Lies/Misinformation Flashcards
Current signs don’t point to partisanship as Trump shooter’s motive, despite Republican claims - USA Today - 2024
Investigators found Crooks’ web browsing history included searches about President Biden, the Democratic National Convention, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and FBI Director Christopher Wray, but this conflicts with claims of a political motive.
Evidence of Crooks’ political views are a mysterious jumble. In January 2021, just one day after Biden’s presidential inauguration, Crooks donated $15 to ActBlue, a Democrat-supporting political action committee. However, after he turned 18 later that year, he registered as a Republican.
One former high school classmate told the Philadelphia Inquirer that Crooks, who shot guns in a sportsmen’s club, “definitely was conservative.”
Describing a classroom debate, the student said, “the majority of the class were on the liberal side, but Tom, no matter what, always stood his ground on the conservative side.”
Another former classmate told CNN that Crooks’ friend group was conservative, and some of them wore Trump hats. But she and others described him personally as quiet and shy, and none said they knew his political views.
That recollection was echoed by a friend from Crooks’ math book club. He recalled to The Wall Street Journal that Crooks would get animated when the group discussed logic concepts but had little to say when conversation turned to politics.
Is RFK Jr. Anti-Vaccine? Everything the HHS Secretary Nominee Has Said - Newsweek; 2024
• Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Nominated for HHS Secretary: President-elect Donald Trump announced on X that Kennedy, an anti-vaccine activist, will lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), pledging to “restore transparency” and combat chronic disease.
• Kennedy’s Vaccine Stance: Though he claims he isn’t anti-vaccine, Kennedy opposes virtually all vaccines and has promoted debunked claims, including that childhood vaccines cause autism and that the polio vaccine has caused more harm than good.
• COVID-19 Controversy: Kennedy criticized COVID-19 vaccines, compared lockdowns to Nazi Germany, and claimed the virus was “ethnically targeted.” Despite this, he insists he won’t restrict vaccine access and supports informed choice.
• Criticism from Experts: Dr. Anthony Fauci and others have expressed concern over Kennedy’s lack of scientific grounding and his dismissal of established vaccine benefits. Public health experts warn that undermining vaccines could risk global health.
• Political Shift: Kennedy, who initially ran as a Democratic presidential candidate before switching to an independent bid, endorsed Trump after dropping out, securing favor with the president-elect.
Hunter Biden Pardon - December 2024
Destiny Tweets:
Donald Trump pardoned literally every single crook who supported him and violated the law to do so. Bannon, Manafort, Stone, Fynn, etc…what an insanely stupid thing, why are there so many pathetic fucks so desperate to signal to people who cool and non-partisan they are?
TRUMP LITERALLY DID THIS FOR HIS SON-IN-LAW’S FATHER LMAOOOOO, YOU GUYS ARE ACTUALLY JOKES
LOOK UP CHARLES KUSHNER
LOOK UP CHARLES KUSHNER’S PARDON
Ezra Klein Tweet:
It’s terrible politics and precedent but I’m going to be honest and say that the Trump team has been brutally clear they want revenge on their enemies, they are obsessed with Hunter in particular, and that would weigh like hell on me if I were his father and could protect him.
NBC News:
President Joe Biden issued a full and unconditional pardon for his son, Hunter Biden, on Sunday, citing political interference and a miscarriage of justice in the legal cases against him. Hunter Biden, who was set to be sentenced in December for federal gun and tax evasion charges, was pardoned for any offenses committed between 2014 and 2024. In his statement, Biden emphasized his belief in the justice system but condemned what he described as politically motivated efforts to target his son, who has been sober for over five years after struggling with addiction. The president acknowledged the potential political backlash but stated he acted as both a father and a leader to stop what he called relentless and unjust attacks. Hunter Biden expressed gratitude for the clemency, vowing to continue his recovery and help others battling addiction. This decision marks a reversal for Biden, who had previously vowed not to pardon his son, and it has fueled criticism from Republicans who claim the justice system is being weaponized.
Hunter Biden was convicted of two main categories of crimes:
1. Federal Gun Charges: He was found guilty of lying on a federal firearms background check form in 2018 when he purchased a handgun. On the form, he falsely claimed he was not using drugs, despite being actively struggling with addiction at the time.
2. Tax Evasion: He pleaded guilty to federal tax charges, admitting that he willfully failed to pay taxes on substantial income he earned in 2017 and 2018. Reports indicate he owed hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes during this period.
Additionally, investigations into Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings have raised allegations of corruption and influence peddling, though no criminal charges have resulted from those probes as of now.
CNN:
• President Biden pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, for gun and tax convictions weeks before leaving office, despite previously vowing not to intervene. • The pardon comes after special counsel Jack Smith dropped federal cases against Donald Trump, arguing presidents cannot be prosecuted. • Biden’s decision raises concerns about justice system impartiality and contradicts his earlier pledge to restore Justice Department independence. • The White House initially maintained Biden would not intervene in Hunter’s case, but shifting political dynamics, including Trump’s election victory, may have influenced the reversal. • Hunter Biden’s convictions stemmed from illegally buying a gun while using drugs and failing to pay $1.4 million in taxes, while living a lavish lifestyle. • Biden defended the pardon as protecting his son from selective prosecution, claiming Hunter was unfairly targeted due to his family ties. • Republicans criticized the move as politicizing justice, while Biden’s allies acknowledged the political fallout and potential harm to his legacy. • Trump and his allies seized on the pardon, with Trump suggesting it justified future pardons for January 6 rioters. • Biden’s pardon covers activity dating back to 2014, including Hunter’s controversial work with Burisma, which had raised ethical concerns but no evidence of wrongdoing by the president. • Trump’s history of politicized pardons, including for family and close associates, complicates Republican criticisms of Biden’s actions. • The convergence of legal controversies involving Biden and Trump threatens long-term trust in the justice system.
New York Times:
President Biden’s decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, for gun and tax convictions has sparked widespread controversy, as it contradicts his prior commitment to not interfere in Justice Department matters. In his statement, Biden claimed Hunter was unfairly targeted due to his family ties, calling the prosecution politically motivated and a miscarriage of justice. This move has drawn criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, with some arguing it undermines the credibility of the justice system and sets a dangerous precedent. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump, who has frequently alleged that the justice system is “weaponized” against him, seized on the pardon to argue for his own claims of selective prosecution.
The pardon also shields Hunter Biden from further investigation into his business dealings, a focus of Republican scrutiny, while fueling accusations of family favoritism and corruption. Critics contend that Biden’s rationale undermines his pledge to restore faith in the judiciary, while others worry it bolsters Trump’s plans to use the Justice Department for political retribution. Comparisons to past presidential pardons highlight a tradition of clemency for allies, yet Biden’s actions are seen as especially damaging to his credibility. The fallout raises questions about the balance of personal loyalty and public trust, with observers warning that the decision strengthens Trump’s narrative of systemic bias.
Trump made up to $160 million from foreign countries as president - Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, April 13, 2023
Donald Trump earned up to $160 million from international business dealings during his presidency, according to a CREW analysis of his tax returns, despite promises to avoid conflicts of interest. Trump’s income came from properties in countries like the UK ($58 million), Canada ($36.5 million), Ireland ($24.4 million), and China ($7.5 million), among others. Despite claims that the Trump Organization paused foreign business, new deals and expansions, such as at his Scottish and Irish golf resorts, were pursued.
Trump’s financial ties appeared to influence U.S. foreign policy, including his leniency toward Saudi Arabia after journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder and decisions benefiting Turkey, China, and Argentina, which aligned with Trump’s business interests. Additionally, Trump leveraged his presidency to promote his properties, such as pressuring diplomats to direct events to his resorts.
(One specific instance involves Trump’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Robert “Woody” Johnson. According to a 2020 report by The New York Times, Johnson told colleagues that Trump had asked him to see if the British government could help get the British Open golf tournament held at Trump’s Turnberry resort in Scotland. The request was seen as an attempt to use U.S. diplomacy to benefit Trump’s business interests. This incident drew significant criticism and added to concerns about Trump using his presidency to advance his personal financial gain).
While Trump and his family denied conflicts of interest, CREW’s findings suggest extensive use of the presidency for personal profit, including reviving dormant business deals and planning international expansions post-presidency.
