“Trump libel” became a trending Google search after GOP frontrunner Donald Trump said he would open up libel laws to go after the press at a rally in Fort Worth, Texas, on Friday (Feb. 26).
The comment came with a bit of the Donald’s trademark vagueness, but if you’re a part of this thing called the “free press,” it was no doubt terrifying, especially as forces coalesce behind the real estate mogul that could clearly take him to the White House in November.
The Trump libel statement was made about 30 minutes after the billionaire, former reality TV star received a presidential endorsement from friend and fellow primary candidate Chris Christie, governor of New Jersey.
So not to be accused of putting words in his mouth, here is the full text of the comment that started “Trump libel” trending.
You can skip down a bit to read it (if you dare), or you can simply go to the 40:25 mark in the video below if you are somewhere with the requisite privacy and Internet connection strength. The Trump libel threat lasts for around two minutes.
https://youtu.be/C6I9fO7Peg0?t=40m25s
And here it is in black-and-white — the Donald’s words with no embellishment. The only additional context you need to now is that the “he” Trump is referring to is Amazon CEO and Founder Jeff Bezos, who purchased the Washington Post in August 2013.
Take it away, Donald.
“He [Bezos] bought the Washington Post to have political influence, and I got to tell you, we have a different country than we used to have. We have a different — he owns Amazon — he wants political influence so that Amazon will benefit from it. That’s not right. And believe me, if I become President, oh do they have problems. They have such problems. And one of the things I’m going to do, and it’s only going to make it tougher for me, and I’ve never said this before, but one of the things that I’m going to do, if I win, and I hope I do, and we’re certainly leading, is I’m going to open up our libel laws so that when they write purposely negative and horrible and false articles, we can sue them and win lots of money. We’re going to open up those libel laws, so that when the New York Times writes a hit piece, which is a total disgrace, or when the Washington Post , which is there for other reasons, writes a hit piece, we can sue them and win money instead of having no chance of winning because they’re totally protected. See, with me they’re not protected because I’m not like other people because I’m not taking money. I’m not taking their money. We’re going to open up those libel laws, folks, and we’re going to have people sue you like you’ve never got sued before.”
While defenders of the Trump libel claim will (rightly) state that the free press should be held accountable for printing/posting outright lies and falsehoods, the Donald is vague enough in his declaration of what constitutes a “hit piece” and what constitutes “opening up the laws” that it really is in the eye of the beholder.
When that happens — and depending on the whims of who’s in charge at the time and how it is enforced — you’re on a slippery slope to the end of the free press.
Clearly, the Trump libel statement has given his opponents on both sides of the aisle another attack point on why he’s a scary candidate, but nothing has toppled his momentum so far, and this likely won’t either. At least, not once Trump has some time to get with his advisors — if he has any — and clarify what he means.
For now, the free press should take Donald at his word. If he wins, he’s coming for you. So to steal from an old horror movie, be afraid. Be very afraid.
What do you think about the Trump libel threat, readers? Sound off in the comments section below.
[Photo by Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images]