".....For God's sake!
9
“But he was really the European Union ambassador, and all of a sudden he’s working on this,” Mr. Trump said on Friday. “Ask about that.”
They did ask. You put him in charge of pushing national interest aside and your personal interest to the front, as repeatedly corroborated by the other witnesses. Don't fret, though ... the Senate Republicans have already decided to let you get away with it.
7
Even as President Trump attacks witnesses he seems to be making sure voters continued get full exposure to mis- and dis-information campaigns on social media.
Will we see press reporting on his recent secret meeting with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg et al., previous meeting with Twitter's CEO Jack Dorsey, and any others in the 'Silicon Six'? Why secret meetings? Were agreements made? How will Trump's relationships a social media companies affect 2020 election?
https://mobile.twitter.com/TrueFactsStated/status/1197935112194863105
3
@M: How will they stop the fittest ideas from becoming the last ones standing on the internet?
If Trump eludes impeachment, which I believe he will in the senate, and runs again in 2020, I suspect it probably doesn't even matter who the Democratic candidate is.
People will vote either pro-Trump or anti-Trump or will sit the election out and not vote at all.
Who wins will be be decided solely by who turns out the most votes, based in large part on how successful the GOPs ongoing efforts to increase and enforce voter suppression are. We are reaping what we have sown.
10
@Lin Kaatz Chary - He will not elude impeachment. Removal by the Senate is entirely different but like Clinton, he will be impeached. The only way he can avoid impeachment at this point is to resign like Nixon did. It doesn't help when the senior legal analyst for FOX (Judge Napolitano) is on the airwaves stating that the case for impeachment is overwhelming and that the process was decided by Republicans led by John Boehner.
2
Who to believe, who to believe.
Maybe...the guy who lies about the number of floors in his buildings?
15
if the president accuses someone of a crime (i.e., lying to Congress) can he be sued for liable?
11
Another strategy that Speaker Pelosi may be considering is the countless charges of Obstruction of Justice throughput the trump presidency, some from SP Mueller investigations.
Since the Senate is likely to turn a blind eye on this impeachment trial, a second impeachment can then be launched on Obstruction.
9
Sondland was careful on 2 points in his testimony: 1) "Barisma, not the Bidens, was discussed in his calls with DJT" and 2) The quid pro quo "only related to the Zelensky's White House Meeting", not the release of aid. These carefully articulated pieces of testimony are all that the Republicans need to ultimately conclude that "it was wrong, but not grounds for removal." I'm wondering how coordinated Sondland's testimony was with the Republican Party's counsel as it seems like Sondland's story has perfectly ended up in a place where the GOP can rationalize that the President shouldn't be removed from office.
3
@MarK: Witness coaching by lawyers is OK.
1
During the public impeachment testimonies, GOP intellectual firepower was not on display. Even the lawyer they chose did not stand up to the caliber of the one chosen by the Dems.
For the two party system to function effectively to solve the nation's most pressing problems,
both sides need to send their best people to Congress. The problems keep getting kicked into the future and the fundamental reason is that the GOP leadership is not serious about weeding out their party.
The two party system is at risk when one side continuously fails to rigorously vet their candidates. Only one candidate that the GOP succeeded in promoting to the oval office, George H. W. Bush, had the mental capacity to handle the job. The rest crashed the economy OR entangled us in wars that cleaned out our shared global home's civilian populations during senseless wars, OR did both.
Putting Trump up for reelection is a serious mistake. He has the lowest intellectual capacity of any president in the history of the United States.
15
Sondland confirmed some of the details about the call. Thus, Trump's claim that he never made the call collides with the account of two witnesses.
11
Check Trump's thinning hair as a barometer. He is taking the hair-loss drug finasteride and I'm guessing that when his hair loss increases he increases the dosage. The side effects are impotence and depression. It explains one reason why he is always in a miserable mood.
And not being able to have his way and at the same time have his poll numbers drop, are two more reasons.
He has a way out, he can always resign.
Approval rating according to Gallup 48%
6
Trump will defend himself right up until Republicans tell him, "Trump, you're done. Catch the next plane home." I'm guessing Trump himself would be relieved not to have to pretend to be the President any longer. Everyone would breathe a huge sigh of relief.
8
Several years ago, I was in a situation where the defendant in a trial had a different opinion of the truth than I did. When the defendant's attorney challenged my version of the truth, I responded by challenging his client, stating (paraphrasing) that I was willing to under hypnosis, sodium pentathol, or torture to prove my truth. Then I asked the attorney if his client willing to do the same.
Overly dramatic? Yes. Overboard? Not so sure - It worked. The defendant changed their plea the next day.
If someone is innocent, they should be willing to bear any test to prove their truth.
Ask yourself - What would Trump do?
11
If Trump beats the rap in the Senate as seems likely for the time being, there's just one ad the DNC needs to run: Clips of Sondland's and Holmes' testimony on the phone call followed by Trump's denial the call ever happened on Fox.
As for Nunes, Jordan and Stefanik: Hill's warning that promoting the Ukrainian election is aiding Putin can be run against clips showing them doing just that.
7
@GeorgeNotBush - "As for Nunes..."
As for Nunes, breaking headline on HuffPost right now is how Rudy's pal is flipping on Nunes. Everyday, this telenova gets juicier and juicier. Its not as well written as "Luke and Laura's Summer" but its definitely a page-turner. That's what we get with a reality-t.v. president - daytime drama.
1
New Rule: You can’t attack someone else’s testimony under oath until you yourself have testified under oath.
8
‘Falsehoods’. C’mon NYT you can say ‘lies’. You have my permission.
20
I truly believe that when the senate acquits President Trump in his impeachment trial it will be a watershed in American history. It will be the first time a major political party goes on record affirming that it is acceptable for a sitting president to attempt to fix a national election. (Bribery to cause a phony scandal concerning his likely opponent is fixing an election just as surely as tampering with ballot boxes.) I cannot believe I am about to witness the Republican Party repudiate the fundamental principle of our democracy--free and fair elections.
37
@fbraconi
A watershed moment as in the end of the republic, the end of law.
13
Hopefully, those Republicans will forfeit their Senate seats as a result of their support of this lying President..
1
David Holmes should bring a lawsuit against Trump and maybe Fox for slander. I'm sure that many of the nation's top trial lawyers would be proud to represent him on a contingent or even a pro bono basis. Given that the president's telephone was involved, I am sure that there is a great deal of evidence that the call took place.
If Trump wants to defend the suit, he will have to testify under oath.
29
@Benjamin II
He's "governing" under oath !
Clearly demonstrating that he has no problem with
"lying under oath !
But I take your point, Once on the stand, who knows...
8
Can we just focus on the simple, undeniable facts:
1. Congress passed a Ukraine funding allocation. Trump constitutionally cannot deny or hold up the funds. Impeachable.
2. Trump asked Ukraine for assistance against a political opponent. Violates the Constitution. Impeachable.
3. Trump publicly asked China for the same assistance. Violates the Constitution. Impeachable.
Everything else is blah, blah, blah.
- Quid pro quo does not matter. It's a false defense.
- If Trump sincerely was concerned about potential Ukraine corruption, even after Congress investigated, he could have gone back to Congress.
-Those convinced Trump is guilty will not change their minds because of the inquiry. Those convinced Trump is not guilty (amazing as it is) will not change their minds.
The Democrats must succinctly identify the charges in the impeachment and hand it over to the Senate. Then, on a daily (hourly?) basis reiterate the charges so there is no ambiguity and lay the task squarely on the Republican Senate and those up for reelection. Trump will likely be found innocent by the Senate. Just keep it up. Think of Obama's citizenship question. Truth did not matter. The constant onslaught did.
Let's get on with it.
15
Trump reminds me of the story/poem of the "Fisherman"
Behold, the Mighty Fisherman.
He sets forth early in the morning amid much boasting
And proud predictions of the coming catch.
He returns late in the evening, empty-handed,
Smelling of strong drink
And the truth is not in him.
Resign and go fishing, Donald. Or at least stick to a pastime where your behavior is not only acceptable, but normal.
7
Wasn't there a report about lying in his written responses to Muller (can't keep up with all the happenings). If he can't tell the truth under oath, not sure about anything else.
8
There are a few lessons that Democrats can learn from the impeachment case of President Park of S. Korea in 2017.
President Park had a rock-solid 40% approval rating from older voters with a low education-level along with a generally conservative-leaning population. She had absolute control over the largest media companies publishing articles favoring her.
Park went through strong public scrutiny over bombshell issues like the Sewol Ferry incident that buried more than 400 students into an ocean. There had been numerous testimonies and more that was supposed to damage her, but they all failed.
What really made the public go against her (her base never did) was the Choi Scandal and the PHYSICAL EVIDENCE that showed that Park was completely manipulated by Choi who held no credentials or security clearance. It also showed that Choi was running the government behind Park with the intention of her personal gains. Park's approval rating plummeted to 5% and half of her party voted against her on the articles of impeachment.
Trump's base knows that he's corrupt and will sometimes do anything for his personal gain. they think Trump's gain is America's gain. But Democrats need to present physical evidence that Trump is not what the base thinks he is. The reason Trump is guarding his tax return with his LIFE is b/c it will make his base turn away against him.
These hearings are good for building momentum. Now, it's time for the evidence that can end his presidency and his career.
18
IF Trump truly knows the identity of the whistle blower - which I hope is really not the case - how did this happen? Does the Republican voter not realize that it is someone in Trump’s very own partisan administration who has seen and/or heard something that threatens America’s future? Is it not sad beyond belief that an American citizen – of any political stripe - who comes forward and performs his civic duty can be potentially targeted and threatened by his or her president?
8
This reminds me of the Kavanaugh confirmation hearing. The Democrats had the truth and the facts, but the Republicans had the votes.
I agree with Nancy Pelosi we need to impeach Trump, to honor our Constitution and to put Trump on notice. However, I am under no illusion that today's Republicans have any ethics or guts to remove Trump. Trump has corrupted the Republicans and our country. Trump rules by intimidation. The funny thing is, if the Republicans could just realize that if they would rise together as a group to remove Trump, they could regain their dignity and get their party back. There is strength in number. When Trump has no power and no microphone, his supporters will soon forget about him and Trump would lose relevance. If the Republicans would just have the guts to get rid of him.
But alas, there is no leadership in the Republican party that would dare go against Trump. So, we must remove Trump ourselves - by voting on November 3, 2020, and remove any Republicans that cover for him.
16
Being accused of lying by Trump is the ultimate endorsement anyone can get. Now there can be no more doubt that what Holmes said was the truth.
15
As a bit of a side note, but an important one, I think , I’d urge the NYT and others to begin shining the bright light on Nunes, Jordan,et.al. It’s past time to tell the nation just what kind of “representatives” these people are.
There’s plenty of publicly available information about there deeds. It just needs to be placed in one place...on the front pages for a few days. It’s time to hold their feet to the fire for what they’ve done.
19
@Patrick alexander Again I think you mean "their" deeds.
(But you probably won't listen this time either.)
Simple solution: Let Trump, Pompeo, Bolton, and the rest testify under oath. No written answers, either.
"Second hand information."
"They're lying."
"No quid pro quo."
No, Donald Trump, Jim Jordan, Lindsey Graham, and the rest: you can't legitimately squawk about second hand witnesses if your side has the principals under wrap and not under oath. You can't accuse witnesses of lying under oath when the accusers refuse to go under oath. You can't say there was no quid pro quo when the main principal and his Chief of Staff baldly admitted to it in public, and then refuse to be cross examined on it under oath. Especially not after his boy Sondland straight up admitted it. Under oath. And said they were ALL in on it.
11
I want to know why, if asking Zelensky for investigations is ok, why haven’t the investigations been pursued? Under the category of “no harm no foul” i.e. the arms money was supplied and there were no investigations, doesn’t that admit that the request for investigations was improper, or else, why are they not being done? If Trump’s request was kosher, why be so proud to announce they’re not happening?
Aren’t investigations supposed to be handled by our own government? Aside from the impropriety of investigating a political rival, or any American, shouldn’t investigations be handled through established channels in the government?
Why has no one suggested that Ukraine was harmed by the delay of the arms money and continues to be harmed by America’s lack of support as evidenced by Trump’s actions and words he uttered even this very day!
How can we call Ukraine an ally, more so how how Ukraine call the US an ally?
As for Giuliani. Personal lawyer. What legal work was he doing for Trump in Ukraine?
It stinks to high heaven.
I have never been so ashamed.
13
@Richard B Have you asked them? That might be a logical first step.
2
This doesn't capture the complete insanity of the call-in experience. Even the FOX hosts were flabbergasted.
9
I find Holme’s testimony credible. If he wanted to falsely incriminate the president, he could have asserted that the president said something incriminating. Instead, he said the president asked Sondland if Zelensky was “going to do the investigation.”. But the White House freely acknowledges the president wanted Zelensky to do the investigations. The July 25 phone call transcript shows he asked Zelensky to do the investigation and that Zelensky agreed. So. It is hardly surprising Trump followed up by asked Sondland if Zelensky was going to do the investigation.
Perhaps the president can prove it wasn't him on the phone, but why should he bother?
2
This is it in a nutshell:
Trump corruptly used 400 million taxpayer dollars to rig the 2020 election.
That's how it has to be explained to people, this needs to be repeated over and over until everyone gets it.
Don't get lost in the weeds of Ukraine, quid pro quo, bribery vs. corruption vs. obstruction vs. high crimes -- that's all bonus material. But hammer home the central point, above, first and again and again.
12
Why has this political circus been allowed to happen? Issue the subpoenas If people refuse to comply throw them into jail. That's what we did for Watergate. Do we even HAVE a legal system any more?
14
This morning Hillary tweeted: this is about the question of whether the president is above our legal system. She was talking about financial disclosure but it's true in the Ukraine situation too. Since McConnell illegally blocked Justice Garland and Trump put Brett Kavanaugh on the SCOTUS it is possible that they will rule, "Yes. The president is above the law". At this point we are left with some very bleak options. I hope that we will not let our country disappear through cowardice and apathy.
10
What the "president" says can't be believed, so reporting his words is hardly worth the time.
We were once the country that valued truth, honor, dignity, and patriotism. The man in the WH is the antithesis of all these values. It's still astonishing to me that our "fourth estate" is so TIMID (being kind here), when even suggesting that the obvious, outrageous lies coming from this man "may not be accurate".
Has capitalism neutered the fourth estate?
7
Dementia isn't a sudden onset disease. When the not too distant future reveals that Trump has dementia and no one in the GOP stood up to raise the alarm to protect the country, the GOP is going to have a bigger credibility problem then they have now. If dementia is not the reason why Trump can't remember a phone call that 3 other people heard in a Kiev restaurant, then Trump is a criminal. The GOP made Clinton testify for 11 hours during the Benghazi investigation. Now they need to call Trump to testify under oath to defend their position.
11
He doesn’t likely have dementia ... he has intermixed personality disorders (at least narcissistic and sociopathic) and attentional and language disorders, possible mood disorder, and any additional
effect sleep, medication, environmental stressors have on him ... dementia is progressive global cognitive decline ...
1
Even now, I doubt that Trump would be able to point to Ukraine or the EU on a map. Russia he might get just with blind luck.
5
Interesting to see that some of those respected witnesses who already testified have demonstrated to all of us that they do love the U.S.A. Additionally, they are naturalized U.S. citizens and have more courage and respect to the rule of law than Mr. Bolton, Devin Nuñez (who is suing everyone who crosses him even a newspaper from his district,) Jim Jordan (who turned a blind eye to those who were sexually abused under his watch,) the highly hypocrite Lindsey Graham, and the rest of Republicans who lost their dignity defending the indefensible.
"It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light." Aristotle
6
Donald Trump regularly tells us he is a "stable genius", yet he had his attorney Michael Cohen threaten to sue ANY school he attended if they released his education records.
When Trump's campaign manager Paul Manafort was convicted of federal crimes, Trump said "I barely knew the man. He was here a very short time."
Now Trump says he barely knew Sondland who he nominated for Ambassador to the EU.
Trump seems intent on telling us how incompetent he is.
Soybean and corn farmers are already well aware of his incompetence. They are suffering monetary damages every day for having trusted Trump.
Can this democracy survive four more years of this man's outragious behavior? I certainly hope we do not have to try to do that.
9
Fox News should ask, and Nancy Pelosi should ask, Mr. President are you willing to testify to the statements in your interview under oath.
6
Really tired of the press not calling out specific lies and behaviors. As I believe the ambiguity in much of the media's reporting unnecessarily leave Republicans too much wiggle room.
11
After all these testimonies and continuous lying, and knowing he is lying, many many Americans are still standing with him.
So, isn't this America Americans want? Is it Trump or Americans who are to be blamed?
3
A common Republican talking point is that Trump should have chance to defend himself. So why not, Mr Trump, you are invited to testify under oath, please bring Mulvaney, Pompeo, Perry, Bolton and Pence along with you.
7
Will Trump agree to release the day in question's unredacted call record to settle the issue?
6
We don’t need a commander in Chief/President that cannot remember his staff; how does he conduct business without remembering details?
We are at risk if the President’s memory is dysfunctional. If he forgot a million dollar donor, an appointed diplomat, and associate , . . . Does he remember his private attorney (Rudy Galliani)? Maybe he is mentally unfit for office.
9
I thought the worst thing to happen to the GOP defenders of Trump is that Trump attacked the witnesses. The best defense for them is what Mulvaney said in front the cameras: This is way it is. So be it. Take it. It is normal. I thought the GOP would take this path and I still think they will do. But Trump is forcing their hands. So let's see how the likes of Congressman Bill Hurds react to this kind of attack.
1
Trump was so concerned about corruption in Ukraine that he asked the corrupt country to investigate their own corruption.
They're on it.
3
Bullies are only as powerful as we allow them to be.
The GOP and the voters who continue to support Trump are complicit in his behavior. They have given him the power to do and say whatever he wants without consequences.
It's pretty simple.
5
It's like listening to a cornered little bullying second-grader lie and lie again to cover up the obvious evidence of his crimes and his bad intentions. It's time for the adults to intervene and get this thoroughly unprepared and demonstrably immature and delusional child out of the White House.
7
Because all of Donald Trump's relationships with people (including family) are apparently solely transactional, and lying to, bribing, extorting others is simply what needs to happen in the course of managing those transactions on a daily basis, Trump knows no other way to be in the world; he plainly cannot imagine anyone else operating any differently. So it's like breathing to him to accuse others of fabricating stories to make him look bad because that's what he would do if the tables were reversed. The idea that the public servants who publicly testified this week are people of outstanding integrity dedicated to serving the interests of the country over their own interests is a wholly alien concept to Donald Trump. He just can't wrap his brain around serving higher cause than his own and this is why he does what he does and why he's in trouble. Why anyone thought this man would be a good president is beyond me. And why elected Republicans, whose job it is to protect and defend the constitution, persist in protecting Trump in the face of overwhelming evidence of his corrupt actions is bordering on criminal behavior.
8
They thought he'd be a good president simply because he said he'd build a wall on the southern border the keep out illegal immigrants, and aggressively deport those who weren't in the country legally. No-one else in either party was willing to go that far in saying what was then considered to be clearly outside the Overton window. That pretty much accounts for his 2016 success and his ongoing support. He will say what no decent, educated, or conscionable person will say, and his base love him for it.
3
Every American should listen to at least 20 minutes of Trump’s “Interview” on Fox and Friends this morning. The man is totally unhinged from reality and incapable of speaking coherent thoughts; even the Fox hosts looked embarrassed or perhaps just horrified. This is the man who could destroy humanity at the snap of his fingers. Instead of impeachment we really should be looking at the 25th Amendment to remove this sick man from office.
15
@TomAnderson:
Agreed. I'm not sure which disturbed me more: the incoherent rambling or the rage, which continued to escalate as the "interview" went on.
4
About 20 phone calls ..... "AT&T, are you listening?"
3
Maybe there is a remote possibility that Sondland's telco has call records \s
1
Russia, Ukraine, and many other countries recorded the trump-Sondland call. We will get it. It will prove trump is lying. But we already know that. How sad is it that proving POTUS is lying is a yawn.
5
His endless lying is wearying on the soul.
7
If Trump alone can fix it, Trump alone has to testify under oath.
3
Have no fear. The Roman Senate will Impeach him! They are the true Patriots!
The fake news is actually from Donald J. Trump. What else is new. The jig is up, Donald!
6
“[U]nleashed a series of falsehoods?” If that refers to The Call, two witnesses say it happened, Trump denies. Nowhere but the Times (or CNN) does that necessarily mean, as a matter of verified fact, that Trump lies. Editorializing isn’t journalism.
1
i think we should let trump take the stand! can we do a contest where we all take bets on how long until he perjures himself?
im going with 20 minutes.
3
John Bolton is back on Twitter and he’s not happy. I don’t think Mr. Bolton would have the patience to participate or listen to the Nunes et al Republican Clown Show this week in the House. I think he’ll reserve his seat in the Senate trial where Mr. Bolton will take down of Mulvaney, Perry, Sonderland, and Trump. Let’s make this perfectly clear ..... whatever you personally think of John Bolton’s policy positions.... the man is first and foremost a patriot and is a witness to the corruption in this administration.
@PeterH
If Bolton is a Patriot - Let Him Prove It Now !
He sould be talking in closed talks with republicans telling them what he knows and demanding that trump be removed NOW.
If Bolton is a patriot why would he let a deranged
person hold the key to our nuclear weapons?
So, Mr. Bolton, are you a Patriot or just a bookseller?
5
Mr. Trump needs to testify under oath to clear his good name, if he believe the witnesses lied about him.
Till he testifies under oath, he’s the liar.
3
This president is so insulting! Americans are not stupid; those of us who were listening to the hearings were also tracking who was saying what and how it all hung together. Trump hears what he wants to hear and if not, he will make it up, despite the fact that there is concrete evidence to the opposite. I guess he believes all American people are like him; victims of attention deficit syndrome, or right out liars, and will understand where he is coming from. He does not listen; his mind is actively concocting lies he wants people to believe in.
Please, someone, save him from himself! (Don't call Rudy, though...)
2
One of Trump's most prominent traits is that he accuses others of what he routinely practices.
So, Trump's accusing someone of lying? Trump, the liar-in-chief? Trump, who has obstructed every investigation? Trump who hasd withheld evidence? Trump who has forbidden people to testify? Trump who makes promises and promptly goes back on them (e.g., vaping; e.g., background checks for firearms; e.g., releasing his tax returns ...)?
This Trump accuses someone of lying?
He is the biggest liar in the room and he spouts his lies with a megaphone that reaches around the world. Endless lies.
Essentially, what one needs to remember, all the time, is that the truth virtually never exits his mouth and that his administration has been marked by more, and more consistent, lying than anyone else in memory.
Just playing the odds, someone contradicting Trump is most likely telling the truth.
The liar is Trump.
3
Isn't this libel? And isn't it actionable?
1
Gordon Sondland is the latest person under Trump's bus wheels... are you paying attention, Rudy? Reading through Trump's remarks quoted, it is clear this is more Trump projection.
2
Please American voters, put the world out of its collective misery.
5
Trump must be the emperor from the fable...and the Republicans must be his courtiers..
2
I suppose this is a news story because Trump opened his mouth. Is anyone supposed to be surprised that he lied ... again?
The man IS a lie. Every day, in every way.
2
“ unleashed a series of falsehoods “.
LIES, LIES and LIES. Stop being polite, SAY the WORD.
4
@Phyliss Dalmatian Are they really just being polite, Phyliss, or wisely trying to avoid a lawsuit?
Omg, Trump's lies are so breathtakingly absurd that, were his obfuscations not so damaging to this country, it would be simply rich fodder for late night laughs.
Honestly, I don't know whether to laugh or to cry when I think of who the President is.
3
Takes one to know one is what we said in elementary school.
But when a liar tells you that someone else is a liar is the liar lying?
For me, Trump’s track record is sufficient.
If Trump told me it’s sunny, I’d bring an umbrella.
2
So everyone's lying except the guy who's a known compulsive liar who we admitted to doing what they're saying he did. OKAY!
2
Trump appears to have totally lost it here. A liar for sure, but a confused liar too.
3
Time to emigrate from the US. Period.
1
For the heck of it, I listened. 53 minutes of a rambling lunatic. Even Fox wanted him off. Fox News was created so no Republican can ever be impeached.
2
Perhaps a lawsuit for slander is in order.
Who are you going to believe,
sane adults testifying under oath,
or a Russian asset?
5
A man who lies as regularly as he draws breath is certain that everyone else lies even when they are under oath.
What a national disgrace.
5
"I am the American Emperor, and am above the law. All must love Me and obey!"
- Donald J. Trump
3
Any time soon we'll read a tweet: "Giuliani? Hardly know the man"
4
As soon as Trump says, “Hardly knew him,” you know another minion has lost favor and will soon be fired.
2
Trump and Kellyanne Conway don't even have to be hooked-up to spontaneously set-off alarms from every lie-detector within 100 miles of the White House each time they open their mouths. Lying as blatantly and chronically as they do must truly be a pathological condition.
2
It is difficult to take the fact that so many Republicans are willing to look the other way and defend this liar. Trump is clearly delusional and ignorant, but what’s the excuse for so many others??? Congressional Republicans are staking their reputations to defend this man when there is clearly no defense. I still do not understand how they can look at themselves in the mirror each night!
3
@JDS They don't look in the mirror. The cash box doesn't have a mirror.
Pathological liars tend toward falsehoods.
1
Now, really, who do we believe? DT, the liar in chief, or the witnesses who appeared before the investigation committee? DT And his supporters in Congress are nothing more than tools of the kremlin.
2
And the pot calls the kettle black.
Again
Trump has nothing left to do except to whine and lash out at his truthful accusers. The emperor truly has no clothes. I kinda look forward to his humorously pathetic whining, as evidence of how close he is to being dethroned.
3
Trump is certifiable.
But I wonder.
Why for all these years, someone who knew the hard truth,
didn't speak up !?
It's "Keeve", not "Key-Ev" !!
2
Putin - the ventriloquist - does a great job making his puppet speak on Fox & Friends.
4
It is hard to read Trump and FOX news trash spelled out as news in the NYT even with caveats peppering the article all the while knowing that the spell bound breathless viewers will take i it as gospel truth. Will we ever get a break from this nightmare?
2
Trump on Yovanovitch's crime :
"It look her a year-and-a-half, two years to hang my picture up".
Stalinesque, and a lie.
His vanity is terrifying, but it is also his Achilles heel.
https://www.history.com/news/josef-stalin-great-purge-photo-retouching
3
@angel98 "His vanity is terrifying, but it is also his Achilles heel."
He is a heel without a soul.
Time to give him the boot.
2
Just because Trump is a pathological liar doesn't mean everyone else is.
2
If Melania would divorce him, Trump might just say that he "barely knew" her... which might be the case.
3
Republican Justice: Impeach the guy who lied about an extra marital affair, but let the guy who threatens NATO stability throughout the world go free. Lovely!
4
@Lisa Kelly Republicans did NOT try to impeach Eisenhower. They simply overlooked the indiscretions and said she was his chauffeur.
Why is this charlatan tolerated? Because he’s President and he feels above the law, untouchable, squatting on that median strip on 5th Avenue.
2
@Rudy Nyhoff Okay. But the problem is, he's getting away with it. No need to ask why. Ask instead what can be done about it?
1
Wow! He is really losing it. This feels like a psychotic break to me. He has always been a pathological liar, but he seems to have crossed over into true craziness. Have we ever had to deal with a true crazy person in office before?
3
Classical Trump....Can someone mention one time he had admitted that he's done something wrong.... Not even an apology to Obama for dragging the birth certificate conspiracy theory....
I don't have to write it but WE ALL KNOW WHAT HE IS........
2
Why "falsehoods?" Why not "lies?" Time for the Gray Lady to "tell it like it is."
2
Our president is shameless.
3
“This guy, Sondland: hardly know him,” Mr. Trump said. “I’ve had a couple of conversations with him,” Mr. Trump said. “I see him hanging around when I go to Europe.” Trump always tries to distance himself from anyone who have damaging things to say about him. Now it's Sondland's turn - the megadonor to Trump who bought his appointment as Ambassador to the UN. Holmes says he heard Trump on the phone with Sondland. Phone conversations should be easy to prove or disprove. There are call records. These should be examined to determine who is lying here.
3
It is interesting to listen to Donald Trump, who has publicly lied 14,000 times since becoming President, accuse the 12 witnesses to his crimes as giving false testimony under oath, is ludicrous.
2
The media is continuing to do everyone a disservice by reporting Trump's lies. Enough already!
1
Trump used [abused] the power of the office to further his own, personal gain. And he lies about it and covers it up.
It is really possible that sane people think dozens of people - most are not dems or never trumpers - are all lying, but trump is telling the truth, and only trump? Preposterous. If your kids acted like this clown trump, you'd ground them immediately. Because they are clearly lying.
What he's done are felonies. Its clear. There is no doubt about the facts.
Trial in the senate is a sideshow, esp. when you have lackeys like Lindsey Graham and McConnell. That will surely go no where.
Okay swing voters and independents: its up to you now.
1
This whole ugly mess could be cleared up so easily if the person sitting in the White House shared the actual phone call AND let his administration talk. If this call was so "perfect," why not share the call and let his top officials talk? We all know the answer.
1
Donald J Trump is the worst thing to happen to the United States of America in my lifetime. His impeachment cannot happen soon enough.
2
Jim Harrison said it eloquently with quotation from The Brothers Karamazov. Pathological liars deep such a deep hole they cannot escape from it.
The reality for the last three years and worsening daily, is that trump is a severe pathological liar and he is so mired in his lies that there is no truth he can tell.
He doesn't know Sondland - who gave his campaign 1 mil $ and trump appointed Sondland to be ambassador to EU.
And Sondland said he has talked to trump 20 times and met with him. But trump said he " barely knew him".
To extend trumps' statement - if trump "barely knew" Sondland then he appoints strangers to be our ambassadors to Europe? If this was the truth then we are in worse shape internationally to have an inexperienced stranger in this very important position.
And, Sondland is inexperienced, and we can see how awful he has been, so our country is in terrible stewardship from trump, to pence, to entire cabinet and advisors, to the people in many positions that he appointed.
The lies have to stop !
Truth and Laws must prevail.
It is time for amendment 25 - trump is the sick puppy !
4
@joyce Did you mean "dig" a deep hole?
How can the Fox moderators not push back even a tiny bit? If someone who lies like he breaths contradicted the testimony of not one, but two sworn witnesses, assured me he was not lying this time, I guess I'd be skeptical. especially when Holmes was not the first witness to describe the call. Trump and Fox are a total disgrace.
1
I miss George W.
If Trump wants to challenge testimony given under oath he needs to sit in the chair and swear up. Oh, and stop obstructing the others from doing the same. Sheesh. Talk about unfair.
1
GRU has the tape.
Trump: “Mike Pence? Who is that? I hardly know him. Is he British? Sounds like a British name to me.
2
2 + 2 = 4. Sondland + Holmes (and many, many more) ='s Impeachment.
2
Pathological liar: an individual who chronically tells grandiose lies that may stretch or exceed the limits of believability. While most people lie or at least bend the truth occasionally, pathological liars do so habitually. Problem is his supporters don't care.
2
Good grief, what is wrong with Trump?
2
Trump calling any other person a liar has got to be one of the most hilarious examples of Republican hypocrisy this decade.
3
Trump accuses people that they are lying under oath, while refusing to allow his minions to go under oath! A logic that only GOP deplorables can buy because of the mass marketing success by their ministry of misinformation, the hate for profit racket, Murdoch's faux news.
3
“Just hanging around”. He is one of our less literate public officials. Say what? He’s the President? How did that happen?
1
To quote Noam Chomsky:
The Republican Party is the most dangerous organization in the world!"
The Republican Party is nothing but a vile group of complicit enablers and money grabbers (they love his tax cuts) of the most corrupt amoral president in America's history.
We thank our lucky stars that Canada approved our immigration and citizenship! We now enjoy our quality life style in a kinder first world country with superb universal health care!
He needs to just stop.
Has it ever occurred to him that he himself can clear up most of this scandal by releasing all relevant, official documents, and allowing those who are currently ordered not to testify to do so?
I mean, if he’s innocent of all that he’s being accused of, the truth will set him free, right?
Right?
If the hole he keeps digging for himself gets much deeper, he’ll be able to negotiate trade with China in person.
Mr. Trump claims that Ambassador Yovanovitch refused to put up his picture in the Embassy. Maybe it was the fake one of him on the cover of Time Magazine.
1
This has become such a normal Trump behavior whereas in the past my jaw would have hung slack, now i am just gritting my teeth.
2
Two additional ways to prove validity of July 26 tel call from Sondland to Trump: Sondland's phone log with his teleco., and procurement of testimony from two other State Dep't (or Embassy?) staff that accompanied Holmes. They don't have to testify to what was said, just that they saw Sondland talking to Trump.
"Never happened" Should we list the things that 'never happened' according to Trump and then were proved to, in fact, have taken place ? Clinton got impeached [not convicted] for getting a hummer and this guy does everything but declare himself king and gets away with it ?
2
The Democrats should not adjourn the impeachment hearings until they have exhausted all legal means of forcing everyone that Ambassador Sondland named as being "in the loop", to testify, who hasn't already testified publicly: Mike Pence, Mike Pompeo, Mick Mulvaney , john Bolton, and Rudy Giuliani.
1
All public service employees who have been smeared by trump since he has lodged in the White House should sue him for libel.
Congratulations NYT: "President Trump unleashed a series of falsehoods on Friday..." That's better than the usual "Trump stated that...". At this point in our civil discourse, it's almost as if all statements have equal weight. They don't. NYT and all reputable news organizations need to be clearer in separating truth from lies, and explicitly calling out the liars.
"... that would risk waiving any claim of immunity." Isn't that an admission Bolton knows he'll be needing it?
The man that hath no music in himself,
Nor is not moved by concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils;
The motions of his spirit are dull as night
And his affections dark as Erebus
Let no such man be trusted.
Shakespeare knew Trump...
With the amount of "coffee boys" employed by the Trump administration,has the president seen a doctor to help him deal with his runaway coffee addiction?
In addition to calling Schiff "a sick puppy" repeatedly, Trump said Nancy Pelosi was "crazy as a bedbug" and doubted that Biden could make it mentally without "cracking up" and that George Conway was a "whack job." Increasingly Trump is portraying his 'enemies' as 'sick' rather than 'bad' (compare to Hillary needing to be 'locked up.') Trump then repeated things known to be false over and over. If someone in your family started to talk about everyone else being 'crazy' and holding on to delusional ideas you would be alarmed for them and get them to a mental health professional. Trump is dealing with this crisis poorly and seems to be worried about his own health - he said he had a lot of things wrong with him with regard to his health in this interview - the man who usually asserts his greatness in all things. Nevermind politics, just on a human, personal basis, the Republicans are doing Trump a disservice by not facilitating getting him the help he needs.
Trump didn't make the call, it was "John Baron."
Let's see. Who's most likely to be a liar? Is it Trump a man who's lied over 13,000 times since he took office, or is it Mr. Holmes, a man known for his honesty?
1
I am surprised that Trump is able to say anything since he seems to keep his foot in his mouth most of the time. His presence at any time is something like Brendan Behan's comment about the police...."No situation is so miserable it can't be made worse by the arrival of the police". That's Trump all over.
Trump bleating "The hate is incredible..." from the man who singlehandedly eroded our civic sense of civility. Leading the "Lock her up" cheers of "Corrupt Hilary." Accusing former Presidents of treason. Floating rumors about rivals critics. Disparaging others with names like all this is some kind of high school nonsense. The Democrats and the press are labeled as enemies. And I've heard the "they're haters" tripe mentioned by his media supporters. This is where were at. An ugly chasm furthered and used to his advantage by the current President.
We have been hobbled as a nation by this kind of nonsense for decades. Instead of honestly confronting challenges, we end up in these stupid arguments where someone states something to be true without any foundation and expects everyone to agree if they cannot prove it to be wrong. The promoters of this tsunami of puffery and deceit has been conservative Republicans almost exclusively. Trump just takes this to the next level of outright unsound assertions that agree with his narrative but in no way are based on reality.
Trump will repeat the same falsehoods again and again, and pretty soon a plurality of people are repeating those same falsehoods without a clue as to the facts. He did it with the Mueller report and he's trying to do it with the impeachment hearings.
David Holmes and Gordon Sondland said that the phone call happened, under oath and with penalty of going to jail if not true. Trump can do the same!
Why are Fox & Friends as True Americans do not ask him that?
1
Trump accusing someone of lying is the pinnacle of hypocrisy.
It is a shame that "fair reporting" requires equal coverage
of adult speech and professional revelation to be "balanced"
by what the entire Globe knows to be "knee-jerk" preadolescent level lying.
It is no longer just The Prevaricator-in-Chief. It is now much of Congress (especially in the Senate), clearly all of the President's Cabinet, and in just recent years, we have seen the function of The Office of White House Press Secretary, always expected to produce a bit of "spin" in favor of the White House, devolve directly into the "Official Liar for Hire".
After twelve thousand *proven POTUS lies and counting, we now see that this Administration has given up the *pretense of "playing ball" with the Public by simply canceling the Office of Press Secretary.
You know, by the time we have the Press Secretary performing *hilariously inept and inane things like hiding from Press Corps cameras while still *painfully visible in his "Invisibility Cloak" from "Acme Spycraft Pros", it is probably just as well.
Now we have the President, writing dialog for imaginary phone calls that he *truly seems to expect the public to *believe, as if he is a child re-writing reality to reflect his own personal preference, ala "Sharpie-Gate". These tricks only work on *very young infants who have yet to develop the concept of "object permanence". Talk about "SAD".
Let me get this straight;
David Holmes allegedly fabricated the phone call he overhead between Trump and Ambassador Sondland.
Trump says "I guarantee that call never took place".
But Gordon Sondland CONFIRMED the phone call took place, under oath ?
Then Trump says he "barely knew Mr. Sondland"..Mr Sondland, had a direct number to get Donald Trump on the phone, as David Holmes confirmed, listening to the phone call between them?
Finally, Donald Trump says the details in the whistle-blowers complaint are "fake". Yet President Trump (and other witness) have corroborated the details, in the Meta Transcript, released by, ready for this ,The White House!
Up is Down, Black is White, 2 + 2 = 5 in Trumpworld.
Trump dismisses all witnesses whose testimony throws shade on him as being Never-Trumpers, Trump-haters and/or liars.
Maybe the witnesses should preface their remarks as follows:
"Let me start by saying, President Trump is, without doubt, the most brilliant, well-endowed (in every sense of the term), exceedingly handsome, irresistibly sexy and snappiest all-around dresser ever to occupy the Oval Office".
"Now, having said that, he's also guilty of (fill-in-the-crimes)".
A narcissist of Trump's magnitude would not be able to attack the credibility of the witness for stating the latter out of fear it would diminish the value of the former.
His head might even gridlock and explode.
It is SO interesting that everybody lies, according to trump, and only he tells the truth, or his defenders tell the truth! SO VERY INTERESTING. It has become as obvious as the nose on your face that trump is every foul thing that we see and hear. Again, I will bring up the quote from Maya Angelou that so many bring up when referring to trump and his lying sycophants: "When someone shows you who he/she is the first time, believe him/her. " How may lies will it take? How many foul, sadistic, criminal acts? How many commissions of treason? How much destruction, harm, cruelty, deceit, and insanity will it take?
“I guarantee you that (phone call) never took place..." - Please Mr. Trump, sign it and send it to congress. Foxy Friends studio is not a court room.
Simple solution: everyone testify under oath.
Here are some thoughts the GOP should consider when Articles of Impeachment have been filed and the trial is then moved to the Senate. Times will change and there will be a democratic president and Senate. If Trump is allowed to ignore the Constitution, then when there is a democratic president and he chooses to do the same for his own personal benefit. The GOP will not have a leg to stand on. All the democratic's will need to do is site their support of Trump when he ignored the Constitution and they supported him. Congress, the oath you took was not an oath of loyalty to a president or party. At this point in time, I am not sure what planet the GOP or living on. No one is above the law in this country. You have held your own peers accountable for their actions but you will not hold the president accountable for his? We as citizens of this nation expect a demand a higher standard from you as we sent you to D.C. to represent us as citizens not to protect this president or any other president. Your loyalty is to the citizens of the United States not to a president or a party. Represent us! You can pretend all you want in ignoring the facts, but lets be clear. Anyone with any degree of COMMON SENSE can follow facts. Place president/party before us as US Citizens and I can assure you, their will be a price to be paid at the voting box.
1
I'll believe Trump when he's under oath. Never before. Maybe not even then. Do you really expect me to take the President's comments on Fox & Friends seriously? Good grief. I'm not the world's smartest individual but at least I have some self-respect. I have a pile of children's books more honest and truthful than Donald J. Trump. How humiliating for the poor children of his supporters. I can't fathom the everlasting shame. It's like admitting your parents felt happy about Jim Crow or the Trail of Tears.
You should be ashamed. That you're not speaks volumes. Don't ask me to buy your daughter's girl scout cookies. Don't ask me for anything at all. I want nothing to do with you.
All you out there who are employed at will should bear in mind that your Congress employs your president at will too.
There's no talk that's cheaper than Trump's. Every day is a Black Friday over-supply sale in Trump-ville. Have him go under oath and give his testimony or shut the heck up. But he won't. The only reason that Trump hasn't lied under oath is because he hasn't gone under oath.
Trump saying "No quid pro quo" AFTER the whistleblower complaint is like the burglar you catch in your house who insists, "Hey, I was just lookin' around!"
2
Why doesn’t Trump allow Pompeo, Bolton, and Pence speak to Congress and the American people? What is he afraid of if he’s not guilty of soliciting a bribe from President Zelensky?
Being called a liar by Trump. Now there's one to put on your resume.
The Four D's of disinformation:
Dismiss
Distort
Distract
Dismay
Knowing this, see how quickly you can tick them off every time Trump opens his mouth.
Who on earth listens to the fool sitting in the White House much less believes anything he tweets or says. Unfortunately it seems many still do... unbelievable.
Donald Trump, a well known liar and conman is returning to his roots by appealing to his undereducated, ill informed constituency to accept his lame response to what we have witnessed in real time. Unfortunately, his corruptible aiders and abettors in the Senate may not have the intestinal fortitude to be honest with the American electorate. Sadly, what Trump is doing in plain sight exceeds corruption and borders on treason.
If Trump is innocent of all accusations then why didn't he allow Mulvaney and the rest of his administration testify at hearings this week? Why didn't he allow documents relevant to all of this be released? Why did he destroy the interpreter's notes from the Trump/Putin meeting in Helsinki?
1
Calling Trump unhinged is an insult to doors everywhere.
And tens of millions cheer him on!
America, we have a problem.
Tell it to Congress under oath, trump. We MIGHT believe you, then.
Poor Sondland. Completely under the bus.
The President gives cover to those (Senators, Representatives, Appointees, Doners, Lobbyists ...) who are making changes for the worse. We are watching the wrong thing. Misdirection is the first rule of "magic".
Stop calling them falsehoods and start calling them LIES.
That's what they are.
1
"Me thinks the man doss protesteth too much" as Shakespeare once wrote. sort of. We have Trump's own admission in the transcript of part of the conversation with Zelennsky. When he calls out anyone for being "corrupt" or "a sick puppy" all he is doing is trying to distract us from the truth. It is not working anymore.
They should take away his twitter account and keep Trump away from Fox and Friends. Trump is not doing himself any favors when he strikes out. It only makes him look desperate, which he is.
Sondland gave him one million dollars and Trump gave him an Ambassadorship to the EU. Talk about Quid Pro Quo.
2
Can you imagine how the people still working on his staff must feel when they read this?
2
Does President Trump possess the ability to consider the implications of what he’s about to say?
He has made countless statements, as the POTUS, that strongly indicate a marked deficiency in this area.
(President Trump) “...added that he barely knew Mr. Sondland, a wealthy hotelier from Oregon who contributed $1 million to Mr. Trump’s inaugural committee.”
The president “barely knew” Gorden Sondland.
Mr. Sondland had no experience in international diplomacy. No credentials. Yet the president appointed Sondland to be the U.S. Ambassador to the European Union.
What sense does this make?
Are we to assume that, during the Trump administration, a million dollar donation is rewarded with a major diplomatic posting? A donation coming from a person the president “barely knew”?
As a retired educator, I worked in an environment where there exists an unwritten list of banned words and phrases. Professional teachers never say these banned words aloud. We try to not even think them.
“Stupid” and “stupidity” are on the list.
Despite this, as I cringe my way through listening to one of Mr. Trump’s incoherent public utterances, I often find myself wondering whether the charge of “general stupidity” should be added to the upcoming articles of impeachment. I know it would probably be impossible to prove as an impeachable offense. However, to my mind Mr. Trump’s often exhibited idiocy is high up on the lengthy list of reasons he should be removed from office.
2
What is so maddening is that Trump makes these baseless proclamations on Fox and Twitter and on the White House lawn and so many people believe them as fact. It’s depressing actually. I keep praying for a defector from his inner circle that has the guts to say “enough”.
1
Really... what did we do to deserve this?
1
"Never Trumpers" is an overly vague, flexible, distracting, and "dividing" term used in propagandist narratives loaded with faux-information.
However, "Never Emperors" is an accurate, insightful, and entirely expository term to describe Emperor Trump @realemperortrump
2
Why didn't the subpoened witnesses who didn't show up, get arrested? How come the press can't nail down the GOP falsehoods and financial contributions emanating from Russia. Like the $325,000 from Giuliani's two indicted co-conspirators. And the Kevin Nunes wrongdoing exposed by Salwell at the hearing yesterday. Follow the money!
1
Does Trump want to repeat that under oath?
I thought not!
1
How hard is it to get phone records and outlook meeting requests? I imagine figuring out the probability that the call indeed took place is quite high.
11
This scandal has highlighted multiple flaws in America’s political & legal systems:
1. That the Executive Branch is much stronger than the Legislative Branch. The Legislature needs more mechanisms to balance the Executive.
2. Congressional subpoenas are quite weak as anyone refusing to comply is not punished. It should be a crime not to comply and the Sergeant-at-Arms should have a small police unit to enforce them.
3. That impeachment should not be the mechanism to indict a President as it is done by politicians whose careers depend on the success or failure of the President, but should be done by an independent Prosecutor-General like in Israel or Ukraine.
4. In life as in politics, if you deeply support someone or depend on them and they then commit wrongdoings, you’ll must likely look the over way if the wrongdoings don’t harm you.
5. Both sides in America’s politics live in literally alternate worlds and cannot agree on basic facts. This is extremely dangerous.
33
@Dan:
Great comments.
Although not having to do with this scandal, I find it "awful" that a president can pardon so easily.
@Dan: The Congress can fire the president at will, just as any corporate board of directors can do to its CEO.
@Dan It is certainly the end of whatever innocence was left, or at least any passive belief in some things we were sure would protect us from the insane exploitation of loopholes we are witnessing. I guess 45 learned to exploit loopholes while in business.
For me, the nomination of Merrick Garland was the shocking alarm bell ringing.
1
So, in the end, it's OK to denigrate others regardless of who they are. The President has the absolute right to recall Ambassadors and it now seems, also has the absolute right to denigrate them. And anyone else who he pleases. And the polls needle has hardly moved. So in other words, people who support him must also support such vulgarity from their President. So his supporters believe this behavior is OK. Perhaps this is a reflection of themselves. So this is where we are as a nation. Sad, isn't it?
16
@Roger: Trump himself bawls as the most denigrated person in US presidential history.
Even republicans must admit that trump’s affection for putin and russia was odd from the start. As the impeachment proceedings unfold, even they must see his corruption and must begin to honor their oath of office to protect our democracy from external and internal attacks.
9
@John M: I think they get confused about who and what the oath is directed at by the "so help me God" that concludes it.
"To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." Theodore Roosevelt.
What is left of the Republican Party that was once represented by Eisenhower, Goldwater, Nixon (policy not personality or character), and Reagan - if there is anyone left who identify with the political principals of that Republican Party, then they need to stand up and speak up in opposition to the sycophants that are defending the amoral and indefensible - Trump. It is not the Democrats but the militant evangelical supporters of Trump that best personify that line from Yeats' The Second Coming - "the best lack all conviction and the worst are full of passionate intensity. "
11
Thank you for beginning this article appropriately:
"President Trump unleashed a series of falsehoods..."
Trump's ability to lie is only less astounding than the fact that some people are still willing to believe him.
24
@STG
Why not just call them what they are, lies?
That works.
Whatever you call them - falsehoods, lies, untrue statements, alternative facts - the point is to not normalize the lying.
I am routinely shocked by how accustomed people have become to the abhorrent behavior of the President and his treatment of the office.
1
I can't quite believe that Trump can Tweet derogatory comments but decline to turn up and give evidence under oath. Meanwhile he is allowed to speak freely, unchallenged on the Fox network.
Trump has become an obscure man who calls late night radio stations and allowed to ramble on.
10
@Michael Bourne: Trump has proven himself a fool with his own words more times than he has lied.
"Will he be impeached? “I don’t expect it,” the president said. “I think it’s very hard for them to impeach you when they have absolutely nothing.” Some of Mr. Trump’s top aides and legal advisers, anticipating that the Democratic-led House would impeach Mr. Trump, met with Republican senators on Thursday to strategize over what they would do."
Of course POTUS doesn't believe he'll be impeached. How many think POTUS really understands the difference between impeachment by the House and removal by the Senate? Not I.
7
Thank you, NYT, for using the word falsehoods in the very first sentence of the article.
Many of us live for the day when lies are even more openly called just that when it comes to Trump exhaling.
12
No one can make me believe that the republicans in Congress love this president. They are scared to death of him. Scared that he will ruin their re-election chances by smearing their reputations. This is their chance to get him not only out of the White House but get him out of their lives. So I don’t understand why they are still trying to defend him.
14
This is a good insight: they fear him more than they love him. Which was precisely Machiavelli’s advice to the Prince: fear is a stronger bond than love, so it is better for the ruler to be feared than to be loved.
7
@CB
Judging by the recent behavior of the Republican
members of the House Intelligence Committee, they are not only scared to death of Trump. They are scared into a state of irrational malice, scared into selective amnesia and scared out of their manners.
2
@CB The desperation of Nunes and Jordan is palpable. They seem to fear they have lost their afterlives in a futile quest.
1
If an employee is dishonest on a material matter, as alleged here, the employee is fired. Doubly so if the employee is insubordinate by violating a directive barring testimony issued by his department and by the White House. However, Mr. Holmes still has his job, as do others similarly situated. Why hasn’t action been taken against this employee misconduct? The answer is in part the political ramifications. But the deeper problem for the President is that a challenge to disciplinary action would result in Trump (and other officials) being summoned as witnesses. That’s not something we’ll ever see happen. The staff rebellion continues.
1
@Barry: If you are a voter of age citizen of the US, you ostensibly vote, or don't vote, one share of USA, Incorporated, an authorized coercive corporation, in federal elections.
@Barry true American patriots. Doing their DUTY. Not like the president and his merry band of blowhard, crooked, criminals masquerading as politicians. Who only know party & power. Not duty. Unless it is sucking up to and enabling an unhinged president.
If Trump wants to refute testimony given under oath by government employees who underwent, and passed, background checks (unlike Trump himself and his family members), by all means he should get on that stand and proclaim his innocence under oath.
Talk is cheap, mr Trump, as are your thousands of tweets. You have all the power to end this now by testifying and setting the record straight.
12
Trump's and his defenders' lies, distortions, and personal attacks during this impeachment inquiry foreshadow a very scary Senate 'trial'. Can you imagine how that will play out? The Republicans will be subpoenaing the Bidens, any Ukrainians who were against Trump in the 2016 campaign, all sorts of conspiracy theorists, and an assortment of other vile characters. Instead of rushing to impeach Trump, it would be smarter for the House to subpoena Bolton, Mulvaney, Pompeo, Pence, and maybe DJT himself and wait for the Courts to either run out the clock until November 2020 or actually get those guys to testify under oath.
2
If the Republicans try to call Adam Schiff or Biden’s son as witnesses in the impeachment trial, the latter should refuse, then tell the Republicans to take the matter to court. That would be exactly the same strategy that Pompeo, Kupperman, Bolton, Mulvaney, Trump, Barr, and every other Trump sycophant are using to avoid having to tell the truth. The essential difference is that the Trump supporters are helping Trump hide his misdeeds, his requested gains for personal use. Schiff and the Bidens have had absolutely nothing to do with withholding a White House visit and holding back $400 million in security assistance from the desperate Ukrainians in exchange for dirt on the Bidens and the 2016 Election. The whistleblower should also refuse to appear, to agree to take a bashing from Trump enablers Jordan and Nunes unless he has a death wish!
4
Trump is acting exactly like someone who's been caught red handed.
Classic reaction.
Unfortunately the Republicans will only hurt their own party by defending him.
4
It is very easy to prove Trump is lying. During Trial, the prosecution will definitely produce a call history from Sondland's phone records to establish the call did happen.
Holmes said that he reported this to his supervisor immediately on/after July 26th, months before the whistleblower came out in September. The prosecution will get the supervisor's testimony to prove Holmes' version.
Moreover, there are two other witnesses at the lunch as well. Trump is the liar here.
6
Mr. Trump is welcome to make his accusations official and have the Justice Department prosecute the witnesses for perjury. I suspect Trump would not be pleased with the outcome of doing so -- though the nation would likely benefit from the unmasking, in a criminal court, of his own misdeeds.
3
Surely the House of Representatives has access to the technical resources to determine if Sondland called Trump from Ukraine on his cell phone on the date and time in question? Seems like this would be a relatively easy ( and potentially invaluable ) thing to check. It would also seem that in accusing Holmes of fabricating the call, Trump is also saying Sondland lied about this call taking place. Also, there were supposedly two other people sitting at the table while the call took place - yes? The Pres is audacious to be sure - and I’d argue none too intelligent - but is he foolish enough to pit his word against four witnesses and the eavesdropping talents of the NSA? Stay tuned for a walk back of Trump’s accusations in the very near future -
4
Trump can no longer distinguish his interior world from reality. He is consumed by his own construction of reality, which springs from his rage and fear, and his externalization of blame for his own blunders and lies. His interior worls is quite different from the objective world. In other words, he is clearly and increasingly delusional. If not impeachment, it's time once again to consider the 25th Amendment. He is a danger to himself and others.
5
The impeachment hearings were made public so that we, the American people could listen to witness testimony and formulate our own opinions. After listening to Ambassador Sondland change his story to, yes-there-was-quid-pro-quo, and each witness corroborate each others testimony which eliminated any doubt of hearsay, as well as Mr. Mulvaney's TV admission, coupled with Trump's accusation that both Sondland and Holmes were lying (inconceivable), this American's opinion is that President Trump, a proven liar whose testimony could hardly be believed, intimidated witnesses, obstructed justice, and used the office of the presidency for personal gain. And, if it's found that he lied in his written response to Mueller, I'd add perjury as well.
9
How can Trump claim that he did not know Mr. Sondland if he took his $1 million dollars toward his campaign? Was it donated under another name? And, then, who appointed Mr. Sondland to be the ambassador of the EU, or did Trump forget? Yikes!
8
Trump clearly doesn't understand/realize that his call with Sondland can be traced. Sondland used his personal mobile phone on a public network to call the White House. I'm sure the NSA monitors (lawfully or unlawfully) all communication going in and out of all government buildings in some way. If Congress was pushed, I imagine they could get that they could get their conversation released.
1
The Trump "election" was the breakdown of the Electoral College scheme of electing presidents, and if Trump escapes conviction of impeachment in the Senate, that scheme of apportionment will also lie smoking in ruins.
1
These are the pitiful last gasps of a desperate man. It's just plain wrong that Fox continues to give Trump a platform from which to spew his lies but it's all about Trump posturing for his base. Given the number of Fox viewers watching the hearings, however, it'll be interesting to see if Trump's denials persuade them to abandon what they've seen and heard with their own eyes: that is, compelling corroboration of Trump's own admission of bribery, via his summary of the phone call. Now if we could only find some GOP senators with a spine, willing to recoil in disgust from Trump's blatant attempts to bribe them to tow the party line during the impeachment trial.
2
I urge everyone to listen to Trump's interview on Fox and Friends this morning. If he is not actually mentally ill he's doing a great job acting and speaking like someone who is. And the biggest proof? He accuses Rep. Schiff and his other opponents of being mentally ill.
7
We've just witnessed honest, patriotic Americans testifying about their concern over a presidential perversion of justice. The questions are: Do enough Americans care? Is a sitting President above the law?
2
Trump hardly knows a donor that contributed $1 million to his campaign. Goes to show how much he values his supporters. Maybe Sondland should request his election contribution back.
5
@DebI Wong
Sondland contributed to Trump’s inauguration committee. Says he did it because he wanted tickets to the festivities.
So,what else is new?
Same crazy actions by him, just a different day. I fear that I'll become inured to the whole crazy cycle.
I wish it was November 2020 so I can vote....now.
Then I'll have a say in ending this madness.
2
But Sing Sing is in NY. And, when he retires, he'll have a nice room there!
2
I feel sorry for the true American patriots—those who testified—because of the harassment they've had to face from our baby president and his sycophants.
These seasoned establishment professionals saw there was something fishy going on. They report it, they come to DC to testify. And what will be the result of all this? Nada. Nothing.
2
Do we need any more evidence that the man has some — shall we say — issues? It’s been clear from Day One that he thinks the truth is whatever he says it is, and that he can change reality through magical thinking.
This can be cute in a 5-year-old, but is deeply concerning and dangerous in a 73-year-old who happens to be POTUS.
2
From the other NY Times story on Trump's falsehoods on Fox: "Mr. Trump repeated the baseless claim [of Ukrainian 2016 election interference] on Friday in an interview with 'Fox & Friends,' laying out the narrative and doubling down after a host gently pressed him on whether he was sure of one aspect of the debunked theory, that the F.B.I. gave a Democratic server to what Mr. Trump had inaccurately described as a Ukrainian-owned company. 'That is what the word is,' Mr. Trump replied."
"That is what the word is"; "Many people want to know"; "A lot of people are talking about that" (from Trump's 7/25/19 call with Zelenski, White House transcript); a lot of people want to find out about that (again from Trump's 7/25/19 call with Zelenski, White House transcript). Trump's innuendo-speak is a rhetorical trick that he employs more often than any other shill-device. He brazenly used twice on President Zelenski on July 25, but he uses it all the time on the American public. It's mere air, worth as little as the wind of digestive tract gas deliberately passed in a crowded elevator, and just as insulting.
2
One makes his statements under oath. The other will NEVER go live under oath because he knows he can't open his mouth or compose a tweet without lying.
2
Takeaway from listening to Trump's telephone interview with Fox News: He is either delusional or has really mastered the art of lying with a straight face. Denying his phone call with Sondland that three other State Department officials (an probably the Russians) probably overheard shows how deeply he has fallen into his alternative universe.
1
I am 57 year old black man living in Detroit Michigan. I have been and voted Democrat my whole life. It is to the point now that all the Democrats are doing is making promises and telling us that everybody else is racist. They never come through with their promises but they want us to continue to vote for them. I did not vote for Donald Trump in 2016 but in 2020 I will because the part of Detroit I live in is very poor and crime-ridden but really since Donald Trump has took office it hasn't been overnight but it has improved significantly around my neighborhood. And it isn't just my neighborhood it is everywhere she still has value if you look at the numbers and the stats and do your own investigations and don't listen to Just the media you will see that since the Republicans took the office back that the United States is doing so much better. I really hate to say it because I don't like Donald Trump as a person but he is doing marvelous things for the USA and I will gladly cast my vote Donald Trump in 2020.
4
Devonte, I grew up in Detroit and still have many friends living there. The changes you are seeing have more to do with the city going into bankruptcy so that the crushing debt the city had will be resolved for pennies on the dollar freeing up money that has helped the city. People are moving back into the city because of the terrific homes that are at a lower cost in Wayne county compared with Oakland and Macomb counties. Not much, if anything, can be attributed to the GOP in Lansing or in D.C.
38
@Devonte
Ask the US farm industry if ever since the Republicans took over things got better.
18
Only, the economic growth is about the same as during the Obama years (the numbers are actually slightly worse), so I would suggest what you're seeing is the result of 10 years of continuous economic expansion.
25
NYT, please don’t sugarcoat with polite words like ‘falsehoods.’ Better to say President Trump unleashed a series of LIES on Friday.
40
Now that the evidence is before us, it is clear that the substance of the testimony, which was essentially unrefuted on the merits and relevance, met the elements of federal bribery. Without fabricating counterfactual, exculpatory defense evidence or attacking their own witnesses, the GOP cannot mount a plausible argument that moves the burden of proof even 0.1% towards reasonable doubt. Were this a jury or bench trial in the courts, the verdict would be guilty for the president.
The outcome I am most concerned over would be that the Senate majority would accept and excuse a dangerous, egregiously criminal president as long as they retain the strong probability of replacing Justice Ginsberg's seat in the next presidential term.
The damage to our Constitutional democracy, the norms of the Executive Branch, the cynacism of the electorate, the very faith in our country would be well established if the GOP abandons the United States. We would need a new flag for whatever country we have after that.
14
He doesn’t know the person he appointed to be Ambassador to the EU?
Not surprisingly, he knew him well enough to cash his $1M check.
24
@cirincis — His “I never met this man before in my life” defense got stale a long, long time ago.
Since the mid 70s, Republicans have foisted 5 elected presidents on us, 1 resigned to avoid impeachment, 1 more about to be impeached, 3 of the 5 were manifestly lacking in the intellectual capacity for the job (Reagan 2nd term, Bush Jnr and Trump), 1 elected in dubious circumstances and then preceded to crash the economy and start 2 unfunded wars of aggression. 3 of the 5 were financially reckless and grew the debt and deficit exponentially.
Only 1 of the 5 (Bush Snr) was not a complete train wreck. Not a good record.
19
The lead in under the headline should more accurately read, "The House Impeachment Inquiry", rather than "The Democrats' Impeachment Inquiry." The way it is phrased feeds into the Republican false narrative that the impeachment is "partisan revenge" rather than the constitutional duty of the United States Congress.
31
@An informed reader
I agree. I do not understand why the NYTimes insists on saying this. I can't figure their intent for being disingenuous about it.
2
Any “guarantee” from Trump is never to be trusted. Same with his oath of office to protect the nation and US Constitution. He is unfit for office, as demonstrated by his unhinged actions and words from day one, and especially by the sworn testimony of those citizens, civil servants, and members of his own administration who have shown their loyalty and fitness to serve. Impeachment can’t come soon enough! Out with Trump.
7
Trump, the stage-4 malignancy to our Democracy, needs to be legally excised from office asap. We can only hope that enough Republicans in the Senate will comes to their senses, and their oath of office, and vote to remove him if he is impeached in the house of representatives.
8
The saddest part is that many Trump supporters believe him.
14
It just doesn’t matter. Quit putting your faith in a process (senate impeaches trump) that will never happen. Trump has done so many deceptive and even illegal acts since his presidency and no republican in Congress cares.
it’s all about the money. When the Supreme Court decides not to hear the appellate courts ruling that trumps taxes should be released to SDNY (there is precedence) , that’s when his real troubles will begin. He might stay in power until Jan 20th 2021, but I expect the cuffs to be applied shortly thereafter. And hopefully a couple kids and an in-law go with him to jail.
9
Someone is questioning Trump's actions?!? How dare they!
Semper Est Recta Regem. (The King Is Always Right)
15
Trump accusing someone of lying? Wow! Trump accusing someone of lying is like.......( fill in the rest of this thought I don't know ethereal to go with it)
12
John Kasick - Ohio ex-governor, a Republican running in the primaries in 2016 said to trump on the debate stage— “Just because you said it, doesn’t mean it’s true.”
18
@Jocelyn: It ain't necessarily true if it is in the Bible. I'm not sure Kasich knows that.
1
DJT "promises" Sondland never called him from a Kiev restaurant so Holmes never overheard him inquire about the investigation announcement he wanted from Zellensky.
Hey FBI --Let's check some cell phone records !
Make Trump say that under oath and we have- essentially- a Clinton impeachment.
18
@Sara
Trump will never, ever testify to anything under oath. Even if he did, by some miracle, he would lie.
1
That Republicans are staking everything on this delusional and raving lunatic tells you everything you need to know.
45
@Chris M I am really curious what the Republicans are getting in return, it's obviously worth more to them than country, the Constitution, democratic institutions and ideals, the rule of law—in effect the US as we know it.
2
Trump is a total whacko and so are his GOP followers. Vote them all out!
20
With 45* it's simply one big abuse of power reality show. He can't help himself. He's obviously sick mentally.
16
Joe Biden has plummeted in polls since the 2014 Burisma corruption scandal has surfaced.
Even democrats smell a rat.
2
Wrong. We Dems like to see evidence. You choose to ignore evidence from a lot of loyal Americans to support a lying grifter. And you think we are the ones with a problem?
No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar.
Abraham Lincoln
20
@Pia Except Trump.
Can the NYT please dispense with the word "falsehoods " and simply state trump lied. He lies in the morning,he lies in the evening. He lies when his lips move.
26
Trump is a liar. Nothing more, nothing less. And that, you can take to the bank.
13
I don’t care a whit what Trump has to say to his boot-lickers over at Fox & Friends. Testify under oath “Mr. President” and let’s see who’s telling the truth.
21
Liars are always going to suspect others of lying and DJT is the king of the liars.
10
@JSD,
Were you really fooled?
1
I think I know who the sick puppy" is. This guy and his minions are the most cowardly losers one can imagine. Everything Trump says is a self-serving lie. To him "everyone" else is a liar; he suddenly doesn't "know" any of his own handpicked people. He denies the simplest and clearest of truths; and he won't allow the people who know the most about all of this testify under oath. Yet he has the chutzpah to tweet insults and lies about witnesses -- all of whom have several times the integrity he has (which is none) have from afar, where no one can touch him. Is he not a modern-day Wizard of Oz? Coward with a big mouth. Coward. Coward.
12
NY TIMES: How about refreshing everyone's minds by publishing the ever increasing proven lies spewing from Trump's mouth since swearing on a Christian bible during his inauguration? How many thousands?
6
It takes a pathological liar to recognize one.
But unfortunately for Trump the big liar is himself.
To prove it Donald just testify under oath to Congress and the Judicial System, just release all subpoenaed documents to Congress, and force all your subordinates to testify under oath to Congress as well.
Just as importantly order your Republican Party sycophants in Congress to stop uttering Putin’s lines about a debunked Ukrainian conspiracy theory
and stop trying to smear the Bidens with that Ukrainian conspiracy nonsense as well.
If you are lying, just resign and face justice like the great American hero that you pretend to be.
I dare you to do what is right and honor your oath of office! Good luck America!
7
Trump and his minions (including his propaganda channel Faux News) not only want everyone to beleive their lies, but they are also crazy enough to mock those that do not. If you believe in the rule of law, genuine truth, and reality in general, these clowns will shower you with fake outrage.
4
Thee only lie in the room Donald is you!.You are Thee worst thing that ever happened to the United States!
5
Trump is incompetent in many ways. He is even an incompetent liar.
5
This is absolutely ridiculous. The spectacle that is. To use a technical term, Trump is nuts.
5
Holmes was under oath while the liar in chief was not.
9
Hmmm ...whom to believe??? Should I believe the Prevaricator in Chief and his GRU agent son, Don. Jr and the Kremlin's #1 useful idiot, Rudy Giuliani or Sondland and Holmes. What is disgusting is how the Republican put loyalty to Trump above the national interest. What is wrong with VP Pence as our next POTUS? Why not dump this POTUS - he is damaged goods and doing irreparable damage to the American brand. I would rather have Vito Genovese, Albert Anastasia, Meyer Lansky or Santo Trafficante running the US government than this POTUS, as at least those mobsters while engaged in criminal enterprises were still patriotic Americans who believed in the American dream and an America as a nation of immigrants. This POTUS is not only a cancer on the Presidency but a cancer on the American brand around the world and I donated to every GOP Presidential Campaign since Reagan up until 2016, so I have some perspective here. The GOP has gone rogue and has become a racketeer influenced corrupt organization (RICO).
9
@American Akita Team: Pence believes the Earth is 6000 years old.
1
@Steve Bolger That may be true, but given the current Constitutional crisis, the only thing I really care about presently is whether or not he is a GRU asset handled and managed by the Kremlin? If he is not a GRU asset, then we need to get over his other issues and do what is best or better for this nation. All religion is scientific nonsense but so is buying lottery tickets and plenty of agnostics and atheists do that - so let's not denigrate someone for adhering to irrational beliefs or practices unless it is contrary to the national interest.
1
Can I make a small correction to your headline? "Lying Again, Trump ... and Accuses a Witness...etc." Thank you very much.
6
It seems as if the first paragraph now adheres to basic journalistic standards.
Why not change the headline so it is not misleading Republican propaganda?
2
Mr. Trump,
If Mr. Holmes is lying, then YOU go under oath and testify.
Sincerely,
How stupid do you think we are?
12
'“I guarantee you that never took place,” "
That's pretty good. The "personal guarantee" of a habitual, sociopathic liar. Guess what that's worth.
12
The president accuses David Holmes of lying. Translation....David Holmes told the truth.
8
Did anyone sitting on the Fox & Friends couch bother to ask Donny Bananas why he's never volunteered to give any testimony - any at all, during the Mueller probe or now - under oath? Or why a confirmed serial liar deserves an ounce of credibility? Honorable professionals like Col. Vindman, Dr. Hill and Ambassador Yovanovitch have more integrity in their pinky fingers than trump's entire sick regime cubed. The so-called president is mentally ill and needs to be removed ASAP.
12
Correction *Dream on MacDuff
1
Crowdstrike is a publicly traded company based in California. It's co-founder-Dmitri Alperovitch was born in Moscow, not the Ukraine and is now a US Citizen. So when Trump blathers "they say" it's a Ukranian company owned by a Ukranian oligarch he is1, 100% factually wrong, and 2- spouting russian disinformation that he got from convicted tax cheat and felon Paul Manafort. And the sad part is that he knows he is spreading lies, the lies get fact checked and rejected, and he will say it again even though he knows it isn't true. When Trump says "They say" you know he is going to spread a lie. You notice he never identifies who "they" are.
7
Pot calling the kettle black!
3
Why is the Times giving a non critical report of a "Fox & Friends" interview? You're just giving fake news a megaphone.
3
Dream on McDuff
What a nightmare clown show. If you put all of this stuff in a novel you would be derided as ridiculous
4
Who you gonna believe.... Sondland and Holmes or Trumpster??????
1
Let me rephrase that for everyone:
"I did not have quid pro quo relations with that man."
That lie was uncovered eventually, WITHOUT any corroborating witnesses. In this case, the Presidential lie has already been uncovered, WITH corroborating witnesses! Case closed! Liar, liar, pants on fire!
And please, please, include Bribery and Treason in the articles of impeachment! Dangling already-approved aid and a WH meeting if they investigate Biden, is a Bribe! And withholding that $ provided "aid and comfort" to Russia - that's the very Constitutional definition of Treason!
Bribery is easy for Americans to understand, and so is Treason!
7
How is this news?
2
Pretty much what one can expect from this crowd. I Didn't read this article and still my comment is valid!
I know that this word has been used in a hyperbolic manner a lot but.... deranged.
2
THE most corrupt and disordered president — not to mention “person” — to EVER walk the face of this planet. Trump is a vile sociopathic human and cancer on our republic.
9
He should just drag his 'lovable' derriere before the house committee and under oath set the record straight.
6
Attack and lie all you want Don the Con...The bell has been rung. three quarters of Americans know you are a crook, fox noise and hannity cannot save you forever. Nor the sleaze of Jordan and Nunes or Ratfacecliffe. You will have your day in court.
6
How ironic.. the biggest liar in politics is acussing a credible witness (whose testimony is largely confirmed by other witnesses) against him of ... wait for it... lying.
You can't make this stuff up... Trump is the gift of absurdity that just keeps on giving.
And.. what do you want to bet that there is a recording of that phone call that "never happened" waiting to be released and set the final concrete around the liar-in-chiefs ankles? It is well known that the cell service providers in Ukraine were compromised by the Russians, and if you accept that at face value.. the same cell providers are also actively penetrated by the US, and the EU nations as well.
4
The Insane Clown President is such a joke. He had the nerve to say that David Holmes was lying about the infamous restaurant phone conversation in Kiev, and said:
“I guarantee you that never took place,” Mr. Trump said.
Well, put up or shut up "Commander in Lies". There is obviously a transcript of that phone conversation out of the White House. How about releasing the requested documents that would "guarantee" that it never took place. For that matter, how about allowing your nefarious secretary of state, Pompeo, and your more seriously nefarious "attorney", Juliani, to testify?
Or how about Bolton testifying instead of writing a book for $2,000,000?
What a team!
7
In my opinion, the only reason people still support Trump is that he is a racist, White Nationalist. They see him as their only hope to "restore" America to that mythological "White Christian" nation. Trump supporters are not logical, they are emotional. They don't seem to care he is a criminal psychopath. They need Trump to tell them he is going to rid our country of "undesirables" like blacks, Mexicans, Muslims and Jews.
6
I’m beginning to suspect Trump finds betraying his country a sexual stimulant.
8
A serial liar tells a couple more whoppers. Business as usual for this sociopath.
3
Who you gonna believe.... Holmes and Sondland it Trumpster??????
He did not "unleash falsehoods." He told flat-out lies. Tell it like it is, NYT.
5
Of course the Trump accuses others of lying. That is exactly how he operates. Lie, lie,lie, deny, deny, deny, Trump' modus opperandi 24/7/365. In Trump's cynical world view everyone lies, everyone connives, no one is honest, and morals are for suckers.
Nonetheless Evangelicals believe he is their white Jesus's anointed one. LOL at them and the pathological liar and conman Donald J. Trump
4
Whats the use of commenting. You can only call Trump a liar so many times before it gets old and it is.. He is a liar and everyone outside of his base knows that. Voters... get this guy (Trump) out of here.
2
It would be odd if he hadn't. All I know is Fiona Hill shredded these hearings for the White House. Her demeanor, composure and real time critical responses crushed it. Devin Nunes' made a "speech" (no questions) immediately after Ms. Hill spoke some of the most damning things I have heard so far. He said some of the worst things he is (apparently) capable of. Some was (I'm paraphrasing) "It's a complete hoax, witch hunt, etc. the Democrats have been doing ever since Donald Trump won the presidential election by (xyz) amount of electoral votes". This is how body language can be so powerful: She shot several intentional "Dagger Eyes" directly at him. I am sure all saw this. This only reaffirmed her composure to me.
5
Trump accuses Holmes of lying...
Wait ... Didn't Sondland confirm the call?
2
Trump is more and more sounding like Commander Queeg (Humphrey Bogart) testifying at the end of ‘The Cain Mutiny’. It shouldn’t be too long until we see him playing with steel balls in his tiny hands, ranting on about something equivalent to the disappearance of a quart of strawberries.
5
His 45 min rant on "Fox and Friends" this morning might indeed be that "Capt. Queeg" moment. Unhinged, even for him!
All this makes me wonder: what is so great about being POTUS? Why would a person be willing to commit such worldwide evil to obtain this position? Is it really that great a job?
Power must be one helluva drug.
2
Trump quoted as saying: “But he was really the European Union ambassador, and all of a sudden he’s working on this,” Mr. Trump said on Friday. “Ask about that.”
Only a president with significant frontal lobe impairment (brain dysfunction) would think this statement was a defense given Sondland's history of a $1,000,000 donation, Sondland's testimony, Sondland's texts, and the extensive testimony of government non-partisan analysts/diplomats.
The leader of the free world has frontal lobe dementia aka whack-a-dootle.
4
WHY isn't the lede the headline here? NYT, please do better!
America's foremost pathological liar and con man accuses a highly regarded career public servant with a reputation as a straight shooter of lying. The gaslighter in chief strikes again.
3
Trump: "Why should we give money to a country that’s known corrupt?"
All Republican & Democrats on the HPSIC, everybody in State, everybody in NSC, everybody in DoD, literally everyone else supports continuation of aid to Ukraine.
The real question is, "why should he ask a country that's known corrupt to investigate a U.S. citizen?"
3
Shocker.
These were not "falsehoods", there were out and out LIES! Call it like it is, NYT!
2
liar in chief says others are liars ... so THAT must be a lie so the witnesses are true
so glad don the con has drained the swamp and cleared up so many things......
2
"Trump unleashed a series of falsehoods on Friday"
Gad I get tired of NYT niceties. "Trump lied on Friday"
3
Bull - Schiff
And his fellow conspirators huddle in the basement under a bare light writing angry letters .
if not so pathetic would be disgusting and reminiscent of a bunch of third world nutcase revolutionaries plotting to overthrow the government
Will be entertaining to hear primal screams from media fools when multiple indictments are pinned on Stzork, Mccabe and Crumy.
1
Why don't you just say "lies" NYT? I am so sick of reading words like "falsehoods" and "misstatements". He's LYING. Print that.
5
NYT, please stop pulling punches.
"[A] series of falsehoods"?
Try "a torrent of lies".
6
Trump is so corrupt he is delusional. I think he really believes that folks are so stupid that they will believe anything he says, if he says it enough times and loud enough.
2
@Robert Wood Many do!
More fake news, "President Trump unleashed a series of falsehoods on Friday". Nowhere in this "news" article is there any proof presented. This would fail a 9th grade journalism class.
"Falsehoods", NYT?!
JUST SAY "LIES". Stop tap-dancing.
2
Trump has proven in the past there is a lot of hot air passing thru his lips,continues to lie, continues to attack those who under oath are willing to testify, with nothing to gain but tell the truth. If I were a trump supporter I would have to a be a little curious on why my guy won’t allow those who work for him to testify on his behalf, plus why won’t he turn over requested documents if all of this would make the Impeachment go away. Hell even OJ got away with murder because the gloves didn’t fit. So trump show us what we don’t know about the Ukrane issue that will make it all clear it was indeed the most perfect call. It’s kinda like you will be to busy for golf because you’ll be to busy doing the work of the American people. I also would like to understand why was your personal lawyer meddling in affairs out side his job description in a foreign country when there are qualified people in place. I would also like to understand what Hunter Biden has to do with your perfect phone call which is why your about to be IMPEACHED by the House. The Senate my not convict you, but that’s okay, the American voters will do the job for them in 2030, and I predict the popular vote will be much higher than the 3 million you lost by in 2016. Oh by the way hope you enjoy your early Christmas present from the House, a gift of an Impeachment. It will be with you for the rest of your life and then your kids, your grandkids etc, part of history.
If Trump is so cock-sure, then he should testify ASAP —under oath (publicly) — before the committee.
Nothing to worry about if everything he and his sycophants did was “perfect”.
Too bad if a friendly or hostile intel unit releases the 7/26/19 phone call... since it was undoubtedly intercepted.
I would believe A$ap Rocky before Trump.
Why is no one in Congress questioning the soundness of the Pres. Trump's mind? Even before he was elected, he displayed signs of paranoia and other psychiatric problems about which people commented. His conduct and demeanor have not altered for the better since his inauguration. On the contrary, his behavior and remarks seem more erratic and often downright odd.
Shouldn't members of Congress be more concerned for the well-being of American citizens than about safequarging the already badly tarnished reputation of the current president?
11
Unfortunately only half of the members are willing to recognize it.
@SC Reader the same might be said of so many elderly people who vote. Too many aging folks at the polls who can’t cognitively distinguish the logics of an argument. Just emotions and their specific historical privilege drives them and us over a cliff. Some can’t stand in line and can’t even walk from their car without assistance and disability of the physical body is not the issue. It’s the mind! I love my mom, but we had to take away her keys! She was even being paid to work at the polls - in Florida! So much needs to be addressed and I love the elderly, but these are frightening realities with potentially devastating outcomes.
1
@SC Reader: There are plenty of places in the US where a judgment of soundness of mind requires that one knows what God thinks about the human condition.
America is just different. In my southern hometown -- and in small cities in Wisconsin and Michigan, too -- Trump is a cult-like figure among many white independents. They identify with Trump's brand of rough "straight talk," as they call it. People such as Fiona Hill, who is multilingual, don't cut the mustard with them. I majored in foreign languages myself, so I know. Who cuts it? A billionaire with his own reality TV show (and a beautiful daughter) who doesn't use big words.
8
trump hardly speaks English, I’ve never heard someone call a telephone call perfect, phone calls are long or short, maybe angry or informative but perfect isn’t a word used to describe a phone call, U of Pa should ask for the diploma his father bought him.
1
@Mason Hucksters like Trump and Elmer Gantry do well with the rubes. Being from New York, it’s ironic to me that these people, who have always condemned obnoxious, pushy, rude New Yorkers (perhaps rightly so), have latched onto the worst example of a New Yorker.
@Mason
So depressing.
Trump constantly tweets out stuff that has absolutely no basis in fact or has any evidence whatsoever to support what he tweets. He goal is solely to advance his own agenda.
Andrew McCabe, former director of the FBI, said in his book "Threat" that "The President is trying to destroy what Americans have long assumed who we are and how the justice system works"
3
As I'm about to be 76 with a little heart trouble and four bypasses these are some of my concerns:
1.The Democrats will be unable to field an acceptable candidate and Trump and his tweets will go on for another four years.
2.Bush and his cabinet will never be prosecuted for the lies they propagated to make their case for the Iraq War.
3.Network TV will continue to be allowed to side-step its license responsibilities to provide public interest programming.
4.Fifty percent of Americans will continue not to vote.
5.The true history of the Indochina War will continue to be hidden from public view.
6.Americans will witness the death of their democracy with not even a whimper of understanding of how they killed it except for those few who will continue to be enlightened by PBS.
7.Hillary and Bill will still be campaigning.
However, I will be forever thankful I got to see Fiona Hill and her compatriots put a vision of honesty and competency forward in a spirit of true patriotism for the whole nation to see, admire, and hopefully try to emulate.And I'll be forever grateful the people of Vietnam were able to persevere and win a measure of peace by their sacrifices and determination.
8
If the question is "how low can Trump go?" I'm afraid the answer is "we haven't seen anything yet."
Expect scorched earth.
10
Tens of thousands of lies over the past 3 years from this man, sworn testimony that the call happened from the call receiver (Sondland), sworn testimony from a career diplomat who overheard a portion of the call, and two other witnesses to the call in real time and we are supposed to believe Trump?
The truth is as simple as this: Trump--full-throatedly aided and abetted by the entire Republican political establishment and his own entrenched supporters--is handing our democracy over to Putin, Xi, Erdogan, MBS, Un, and America's very own oligarchy.
I am horrified.
8
How far down Trump's lie-gilded house-of-mirrors has America wandered? Far enough that OUR Attorney General is chasing down (engineering?) leads to an investigation of dizzying conspiracy theories, while Lindsey Graham props up and amplifies Russian disinformation in the form of a senate investigation into 2016 and Ukraine.
Today's GOP is too far gone to be considered a home to patriotic Americans. Patriotic Russians on the other hand?
2
Unfortunately, this behavior is no surprise. There are two certain ways, however, to tell when Donald Trump is lying:
1) He's speaking.
2) He's tweeting.
6
Thank you for the Article.
This is why I hate Trump.
Among many other things.
3
The best thing is simply to not listen to or consider ANYTHING the tiny little man says, tweets or promotes. Everything he communicates is a complete and total fabrication and/or a LIE. he has his own reality totally disengaged from the facts. Enough, really.
1
Everybody is lying but the Trump. If you buy this, you must belong to the Republican party, also known as the party of Trump. Unfortunately, it's the well being of our country that is at stake while the Republicans watch our government, laws and Constitution perish.
2
Of course he’s accusing them all of lying. They aren’t saying what he wants them to say so automatically they are all lying. Besides, he himself lies with every breath he takes so automatically he assumes everyone else does too. What a sad state of affairs we are in when you can’t believe a thing the president of the United States says.
1
The existence of mr Sondland- pres Trump call can be easily confirmed with the mobile phone operator billing and similar billing/call recording at the WH.
NSA routinely records overseas calls, maybe WH also records presidents calls, so it’s very likely that the call content is recorded.
Russians and Ukrainians secret services also record clear text mobile phone conversations....
So, US government has possibility to confirm mr Holmes testimony.
2
It was a cell phone call. Lordy, he must know there is a record of it, if not a full recording made by Russia.
1
The guy either has an incredible reckless streak or is delusional. In either case he needs to be removed in the next election. It is doubtful that McConnell and his ilk will convict even if he is impeached. Thanks NYT for reporting on the Fox call...I never tune in to that propaganda station.
2
Two thoughts: Maybe Representative Schiff should subpoena the Russians since he can't get the White House and our own State Department to testify? The Russians obviously were on the line for ALL the phone calls. And who the heck did Trump quid pro quo to get the name of the whistleblower he claims to have obtained? Just saying.
2
Why are Trump and Republicans so readily manipulated by Russia?
3
Democrats are offering up impeachment help to the Republicans - they have thus far failed to recognize the gift.
2
Um... how come the impeachment inquiry is labeled a search for truth, but if Trump defends himself, he's labeled as attacking others? Yeah... no bias there.
3
@Ahmed because he *is* attacking other, and be cause the witnesses are consistent, while he isn't even self-consistent.
4
Remind me again... Was it that he said those things, and didn't do anything wrong, or is it that he didn't say those things, so there's nothing that could be wrong. I'm trying to keep track of it myself.
2
Because he is not doing it under oath subject to penalties for perjury and is not releasing the top players in his administration to do the same. There, I’m so happy I could clear this up for you.
3
Is it necessary to illustrate every article that mentions Donald Trump with a picture of him? If the article is about, say, his saluting the troops, a picture of him saluting the troops is appropriate. But most of the time, even if it's about his "appearing" in a phone interview, the picture does nothing but increase his physical presence. It's the equivalent of treating his campaign rallies in 2015 as breaking news.
Enough already.
10
He can say this under oath if he wants. I'm not stopping him. Or release the state department records or let people who know more testify under oath.
No one under oath has challenged the story.
Good pointing out the context for the statements, rather, lies, by the president. Thanks!
9
Trump has succeeded to devastating effect in creating an alternative universe where up is down and left is right. Half of us see the blatant insanity of it all and the other half ... embrace, accept and cultivate this craziness. Republicans have no shame.
15
“But he was really the European Union ambassador, and all of a sudden he’s working on this,” Mr. Trump said on Friday. “Ask about that.”
Wow, after all the efforts of the republicans to justify Sondland's activity in Ukraine policy Trump blows all that up and infers that it was improper.
Thank you Mr. Trump for continuing to impeach yourself.
19
Trump says every witness who testified UNDER OATH is a liar. He does this while not being under oath and while talking on the phone on live TV under the now current GOP premise that it's not against the law to lie to the media, so its OK.
How is it that every witness' account of what happened squares, yet the guy who is not under oath, and is known to have lied over 14,000 times while in office, is the one telling the truth? The same guy who has ordered that no subpoenas for documents or witnesses be obeyed, particularly all those documents and witnesses that have a direct bearing on the events.
How about you appear, Mr. President, and provide all of this blather under oath? After all, your Justice Dept. has a policy that says you can't be prosecuted for a crime while in office. No perjury problems for you.
C'mon, Don. Raise your hand.
20
In his own mind, it is clear that President Trump truly believes the list of witnesses have all lied under oath , that the impeachment enquiry is a well crafted evil conspiracy by an Democratic party, and that his energized Republican Party will exonerate him in the Senate and finally his acolytes will re-elect him in a landslide.
It is of course possible that despite his delusions , events may prove him right. The Senate Republicans have the power to exonerate their President in a trial they control however damning the evidence of his guilt.
Presidents are still elected by the Electoral College regardless of any narrow Democratic victory in the popular vote.
And of course, The President has a “Bush vGore “ Republican majority in the Supreme court to put a thumb on the scale should the Republican party’s candidate lose in the electoral College or face defeat if the constitution grants to the Democratic House the right to pick the next president in the event the College cannot.
The conclusion is inescapable.
The Founders did not create a Democracy. The only national elected office is the presidency and unless the popular vote is a land slide the presidency is elected by the antidemocratic Electoral College. Only a tidal wave victory in the popular vote can prevent another Trump victory in the Electoral College.
5
Trump is aware of his predicament, that his lies and insults and the wholesale of these United States are coming to an end; hence, his rabid attack on any and all folks with the courage, and patriotism, to denounce his criminalities. Trump and his republican minions, having no valid arguments, are resorting to a diabolic alternative, "shoot the messenger".
4
Please get Trump under oath. Then he can be impeached for lying to Congress instead of just lying.
8
I think the kettle should be offended.
3
Yesterday I listened to the testimony of Dr Hill and was wishing she could run for president. From her opening statement to her closing answers I heard an intelligent, articulate and fierce woman give testimony to what she witnessed in regards to the Ukraine scandal.
Everyone who has testified, UNDER OATH, has had to do so as we have heard many times without notes, documents and transcripts because the white house will not allow them to get their files or give them to the committee.
Mr. Sondland had some emails that included Mulvaney and Pompeo so we know they were in the loop and there is no doubt Giuliani was in charge of this Ukraine task for the president. We also have Mulvaney's own words saying that the release of the aid was contingent on meeting mr trump's demand for investigations.
Then we have mr trump, a man who earlier this year passed the 10K mark on number of lies told while in office, go on his FOX and "literally" FRIENDS show to give his side of the story! NOT UNDER OATH - What a farce
I hope that we as a country understand the risk taken by the brave men and women whom have testified, under oath, in these hearings. They are the canaries of our state department, singing loudly, warning us about their concerns for our national security.
9
A perfectly reasonable response, for a reality TV show personality. For a sitting US president, not so much.
3
I think it's been noted before that the Russians probably have a log of the call since it was on an open line. So now that Trump has attempted to muddy the waters here, Putin probably has better information than the American public.
5
If Trump believes Mr. Holmes is lying he can always provide witness testimony, under oath to counter Mr. Holmes free speech rights or maybe actually present evidence Mr. Holmes is lying and committing perjury. I guess that will happen, after Trump releases his tax returns. In other words, a few days after never.
7
First of all -- Trump has been incoherent and wild-eyed for a while now. This voluntary conversation, and his tweets, and his press conferences show a person who is totally out of touch with reality.
Second of all -- until he, Giuliani, Pompeo, Pence, and Mulvaney testify under oath, we simply cannot hold their declarations as being equal in value to Holmes, or any of the other folks who testified under oath.
10
If Trump had not blocked so many members of his administration from testifying, the ones on the call could have given their account.
1
Trump now confirms Mitch Mulvaney's assertion that the money was held up due to corruption concerns: “Why should we give money to a country that’s known corrupt?” And the Republicans in the House repeatedly remind us that the money was given to Ukraine even though they didn't launch any corruption investigations.
If this is all true - the money was held due to corruption, and was released to Ukraine without any corruption investigations - then we need an explanation for why it was released. Without such an explanation, the release of the money contradicts the claim it was held because of corruption.
3
Easy fix -- take the stand and testify under oath. Only one side of this dispute has its collective hand on the Bible.
1
Surely there are phone records that would put to rest once and for all whether this conversation took place.
3
@Jill McNish. Yes, and I'm confident the White House will ignore any subpoenas for them. Sigh.
@Jill McNish Ask anyone it was an unsecured line.
I cannot stress enough how alarmed I have been since 2015 when I heard for the first time Trump repeating Putin word to word. Now republicans in the Senate do it and their followers wear "I'd rather be in Russia" t-shirts. I am from the soviet union and for the first time in more than 30 years I am beyond scared. Why aren't we on the streets?
7
The testimonies and evidence were overwhelming, Fiona Hill was superlative in intelligence, demeanor, confidence and articulation. But the DOW remains high, polls show the MAGA crowd unmoved, in a country where congressmen question the loyalty of a decorated military man testifying under oath because he was born overseas, where individuals castigate and ridicule parents whose grade school children were slaughtered in their schoolroom, in such a country I would not at all feel assured that justice will be done. Will we ever be able to drain this decaying infested swamp? I pray.
4
Lie early and often and most people who are busy with other things eventually take the lies as facts. Trump proves that we live in a world that allows dishonesty to payoff well.
2
This was 20 years ago. My son was 5 years. When I came back from work, my son volunteered that he didn't steal any cookies that day. The thing is, I didn't even tell him that I bought cookies the previous day! Trump's 'I didn't want any QUID PRO QUO' defence is exactly the same. Who accused him of QUID PRO QUO? That is not a common word. Sondland was just asking what Trump wanted from Ukraine. This is the most definite proof that he read the whistleblower's complaint by that time. He already got caught by that time. He can't use what he said after he got caught as a defense. Democrats should be able to destroy this defense. I don't know why they are silent and let Trump get away with this.
4
If trump wants to dispute these valiant witnesses, why doesn't he come in and testify, along with Guiliani, Mullany, Perry, Pence and any other relevant witness. It's easy to lie on Fox News. That's a prerequisite. They all have a lot to say. Put them under oath and see how far they will go to protect this president. It's interesting, isn't it, that Trump orders relevant witnesses not to offer testimony to Congress?
6
"The charge of high crimes and misdemeanors covers allegations of misconduct by officials, such as perjury of oath, abuse of authority, bribery, intimidation, misuse of assets, failure to supervise, dereliction of duty, unbecoming conduct, refusal to obey a lawful order, chronic intoxication, and tax evasion."
Trump's behavior is impeachable, if a majority of the House votes for it.
1
What suggestions for actions to take against a nascent dictatorship?
For a year or so I was saying often here we were entering into fascism but it was never posted until several months ago.
1
It takes a spectacularly deluded mind to conclude that the people testifying under oath, on camera, are lying yet people who refuse to testify at all are the ones telling the truth.
3
Some perpetrators go to jail denying everything they had done, and that’s fine. Luckily we have numerous credible witnesses to Trump’s crimes. Trump has zero credible witnesses to his claimed innocence.
2
It's difficult to explain why Trump would re-open his ludicrous charge against Obama, but I believe it gives Rep. Schiff good reason to call one last witness: Roger Stone. Six weeks into his shaky presidency, Trump's charge of wiretapping was never fully explained. I would suggest that Trump had foreknowledge of the Wikileaks dump of "Vault 7," the worst exposure of secret CIA hacking and surveillance methods, which happened four days after Trump's wild accusation. If Trump's violations of his oath include egregious lapses in the national security realm, this incident could well be one and would likely not be first time Assange used Stone to get information to the president, who promptly used it for personal rather than national benefit.
He’s publicly defaming many of his own appointees. Some of them should file civil lawsuits against The Dotard. Defamation is not free speech.
3
I would say come testify under oath, Mr. President. We all want to hear what you have to say.
2
This “dispute” is easy to resolve. Obtain the cellphone call records for the Trump and Sondland exchange. End of drama.
1
We can clear this up real quick come Mr Trump let have you get on the witness stand under oath and clear all this up but I know you lawyers will never let you do that because you would perjury yourself. hands down.
1
Holmes' claim that he heard Trump ask Sondland if Zelensky was "going to do the investigation" is credible. If Homes were gong in oder to incriminate Trump, he would have claimed to hear something incriminating.
For example, he might have said Trump said,"Tell Zelensky he will get no foreign aid unless he helps me win reelection by issuing arrest warrants for Joe and Hunter Biden. That would have been incriminating.
But the revelation that Tump ask if Zelensky is going to do the investigation is not incriminating. The White House freely acknowledges that Trump asked Zelensky to do the investigation. Naturally Trump was interested in whether Trump would do the investigation.
@William Case
This comment misses the point - the report of the call shows that Trump was only interested in 1) an investigation by Ukraine of a crackpot theory that it was Ukraine, not Russia, that interfered in the 2016 election; and, 2) an investigation into a company whose Board of Directors included the son of Trump's political rival, Joe Biden. Ukraine had closed an investigation into that company without adverse findings several years ago.
Trump has never asked about any other aspect of Ukrainian corruption and doesn't appear to have ever reviewed or been briefed on any of the material that State Department and National Security Council personnel developed regarding Ukraine. His only interest was in creating false appearances that would serve his own self interest.
@Truth vs Lies
The call does not shows that Trump was only interested in investigations. Volker and Morrison testified he was interested in whether corrupt oligarchs would siphon off U.S. aid, even though Hunter Biden can no longer siphon off his share. Volker and Morrison said Trump also worried that European countries were doing their fair share,
David Holmes had the courage to testify under oath to Congress. Trump testified on Fox and Friends. Big difference.
3
David Holmes testified under oath about the content of a call he overheard between Donald Trump and Gordon Sondland that reflect adversely on Trump. Gordon Sondland also testified under oath in agreement with Holmes.
Trump talks to Fox and says: “I guarantee you that never took place,” and that he barely knew Mr. Sondland.
First, Fox should verify with WH records whether Trump actually took a call from a guy he "barely knows." Second, Fox should ask its guests to sign an affidavit that what they say is true under penalty of perjury. If this were done, how often would Trump talk to Fox?
2
Democrats need to start calling Trump a liar, both formally in the hearings report and in press conferences. If Trump wants to defend himself, then he should do it under oath.
1
Apparently Sondland lied or misspoke when he testified that Trump told him, "No quid pro quo" on September 9. According to others' testimony that was actually on September 7. The same call where Trump insisted that Zelensky himself make the investigation announcement.
If I hired someone and then told my client that I barely know them..... it would be an awkward conversation. But we all know that in Trump’s mind, the buck stops anywhere but here.
2
Aren’ the call records easy to obtain?!?
1
Judge Judy tells people in her court that if they tell the truth they don't have to keep track of all the details of lies they might tell. All the witnesses the Democrats have called are long term professional public servants, smart and dedicated to furthering the interests of the USA. They have testified truthfully to the best of their recollections and despite negative consequences including threats of violence against them. These are the best of the best who at all times serve the nation as they have done in their testimony against the worst of the worst, our aberrant president and his accomplices. We must honor them and keep them safe.
3
It’s hard to believe anything coming out of Trump’s mouth anymore. It’s seems as if he’s lying 99% of the time.
1
if Trump says the phone call didn't happen then it didn't happen. Right? Just ask the always trumpers.
I think that the word 'debunked' is overused in news stories. I prefer simple, standard English, which them must give the sources and reasons for the dismissal. For example:
- there is no corroborating statement...
- there are no other witnesses...
- there is no physical evidence...
- there is no circumstantial evidence that links...
This way, if there are still investigative reasons for pursuing a question, then these should be pursued. This will benefit both sides of any argument - reducing the noise associated with political discourse by making the discussion primarily based on evidence.
4
Yeah, reliable circumstantial evidence and reasonable inferences are not sufficient evidence. There must be a confession by the accused under torture. Your view of evidence was debunked in the 18th century.
@AW
Both 'debunked' and 'conspiracy theory' as used in news stories are evidence of lazy journalism not appropriate to the (former) standards of the Gray Lady. Or WaPo. Better definition is necessary to preclude doubt on the part of that endangered species known as 'critical thinkers'.
1
@Casual Observer
I rest my case.
If anyone knows what a lie is, it is Trump, as he is so well practiced in that art as to be a master.
But then, if he is a psychopath as so many claim, he doesn't know the diff between truth and lies.
In any case, Trump has always done whatever gets the job done, no matter what, and the details of how it gets done don't matter to him, just that it works best for him and him alone.
4
Finally! A news report that Trump lied today that...
The word "falsehoods" is used. It will do although I always prefer "lied."
9
Those who testify under oath will most likely tell the truth. Those who are afraid or won’t testify typically spin all sorts of untruths. Just look at Mulvaney, Pompeo Pence or Trump.
16
Gosh, who should I believe? On the one hand we have career federal employees, ambassadors, former US Ambassadors, NFC folks, some currently serving in the White House, who have no partisan skin in the game, and on the other hand our POTUS, who has lies daily, over 14,000 times since taking office? This should not take more than a millisecond to figure out.
15
I'm reacting to the photo with this story: Every time I see that lying, thieving so-and-so walking around in the people's White House as if he owned it, I'm incensed and disgusted.
As for Melania -- meh. I can't imagine what deal she made with the devil to put herself in such company.
14
To rise above the anger and disgust at all the lies and subterfuge that Trump and this administration has given us, is very hard.
But to look at Trump alone and to do that should make us all feel deep sorrow that our president has shown so many times his desperate need to be thought of as a superior being who is always right. There is something that makes him a pathetic person, one who only invites deep pity for the depth of his failures.
4
Remember, the Republicans could not spout their propaganda without being helped by NY Times front page articles like this one and like Peter Baker's article.
In both cases, sworn testimony is treated as suspect because a Republican not under oath says it is.
The NY Times clearly has directed its reporters that its new standards are that statements by right wing Republicans must be treated as just as truthful as sworn testimony. Equal weight given to both, so that sworn testimony must be suspect because a Republican not under oath says it is.
2
"T" accuses diplomat of lying. That would be funny if it weren't so darn sad.
8
How in the world does the President of the United States--one of the hardest and most important jobs in the world--have 53 minutes available of his presumably busy day to waste complaining to a TV talk show?
19
@Pucifer: It was time away from golf.
1
@Pucifer It's far better for the country that he spend all his time watching TV rather than dreaming up more chaos and destruction.
1
@Pucifer
he claims he had recently worked a 14 hr. day and stilled fit in time for Dr. appt.
1
Donald Trump's constant, consistent and relentless effort to call those who tell the truth "liars" and to then proceed himself to lie tens of thousands of times is the worst of his many moral, ethical and other personal failings.
11
I am sure that now the real-American-seeking-only-the truth-republicans will ask Trump to appear under oath as it was required for Clinton during his impeachment procedure.
8
I think most of us know who the sick puppy is.
7
“Falsehoods”. Why not just LIES?!
6
"I guarantee you..."
I would literally believe anyone else in the world above Donald Trump.
7
Is it not sufficient to report the news without such gratuitous insertions as "series of falsehoods"? No wonder many people no longer rely on the Times for reliable news.
2
@OldEngineer: People rely on Trump for entertainment.
So the President's "defense" consists of lies, insults, and more lies. In other news "dog bites man."
2
Republicans apparently thinks this is normal behavior for a president of the USA!
10
@John: A hanged puppet is a blackmail well done.
@Steve Bolger Whut?
With all the issues our country faces our president has time to spend 53 minutes talking to a TV show. I can only shake my head in disgust.
11
The king of liars is accusing someone of an untruth?? Now there is a laugh.
8
Everyone else is lying, with the sole exception being Donald J. Trump.
If you fall for this, you are either dishonest, hopelessly stupid, or some toxic combination of the two, for there is no middle road here.
8
Trump seems mystified when his heretofore sycophants publicly turn on him.
Here's what Trump said about Gordon Sondland, EU Ambassador and sycophant-of-the-week:
“This guy, Sondland: hardly know him,” Mr. Trump said.
“I’ve had a couple of conversations with him,” Mr. Trump said. “I see him hanging around when I go to Europe.”
Sondland is but a Stormy Daniels with a paunch and a bullet head.
At least Stormy got paid by the Donald; Sondland paid a million bucks for the privilege.
Hope it was worth it.
6
I’m not sure what time Sondland and Holmes had lunch in Kiev, but it was probably close to Executive Time on the Golden Throne. Tweet Boy was probably in a Twitter storm stream of semi consciousness at the time of the call. What was he tweeting that day as the sun rose? Anyone on that at NYT?
3
This article is symbolic of everything that is wrong with the NY Times coverage. You report what Trump says without pointing out that he is lying. By just reporting it as if anything Trump says has the same weight as what the witnesses testified to under oath, you help destroy democracy.
When you do this -- simply report a blatant lie as if it had the same weight as real evidence -- you are actually doing very biased reporting. In fact, it is propaganda.
6
Notice he has someone with him pretty much at all times. Guess they (his family) think it's better for him to be accompanied in case he loses it completely which could come at any day! God his enablers are such a disgrace!
3
why do you keep giving this President credence and so much real estate when he is a bonafide liar? It is incomprehensible to me that the NYT would dedicate this much to a man who is known for castigating all of his critics. He has no credibility and yet you keep acting as if he does. At some point, the NYT needs to step up and call a spade a spade.
3
When Trump denies something it must be true by definition.
He is a pathological liar, he cannot do differently.
4
Trump projecting again.
1
LOL that some don't think him "barely knowing" our EU ambassador would be a problem in and of itself. Even if it weren't a laughable lie. SMH.
4
What is going on??? Trump is a lunatic and a conman. What is wrong with people? This is intolerable. If any manager in the world acted like this he would be fired at the very least but more likely put away. Enough with trying to normalize this insanity.
6
LOL! Trump accuses some of lying and we are supposed to believe him.
4
Trump has argued that the slander, libel, and defamation laws need to be strengthened. I agree. And they need to apply to sitting presidents.
6
There were additional witnesses to that telephone call, and probably accessible electronic records. Since Trump is focusing
on the telephone call, House investigators should get as much verification of that telephone call as possible in the evidence. To verify whether Trump is telling the truth or not.
If there are enough House votes to impeach, Trump should be impeached.
6
"Will he be impeached? “I don’t expect it,” the president said. “I think it’s very hard for them to impeach you when they have absolutely nothing.”"
Notice he doesn't say he did anything wrong. He states simply that they have "nothing".
He needs to be removed before he damages this country further.
13
Trump has firmly established he is under no circumstances capable of saying anything truthful.
13
I really seems kind of simple to me... either testify under oath, or be quiet.
11
I can't believe that Trump claims German and Scottish heritage. I would have bet Sicilian, based on his behavior.
4
I'm sure that my in-laws heard DJT this morning. Faux News is the 24/7 background noise in their house. I am also sure that they believe what they hear. What a shame. Can't wait for Thanksgiving.
8
If Trump was telling the truth, he would be testifying under oath, just as the witnesses he is trying to slander did.
8
Trump,
If all the witnesses are lying, why don't you prove that they are?
An innocent man does not act the way you do.
Republicans, how long are you going to stand by this guy?
As Michael Cohen said, one day you'll find out.
Meanwhile, he's taking everyone down with him.
13
Fox & Friends airheads have been used again and again by Trump to put forth lies and conspiracy theories. Their reactions to Trump's insane rants are hilarious! This has been going on since 2015. It's like watching a Grade C movie.
9
Has anyone else noticed that almost all of today's heroes to Republicans in politics and the media are Vietnam draft dodgers or avoiders of military service during our other wars since, and who demonize people in the military like Vidman who don't tow the line of their lies?
8
Cell phone records could certainly prove the call took place, regardless of what the white house says.
7
When the president says or tweets things he is the voice of the government. As Commander in Chief, he speaks for the entire armed forces, as chief executive, he speaks for the entire executive branch including all cabinet secretaries and staff. He also speaks for the Joint Chiefs and the entire diplomatic corps. He is the ultimate spokesman for foreign policy, trade, and can create laws via executive order, as he darn well sees fit. The POTUS isn't some Joe Public. He is the voice of the United States Government and when he says that the witnesses who testify against him are lying, well, it's the President who says it as leader of the government. And even if he's lying, he's allowed to, and by all signs from Republicans, he's supposed to.
3
WE are now no different to any other corrupt country of any description – first world, third world – any of them. Though we claim to be democratic and morally guided, that seems to no longer be the case. Hope can young people have any hope after this?
20
@Christopher Lee: I submit they can learn from this how NOT to run a country.
2
Unfortunately, even with all of the dishonest, underhanded, criminal and treasonous activity put forth by this administration, the fact remains that MOST people are not personally touched by it and because of a relatively strong economy (let's face it, money talks), they have become disinterested. There is a very strong possibility that this inept and infantile cretin will win another term via the broken and corrupted process of the electoral college. The Democrats are failing to match the GOP shot for shot and while stooping to the GOP's level is not a savory idea, it is badly needed. The GOP is flooding the country with lies and fake news via the airwaves, Twitter, Facebook and any print medium they can access, with barely a chirp in response from the Democrats. When will the sleeping giant awaken? Soon I hope!
12
Who ya gonna believe? A president known for telling lies almost every day, or a career government employee? Mr. Holmes spoke out of duty to the nation. He could have ducked under the president's non-cooperation shield along with the Secretary of State, Pence, Mulvaney, and all the other people who listened to the president "ask for a favor" from Zelensky, who even today dares not say anything against the president.
Trump's everyday life is all about quid pro quo: "Be nice to me or I will trash you."
8
I definitely think Holmes was lying about being able to hear what Trump was saying on the phone call with Sondland. Yesterday CNN’s Chris Cuomo spectacularly failed while trying to demonstrate “how easily it could be done.” Meanwhile, Holmes isn’t the only one lying. Vidman has testified he does not know the identity of the whistleblower, but when asked under oath as to the identity of the second person he told about the phone call between Trump and Zalensky, he refused and Schiff interjects that its because they want to protect the identity of the whistleblower. Ridiculous. (And Schiff himself has repeatedly lied about whether he knows the identity of the whistleblower.). This whole impeachment hearing is a joke. A House Democrat took to the House floor in 2017 to call for Trump to be impeached over his comments about NFL players kneeling during the National Anthem. Think about that for a second. Again, ridiculous. Is it any wonder that Democrats are no different than “The Boy Who Cried Wolf?” They can’t be taken seriously when they’ve been crying “impeachment!” from Day 1, and on the most trivial of matters, like Trump’s comments on NFL players kneeling. If Trump is re-elected, Trump should send Schiff a bouquet.
1
@David R No one care what "you think" about Holmes, we want to know if you can match Holmes' sworn testimony under oath. You can't.
Trump's lies are well documented.
21
Then you haven’t heard my mom on the phone. She’s 69 and when she is on the other line, with speaker phone off, everyone in the room can hear her. I have to turn my sound almost all the way down every time we talk on the phone.
1
Trivial matters?
Trump is carrying out Vald’s instructions, 24/7 - did you not understand what Dr. Hill said yesterday?
Trump is Vlad’s eager doggie - sowing discord, division & hate between on e half of your population & the other, between the USA & it’s allies.
The USA has lost its way.
2
Until Trump and his cronies make their statements under oath, nothing they say is credible.
Having said that, there are a huge swath of Americans who believe them no matter what, and there may be enough to reelect this man for another four years no matter what evidence under oath is delivered in the inquiry.
Perilous times for America and the world. We're teetering on the edge at a time when we can least afford to do so.
15
@Memi von Gaza
You say: Until Trump and his cronies make their statements under oath, nothing they say is credible.
And you think Trump wouldn't lie under oath?
9
@MAKSQUIBS Oh he would most certainly lie, but then he would be finally have to bear the consequences. As it is now, there aren't any.
Dear Voters
What do you expect me to do? I promised a wall. There is no wall. I promised a brilliant trade deal. There is no deal. I promised to stop the opioid crisis. It’s gotten worse. I promised to end corruption in government. It’s worse now than ever. I told ordinary working people is help them. I passed a tax cut for corporations and millionaires. I promised to repeal and replace the ACA. My own party voted to stop me and I have no alternate plan. So, be honest, wouldn’t you also start to look for other ways to influence the 2020 election. Asking me to run on my record isn’t fair. Imagine how I feel for a minute. And honestly, isn’t the Ukraine thing the last problem you should be worried about right now?
D J Trump
21
I think that Trump is going to lose, in the end, because the man just cannot keep his trap shut for five minutes.
16
David Holmes testified that the others in the group also heard Trump and Sondland.
5
To support an individual so inclined to lie and subvert this nation as its chief executive is beyond belief. We as a nation are in desperate waters. It would appear the Republican Party is in concert with Russia and Putin to destroy our democracy simply through this one corrupt man who pretends to be a president.
13
It is just revoltingly ironic that Mr Trump and his Republican allies proclaim Ukraine’s corruption as their single motivation for misdeeds in that country. This is the President who has likely brought more corruption to the US Presidency than all other predecessors combined:
-Emollient clause violations,
-nepotism,
-self-dealing cabinet members,
-obstruction of justice,
-witness tampering and intimidation,
-conspiracy to invite foreign interference in US elections,
-bribery of international officials,
and
-a string of lies well over 10,000 documented times.
Stunning record in just three years. Have I left anything out?
14
So, Trump sees Sondland 'hanging around' when Trump goes to Europe. Is 'hanging around' the job of an ambassador? I 'hang around' Europe a lot and, fortunately, have never bumped into either of these reprobates. Trump's comments should be more than enough justification for his removal from office - he is stark raving mad. The one thing that he has been consistent about, and he's said it often enough, is that the US is a laughing stock. It is, a demonstrably corrupt laughing stock.
15
Trump, the Master of Lies, has some nerve calling out people under sworn testimony liars. His operational method his entire life has been to deny truth, facts, debts until he wears down his adversary or truth teller and they give up. The man has no concept of what truth is as he exists in an alternate reality of his own making.
10
Two words: Malignant Narcissist...this man lives in his head where his view is the only thing he can see. Everyone else revolves around him. He is the most dangerous kind of narcissist. Besides that, he has zero empathy for anyone else but himself, no connection to emotions other than anger. Please, please, please if anyone knows someone in swing states who does not vote and is Democrat and/or moderated Independent, get them registered and out to vote!!! Physically pick them up and get them out to the polls. Voter turnout has never never never been more important in the history of our country's history. A second term with this maniacal lunatic will totally destroy our country inside and out.
9
First line:
"President Trump unleashed a series of falsehoods..."
Why do you not call them lies? "Lies" is a perfectly good, succinct word. When I hear Jake Tapper say something like, "President Trump said an untruth today" I feel like screaming. You are all enablers of this truly evil man. Do better!
7
Nothing is going to happen - his base doesn't care if Trump murdered someone in cold blood on Fifth Avenue and those corrupt GOP members of Congress refuse to acknowledge obvious truths meticulously laid before their eyes.
Show up under oath.
Instruct your top aides to testify under oath.
Put your money where your mouth is.
5
Ugh, reading this article just turns my stomach. This man is just so delusional. What makes me need a sleeping aid each night is how many Republicans are STILL supporting these insane lies including some of my own family members. What kind of a country are we becoming?
4
The NY Times needs to take a hard look at the standards it provides to journalists.
To wit -- something that is said by a random person has absolutely no weight when it is contradicted by something said by a person who is under oath. Not even if that person is the President.
Right now, the NY Times journalist standards seem to be: if a Republican says it then it has the same weight as testimony given under penalty of perjury.
That needs to stop. Now. What journalism school did NY Times reporters attend that taught them to make sure to report random things said by a person as having equal weight as sworn testimony?
And no, Republicans are not exempt -- journalism schools don't teach that if a Republican says it publicly, NY Times reporters should characterize the statement as having the same weight as sworn testimony.
3
trump sees Sondland 'hanging around' when he goes to Europe.
As the plot thickens, trump runs out of ways to disparage his own appointees. And, remarkably, I'd bet that every one of them is more engaged in whatever their assignments are than is trump. He is the most useless person in this useless administration.
3
Trump says he doesn't know Sondland and it's believable. After all, he did refer to his own wife as Melanie when she came out of the hospital.
1
Trump accusing someone of lying? Is this a joke?
3
One thing I’ll give him credit for: Donald Trump has somehow weaponized his own sniveling cowardice.
3
According to the Sondland transcript, the White House confirmed the Sondland/Trump cell phone call:
Sondland: (27:07)
Also on July 26, shortly after our Kyiv meetings, I spoke by phone with President Trump. The White House, which has finally, finally shared certain call dates and times with my attorneys, confirms this.
3
Talk is cheap Mr Trump - which you have proven over the past 3 years. When you testify under oath maybe I'll consider listening to you.
1
He’s so pathetically pathological that I’m waiting for him to deny he’s even Donald Trump.
7
Donald Trump is a liar and bully. He must be confronted on every falsehood and those actions forbiden by our laws and Constitution. We, citizens of the United States, must continue to pursue this bully with every means at our disposal. If that means continuing to call Impeachment Inquiry witnesses, so be it. If we need to wait on judicial review, so be it. All politicians must show loyalty to our Constitution.
3
It is clear by now that Trump is a despicable, pathological projecting prevaricator.
He needs to go. NOW.
4
Will someone please sit down with Trump, tell him how the cloud works, and tell him everytime he says"where is the server" it makes him look like ignorant fool. The FBI has every bit of evidence that was on the hacked DNC servers. It has been digitally imaged and is in the hands of the authorities.
4
Mr. Trump has been lying his entire life and getting away with it. Why? I can't for the life of me understand why someone wouldn't come down hard on him for the lying, but people close to him are afraid of him...again why? His fierce temper? I think he is a fraud!
3
Without question the biggest liar on the face of the earth. He has reasserted his title with this performance alone.
4
Classic trump deflection, accuse those who come out against you of your own worst behavior. I say this to trump: your pants are on fire.
Pathological liars don't recognize truth.
Trump's string of mendacities brings to mind Nixon's "I am not a crook" speech:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh163n1lJ4M
1
Here's a guy who lies constantly and might not have the brains or the ethics to know it, calling other people liars.
He's always acting. Someone get a hook and drag Trump offstage.
Everyone is lying except Dirty Don and his den of thieves. Surprising.
1
From the article:
"President Trump unleashed a series of falsehoods on Friday . ."
Should read:
"President Trump unleashed another string of lies on Friday"
2
The profligate liar-in-chief would like you to believe what he’s saying. That someone else is lying. That ship sailed many years ago for Mr. Trump.
1
The people should storm Washington and demand that this criminal GET OUT OF OUR HOUSE!
3
@Michael Lazazzara yes. That is the only way we'll be rid of him.
Sadly, we will have to wait until you leave office to see you in prison.
As of now I can never see myself voting for a Republican.
The Red Party is morally bankrupt.
2
Trump will lie under oath. Does anyone doubt that? Sociopath deluxe.
3