‘I want nothing!’ – Trump refutes quid-pro-quo claim with three words from Sondland testimony

President Donald Trump responded to U.S. Ambassador to the European Union Gordon Sondland’s testimony at the impeachment hearings Wednesday.

“Here’s my response,” Trump said. “Ready? You have the cameras rolling? ‘I want nothing.’”

Image courtesy of C-SPAN

5 thoughts on “‘I want nothing!’ – Trump refutes quid-pro-quo claim with three words from Sondland testimony

  1. Beware of Greeks Bearing Gifts

    A bait and switch sales pitch by Democrats is becoming evident. Vice President Pence, long the victim of Democrat character assassination, was, this morning (11-22-19), eulogized by the left media on National Public Radio. It was a classic advertising ploy.

    As the impeachment of President Trump draws near, the Democrats recognize that Senate removal of Trump has consequences – specifically that Pence would become the 46th president of the United States. To make that prospect more palatable, the Democrats are now disguising their long-held contempt for Pence. Agathocles of Syracuse, and his follower, Machiavelli, would be proud of them.

    “The word ‘tyrant’ today has become associated with cruel and merciless despots, but its original meaning was slightly different. The term originated in ancient Greece, and etymologically ‘tyrant’ was the technical term for a person who came to power by unconventional means and it did not infer an objectively good or bad ruler.” https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/agathocles-0012423

    Caveat emptor, citizens… Caveat emptor. The future of the American Republic is hanging in the balance.

  2. It’s interesting to note that the Dems started out with Prid Pro Quo. Then they found out that Main Street, USA wasn’t quite sure of its meaning. Then they went to a Focus Group to test word which would resonate with the public at large and after searching, they came with bribery. As a result bribery has become the buzz word. First it was colusion, the. It was obstruction, then abuse of power and finally bribery. Wonder what tomorrow will bring. The whole exercise has been a waste of time!!!!

  3. The problem, of course, is that the media, especially VT Digger in this case, publish articles with misleading headlines.
    __________________________
    To VT Digger: “Wait a minute. I watched Sondland’s testimony too. He testified (under oath) that when he asked Trump what Trump wanted from the Ukrainians, Trump said, “I want nothing. I want no quid pro quo. I want Zalensky to do the right thing. I want him to do what he ran on“. Sondland testified, several times, that he was “presuming” Trump was engaging in a quid pro quo but that no one ever told him that.

    Why doesn’t Mr. Norton’s article headline at least state that ‘Key ambassador presumes ‘quid pro quo’ by Trump in Ukraine dealings’? If Mr. Norton, or anyone else for that matter, doesn’t believe all of the testimony, fine. But at least he should be honest enough to admit that he’s reporting a presumption, no matter how believable it may seem to him, not a fact.”
    _________________________

    I have written evidence, to the dismay of their reporters, that VT Digger edits the headlines on articles submitted for publication. In the instance I recall, the reporter admitted to me: “I agree with you about the title…… It was a bit milquetoast. Here’s what it was when I turned it in:”

    I know editors often edit headlines – even here on TNR. But Digger’s recent headline on the Sondland hearing is clearly intended to mislead its readers. The question is, where is the line drawn between the “freedom of the press” and ‘lying’?

    The Atlantic, for example, said, while “The idea that lies are part of “freedom of speech” or “of the press” seems wrong. Lies—even lazy falsehoods—make finding the truth harder, erode mutual trust, and harm individuals and groups. Some can even lead to private violence or public disorder.” But: “Under U.S. law, many falsehoods—even some deliberate lies—receive the full protection of the First Amendment. ”

    Caveat emptor, readers, Caveat emptor. The future of our Republic is being held in the balance. While there is precious little I can do to force Digger (or VPR or the NYT, its press associates) to be honest in their reporting, I will continue to call out anyone’s hypocrisy when I see it…and I expect to be held to the same account.

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