On this episode of Legal AF, Ben Meiselas and Michael Popok tackle the biggest stories of the week at the crossroads of law and politics. The duo breaks down Trump’s sudden settlement with ABC after the network capitulated rather than face him at a deposition, debates whether President Biden should issue blanket pardons to defenders of democracy, and exposes the alarming trend of Republican states electing convicted felons and sex abusers to office. They also spotlight the ongoing efforts of Biden’s DOJ and SEC to hold corrupt individuals and companies accountable.
Enjoy this ad-free episode of Legal AF brought to you here on Meidas+! Remember to add the Legal AF podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
DONOLD IS NOTHING BUT A PREDATOR NO MATTER WHAT THEY ALL TRY AND MAKE IT.
FELON FOREVER
I’ve lost trust for ABC, The NY Times and WAPO. The outlets that I’ve never followed but would certainly kick to the curb, include Time, Joe and Mika, and the LA Times. Trust is gained slowly over time, and lost at the speed of light. Very difficult to regain lost trust.
Yes... I canceled those subscriptions months ago . Now this 77 year old has the Truth delivered via Meidas touch, Popok, Adam Mockler, Glenn Kirschner, Texas Paul, Tennessee Brando, Harry Litman , David Pakman.....
Sally Rutledge, me too!! The very same people. I'll add Harry Litman to the list also. 👍
Thanks for the mind jostle… I added Harry Litman and David Pakman. We need to share the people who are HELPING get the truth out there. I just sent a link to my best friend tonight… But now I have student grades to finalize and then get some sleep. Thanks again !💙
Thanks for jogging my brain… added Harry Litman &. David Pakman.... We need a list of!
YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!
For some of us. I fear some have short memories especially where convenience is concerned. I wonder how Amazon is doing this holiday season...
Small local businesses are getting my money this year as much as possible.
I just had to hear the first 2mins.
So SICK of the POS!!!!
Little by little, the once UNITED States of America is going to be under a DICKtatorship.
:'(
He isn’t even been sworn in and he took over!! Big ass bully will meet karma and boy will it knock him that big Dupa!
I sure HOPE and PRAY for KARMA!!!!
Kamala would’ve been the perfect karma.😢
I’m praying as well. Maybe we can get a prayer chain going. If enough of us pray as one, maybe we can make change!
Kat Shotz, the big diapered orange shit encrusted dupa!!
(Fellow Pole here 😁)
My bobka and gram. I’m a mutt. lol spoke it til I was 10 then bobka passed. So there is but a few I remember well♥️
Same here, mutt (heinz 57 sauce lol) …Polish on mom's side, spoke during childhood but then they just focused on English…I know all the swears lmao…my great uncle said “learn all the swears 1st, then the rest is easy" 🤣
I was thinking of getting the Babbel course one day….
Lil Blue Dot NE, PERFECT!!! "DICKTATORSHIP" outstanding wordsmithing 💯🎯👍. Love it...we should create T-shirts with the phrase 😉
Vewy, vewy scawee!!!
ABC joins FOX as worthless propaganda. Turn them off.
They should have given the settlement to abused women causes. This is so disgusting!
Trump has turned this country into his own personal criminal Haven with his 🤡Administration.
And we have let him, that is the worst part. I’m ashamed.
Kiss the ring! Unbelievable! But that’s the plan! Distribute more wealth to the top 1% and take and gut the working class!
I am upset as well, however, I don't think George had a say in this matter. He was so upset with Nancy Mace that day, I don't believe that George would bow to the ring. This Is all Disney. IMO
Of course. It is pandering to the fascists.
Agreed Darlene - George is an employee - Unbelievable!
Stephanopoulos is evidently going along with it. The guy is a multimiliionaire. He could take a stand and walk away tomorrow. TFG never would have won the lawsuit.
My thought also... He could have quit in protest. People will stay because he's there, but if he'd left... So would others.... He's popular
I’m disappointed in them. I know George S didn’t want to issue an apology. This is so wrong to do to him after all the mocking etc.
Dispicable!
Ben it is despicable - but think for a moment who actually litigates these matters: the insurance companies. Insurance companies of ALL VARIETIES are worse than media companies. They would rather settle than litigate - especially risky with damnable Trump.
💯👍💯👍💯👍
I'm so sick of rump!
The only way I know what main stream media is doing is because of you. I have completely cut them out of any semblance of real objective news. They have failed demicracy!
We are moving into almost 100% fascist media.
I would hope that you would pick up that in September, DOJ asserted that Sergey Kiriyenko had created some 30 internet domains to spread Russian disinformation, including on Elon Musk’s X which was formerly known as Twitter. In October, the Wall Street Journal disclosed that Musk had been in contact with Kiriyenko and Vladimir Putin which Dmitry Peskov affirmed.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sergey_Kiriyenko
Shame on you ABC!!! Thank you for your courageous reporting! We appreciate you guys so much. Heroes!!
Disappointed
Tramp doesn’t have any character to defame. Funny how he readily admits to sexual assault, though.
I wonder what is going to happen to Jimmy Kimmel? He always makes fun of Trump.
No freaking guardrails
Cassidy Hutchinson is most definitely going to need a pardon along with Olivia Troye.
I have been in awe of Cassidy Hutchinson since she testified. .It took amazing fortitude to present the truth in such an agitated moment. She is a true heroine in the fight against fascism.
Outrageous. ABC WOW!
Trump and his associates are all dirtbags , evil and perverted creeps of all types. Middle finger to Trump middle finger to ABC. Trumps an adjudicated sex predator and what he did is rape dick used or finger used it doesn’t matter it’s rape. Morally it’s rape period WTF IS wrong with America electing a fucking pervert Donald Trump. How do you defame such a such a low life who’s got nothing but a total sleaze bag reputation. I will go out of my way to disengage from anything that gives quarter to Trump. ABC and Stephenopolis are cowards and should be shunned. Like you Ben this blows my mind. I’m sorry to say this but if someone is Maga I will shun you , I will do whatever it takes if I get the opportunity to crap on you Maga I will. No more trying to get along , so F ALL MAGA AND TRUMP.
Agreed! Lookn like there must be a lot of those types out there -- ok by them, they're Perv Predators too! Being clear-eyed on this is deeply sad, depressing, and scary; thanks for your words.
William, 💯🎯
The alleged Presidential Library and Museum will be just a run-down outhouse somewhere on the Mar-a-Lago grounds.
When I seen this I thought the same thing. I’m so disgust. It gets more depressing by the day
Another word to describe them is spineless.
The fact that people are distracted isn't a symptom of what's wrong with the system, it's a feature of GOP dominance for at least forty years. The majority of working people are too concerned with paying their bills, school tuition, sometimes working three jobs, to pay attention to what's going on around them. That's what the Party of Treason has been working towards since Reagan. With the Traitor in office it'll be shock and awe with a new outrage every day.
Yes... I canceled All my corporate "news" subscriptions months ago . Now this 77 year old has the Truth delivered via Meidas touch, Popok, Adam Mockler, Glenn Kirschner, Texas Paul, Tennessee Brando, Harry Litman , David Pakman.....and others. I can't stop thinking that somewhere , the spirit of Walter Cronkite is weeping.
(I had to add names I forgot this morning)...
Not watching ABC. Every media outlet that supports a criminal and does not support factual reporting is Blacked out by our household. Not clicking on any of their media. DONE.
This is just sad. A convicted felon can't get a job at a fast food establishment but can hold a political office :(
The $$$$$$$$$ thing is egregious
Thank you for letting us know Biden is working hard to protect us...
Karma! It is a universal truth. It never happens when we want it, but it does happen.
Submitting to extortion. "Pretty little network you have here. Shame if something happened to it."
Jeannie Oliver 💯🎯
Everyone knows what a disgusting, low life he is. Gross ABC!
Look! I am so tired of just talking and learning about Trump and Trumpism's danger. He and his minions have already subverted Democracy, The Rule of Law and free and fair elections. Are we just going to wait until he amasses his 'SS Guards' to enforce Fascism on the US. Let's protest before he (and his Project 2025 enablers) get into power. Let's amass the greatest Inauguration Protest in history. I'm game! I'm just waiting for the Call to Protest! Let 2025 be a reenactment of the protests of the 60's. What's happened to us? Are we so complacent that freedom was won? It's never won. We have to defend it every minute. Please respond.
Agreed. I’m starting to organize mass protests bc literally no one else is.
I have friends who are Trump supporters. They are good people; I wouldn't call them Magas, just what I would call ignorant politically. They are FOX and/or historically Republican people. When I hear what they say about how good Trump is and how bad (even diabolical) Biden and/or Harris are, I can't muster the god-awful energy it would take to un-indoctrinate these people. These, though, are the people we need to get on Democracy's side. They don't have a clue, and I don't know how they can get it.
I have them too. My Aunt and Uncle are gun owning and toting GOP. My whole family are MAGA and are proud of it. My Bro is trump,I kid you not. Lies,cheats, steals! He didn’t bother with my mother for over 5 years. We my sisters and I had to get her into a PC home because of dementia. To make a long story short, he went to the home, took her out for the day to a lawyer had her sign everything over to him house,property everything. Got away with it there was nothing I could do. Six months later, her house was “struck by lightning”and burned down. He had the insurance policy on the house. Got away with it. It’s not the first thing that he was involved with that caught on fire and he collected the insurance. Sad thing is he took any inheritance that was to be split equally. My mother always told us everything was to be split equally. When she got bad, my sisters and I wanted to sell her property and her home and put her in a nice personal care home. She refused to let us be her power of attorney. I tried to get help from the VA because my father was in WW2. He was much older than her. I spent the day trying to get it taken care of called congressman to get his DD214. I think it was called. Sat with the VA office. The only thing my sister’s and I did was try to make sure my mother was safe and in a healthy place. He put her in what we now called the old County home. I’ve always been the black sheep. It’s all they see in in trump is money. They don’t care who gets run over in the crossfire. They are also prejudice, they will tell you to your face they’re not but trust me they are. I’ve tried talking with all of them. The only thing that it does is gets me upset.
They never will with you sitting by with your mouth shut. You should be coating them with information. You should be providing info and countering misinformation. You see the good in them to the point you don’t cut them off, why aren’t you trying to help them?
Anyone who gives Trump or his organizations money is plain up stupid as it comes. Maga morons I’d ask how does it feel to be so stupid but you’re so stupid you couldn’t even understand the question. Bunch of magas just drooling on themselves going huh , what’s the question especially older Maga on social security who voted for Trump so Elon can take their money to fund his tax cuts, total morons!!
We are about to witness the largest heist in American Democracy. Hang on because it will be ugly, very ugly.
I'm still stunned at the cowardice and also the underhanded tactics of how to qualify for even MORE corporate tax breaks. I'll go further and say, it's TIME that the credo "in God we trust" be REMOVED from the United States currency. I say this because, clearly, these corporate oligarchs and uber wealthy individuals/companies etc. could care LESS about any moral high ground in business and personal integrity. They will literally do ANYTHING to get more money for themselves (and at the expense of anyone else). The laws are merely something to be manipulated in order to be able to get away with even more criminality in an endless cycle.
Shameful 😞
I have no words for these "news" outlets that have prostituted themselves to the GOPers. I wish I could express my revulsion (and my heartbreak) at what is happening to America, but I literally cannot find the words.
I'm a Boomer and a veteran (Vietnam era). I actually thought that, as I approach my expiration date, we could make progress toward the goal so many of us have hoped for -- that is, a "more perfect Union". Just look at how much easier it is to tear something down than it is to build it. Heartbreaking.
I also think that watching Kim Dotcom something weird is going on.
Gotta choose sides sooner than later. Hard, but, necessary choices.
He's causing a slump, so DUMP TRUMP!!!
SOOOO COMPLETELY DONE WITH TV "NEWS" --WADDA JOKE!!
DISNEY is off the list too!!! I know that could be tough for those who have kids. WALT DISNEY is rolling in his grave.
Exhausting, isn't it! Rest you two. We need you. JDF
Can ABC really claim this as a charitable donation?? Outrageous.
Tax accountant here. Yes, yes they can.
Mike Johnson The Alfred E Nueman !!? Of Government !!?
Love Michael and Ben! Thank you for your clarity and positive outlook!
Name , names whenever you can. I think that is important . Name them every time.
Thank you for your respect for sexual assault victims and rape victims.
I’m so glad I don’t have tv stations.
I have two sons in their mid 30’s who do not think that anyone in public service is worthy of their vote. Not because it’s true but because they do not see justice or fairness. I’ve tried. Been voting since 75. Registered independent. They see the “social contract” as nonexistent bs. Unless you have $ you are nothing. It’s very difficult to argue what they see and hear.
So ABC is paying to play ,licking boots ,and will not be allowed to say anything "true" about the POS. Smh
I am so sick of ABC...
ABC/Disney's leadership is so stupid and short-sighted about all of this. These fools don't (yet) realize that all they've accomplished is to set themselves up for ongoing extortion by Dump and every other Republican into the future.
Never believe that just because someone has a lot of money or is running a large company knows what they are doing. Every clown in charge at ABC, WaPo, and the LA Times think they are being smart by bending the knee. In reality, they've broadcasted that they are weak and sycophantic. They are prey who don't know they are on the menu.
I am so disgusted by ABC
We elected a sexual abuser convicted felon to be President of the United States. I am not surprised!
Donald Trump reportedly plans to leverage $200 billion US Treasury fund for Bitcoin reserves. How can this be stopped. I have written to my congressional reps. This is even more important than ABC caving in. HELP. Everyone needs to know about this new attempt to undermine this country and give taxpayer money to his buddies
This episode is TOUGH!
I genuinely want to understand how millions of citizens ignored DT's multiple bankruptcies in his private businesses. He had stored mega-money in other countries while his employees lost pensions and savings invested in the business. My neighbor told me that this is America and nothing is criminal bankruptcy. ---- My values do not agree. When my business went bankrupt, I had no more money than any other. A business is an individual and has similar rights, privileges, and responsibilities as any other citizen does. When I declared bankruptcy I honored all who worked with me by taking no more than any of them did.
During his last term I could not follow DT's actions. I kept waiting for financial disaster for the USA. Now I shall watch like a hawk. It will be far easier and more likely that DT & Company will stomp on our treasured democracy. I believe that as individuals we shall contribute personal energy and community action fro pro-democracy. We must quickly volunteer our time, energy, and effort to put efficient and effective tasks in place.
Meidas Touch Leaders, please help us organize for
prodemocracy tasks as individuals and communities on the state and national levels.
> An evolution of our values must take place!
> A deepening of our pro-democracy stands need to take place NOW.
> DT will have years in power in a "no checks and balances" government he is openly organizing.
Respectfully,
Suzanne S.L
Santa Fe, NM
ABC is not better than FOX. I will never consider using ABC for any news information. They join along list of corporate news media that is not worth anyone's consideration
Shame ABC
WHY WONT BIDEN PUBLISH THE ERA??????
This is going to hurt private employment, too, because private employers can drive down wages because former federal employees are going to be competing for the private jobs.
Pardons are like the difference between "legal" guilt and "factual" guilt. Taking a pardon is legal guilt, but it is not necessarily factual guilt. I wouldn't take a pardon if I were innocent, but sometimes I am a glutton for punishment. I understand taking a pardon, but I wouldn't respect it. I wouldn't respect myself if I caved and took a pardon.
Our country is so sad. It’s like government, democracy, and the Constitution doesn’t matter. But what if it does matter? That’s the question. But who cares? That’s the other question.
Love your outage re ABC. We need another MeToo2 for those in the back. Both had good points on pardons. Hope they are offered so each individual can decide themselves based on their own circumstances and I hope y'all don't end up in jail. Would hate for you to have to waste your time and resources fighting these psychopaths.
I can't believe these felons are getting elected... anywhere. I keep think there's something funky happening with voting. (Besides the gerrymandering etc)
I don't think Trump will let pardons stop his retribution
The reason I believe pardons should be offered and accepted is that although you envision the movement needing high profile martyrs I believe the moral outrage reaction is going to be worked so hard and so often that normalization and fatigue will set in and no martyr would be remembered long enough to make it worth having sacrificed them. Shall we sacrifice Cassidy Hutchinson? Who? The best goal is to delay as much damage as possible and reduce the damage as much as possible. The best sacrifice will be the one that hits each voter personally. Americans on the average have, sadly, become numb to anyone's pain but their own and choose to deny whatever they don't see or feel with their own senses and pocketbook.
I also believe that those who would be reachable by the American political equivalent of a self immolation through trusting entirely to a Trump, Trump nominee and right wing dominated SCOTUS run justice system already know these pardons do not carry any implication of guilt. As to those who might suggest it, the reality or honor ship has already left them in port. I believe that suggesting the use of pardons weakens the Democrats' moral position is very similar to the suggestion Democrats should not do things like expand the Supreme Court because it would establish a precedent. We need to come to firm grips with the truth that current Republicans only pretend to be influenced by any precedents, using fake outrage over everything Ds do to control us and win.
If we cannot adapt and adjust we cannot meet their challenges. We know the pardons are moral when they are in response to immoral threats against innocent people. There isn't anything in the pardon application form that suggests it is only for the guilty, only that it does not remove guilt. What can be more moral than attempting to protect the innocent?
Something going on behind the scene we are not hearing about
rape is rape. Sounds like NY needs to update its laws. It doesn't matter if it's digital or physical - it's rape. States need to get up to laws up to date.
What is wrong with the American public????
I used to love George and ABC news coverage. I was shocked to hear how ABC misplaced their guts to Trump and CAVED in!!!
Leonard Peltier has been a political prisoner for 50 years! Indian Country, the Pope, the EU Parliament Desmond Tutu and 50 other international and national celebrities have pleaded with every president since nixon have pleaded for his release. If Biden does not issue clemency this time, he will DIE of old age in prison! If this is not the worst abuse of power in American History, nothing is.
DJT fingers penetrating a woman is RAPE BY DISGUSTING OBJECTS
So no first amendment ?
I have no words for these "news" outlets that have prostituted themselves to the GOPers. I wish I could express my revulsion (and my heartbreak) at what is happening to America, but I literally cannot find the words.
I'm a Boomer and a veteran (Vietnam era). I actually thought that, as I approach my expiration date, we could make progress toward the goal so many of us have hoped for -- that is, a "more perfect Union". Just look at how much easier it is to tear something down than it is to build it. Heartbreaking.
I have no words for these "news" outlets that have prostituted themselves to the GOPers. I wish I could express my revulsion (and my heartbreak) at what is happening to America, but I literally cannot find the words.
I'm a Boomer and a veteran (Vietnam era). I actually thought that, as I approach my expiration date, we could make progress toward the goal so many of us have hoped for -- that is, a "more perfect Union". Just look at how much easier it is to tear something down than it is to build it. Heartbreaking.
Hey, we contributors can go to the Gulag with our leaders! Actually it’s the kind of thing that needs to happen. Drop me a line, I’ll get packed. 😸
Plz ban Facebook they have totally drank the trump koolaid
George received a schlappadopoulos in the face. 😅
Nailed it. Legacy/MSM is a HumptyTrumpty fascist mouthpiece.
Why settle when HumptyTrumpty didn't SUFFER any damages?
I think that pay off had nothing to do with Trump‘s whining; another name for it would be protection money paid in advance against the Evil Empire.
I’m flummoxed at what they imagine Trump, et al will do to them. Make them more of a MAGA mouthpiece than they already are?
...I'm with you Popok / -Ben- seriously?! Pre-emptive pardoning is not cheating: they shoot live rounds- and you continue shooting blanks? / -we need our people on the the front lines fighting for democracy- and against MAGA-fascism, NOT in jail...
Re-listening to him and Billy Bush "Access Hollywood" audio where they talk about how, with power, you can do anything you want and get away with it - As part of the "we" in "we, the people," I feel violated and betrayed with the capitulation of ABC, CNN, MSNBC, FOX News, LA Times, NY Times, Washington Post, and all other legacy media because they sold us (the people) out. They were supposed to collect the facts, report the truth so that ee can make informed decisions for ourselves. They failed.
The judicial and legislative branches have also betrayed us to seek favor from the president-elect. Even legacy Democrats have started to bend their knees or they are stuck in a time when politics was all about tradition, customs, and unspoken etiquette.
Zuckerberg, Bezos, Musk, Leo, Singer, Murdock, etc they own the media. They control it. They, along with MAGA politicians, have an unholy alliance with him. They get him the White House and he protects them from judicial consequences forever.
They have successfully exploited the loopholes of democracy and the law to where they are the only ones who benefit. This is "making America great again" means to them - Colonial America where 💰⚪️♂️✝️🇺🇸 ruled ⚪️♀️ and they owned indigenous, enslaved, and indentured servants.
They control the US government, money, technology, healthcare, education, everything. Biden & Congress have the power to stop their insidious tentacles from becoming a metastatic cancer through every aspect of life in America and indirectly overseas.
How do we prevent this tsunami of h8 from pouring down on us on January 20, 2025? This isn't a "fight" were Canada, England, France, Germany, Australia, etc will have boots on the ground on US soil for Democrats and Russia, North Korea, Hungary, etc for the Republicans. This is an internal struggle. They have control and they will NOT relinquish that control. They have ZERO duty to the general public because they think we don't deserve it. They want their wants to come first and our needs minimally met.
Resistance requires that you are willing to give up your life. This is the threshold. That is asking a lot of extremely immature Americans. Courage asks everything of you.
What a crock!!!! It isn't as if they accused Trump of something he was nowhere near guilty of; they used incorrect terminology and a correction/apology would have been sufficient. Walt Disney would turn over in his grave! The fact that our current, honest and very capable President is referring to Trump basing things on retribution should disqualify him from inauguration. But imprisoning Trump would provide more protection for our country, Constitution and citizens.
Biden should give the space contract to Bezos and Boeing.
Discusting. This is what we get when people do not vote. And fear must be sqyashed. Corperate media is for corperatetions. Shame.
We need to count the votes if those states where we full can somebody plz tell Kamala she’s the only one who call demand this
Windows are closed
not all
Don't know if ya'll remember: George Steph... in the day, was right leaning. This is not a surprise from him.
Actually, Stephanopoulos worked for Bill Clinton's administration as his top media/news guy. He also worked on his campaign when Bill Clinton ran for president.
Ok so he helped Clinton and the Democrats make neoliberal policies acceptable to Democratic voters thereby destroying any credibility the Democrats had with left-leaning voters. They wanted the corporate money that bought the Party of Treason and they effectively neutered themselves as a viable party. I stopped being a Democrat when Pelosi took Bush's impeachment off the table.