A High Court judge has rejected Donald Trump’s legal challenge regarding accusations of participating in “perverted” activities and offering bribes to Russian officials. The former US president filed a data protection case in the UK against Orbis Business Intelligence, a private investigations firm founded by ex-British spy Christopher Steele, who authored the controversial “Steele Dossier” before the 2016 election.
The dossier, comprising over a dozen memos, alleged Trump’s involvement in compromising activities with Russian security services. Trump, who denied the claims, sought compensation for distress, focusing on two specific memos mentioning “sex parties” in St. Petersburg, soiling a bed Barack Obama had slept in, and “golden showers” with prostitutes in Moscow.
Representing Trump, Hugh Tomlinson KC denounced the allegations as “egregiously inaccurate.” However, Orbis, represented by Antony White, argued that Trump’s case aimed at harassing and pursuing personal vendettas against the firm and Steele. White highlighted Trump’s history of making baseless claims against perceived enemies.
In her judgment, Mrs. Justice Steyn dismissed Trump’s claim, stating there were no compelling reasons to proceed to trial. She emphasised that Trump sought vindication without presenting a viable remedy and noted the lengthy delay since he first became aware of the dossier in 2017. The judge also concluded that the mere storage of memos by Orbis did not cause Trump distress, especially considering their public availability on the internet.
Donald Trump’s presidency was marked by numerous controversies that stirred much public debate and political discourse. These debates have helped further divide the USA. The USA has now, like the UK, become a beacon of discontent.
Here are some of the key controversies associated with Donald Trump:
- Russia Investigation: The investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 United States presidential election, led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, examined possible collusion between Trump’s campaign and Russia. While the report did not establish a criminal conspiracy, it did outline instances of potential obstruction of justice.
- Impeachment: Trump faced impeachment twice during his presidency. The first impeachment in 2019 was related to allegations of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress over the Ukraine scandal. The second impeachment in 2021 accused him of incitement to insurrection following the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021.
- Muslim Ban: Trump’s executive order in 2017 temporarily banned entry into the United States for citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries. The order faced legal challenges and was eventually revised.
- Family Separation at the Border: The “zero tolerance” policy implemented by the Trump administration led to the separation of migrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border. The policy sparked widespread condemnation and legal challenges.
- COVID-19 Pandemic Response: Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic was criticised for downplaying the severity of the virus, inconsistent messaging, and disputes with health experts. The federal response, including issues related to testing and distribution of medical supplies, generated controversy.
- Relationship with the Media: Trump’s adversarial relationship with the media was a constant source of controversy. He frequently referred to mainstream media as “fake news” and “the enemy of the people,” contributing to a polarised media landscape.
- Charlottesville Response: Trump’s response to the 2017 white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he claimed there were “very fine people on both sides,” drew significant criticism for not unequivocally condemning white supremacists.
- NATO and International Relations: Trump’s approach to international relations, including skepticism towards NATO and the withdrawal from international agreements such as the Paris Agreement and the Iran Nuclear Deal, generated controversy and strained alliances.
- Use of Twitter: Trump’s use of Twitter as a direct communication tool often sparked controversies. His tweets on various topics, including policy decisions, personal attacks, and announcements, were scrutinised and frequently led to debates.
- Allegations of Sexual Misconduct: Trump faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, with several women accusing him of inappropriate behaviour. Trump consistently denied the allegations. (The inset image is of Trump at Jeffrey Epstein’s party in 1992.).
It has to be remembered that narcissists are inveterate liars who refuse to take responsibility for their behaviour. However, the real issue is why so many choose to believe such people and deny reality. Perhaps they are the truly sad people who lead utterly meaningless lives.
Penny Lane
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