Business
Trump Forced To Listen Silently To People Insulting Him As He Trades A Cocoon Of Adulation For Court
NEW YORK — He appears “selfish and self-serving,” according to one woman.
“The way he carries himself in public “leaves something to be desired,” observed another.
Another individual claimed that his “negative rhetoric and bias” are the most destructive.
Over the last week, Donald Trump has been forced to sit in a chilly New York courthouse and listen to a parade of possible jurors in his criminal hush money trial give their unvarnished opinions of him.
It’s been a striking difference for the former president and likely Republican nominee, who is used to spending his days in a cocoon of screaming crowds and frequent praise. Now a criminal defendant, Trump will spend the next few weeks exposed to severe constraints that limit his ability to control everything from what he can say to the temperature of the room.
“He’s the target of mockery. It is his nightmare. He is unable to control the script. He is unable to control the cinematography. He has no control over what others are saying about him. And the outcome may go in a way he does not desire,” said Tim O’Brien, a Trump biography and critic.
While Trump is occasionally confronted by protesters, he largely avoids criticism. After leaving the White House, Trump relocated to his Mar-a-Lago beachfront club in Palm Beach, Florida, where he is surrounded by devoted paid staff and dues-paying members who have paid tens of thousands of dollars to be near him.
Trump frequently visits his adjacent golf course, where he is “swarmed by people wanting to shake his hand, take pictures of him, and tell him how amazing he is,” according to Stephanie Grisham, a longtime adviser who parted with Trump following the Capitol storming on Jan. 6, 2021.
When he returns to Mar-a-Lago in the afternoon, members eating lunch on the patio frequently stand and applaud. He gets the same standing ovation at dinner, which frequently ends with Trump playing DJ on his iPad, blaring jams like “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” by James Brown.
Grisham, who spent extended amounts of time traveling with Trump and at Mar-a-Lago during his 2016 campaign and acting as White House press secretary, portrayed staff as perpetual cheerleaders who told Trump what he wanted to hear. To avert angry outbursts, they requested motorcade routes that bypassed protestors and left a stack of favorable press clips on the Oval Office’s Resolute Desk each morning.
Trump Forced To Listen Silently To People Insulting Him As He Trades A Cocoon Of Adulation For Court
Trump now faces a trial that could lead to felony convictions and prison time. And he’ll have to listen to more critics without the ability to respond verbally, which he enjoys doing.
Michael Cohen, his former lawyer and fixer, and Stormy Daniels, the porn actor who claims she had sex with Trump, are likely to testify at the trial. Both have criticized him in interviews, books, and on social media.
Trump campaign spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump demonstrated during his first week in court that “he will remain defiant in the face of this unprecedented political lawfare” and that “it is clear that his support from the American people will only grow as they watch Joe Biden, Alvin Bragg, and the Democrats putting on this bogus show trial six months before the election.”
New Yorkers who claimed they couldn’t view the issue objectively were excused during jury selection. However, one of the women who had the strongest opinions of him will be among those who decide his fate on 34 charges of fabricating business records.
“I don’t like his persona, or how he presents himself in public,” said the woman, who has resided in upper Manhattan for the past 15 years. The woman stated she disagreed with some of Trump’s policies, which she deemed “outrageous.”
“He just seems very selfish and self-serving, so I don’t really appreciate that in any public servant,” she added. She went on to say that while she doesn’t “know him as a person,” because of the way he “portrays himself in public, it just seems to me it is not my cup of tea.”
Trump’s legal team objected to her responses, but they had exhausted their legal options by the time she came up for selection.
Judge Juan Manuel Merchan has withheld the identities of prospective jurors due to safety concerns.
On Friday, one prospective juror, who claimed to have attended the 2017 Women’s March to oppose Trump’s inauguration, expressed concern about his influence on his base.
“I think his rhetoric at times enables people to feel as if they have permission to discriminate or act on their negative impulses,” she said, giving examples of people making homophobic or racist remarks. Nonetheless, she stated that she did not have strong feelings for the previous president and was unsure of his current policy beliefs.
Trump Forced To Listen Silently To People Insulting Him As He Trades A Cocoon Of Adulation For Court
Another individual said he grew up admiring the former president and business magnate’s real estate portfolio and fantasized of one day living in Trump Tower. However, he has grown to reject Trump’s “negative rhetoric and bias against people that he speaks about.”
At other times, lawyers read aloud social media messages by prospective jurors mocking Trump and celebrating his defeats.
The judge dismissed one prospective juror, an older white lady, after Trump’s legal team discovered years-old social media remarks describing Trump as a “racist, sexist” narcissist.
One of Trump’s attorneys described the posts as “vitriolic.”
“She harbors a deep hatred for him,” the lawyer, Susan Necheles, stated. “She said that ‘I wouldn’t believe Donald Trump if his tongue were notarized'” and that he was “anathema” to all she had ever learned about love.
When confronted with the posts within the courtroom, the juror stated that she understood why they might be relevant to the defense, but her opinions had shifted. “Election policies can get pretty spicy and Mr. Trump can get pretty spicy,” she went on to say.
Merchan, the judge, also dismissed a man who in 2017 made a Facebook post praising the legal defeat of one of Donald Trump’s policies. “Get him out and lock him up!” the message stated in part.
The court regulations compel Trump to be present throughout the trial. He cannot storm out of the courtroom, as he did in a recent slander suit. He is also prohibited by a gag order from criticizing any of the jurors, including on his Truth Social page.
Merchan has already chastised him for speaking aloud and gesticulating when one juror was answering questions.
“I will not tolerate any jurors being intimidated in this courtroom,” added Merchan, who had previously warned Trump that he might face jail time for disrupting proceedings in court.
Trump’s judgments in court were not all negative, with a startling proportion of possible jurors stating that they had no strong feelings about one of the world’s most well-known and polarizing figures.
Trump Forced To Listen Silently To People Insulting Him As He Trades A Cocoon Of Adulation For Court
In fact, the process appeared to yield more supporters than one might expect in a borough where President Joe Biden received 87% of the vote in 2020.
One potential juror, who spoke glowingly of Trump on Thursday, said he was “impressed” by Trump’s successful business career.
“I mean, he was our president, which is pretty extraordinary. He is a businessman in New York. He has built his own path, and he has made history in terms of where he began and where he has progressed,” said the man, who saw his own story similarly.
On Tuesday, another man expressed remorse that he couldn’t balance the trial with his profession.
“Your Honor, as much as I would love to serve for New York and one of our great presidents, I could not give up my job for six-plus weeks,” he told the crowd.
Many claimed to have read his book, “The Art of the Deal.”
Even the woman who opposed his demeanor but ended up on the jury recognized his attraction to voters.
“His public demeanor can sometimes be questionable. At the same time, I can connect to occasionally being unvarnished,” she remarked. “I’ve seen him speak to many individuals in America. I believe there is something to be said about that.
SOURCE – (AP)
Business
Sonic the Hedgehog Dominates Christmas Wish Lists
Sonic the Hedgehog is dominating Christmas wish lists this year. The lovable blue hedgehog is back in the spotlight, from sonic the hedgehog toys and games to sonic the hedgehog coloring pages and movie hype.
Sonic-themed holiday merchandise is on fire, from quirky sweaters to action figures flying off shelves. Sonic the Hedgehog Christmas outfits for kids are selling out fast, making them a go-to gift option for festive fun.
Retailers have been quick to recognize Sonic’s holiday appeal. Special promotions and exclusive items, like the Sonic holiday t-shirts, are everywhere.
Everyone’s stocking up on Sonic merchandise, from big-box stores to boutique retailers.
Online shopping platforms are seeing a surge in searches for Sonic items. Whether it’s Sonic Christmas-themed tops or Sonic the Hedgehog coloring pages, Sonic the Hedgehog toys or Sonic and the Hedgehog 3, the demand is skyrocketing.
Retailers who tap into this trend are sure to see strong holiday sales.
Sonic has been around since the early 90s, but his popularity never wanes. With the release of Sonic 3, fans are more excited than ever.
Sonic the Hedgehog 4
Meanwhile, Paramount Pictures is preparing “Sonic the Hedgehog 4,” with the newest addition in the family-friendly genre set for a spring 2027 release.
The announcement comes as “Sonic 3” opens in theatres on Friday, estimated to gross $55 million to $60 million from 3,800 North American locations.
The sequel is shaping up to be a good holiday season blockbuster for Paramount, which explains the desire in future “Sonic” adventures. On the international front, the film will be released on Christmas Day in 52 markets.
On Rotten Tomatoes, critics gave “Sonic 3” an outstanding 87% fresh score.
The first two films grossed a total of $725.2 million at the global box office and generated over $180 million in global consumer expenditure through home entertainment rentals and digital purchases.
They also inspired a spinoff Paramount+ series, “Knuckles,” which premiered earlier this year.
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Business
Amazon Strike Called By Teamsters Union 10,000 Walkout
An Amazon strike has hit facilities in the United States in an effort by the Teamsters union to pressure the corporation for a labour agreement during a peak shopping season.
The Teamsters union told the Associated Press that Amazon delivery drivers at seven facilities in the United States walked off the job on Thursday after the firm failed to discuss a labour contract.
According to the union, Amazon employees in Teamsters union jackets were protesting at “hundreds” of additional Amazon facilities, which the union billed as the “largest strike” in US history involving the company.
The corporation, which employs over 800,000 people in its US delivery network, stated that its services will be unaffected.
It was unclear how many people, including members of Germany’s United Services Union, participated in Thursday’s demonstration. The Teamsters union reported that thousands of Amazon employees were implicated in the United States.
Amazon Strike at 10 Locations
Overall, the group claims to represent “nearly 10,000” Amazon strikers, having signed up thousands of people at roughly ten locations across the country, many of whom have joined in recent months.
The organization has claimed recognition from Amazon going on strike, claiming the firm illegally neglected its obligation to bargain collectively over salary and working conditions.
The Teamsters is a long-standing US union with nearly one million members. It is well-known for securing lucrative contracts for its members at companies like delivery behemoth UPS.
Most of the Teamsters’ Amazon campaigns have concerned drivers working for third-party delivery companies that partner with the tech behemoth.
Amazon denies that it is liable as an employer in those circumstances, which is a point of legal contention. In at least one case, labour officials have taken a preliminary stance in favour of the union.
Stalled Contract Negotiations
Amazon employees at a major warehouse on Staten Island in New York have also chosen to join the Teamsters. Their warehouse is the only Amazon facility in the United States where labour officials have formally recognized a union win.
However, the Amazon strike is because contract negotiations have not progressed since the 2022 vote. It was not one of the areas scheduled to go on strike on Thursday.
Amazon, one of the largest employers in the United States, has long received criticism for its working conditions and has been the target of activists seeking to gain traction among its employees.
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Business
Amazon Encounters Numerous Strikes As Unions Aim At The Holiday Shopping Surge.
(VOR News) – Thousands of Amazon employees at various sites across the country were scheduled to go on strike on Thursday in an effort by the Teamsters union to pressure the retail behemoth to acknowledge its unionised workers in the United States.
The walkout is expected to concentrate on seven Amazon locations across the country during the holiday purchasing surge and may be the most significant union action against Amazon in the nation’s history.
The business announced on Thursday morning that there had been no effect on operations. It also stated that it is “continuing to concentrate on fulfilling customers’ holiday orders.”
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters maintains that it represents more than 10,000 Amazon employees and contractors in aviation centres, warehouses, and delivery centres.
Amazon has refused to acknowledge the union for many years.
The retail giant, which employs approximately 1.5 million individuals, excludes contractors and part-timers. A strike has been initiated by delivery couriers and warehouse employees at seven distinct locations in order to exert pressure on the company to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement that would encompass modifications to compensation, amenities, and working conditions.
Picketing was intended for New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Skokie, Illinois.
Also, the Teamsters assert that they are establishing picket lines at “hundreds” of additional warehouses and delivery centres by encouraging non-unionized workers to picket under U.S. labour law, which protects workers’ ability to take collective action to further their interests.
“Amazon workers are exercising their power,” Randy Korgan stated to NPR.
“They now realise there is a pathway to take on a corporate giant like this – and that they hold the power.” Amazon responds by accusing the Teamsters of fabricating information regarding the strikes, asserting that the participants are “entirely” outsiders rather than employees or subcontractors of the corporation.
Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel stated that “the reality is that they were unable to secure sufficient support from our employees and partners and have invited external parties to harass and intimidate our team.” For more than a year, the Teamsters have been intentionally misleading the public by claiming to represent “thousands of employees and drivers.” They do not.
The Teamsters did not provide a specific duration for the strike; however, they informed NPR that it would extend beyond one day. Workers would receive $1,000 per week in strike money, as per the union.
Teamsters President Sean O’Brien issued a statement in which he stated, “If your package is delayed during the holidays, you can attribute it to Amazon’s insatiable greed.” We established a firm deadline for Amazon to attend the meeting and treat our members equitably. They disregarded it.
The Teamsters granted until December 15 to convene with its unionised employees and develop a collective bargaining agreement.
Amazon has opposed all unionisation efforts in court, asserting that unions were not advantageous to its employees and emphasising the compensation and benefits that the organisation currently provides.
Amazon has been accused of discriminatory labour practices on numerous occasions, including the termination of labour organisers. Furthermore, it has disputed its official status as a contract employer.
Teamsters organize Amazon delivery couriers and other employees.
In June, Amazon established its first unionised warehouse in Staten Island, New York, two years after making history by voting to join the fledgling Amazon Labour Union, which is also affiliated with the Teamsters.
The union is one of the most influential in the United States and Canada, with 1.3 million members. On Thursday, the German United Services Union declared that Amazon employees in Germany would participate in a strike in conjunction with their American counterparts.
In the past, Amazon has experienced demonstrations in Germany and Spain that were related to the holiday season in order to advocate for improved wages and working conditions.
“The holiday season has arrived.” Delivery is anticipated. Patricia Campos-Medina, the executive director of Cornell University’s Worker Institute, asserts that “this is the moment in which workers have control over the supply chain.”
The Teamsters have reported that Amazon’s profits have increased both during and after the pandemic. The corporation is currently valued at over $2.3 trillion, with net income of $15 billion in the most recent quarter alone. It is the second-largest private employer in the United States, following Walmart.
SOURCE: NPR
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