Trump got special treatment plain and simple

[dsc]

Gawker got sued some years back for showing part of a sex tape by Hulk Hogan (recorded by Bubba the Love Sponge whose wife was also in it). Hogan brought this case in Florida and got a large judgement. Gawker wanted the judgement bond reduced so it could appeal. They were told flat out no. Gawker went bankrupt as a result. The case against Gawker was very thin, and was clearly part of a vendetta by Peter Theil who had been outed by them. Yet no court was willing to reduce the appellate bond and Gawker went under. Why is this case any different whatsoever?

[TexasDem69]

1. Because Trump is the former President of the United States

The Republican nominee for 2024, and at the very least has a 50/50 chance of winning. So that makes his case different. I’m sure there are other examples of a bond being reduced significantly across the U.S. though I haven’t researched it.

Here’s an interesting article from the ABA on appeal bonds, but doesn’t go to Trump specifically. https://www.americanbar.org/groups/judicial/publications/appellate_issues/2019/summer/staying-judgment-with-appeal-bonds/

[dsc]

2. Then why didn't Trump's briefs outline any examples of such a reduction?

Not one source on this case has mentioned any such examples at all.

[TexasDem69]

3. They didn't they needed to, they are incompetent

Or maybe I’m wrong and it has never happened before? Who knows, but the point stills stands that Trump is different than Gawker because of his status. The same would be true for President Obama or Bush.

[Dave says]

5. Well that's the point, isn't it?

There are two justice systems in America. One is for those amongst us with wealth, power, and status; the other is for everyone else. For the latter, for example, some have died in Rikers Island waiting several years for trial.

[Think. Again.]

7. THIS.

[Kid Berwyn]

10. Including juvenile waiting for bond.

After 3 years, Kalief Browder gave up and hanged himself.

https://www.themarshallproject.org/2015/06/09/no-bail-less-hope-the-death-of-kalief-browder

[TexasDem69]

11. It's not because of his wealth

It’s because of the role he filled. Or maybe it’s just because the appellate court thought the judgment is wrong? The reason is all speculation and I’m just speculating about why I think it happened. I’m not surprised it was reduced and I really don’t care if he has to pay $175 million or $400 million for the bond. The outrage here surprises me but will fade by tomorrow.

[onenote]

9. trump's reply brief cited several instances.

https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/trump-appeal-reply-motion-brief-fraud.pdf

[TexasDem69]

4. Here's a 2008 article about appeal bonds

Mentioning that many states were reforming their statutes and discussing a case where an appeal bond was cut from $12 billion to $6 billion in one instance.

https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=a5768051-73e0-4d06-9591-e83fda700291

[onenote]

6. The Gawker case is not a comparable situation.

In the Gawker case, decided in Florida, the trial court that awarded the damages, rejected a request that the appeals bond be reduced or waived -- similar to the situation Trump faced when the trial court rejected he attempt to get the trial court to reduce the judgment and the appeals bond required.

Trump went to the court of appeals and ended up getting a reduction.
Gawker also went to the court of appeals. But a day later, and before the court of appeals has a chance to act, Gawker decided to declare bankruptcy. That bought Gawker some time, because it didn't have to put up the bond in order to pursue its appeal. Ultimately, the court of appeals decided it was without jurisdiction to act on the motion to reduce the appeals bond and around the same time, Gawker was sold to Univision, which shut it down. The appeal nonetheless continued without an appeals bond, but eventually Gawker settled for $31 million and dropped the appeal.

[republianmushroom]

8. Why is this case any different whatsoever? Because the name is "trump"

and that is the reason.