• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Donald Trump recorded phone conversations, claim former employees

Rogue Valley

Rogue Valley

Lead or get out of the way
DP Veteran
Joined
Apr 18, 2013
Messages
94,136
Reaction score
82,405
Location
Barsoom
Gender
Male
Political Leaning
Independent
Donald Trump recorded phone conversations, claim former employees

White House repeatedly refuses to deny claims of wire tapping

By Niamh McIntyre
May 15, 2017

phone-call-donald-trump.jpg

Photo: White House

Donald Trump used to tape conversations and meetings in his Trump Tower offices prior to becoming President, according to three unnamed high-ranking former employees. The claim comes after the President appeared to threaten the sacked FBI chief James Comey, tweeting that he "better hope there are no 'tapes' of our conversations before he starts leaking to the press”. At a press briefing on Friday, press secretary Sean Spicer repeatedly refused to say whether Mr Trump was secretly recording meetings with visitors. Mr Spicer would only say “the President has nothing further to add on that. The tweet speaks for itself.” However, three high-ranking former employees have now told the Wall Street Journal that Mr Trump had one or more recording devices that he used to tape phone calls from his office.

Some former associates of Mr Trump have said they can prove he recorded phone calls, because tapes of their conversations with him were submitted as evidence in court cases. In 1989, Pratt Hotel Group sued claiming Trump Holdings had illegally interfered with attempts to buy a construction site next to the Trump Plaza casino. During the lawsuit, the President’s legal team produced a recording of a conversation between Pratt’s president and Mr Trump, contradicting Pratt’s version of events. Democrat Senators have demanded that any tapes of conversations concerning the contentious firing of FBI director Mr Comey, who was investigating Mr Trump’s ties to Russia, must be made public.
Click to expand...

Operators like Mr. Trump usually don't change their modus operandi. The difference this time is that any White House secret tapes belong to the US government.


See also: Donald Trumps Own History Suggests He Really Would Record His Oval Office Conversations
 
If the tapes get leaked is the Left going to celebrate these courageous American heroes that were just doing their patriotic duty ?

Or want them prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law ?
 
Fenton said:
If the tapes get leaked is the Left going to celebrate these courageous American heroes that were just doing their patriotic duty ?

Or want them prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law ?
Click to expand...

How would the "tapes" get leaked? Are you suggesting that Trump will leak them?
 
Cardinal said:
What the hell is wrong with that cat?
Click to expand...

I've never owned one of these beasts but from cat videos I have determined they lose their furry little mind if an object is attached to them.
 
Rogue Valley said:
Donald Trump recorded phone conversations, claim former employees

White House repeatedly refuses to deny claims of wire tapping



Operators like Mr. Trump usually don't change their modus operandi. The difference this time is that any White House secret tapes belong to the US government.


See also: Donald Trumps Own History Suggests He Really Would Record His Oval Office Conversations
Click to expand...

He may have deleted them the way Hillary deleted the e-mails. Perfectly legal. He may have listened to them to make sure he didn't miss anything and erased them when done.
 
PIPEWRENCH said:
He may have deleted them the way Hillary deleted the e-mails. Perfectly legal. He may have listened to them to make sure he didn't miss anything and erased them when done.
Click to expand...
No.

You're wrong.

They must be archived, by law.

They are not his tapes.
 
Chomsky said:
No.

You're wrong.

They must be archived, by law.

They are not his tapes.
Click to expand...

Trump supporters have the kookiest angle to this story. They seem to think the only response necessary is that taping conversations is legal, and seem intent on forgetting everything that comes after that.
 
Cardinal said:
Trump supporters have the kookiest angle to this story. They seem to think the only response necessary is that taping conversations is legal, and seem intent on forgetting everything that comes after that.
Click to expand...
It's not 'kooky' at all.

There's a blatant disregard for democratic principles and institutions, often proffered by either ignorance or arrogance, just like the candidate turned President.

I'm seeing claims that Trump needs appointees with loyalty. Loyalty? To a politician? Bull****! The loyalty of appointees resides in that of the Constitution, the office, and The People!

Not in loyalty to politician and party ...
 
'three unnamed high-ranking former employees'

Trump is a buffoon.

But I have had it up to here with 'unnamed sources'.


You want to call yourself a professional news service? Don't post stories based entirely on 'unnamed sources'.

Under that criteria, you can basically makeup almost anything you want and claim it came from 'unnamed sources'.


To quote a line from a movie:

'Goddammit, when is somebody going to go on the record in this story?!'
 
Chomsky said:
It's not 'kooky' at all.

There's a blatant disregard for democratic principles and institutions, often proffered by either ignorance or arrogance, just like the candidate turned President.

I'm seeing claims that Trump needs appointees with loyalty. Loyalty? To a politician? Bull****! The loyalty of appointees resides in that of the Constitution, the office, and The People!

Not in loyalty to politician and party ...
Click to expand...

Yeah. He honored police officers fallen in the line of duty with this bit: "I will always support the incredible men and women in law enforcement as much as you have supported me."

I thought that was rather telling. Methinks Trump didn't become President with self-sacrifice and public service in mind.
 
BTW - when is Trump going to stop tweeting?

All he seems to do is put his foot straight into his mouth when he does.
 
DA60 said:
'three unnamed high-ranking former employees'

Trump is a buffoon.

But I have had it up to here with 'unnamed sources'.


You want to call yourself a professional news service? Don't post stories based entirely on 'unnamed sources'.

Under that criteria, you can basically makeup almost anything you want and claim it came from 'unnamed sources'.


To quote a line from a movie:

'Goddammit, when is somebody going to go on the record in this story?!'
Click to expand...
While I understand your sentiments here, right now this is the reality of the situation.

These are just how these thing go. It took 2-1/2 years of continuous leaks and anonymous sources to bust Nixon. There was smoke all around, but it finally took a brave FBI agent to come forward who remained anonymous for 31 years after the incident!

With the stakes being what they are, this is just the nature of the game. All one can do is evaluate the media source, and decide whether they're generally credible or not, and compare the story to the general facts floating about. Then make a judgment call.
 
Rogue Valley said:
Donald Trump recorded phone conversations, claim former employees

White House repeatedly refuses to deny claims of wire tapping



Operators like Mr. Trump usually don't change their modus operandi. The difference this time is that any White House secret tapes belong to the US government.


See also: Donald Trumps Own History Suggests He Really Would Record His Oval Office Conversations
Click to expand...

Donald Trump is the boy who cried wolf. You can't go accusing your predecessor for wiretapping, and then claim it doesn't happen anymore.
 
Cardinal said:
Yeah. He honored police officers fallen in the line of duty with this bit: "I will always support the incredible men and women in law enforcement as much as you have supported me."

I thought that was rather telling. Methinks Trump didn't become President with self-sacrifice and public service in mind.
Click to expand...
Yeah, total bull****.

It shows his mindset.

Which is why when he calls American citizens his enemies, I believe him. I think too many people write-off his words by claiming they're hyperbole, when actually he seems to be telling us exactly how he feels. And this is often borne-out in his subsequent actions.
 
PIPEWRENCH said:
He may have deleted them the way Hillary deleted the e-mails. Perfectly legal. He may have listened to them to make sure he didn't miss anything and erased them when done.
Click to expand...

MAY HAVE being the operative words. I will say it's possible, but....

If releasing the tapes benefits him politically, they will be leaked. Especially if he can blame the media for it.
 
ModerateGOP said:
Donald Trump is the boy who cried wolf. You can't go accusing your predecessor for wiretapping, and then claim it doesn't happen anymore.
Click to expand...
I'm tellin' ya, if the Dems manage to flip either Chamber - Trump is toast.

There will be dozens of investigation triggered by him, with at least some bearing fruit.

He only lives, because of the GOP ...
 
Chomsky said:
No.

You're wrong.

They must be archived, by law.

They are not his tapes.
Click to expand...

That's ok. If Trump deletes them not knowing it's illegal then he'll be alright.
 
Chomsky said:
While I understand your sentiments here, right now this is the reality of the situation.

These are just how these thing go. It took 2-1/2 years of continuous leaks and anonymous sources to bust Nixon. There was smoke all around, but it finally took a brave FBI agent to come forward who remained anonymous for 31 years after the incident!

With the stakes being what they are, this is just the nature of the game. All one can do is evaluate the media source, and decide whether they're generally credible or not, and compare the story to the general facts floating about. Then make a judgment call.
Click to expand...

I see your point.

But with respect (And I do respect your opinion), Watergate started with an actual event and crime - the Watergate break-in. It is not like the entire story developed from anonymous sources. And there were all kinds of facts along the way - not JUST unnamed sources. There were phone records and cancelled checks and money and there had been other activities from the 'plumbers' that were known about (though not confirmed to have been perpetrated by them).

ALL there is to this story - so far - is another lunatic tweet from Trump and 'anonymous sources'. There is NOTHING factual to go on yet. Not one thing.
If they want to use unnamed sources to work a story....to see where it leads them? Fine. But why write the story when you have NOTHING but unnamed sources? See where the evidence takes you and if you find something - anything - factual to report; then report them along with the unnamed sources at that time.
But wait until there is a fact first and not just unnamed sources.
That is all I am asking here.

And I am not just talking about this story. Ever since Trump took office, there have been dozens of stories - all from unnamed sources. Many of which simply faded into oblivion. And I am sick of them.

Look, I cannot stand Trump as POTUS. But I refuse to condemn a man - any man - on the basis of unsubstantiated hearsay. That is just not right.
Get me some facts and I will call for his impeachment as loud as most/any. But NOT until they have facts. And - in this particular story (SO FAR) - they have no facts.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom