A Little Too Much Reality in the Show?

 

Watching the parade of porn stars, reality TV contestants, and former Playboy models lining up to lambaste the President of the United States, as well as the daily trove of stories of wife beating, naked nepotism, gambling, and official corruption among his cabinet members and White House staff, I was reminded of a story Bill Buckley once told.

He had been nominated by the Nixon Administration to serve as one of our delegates to the United Nations. The FBI called around to his friends and colleagues, and one, William Rusher, groaned that he had already answered all of their questions when Buckley had been nominated for an earlier assignment. The agent replied: “I know, but it is my duty to ask whether Mr. Buckley might have done anything since 1969 to embarrass the president.” The sly Rusher responded, “No, but the Nixon Administration has done a great deal to embarrass Mr. Buckley.”

Imagine the FBI interviews with nominees like Gov. Nikki Haley or Gen. James Mattis. “Have you done anything that could embarrass President Trump?” It’s mind-bending. They are honorable people with stellar careers and he is a failed casino magnate, serial adulterer, swindler of ambitious naïfs (see Trump University), sexual predator, and all-around louse. Yes, he’s the president, but is he even capable of embarrassment?

You might say that Trump isn’t pretending to be a saint, and that he’s tough and strong and ready to be “our” son of a b—- (to paraphrase FDR’s supposed description of a Latin American despot), but it’s not quite that cut and dried. Trump maintains his innocence, which is where things get confusing.

Trump vehemently denies the accusations of groping and affairs, but this week it seems that the elaborate and expensive efforts he has undertaken to conceal his behavior are unraveling a bit. The resulting prurient press party was entirely predictable.

Stormy Daniels alleges that she had an affair with Trump. At first, the world yawned. But since then we’ve learned that Trump’s personal lawyer Michael Cohen paid her $130,000 in hush money in October 2016. (Such nice lawyers Mr. Trump hires!) That may be a violation of campaign finance laws if Trump did not report it as an in-kind contribution. Beyond that, it reveals the contempt with which Trump treats the public. There was no affair, but Cohen had a sudden urge to make a charitable contribution to Stormy? And now Trump is suing Daniels for breach of the confidentiality agreement – in the amount of $20 million – though the official Trump position is that the agreement doesn’t exist. Got that?

Some are attempting to link this to the #MeToo movement – women must speak “their truth,” lawyer Gloria Allred explained – but it’s a safe bet that Stormy is thinking finances, not feminism. Mr. Trump, who stresses that winning is the only virtue he upholds, should admire that.

The same cannot be said of Summer Zervos, one of the 16 women who accused Trump of groping after the release of the Access Hollywood tape. If you recall, Trump claimed that all of the women were lying and that he would sue them after the election. Zervos, who was a contestant on The Apprentice, has now received the go-ahead from a judge for her lawsuit to proceed. She said he groped. He called her liar. She is suing for defamation. Trump’s lawyers had argued that his depiction of Zervos as a liar was “political speech clearly protected by the first amendment.” The judge rejected that argument, and citing the Paula Jones precedent, noted that no president is immunized against suits for purely private acts. This could open the door to sworn depositions, and possible further suits.

And because character is destiny, yet another Trump acquaintance, Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model, is also attempting to invalidate her secrecy agreement. Thanks to Donald Trump, we’ve learned that the gossip magazines have a practice called “catch and kill” for stories they want to suppress. The parent company of the National Enquirer apparently performed this service for Trump, paying McDougal $150,000 for the rights to her story.

Nevertheless, McDougal seems ready to tell her tale, and Daniels will tell hers (including allegations of threats emanating from Trump world).  And perhaps, just perhaps, as they settle in this weekend to watch “60 Minutes,” the party of family values will wonder whether they really wanted to sign up for all this.

Published in Culture, Politics
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  1. George Townsend Inactive
    George Townsend
    @GeorgeTownsend

    Good column, Mona. The usual suspects are not going to care what you say about Trump. But character is destiny, and the fact that we have a President who has none is testament to the low standards to which our once great conservative movement has sunk.

    Great Nixon/Buckley story also!

    • #1
  2. Skyler Coolidge
    Skyler
    @Skyler

    Does Mona just go out of her way to complain about Trump?  It’s tiresome.

    • #2
  3. Drusus Inactive
    Drusus
    @Drusus

    Skyler (View Comment):
    Does Mona just go out of her way to complain about Trump? It’s tiresome.

    Yes, the President is paying pornstars hush money, but it’s Mona who has the problem. Right.

    • #3
  4. Basil Fawlty Member
    Basil Fawlty
    @BasilFawlty

    Drusus (View Comment):

    Skyler (View Comment):
    Does Mona just go out of her way to complain about Trump? It’s tiresome.

    Yes, the President is paying pornstars hush money, but it’s Mona who has the problem. Right.

    If only it were Mona who got the hush money.

    • #4
  5. Ralphie Inactive
    Ralphie
    @Ralphie

    So, what is the solution; what are we to do with Mr. Trump? We can find out all the scoop for only $3.99.  What is the cost of the solution? $4.99?

    I cared 2 years ago, and voted accordingly. I also commented on his low character and could not bring myself to vote for him. I did what I could.

    People don’t really care, it is fake outrage.  We live in decadent times, where good Christians shack up, have babies out of wedlock and divorce at rates that rival the heathens.

    • #5
  6. Theodoric of Freiberg Inactive
    Theodoric of Freiberg
    @TheodoricofFreiberg

    Ralphie (View Comment):
    We live in decadent times, where good Christians shack up, have babies out of wedlock and divorce at rates that rival the heathens.

    Sadly, America’s culture is past the point of no return.

    • #6
  7. MarciN Member
    MarciN
    @MarciN

    Most intelligent people are looking at these headlines and yawning. This is a closed group, that small segment of the American population involved in the entertainment industry. Trump was in that group. He had a television show for years. He built some gambling casinos.

    This is simply not news. The only people reading these stories are people who already despise Donald Trump. No one else cares any more about this small group of people than they care about what goes on in the appliance industry. These PR stories are all part of how they–including these starlets–make their money. Each one is trying to get on the cover of the National Enquirer for a week.

    • #7
  8. George Townsend Inactive
    George Townsend
    @GeorgeTownsend

    Basil Fawlty (View Comment):

    Drusus (View Comment):

    Skyler (View Comment):
    Does Mona just go out of her way to complain about Trump? It’s tiresome.

    Yes, the President is paying pornstars hush money, but it’s Mona who has the problem. Right.

    If only it were Mona who got the hush money.

    Amazing!!!??

    • #8
  9. George Townsend Inactive
    George Townsend
    @GeorgeTownsend

    Theodoric of Freiberg (View Comment):

    Ralphie (View Comment):
    We live in decadent times, where good Christians shack up, have babies out of wedlock and divorce at rates that rival the heathens.

    Sadly, America’s culture is past the point of no return.

    You might be right. I hate to think that. But the Trump defenders are one proof that it is true!

    • #9
  10. DrewInWisconsin Member
    DrewInWisconsin
    @DrewInWisconsin

    George Townsend (View Comment):

    Theodoric of Freiberg (View Comment):

    Ralphie (View Comment):
    We live in decadent times, where good Christians shack up, have babies out of wedlock and divorce at rates that rival the heathens.

    Sadly, America’s culture is past the point of no return.

    You might be right. I hate to think that. But the Trump defenders are one proof that it is true!

    Image result for Facepalm gif

    • #10
  11. Midget Faded Rattlesnake Member
    Midget Faded Rattlesnake
    @Midge

    Basil Fawlty (View Comment):

    Drusus (View Comment):

    Skyler (View Comment):
    Does Mona just go out of her way to complain about Trump? It’s tiresome.

    Yes, the President is paying pornstars hush money, but it’s Mona who has the problem. Right.

    If only it were Mona who got the hush money.

    Give Michael Cohen a call?

    • #11
  12. Hoyacon Member
    Hoyacon
    @Hoyacon

    George Townsend (View Comment):

    Theodoric of Freiberg (View Comment):

    Ralphie (View Comment):
    We live in decadent times, where good Christians shack up, have babies out of wedlock and divorce at rates that rival the heathens.

    Sadly, America’s culture is past the point of no return.

    You might be right. I hate to think that. But the Trump defenders are one proof that it is true!

    Having read a number of your posts (enjoyably,  I might add), I have a request.  Could you declare in advance whether this is a day in which you will be decrying personal attacks or a day in which you will be making them.  I’m rather confused and this would help.

     

    • #12
  13. Bryan G. Stephens Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens
    @BryanGStephens

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    George Townsend (View Comment):

    Theodoric of Freiberg (View Comment):

    Ralphie (View Comment):
    We live in decadent times, where good Christians shack up, have babies out of wedlock and divorce at rates that rival the heathens.

    Sadly, America’s culture is past the point of no return.

    You might be right. I hate to think that. But the Trump defenders are one proof that it is true!

    Having read a number of your posts (enjoyably, I might add), I have a request. Could you declare in advance whether this is a day in which you will be decrying personal attacks or a day in which you will be making them. I’m rather confused and this would help.

    Mic drop.

    • #13
  14. Hypatia Member
    Hypatia
    @

    There should be a privilege of verbal self-defense, for a person whose reputation is being attacked by someone accusing the person of some prior conduct upon which the statute of limitations has long expired.

    Ten years ago he battered  me (any unwanted touch is a “battery”.)  Well, then ya shoulda sued within two years of the event.  Too late now.

    But to revive your grievance by suing for defamation if the accused publicly denies your public allegation?  It’s a bite at the apple you don’t deserve.

    What can the accused do?  If he doesn’t admit the truth of the accusation,  he’s calling the accuser a liar!

    Oh and please: John Edwards wasn’t  convicted of illegal campaign contributions for taking Bunny Mellon’s money to support his mistress and his  illegitimate by-blow, so this ludicrous theory won’t avail against Trump either.

    Whyncha write about Mueller’s past?  The 2001 anthrax investigation, now there’s  some relevant “reality”.

    • #14
  15. George Townsend Inactive
    George Townsend
    @GeorgeTownsend

    Hoyacon (View Comment):

    George Townsend (View Comment):

    Theodoric of Freiberg (View Comment):

    Ralphie (View Comment):
    We live in decadent times, where good Christians shack up, have babies out of wedlock and divorce at rates that rival the heathens.

    Sadly, America’s culture is past the point of no return.

    You might be right. I hate to think that. But the Trump defenders are one proof that it is true!

    Having read a number of your posts (enjoyably, I might add), I have a request. Could you declare in advance whether this is a day in which you will be decrying personal attacks or a day in which you will be making them. I’m rather confused and this would help.

    I shall tell you. Count on it. Thus fair, I fail to see that I have made any. But the day’s still young. Thanks for keeping up with me; I do appreciate it.

    • #15
  16. Jager Coolidge
    Jager
    @Jager

    Mona Charen: And perhaps, just perhaps, as they settle in this weekend to watch “60 Minutes,” the party of family values will wonder whether they really wanted to sign up for all this.

    I don’t think most people will actually be settling in to watch “60 minutes”.

    There is not a lot of new stuff here. I mean I knew going into the election that Mr. Trump’s personal life was likely a wreck.

    What I signed up for was Hillary not being President. From a socially conservative stand point, I wanted a more pro-life President who would leave Christians alone.  I think I have gotten that much at least.

    My biggest issue is the ” and so I should…” part of this. If this is not what I really wanted to sign up for, then what should I do. None of this personal life stuff is going to change the fact that Trump is President until 2020. So should I stay home in the mid-terms to show Trump my displeasure? Not vote for him in 2020? (well maybe, lets see what my options are in 2 + years.)

    Without some kind of suggestion on what is to be done, this piece is basically; hey you know that guy that had character issues, he still does.

    • #16
  17. Midget Faded Rattlesnake Member
    Midget Faded Rattlesnake
    @Midge

    MarciN (View Comment):
    Most intelligent people are looking at these headlines and yawning.

    Laughter seems a reasonable response, too. Are we not entertained, etc?

    • #17
  18. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    Mona Charen: failed casino magnate

    This means utterly nothing.

    Mona Charen: sexual predator

    IMO, that is not accurate; it is way overstated. I will take that back upon further information.

    Mona Charen: That may be a violation of campaign finance laws if Trump did not report it as an in-kind contribution.

    This gets technical. Wasn’t it well before 2015?

    Mona Charen: Zervos

    George Soros, the DNC, the Clinton campaign, and dozens of 527’s couldn’t make hay of this before the election. How is that possible?

    Mona Charen: Thanks to Donald Trump, we’ve learned that the gossip magazines have a practice called “catch and kill” for stories they want to suppress. The parent company of the National Enquirer apparently performed this service for Trump, paying McDougal $150,000 for the rights to her story.

    Tell me why I should get excited about this?

    Why do people talk about this stuff instead of his actual, documented unethical Business dealings?

     

    • #18
  19. Randy Weivoda Moderator
    Randy Weivoda
    @RandyWeivoda

    None of this is going to make any difference to anyone.  Voters knew what they were getting before they voted.  In one of his books Donald Trump bragged about all the women he has slept with including married women.  Wasn’t he on the Howard Stern Show multiple times bragging about his sex life?  In one of those interviews he said that promiscuity was “his Vietnam.”  He said he was a brave soldier risking STD’s by sleeping with so many women.  When he decided to divorce one of his wives, he announced it to the tabloids before telling his wife.  You can argue, Mona, that the voters should care about this, but they just don’t.  Some men probably look up to Donald Trump as their sexual role model.

    • #19
  20. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    Ralphie (View Comment):
    So, what is the solution; what are we to do with Mr. Trump? We can find out all the scoop for only $3.99. What is the cost of the solution? $4.99?

    I cared 2 years ago, and voted accordingly. I also commented on his low character and could not bring myself to vote for him. I did what I could.

    People don’t really care, it is fake outrage. We live in decadent times, where good Christians shack up, have babies out of wedlock and divorce at rates that rival the heathens.

    The priority is the media, cultural marxism, and doing anything conservative. Like wipe out the ACA.

    • #20
  21. Joseph Stanko Coolidge
    Joseph Stanko
    @JosephStanko

    Skyler (View Comment):
    Does Mona just go out of her way to complain about Trump? It’s tiresome.

    Ever hear the phrase “don’t shoot the messenger?”

     

    • #21
  22. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    Theodoric of Freiberg (View Comment):

    Ralphie (View Comment):
    We live in decadent times, where good Christians shack up, have babies out of wedlock and divorce at rates that rival the heathens.

    Sadly, America’s culture is past the point of no return.

    Exactly. Including the Fed and all of the unfunded liabilities.

    • #22
  23. Joseph Stanko Coolidge
    Joseph Stanko
    @JosephStanko

    Theodoric of Freiberg (View Comment):

    Ralphie (View Comment):
    We live in decadent times, where good Christians shack up, have babies out of wedlock and divorce at rates that rival the heathens.

    Sadly, America’s culture is past the point of no return.

    Despair is a sin.

    • #23
  24. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    George Townsend (View Comment):

    Theodoric of Freiberg (View Comment):

    Ralphie (View Comment):
    We live in decadent times, where good Christians shack up, have babies out of wedlock and divorce at rates that rival the heathens.

    Sadly, America’s culture is past the point of no return.

    You might be right. I hate to think that. But the Trump defenders are one proof that it is true!

    This stuff doesn’t make any difference right now, that’s all.

    • #24
  25. Basil Fawlty Member
    Basil Fawlty
    @BasilFawlty

    Joseph Stanko (View Comment):

    Skyler (View Comment):
    Does Mona just go out of her way to complain about Trump? It’s tiresome.

    Ever hear the phrase “don’t shoot the messenger?”

    I don’t know. Can you hum a few bars?

    • #25
  26. George Townsend Inactive
    George Townsend
    @GeorgeTownsend

    Basil Fawlty (View Comment):

    Joseph Stanko (View Comment):

    Skyler (View Comment):
    Does Mona just go out of her way to complain about Trump? It’s tiresome.

    Ever hear the phrase “don’t shoot the messenger?”

    I don’t know. Can you hum a few bars?

     I may be mistaken; I’m not that old. But isn’t this the kind of stuff that killed vaudeville?

    • #26
  27. Basil Fawlty Member
    Basil Fawlty
    @BasilFawlty

    George Townsend (View Comment):

    Basil Fawlty (View Comment):

    Joseph Stanko (View Comment):

    Skyler (View Comment):
    Does Mona just go out of her way to complain about Trump? It’s tiresome.

    Ever hear the phrase “don’t shoot the messenger?”

    I don’t know. Can you hum a few bars?

    I may be mistaken; I’m not that old. But isn’t this the kind of stuff that killed vaudeville?

    Vaudeville is dead?!

    • #27
  28. Adriana Harris Inactive
    Adriana Harris
    @AdrianaHarris

    Mona has spent a lot of time studying all the lurid details. For someone who claims to be so disgusted by the situation, she certainly dwells there. The choice was Trump or Clinton. We got Trump. If you step back from the MSM hysteria, things are going pretty well. Yeah, there’s Russia, China and North Korea, but Trump didn’t create those problems. He’s trying to deal with them differently from past presidents, who just made it worse. I don’t want to be friends with Trump, he’s a cad. He’s been demonstrating that for about 40 years. As flawed as the man is, he’s being held to a much higher standard. Remember Barack Obama and his “flexibility” with Russia after the 2012 campaign. Remember how he mocked Mitt Romney in the debate over Russia? And it was crickets from the MSM. Dems have been useful idiots for the Russians for decades and they continue to be. All I want is for republicans to pull in the same general direction, and stop stabbing the American people in the back.

    • #28
  29. Ralphie Inactive
    Ralphie
    @Ralphie

    Jager (View Comment):
    My biggest issue is the ” and so I should…” part of this. If this is not what I really wanted to sign up for, then what should I do. None of this personal life stuff is going to change the fact that Trump is President until 2020. So should I stay home in the mid-terms to show Trump my displeasure? Not vote for him in 2020? (well maybe, lets see what my options are in 2 + years.)

    Without some kind of suggestion on what is to be done, this piece is basically; hey you know that guy that had character issues, he still does.

    My problem too.

    • #29
  30. RufusRJones Member
    RufusRJones
    @RufusRJones

    Ralphie (View Comment):

    Jager (View Comment):
    My biggest issue is the ” and so I should…” part of this. If this is not what I really wanted to sign up for, then what should I do. None of this personal life stuff is going to change the fact that Trump is President until 2020. So should I stay home in the mid-terms to show Trump my displeasure? Not vote for him in 2020? (well maybe, lets see what my options are in 2 + years.)

    Without some kind of suggestion on what is to be done, this piece is basically; hey you know that guy that had character issues, he still does.

    My problem too.

    The only concrete issue is why didn’t they have a national two-step primary? That was the only shot to avoid Trump.

    • #30
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