Jerry Falwell Jr. Sues Liberty U. for Damaging His Non-Existant Reputation

Trump-backing, pistol packing attorney Jerry Falwell Jr., once President of Liberty University by grace of God being fathered by university founder Jerry Falwell Sr., recently stepped down as head of LU, world’s largest evangelical diploma mill, following revelations of sexual scandal involving Falwell Jr., his wife, and a hotel pool boy. Liberty University’s code of honor holds that sex outside of “biblically-ordained marriage” is a ticket to Hell, and the disgraced Mr. Falwell slunk away with a mere $10.5 million separation package. 

His sexual shenanigans shredded what was left of Liberty University’s reputation after his shady real estate deals, low-quality online courses, and 2016 endorsement of Donald Trump, but Junior now says he is the injured party after the seamy sex scandal and the university board’s independent investigation of his dubious business operations. Mr. Falwell claims this reputational damage means he can no longer pose as a righteous Christian on the holier-than-thou circuit, or even on morally-challenged Fox News. He’s suing the university for alleged damages.

Fiddlesticks. It’s not as if Mr. Falwell’s current situation leaves him with no viable career alternatives. Liberty U is in Lynchburg, Virginia, an area short on entertainment alternatives, and “Jerry Junior’s” would be a great name for a topless bar.

More:

“Falwell sues Liberty, saying school damaged his reputation,” Sarah Rankin and Elana Schor, Associated Press

“Jerry Falwell Jr. sues Liberty University over reputation damage,” Justine Coleman, Thr Hill

Related:

“How Falwell Kept His Grip on Liberty Amid Sexual ‘Games,’ Self-Dealing,” Maggie Severns, Brandon Ambrosino, and Michael Stratford,, Politico

“Sex, Lies, And Regret: Giancarlo Granda Reels From Eight Years With The Falwells,” Josh Kovensky, Talking Points Memo

“A Trump executive order set the stage for Falwell’s political activities,” Maggie Severns, Politico

Updates:

“Falwell drops defamation lawsuit against Liberty University,” Associated Press

“Jerry Falwell Drops Lawsuit Against Liberty University,” TalkingPointsMemo

“Jerry Falwell Jr. spent heavily on Trump, GOP causes with funds from nonprofit Liberty University,” Peter Weber, The Week

“‘They All Got Careless’: How Falwell Kept His Grip on Liberty Amid Sexual ‘Games,’ Self-Dealing,” Maggie Severns, Brandon Ambrosino, and Michael Stratford, Politico

“Falwell’s Liberty University-Funded Think Tank Relentlessly Pushing Trump Fraud Claims, Says Report,” Jamie Ross, Daily Beast

“In final years at Liberty, Falwell spent millions on pro-Trump causes,” Maggie Severns, Politico

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The Falwell Legacy at Liberty University

Trump-backing, pistol packing attorney Jerry Falwell Jr., President of Liberty University by grace of God being fathered by university founder Jerry Falwell Sr., has stepped down as head of LU, the world’s largest evangelical Christian diploma mill. His exit last month followed revelation of sexual scandal involving Falwell Jr., his wife, and a hotel pool boy. Liberty University’s code of honor holds that sex outside of “biblically-ordained marriage” is a ticket to Hell, and students who practice it are automatically expelled. Mr. Falwell Jr. slinks away in disgrace with a mere $10.5 million separation package. 

An early endorser of Donald Trump in the 2016 campaign, Jerry Falwell Jr. forgave him for his adultery and other transgressions. “We’re all sinners, every one of us,” he said. “We’ve all done things we wish we hadn’t.”

Under Junior’s leadership, LU prospered through shady real estate deals, low-quality online courses, and untold hundreds of millions in federal student loans. The university board has started an independent investigation of business operations under Falwell Jr.’s tenure.

More:

“Business partner of Falwells says affair with evangelical power couple spanned seven years,” Aram Rosten, Reuters

“‘She was the aggressor’: Former Liberty student alleges sexual encounter with Becki Falwell,” Brandon Ambrosino, Politico

“Jerry Falwell Jr., Trump’s early and effusive evangelical champion, lifted a president before his own fall,” Eugene Scott, Washington Post

“Liberty University investigating fallen president Jerry Falwell Jr.’s entire tenure,” Theresa Braine, NY Daily News

“My Final Farewell to the Falwells,” Larry Flynt, Daily Beast

Updates:

“Liberty tells staff to refrain from interacting with Falwell,” AP via WTOP News

“The Falwells, the pool attendant and the double life that brought them all down,” By Michael E. Miller and Sarah Pulliam Bailey, Washington Post

Related:

“A Trump executive order set the stage for Falwell’s political activities,” Maggie Severns, Politico

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It’s On! State of the Union, February 5th.

After yanking the rug out from under Donald Trump’s January 2019 State of the Union address, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi invited the president to harangue a joint session of Congress on February 5th and he accepted.

Attention new members of Congress: each of you may invite one guest to observe the State of the Union from the visitors’ balcony. One of you must invite Stephanie Clifford, a Republican and a working Mom also known as Stormy Daniels. She even knows the guy who’ll be talking.

Related:

“Democrats tap Georgia’s Stacey Abrams to deliver the response to Trump’s State of the Union address,” Felicia Sonmez, Washington Post

“The State of the Union is … perhaps outdated?” Jason Dick, Roll Call

Updates:

“Undocumented Immigrant Who Worked for Trump Will Attend His State of the Union,” Matt Stevens, New York Times

“Capitol Police announce street closures, restrictions for State of the Union address,” Michael Burke, The Hill

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Oh, That Bill Clinton!

“Down on Clinton.” written and recorded by Denise LaSalle, 2000. All men are dogs, even the good’uns.

Extra Credit essay assignment: 2000 and 2017, compare & contrast.

More:

“Denise LaSalle, Singer and Writer of Earthy Songs, Dies at 78,” Jon Pareles, New York Times

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Stormy Daniels Sues Donald Trump

Porn star Stormy Daniels (Stephanie Clifford) has filed suit against Donald Trump, claiming her nondisclosure agreement with him isn’t valid since he never signed the contract, in which he is referred to under the alias David Dennison. Ms. Daniels inked the agreement just 12 days before the 2016 election, pledging silence about her intimate relations with the married Mr. Trump from 2006 to 2007 in return for $130,000 in hush money. As usual when bills are due, Donald Trump was nowhere to be found, so Trump lawyer Michael Cohen paid the gag fee out of his own pocket.

The suit filed this Tuesday further claims that lawyer Cohen attempted to intimidate Ms. Clifford into silence and “shut her up” to “protect Mr. Trump.” Read the new court filing lawyer Michael Avenatti submitted on behalf of Stormy Daniels here . The original NDA is attached, and the spaces where “David Dennison” was supposed to sign are clearly blank.

More:

“Stormy Daniels sues Trump, says ‘hush agreement’ invalid because he never signed,” Sarah Fitzpatrick, NBC News

“Stormy Daniels’ Lawyer: More Evidence ‘Is Going to Come to Light,’” Daily Beast

“The 7 most interesting aspects of Stormy Daniels’s lawsuit against Trump,” Aaron Blake, Washington Post

“Stormy Daniels isn’t suing Trump for money. She’s suing to make sure her story is told.” Anna North, Vox

“‘I have to see you again’: How Trump’s alleged affair with a porn star spilled into public view, Frances Stead Sellers, Emma Brown and David A. Fahrenthold, Washington Post

“Stormy Daniels’ attorney says Michael Cohen ‘threatened’ her to keep quiet,” Catherine Garcia, The Week

Updates:

“Trump’s lawyer got a restraining order to prevent Stormy Daniels from speaking out,” Jen Kirby, Vox

“Stormy Daniels: White House appears to confirm Trump contract with porn star,” David Smith, The Guardian

“Stormy Daniels Lawyer: ‘Laughable, Absurd’ Trump Didn’t Know About Hush Money,” Nicole Lafond, TPM Livewire

“Stormy Daniels lawyer says Americans need to know details because ‘cover-ups matter,'” Louis Nelson, Politico

“Michael Cohen used Trump company email in Stormy Daniels arrangements,” Sarah Fitzpatrick and Tracy Connor, NBC News

“Cohen $130,000 Payment To Stormy Daniels Came From His Home Equity Line,” Nicole Lafond, TPM Livewire

“Stormy Daniels Offers to Return $130K to Trump to End ‘Hush Agreement,’” Daily Beast

“Stormy Daniels taped a 60 Minutes interview, and Trump lawyer Michael Cohen might try to quash it,” Peter Weber, The Week

“Stormy Daniels friend describes listening in on her phone calls with Trump,” Beth Reinhard and Rob Kuznia, Washington Post

“CNN: Radio Host Says Stormy Daniels Discussed Trump Affair On Air In 2007,” Matt Shuham, CNN

Related:

“Stormy Daniels Lawsuit Raises Election Law Questions for Trump,” Griffin Connolly, Roll Call

“Stormy Daniels bringing down Trump would be the poetic justice America needs,” Matthew Walther, The Week

“Amid stories about Trump’s alleged past sexual activity, administration focuses on abstinence-only education,” Eugene Scott, Washington Post

“The First Porn President,” Maureen Dowd, New York Times

“It’s time to start taking the Stormy Daniels scandal seriously,”  Matthew Yglesias, Vox

If Michael Cohen Is Telling the Truth About His Stormy Daniels Payment, He Could Be Disbarred,” Stephen Lubet, Slate

“This Barrier-Breaking Porn Star May Prove Trump’s Biggest Nightmare,” James Watkins, OZY

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Trump Lawyer Says He Paid Off Porn Star Before Election

Donald Trump’s longtime personal lawyer Michael Cohen admitted on Tuesday that he paid porn star Stormy Daniels $130,000 in hush money in 2016, right before the election, so she wouldn’t blab about her 2011 extramarital affair with the married Mr. Trump. Mr. Cohen says the payoff came out of his own pocket, and not from Mr. Trump, the Trump Campaign, or Trump businesses.

That doesn’t mean it’s legal. Even if Mr. Cohen didn’t coordinate his pre-election payoff with the candidate or the campaign, it could be considered an unreported in-kind campaign contribution in excess of the $2,700 individual cap. Common Cause has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission to that effect. The FEC has a Republican majority and reports violations to Jeff Sessions’ Department of Justice for enforcement, though, so that dog won’t hunt.

That doesn’t mean Mr. Trump is out of the woods. Stormy Daniels claims that Michael Cohen’s payoff revelations invalidate their nondisclosure agreement, so she’s free to talk about the president’s adulterous romps.

More:

“The Coming Storm? Hush Money and the Federal Election Campaign Act,” Thomas Frampton, Harvard Law Review blog

Related:

“Donald Trump, a Playboy Model, and a System for Concealing Infidelity,” Ronan Farrow, The New Yorker

“The latest alleged Trump affair coverup is a damningly familiar tale,” Aaron Blake, Washington Post

“Alleged Ex-Trump Paramour Says ‘Catch And Kill’ Practice Kept Her Quiet,” Amy Held, NPR

“Tools of Trump’s Fixer: Payouts, Intimidation and the Tabloids,” Jim Rutenberg, Megan Twohey, Rebecca R. Ruiz, Mike McIntire and Maggie Haberman, New York Times

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Trump Porn Partner Response to the State of the Union Address

President Donald J. Trump will deliver his first State of the Union Address to a joint session of Congress tonight at 9:00 PM Eastern Time. The event will be carried live on every TV channel and Web platform in the known universe. We can expect the same kind of dubious, vacuous, self-aggrandizing sales pitch Mr. Trump recently delivered to real world leaders and business titans in Davos, with a dab of “Build the Wall” (billed as “security”) added to appease his base supporters.

Things will get more interesting after the speech, during the inevitable GOP spin sessions and Democratic responses by Rep. Joe Kennedy (D, MA-4), Rep. Maxine Waters (D, CA-43), and Virginia State Delegate Elizabeth Guzman (D-Prince William). But more Americans will be watching the response of adult film star Stormy Daniels, who will be a guest on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live following the State of the Union. Ms. Daniels received $130,000 in hush money from Trump in 2016, one month before the election, for staying silent about her affair with Mr. Trump. For the record, Stormy Daniels (Stephanie Clifford) is a Republican and a working Mom.

Related:

“Why Trump and the porn star is newsworthy,” Carl M. Cannon, O.C. Register

“State of the Union guests to highlight sexual harassment, assault debate,” Elise Viebeck, Washington Post

“Alleged payment to porn star was illegal donation to Trump campaign, watchdog says,” Josh Gerstein, Politico

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Invite Stormy Daniels to the State of the Union Address

On January 30, 2018 at 8 PM Eastern, President Donald J. Trump will deliver his first State of the Union Address to a joint session of the United States Congress. Senators and Members of Congress are inviting special guests to observe from the visitors’ balcony, a SOTU tradition. Someone needs to invite Stephanie Clifford (Stormy Daniels), a Republican and a working Mom, to this great national event. She even knows the guy who will be talking. Hey, maybe he’ll invite her — he’s done it before.

On the other hand, if Ms. Daniels can’t get invited to the State of the Union as a guest, maybe Forbes can get her press credentials.

More:

“Stormy Daniels: Donald Trump’s alleged porn star affair and hush money scandal explained,” Dylan Matthew, Vox

“8 wild details from the Stormy Daniels Trump interview,” Louis Nelson, Politico

“Get Caught Up: Trump’s Alleged Affair With Adult Film Star Stormy Daniels,” Danielle Kurtzleben, NPR

Related:

“State of the Union guests to highlight sexual harassment, assault debate,” Elise Viebeck, Washington Post

“Alleged payment to porn star was illegal donation to Trump campaign, watchdog says,” Josh Gerstein, Politico

UPDATE:

“Stormy Daniels to appear on Kimmel after Trump’s State of the Union address,” Dan Snierson, EW

“Kimmel to interview Stormy Daniels after Trump SOTU,” Jacqueline Thomsen, The Hill

“Trump State of the Union Risks Being Upstaged by Stormy Daniels Interview on Jimmy Kimmel,” Maria Perez, Newsweek

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Pentagon Won’t Punish ‘Pillow-Talk’ Petraeus

David Petraeus, who resigned as CIA director after revelations he’d shared classified information with his mistress and biographer, Paula Broadwell, won’t be punished any further by the Pentagon, reported the Washington Post. General Petraeus pleaded guilty to a single count of unauthorized use of classified material last year in a …, um, “sweetheart deal.” Now he won’t even be demoted and will continue to receive a four-star general’s retirement benefits, including a pension of nearly $220,000 a year.

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Petraeus Pillow Talk Plea

David Petraeus, who resigned as CIA director after 2012 revelations that he’d shared classified information with Paula Broadwell, his mistress and biographer, will plead guilty to a single count of unauthorized use of classified material, and faces up to a year in jail. Perhaps General P. can continue to advise the White House on Middle East policy from prison, since that’s a pretty secure location.