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(Thread) Trump & his Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
They’re probably not enforceable, but they tell us a lot about Trump.
Last year Kellyanne Conway confirmed that “everyone” in the West Wing signs NDAs politico.com/story/2018/08/…
We saw Omarosa's, so we know what they contain.
They’re probably not enforceable, but they tell us a lot about Trump.
Last year Kellyanne Conway confirmed that “everyone” in the West Wing signs NDAs politico.com/story/2018/08/…
We saw Omarosa's, so we know what they contain.
1/ Omarosa’s NDA contains a non-disparagement clause, requiring her to promise that during the term of service “and at all times hereafter” she won't demean or disparage publicly, in any manner, Trump, Pence, or any members of their families.
cnn.com/2018/08/14/pol…
cnn.com/2018/08/14/pol…
2/ So, the contract forbids a citizen, for the rest of her life, from criticizing the president, the vice president, and their families.
This obviously poses a First Amendment problem.
Trump (and the entire Trump-FOx-GOP) is all confused about the First Amendment.
This obviously poses a First Amendment problem.
Trump (and the entire Trump-FOx-GOP) is all confused about the First Amendment.
3/ The First Amendment isn't about the freedom to utter hate speech or have a national platform for bogus theories.
First Amendment says the government can’t silence a citizen without a compelling reason.
It requires government action.
The White House is a government entity.
First Amendment says the government can’t silence a citizen without a compelling reason.
It requires government action.
The White House is a government entity.
4/ Typically Non-Disclosure Agreements are used to guard trade secrets.
nolo.com/legal-encyclop…
Trump uses his to guard his personal secrets and to prevent people from saying negative things about him.
The next problem with Trump’s NDAs is a feature in contract law. . .
nolo.com/legal-encyclop…
Trump uses his to guard his personal secrets and to prevent people from saying negative things about him.
The next problem with Trump’s NDAs is a feature in contract law. . .
5/ There’s no penalty for breach. There are exceptions (punitive damages) but but the general rule is that if you breach, you pay the actual damage caused by the breach. legalmatch.com/law-library/ar…
OK, so.
What are the actual damages to Trump if someone tells the truth about him?
OK, so.
What are the actual damages to Trump if someone tells the truth about him?
6/ The statement: “I, the President of the U.S., was damaged when someone told the truth about me,” has obvious problems.
Next problem, what @CheriJacobus recognized as Trump threatening a citizen ⤵️
Next problem, what @CheriJacobus recognized as Trump threatening a citizen ⤵️
@CheriJacobus 7/ Last year, the Washington Post reported that White House NDAs included a $10 million penalty for breach. washingtonpost.com/opinions/trump…
This is called a liquidated damage clause. It’s legal if actual damages are difficult to calculate, and if the amount demanded is reasonable.
This is called a liquidated damage clause. It’s legal if actual damages are difficult to calculate, and if the amount demanded is reasonable.
@CheriJacobus 8/ The NDAs cover truthful statements.
You don't need an NDA to protect yourself against lies.
Libel and defamation laws already protect against lies.
Trump is thus saying that if someone tells the truth about him, the damage is about $10 million.
You don't need an NDA to protect yourself against lies.
Libel and defamation laws already protect against lies.
Trump is thus saying that if someone tells the truth about him, the damage is about $10 million.
@CheriJacobus 9/ Any monetary damages for telling the truth about the president is laughably unreasonable.
The next problem: The White House is forcing employees to sign illegal contracts.
The next problem: The White House is forcing employees to sign illegal contracts.
@CheriJacobus 10/ According to the New York Times, when White House lawyer McGahn drew up the White House NDAs, he warned Trump that they probably couldn’t be enforced.
McGahn also told aides the NDAs were “mainly to placate the president.”
nytimes.com/2018/03/21/us/…
McGahn also told aides the NDAs were “mainly to placate the president.”
nytimes.com/2018/03/21/us/…
@CheriJacobus 11/ Unenforceable contracts with liquidated damages serve a purpose: Intimidate people into silence.
Punitive liquidated damages in an NDA are the ultimate bullying tactic: “If you talk badly about me, I’ll send my lawyers after you, and they’ll take everything you own.”
Punitive liquidated damages in an NDA are the ultimate bullying tactic: “If you talk badly about me, I’ll send my lawyers after you, and they’ll take everything you own.”
@CheriJacobus 12/ Yes, this has a lot in common with the mob, and mob lawyers.
Mob lawyers are a thing. See: nytimes.com/1985/03/12/us/…
Trump employs lawyers to do his bidding, which includes ignoring the law if it stands in his way.
Mob lawyers are a thing. See: nytimes.com/1985/03/12/us/…
Trump employs lawyers to do his bidding, which includes ignoring the law if it stands in his way.
@CheriJacobus 13/ Recall that the Steele Dossier alleged that Trump typically silenced witnesses against him⤵️
Trump’s history of silencing people creates a pattern that helps substantiate the claims in the Steele dossier.
Trump’s history of silencing people creates a pattern that helps substantiate the claims in the Steele dossier.
@CheriJacobus 14/
Q: Why the need for so much secrecy?
A: Trump inhabits a made-up world of his own creation. In the story he has invented, he's a smart and successful businessman and whiz deal maker.
Maintaining the fiction requires hiding the truth.
Hence, his love of NDAs.
Q: Why the need for so much secrecy?
A: Trump inhabits a made-up world of his own creation. In the story he has invented, he's a smart and successful businessman and whiz deal maker.
Maintaining the fiction requires hiding the truth.
Hence, his love of NDAs.
@CheriJacobus And then a bunch of you come along and summarize my entire 14-tweet thread in under 10 words. Like this:
@CheriJacobus All of my threads are also blog posts. You can see this one here: terikanefield-blog.com/trump-and-his-…
@CheriJacobus For those who still prefer facebook, I also post my Twitter thread/ blogs to a Facebook author page: facebook.com/terikanefielda…
