Look out Donald Trump you’re next
I wish to begin by saying that I am extremely happy for Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss. They began their lives in the media spotlight as two modest election workers and they will finish up as millionaires. Rudy Giuliani has been ordered to compensate both women to the tune of $148 million for the disgusting lies and calumnies he has heaped upon them. That, friends and neighbours, is justice.
While their loss is great, their gain is greater. The absurd infamy that unjustly pursued them for so long will soon fade away. After all, who thinks about Colonel Alexander Vindman these days? “Who?” you might ask. Exactly my point.
After Trump is in prison for a year or two, no one will care about Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss and their lives will go on unmolested. The larger issues of that day will overwhelm any memory of them — and the public has a very short memory. That is a large part of justice.
One of two things will happen at this point. Rudy will, of course, file an appeal, just as the hectoring, inadequate little man threatened to do from the back of his limo. During the appeal process an undisclosed settlement will probably be reached and Rudy will pay it. Or Rudy will die. He will turn 80 next May and he looks to be in extremely poor health. At that point his property will be sold off to compensate his victims.
Meanwhile Rudy is getting himself in deeper trouble. Because Rudy is a shockingly stupid man he will continue to tell the lies that got him in trouble in the first place. Donald Trump, also a shockingly stupid man, learned very quickly that every time he opens his mouth in a slanderous way about E. Jean Caroll it costs him millions. Rudy will soon learn the same lesson.
That’s the one great thing about the American justice system. It cuts through all the spin and propaganda and bullshit. In the American justice system, people are under oath when they speak and as such they are under penalty of criminal perjury if they lie. Not only could Rudy face more economic hardship, he could also end up in prison if at any point in this process he commits perjury while under oath.
Rudy Giuliani is finished and his epitaph has been written. There is no coming back from where he is now. He is a man in quicksand who can only get himself in deeper trouble.
Justice may be just about finished with Rudy, but it’s not finished with everyone. “Today is not the end of the road, we still have work to do,” Ruby Freeman said, “Rudy Giuliani was not the only one who spread lies about us, and others must be held accountable too. But that is tomorrow’s work.”
So look out, Donald Trump, here comes Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss. And they don’t take prisoners. Yes, it’s been a good day for Justice. And those days will just keep getting better and better. And, as ever, ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, comrades and friends, stay safe.
Robert Harrington is an American expat living in Britain. He is a portrait painter.