Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Miles Archer

(19,927 posts)
Mon Jul 28, 2025, 10:39 AM Monday

MSNBC predicts Trump won't pardon Maxwell because it wouldn't give him "good press."

Trump could pardon Ghislaine Maxwell. Here's why he probably won't.

The president has shown he likes to pardon people who will get him good press — not bad press.

https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/trump-ghislaine-maxwell-pardon-unlikely-epstein-case-rcna221335

One of the biggest questions people were asking after Department of Justice officials met with Ghislaine Maxwell in a Florida courthouse late last week was: What did the DOJ plan on asking Jeffrey Epstein’s former alleged enabler, who’s now serving a 20-year federal sentence for sex trafficking?

Another big question: What are a convicted sex trafficker like Maxwell’s answers worth?

Maxwell might have information that is devastating to the president, or no information about the president at all. And it could be that the government’s interest in speaking with Maxwell is purely for the pursuit of justice and does not pertain to the president’s personal self-interest.

Perhaps an even bigger question here: What does the government have to offer Maxwell in return if it is seeking her cooperation?

15 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

allegorical oracle

(5,443 posts)
10. Technically that's so right. But his followers believe his BS if he repeats it all the time
Mon Jul 28, 2025, 10:59 AM
Monday

everywhere he goes. His team will make up a bunch of convoluted lies about how her victims are mistakenly accusing her -- when she was just acting on orders from Epstein. It won't matter to them after a couple months pass. They're besotted by him.

EYESORE 9001

(28,640 posts)
3. So, it wouldn't give him good press, huh?
Mon Jul 28, 2025, 10:48 AM
Monday

A charming euphemism for, ‘we wouldn’t be able to pit lipstick on this particular pig.’

Haggard Celine

(17,339 posts)
5. I saw someone else here say that
Mon Jul 28, 2025, 10:48 AM
Monday

he'll probably pardon her after the elections in 2028. I agree that's probably what he'll do. That's the kind of underhanded shit he's famous for.

Miles Archer

(19,927 posts)
9. Oh, Im sure he has an "UP YOURS" list he's working on for November 2028 - January 2029.
Mon Jul 28, 2025, 10:58 AM
Monday

Part of Trump's pathology over "revenge"...as outlined in most of his ghost-written books...is to "hit back ten times harder."

A few problems with that.

First, most of the "offenses" against Trump are things he BELIEVES TO BE an "offense."

Second, HE is the one who determines when enough is enough...when his own "Ten times harder" rule has been fulfilled.

So if it's an IMAGNED offense in Trump's mind, how do you hit back ten times harder against an imaginary injustice?

Doesn't mean that would stop him from trying.

S/V Loner

(9,416 posts)
6. They will give her pardon...
Mon Jul 28, 2025, 10:50 AM
Monday

At the end of his term. No one will know about it until it happens and then it doesn’t matter to him. Serving 3 years instead of 20 will be a big incentive.

bucolic_frolic

(51,626 posts)
7. What is she cooperating about?
Mon Jul 28, 2025, 10:54 AM
Monday

Trump's DOJ won't prosecute anything. Anyone will question the value of her testimony about anything.

AZJonnie

(1,109 posts)
14. "purely for the pursuit of justice and does not pertain to the president's personal self-interest"
Mon Jul 28, 2025, 12:15 PM
Monday
Stop it guys, you're killing me

Ping Tung

(3,172 posts)
15. He may pick the "middle path" and offer a shorter sentence and parole.
Mon Jul 28, 2025, 12:20 PM
Monday

Ir offers plenty of headline time and satisfies his cult.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»MSNBC predicts Trump won'...