Trump wants to be handcuffed for court appearance in Stormy Daniels case, sources say

[Just_Vote_Dem]

Donald Trump has told advisers that he wants to be handcuffed when he makes an appearance in court, if he is indicted by a Manhattan grand jury for his role in paying hush money to adult film star Stormy Daniels, multiple sources close to the former president have said.

The former president has reasoned that since he would need to go to the courthouse and surrender himself to authorities for fingerprinting and a mug shot anyway, the sources said, he might as well turn everything into a “spectacle”.

Trump’s increasing insistence that he wants to be handcuffed behind his back for a perp walk appears to come from various motivations, including that he wants to project defiance in the face of what he sees as an unfair prosecution and that it would galvanize his base for his 2024 presidential campaign.


But above all, people close to Trump said, he was deeply anxious that any special arrangements – like making his first court appearance by video link or skulking into the courthouse – would make him look weak or like a loser.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/mar/22/trump-wants-to-be-handcuffed-for-court-appearance-in-stormy-daniels-case-sources-say

[bucolic_frolic]

1. BDSM fetish. Something very odd about this insistence on restraints.

[Turbineguy]

24. And Stormy Daniels should wear

"submit boots"

[bucolic_frolic]

39. Exactly, and thanks for that clip

I saw that film in theaters, but don't remember any part of it. Now I want to see it again!

[Celerity]

56. Wow, that movie is racist AF.

[Ilsa]

107. So long ago. They could get away with almost anything. nt

[Celerity]

109. 1978 is not that long ago (for me it is, as I was born in 1996, but for the majority here on DU,

judging based off of the heavy, heavy amounts of 1950s, 1960s and 1970s cultural references and person remembrances, perhaps not so much at all).

[Ilsa]

111. I'm in my mid-60s. It was "long ago" relative to

society opening its eyes to direct and subtle racism in media and how it contributes to maintaining stereotypes, tropes, etc.

[Celerity]

119. Point well-taken. Glad I was not alive back then, although I HATE the direction the globe has taken

politically in far too many nations since 2016 and beyond. Especially 2 of my 3 nations that I am a citizen of (the US and the UK), although even here in Sweden we now have (since the autumn of 2022) a RW government that also utilises (in a confidence and supply scheme with power sharing) the far right white nationalist (to a point, they do have non white support unfortunately as well) Sweden Democrats (SD). The Sweden Dems are pretty much hard RW except for economically on multiple issues, but they (SD) enable the traditional centre right and right parties (the RW to centre right Moderates ie the old Conservative party, the RW Christian Democrats, the centre right Liberal Party) to go all shit on the econ issues by propping them up in that confidence and supply scheme.

My wife and I are Social Democrats (the party is left and centre left, with a huge base from our massive labour unions)

[Hekate]

118. You mean like the subject of our discussion who wants handcuffs? Yeah, he is.

[Celerity]

121. As is that movie, that clip had a very racist portrayal of Asians and the interactions with them.

[Hekate]

122. No, really?

And the Frenchman was a dumb as a sack of hammers. Ha ha.

Or, you can look at the whole thing as a cultural museum piece.

[Celerity]

123. I am going to look at it as a sad document of just how openly racist the America of 1978 still was.

[Hekate]

128. Bet you hate the whole Mel Brooks canon

[Celerity]

129. Brooks was ofttimes more satiric, not low-brow comedy trafficking in stereotypes for empty, cheap

laughs with little thought given to the socio-cultural, socio-political elements on parade, which is pretty much what that clip from that movie is guilty of.

[homegirl]

126. This move is designed to be

the beginning of Donald's martyrdom! Clearly designed to bring on more images of Donald's Crucifixion. And more income as they tithe to their Lord and Savior.

[oldsoftie]

65. That was such a great movie. So silly & they're ALL so funny. nt

[11 Bravo]

115. Yup. He would also like a ball gag and some assless chaps.

[Harker]

2. Please proceed. n/t

[TheBlackAdder]

79. Give him a rough ride too.

[Harker]

81. Yeah... he told a bunch of cops (about arresting suspects) "please don't be too nice."

He was advocating banging arrestees' heads on car door frames, but I'd bet he'd squawk about getting his hair mussed.

[Buns_of_Fire]

3. Don't forget the ball gag. nt

[rurallib]

41. and nipple clips

[Emile]

4. Give him what he wants and add ankle cuffs too! If

he wants to stop and talk to press, zap him with a cattle prod to keep him moving.

[Just_Vote_Dem]

6. LOL!

If any of this is true, it sounds like he's resigned himself to being indicted.

[Siwsan]

5. I think they should use zip ties to make it harder for him to slip his tiny hands free

Just a suggestion, of course.

[woodsprite]

7. If they immobilize his tiny hands, will he be able to speak? nt

[sprinkleeninow]

9. or make the doofy fist pump or do that uncool dance move

[llmart]

89. Yes.

And how on earth could he do his infamous accordion hands?

[woodsprite]

94. It'd throw off his balance walking too! nt

[Walleye]

8. I don't think he is going to enjoy it as much as he imagined

As long as they bash his head on the squad car I’m fine with it

[Emile]

27. Hee hee 😀

[usaf-vet]

73. As use "bedroom" handcuffs with pink feathers.

That will make it clear just how brave he is.

And when they take his mug shots, no wigs, and makeup.
Those photos will prevail worldwide.

[Walleye]

77. He'll never be able to hide the fear that's in his eyes

[RainCaster]

103. There's no chance of brain damage

When he hits his head, nothing important will be damaged. Just his "fake hair".

[ecstatic]

10. Sounds like reverse psychology bullshit to me.

I want him in handcuffs too. Let's do it!

[GoCubsGo]

22. No, it's a fund-raising stunt.

He's playing the victim again, and what better to rile up the rubes than to have them see Dear Leader in handcuffs. He believes that will get them to throw more money at him. It probably will.

[babylonsister]

25. Exactly. nt

[ecstatic]

28. Cool, let them throw money at him, and let him commit more crimes with that money

More prison time. Guess what, seeing him cuffed and shackled, especially seeing him being shoved into a van, hell, *I* will donate to any Democratic candidate who makes use of those pics.

[GoCubsGo]

33. Yeah, that's the thing.

He's so stupid, he doesn't realize that it works both ways. Which is why I kind of have mixed feelings about it. Those images could easily work against him. Especially down the road, when we'll hopefully be playing the "At which indictment was this taken?" game. But, then again, why give that motherfucker what he wants?

[ecstatic]

43. That's why I think it's reverse psychology

Why give him what he wants? Because it's what he says he wants but it's actually not true. Mary Trump said that his number one fear is humiliation and embarrassment. It's why we're even talking about this in the first place. He ran for president because he never recovered from President Obama roasting him at the White House correspondent's dinner. He gave up decades of undetected criminal activity over some harmless jokes.

[jaxexpat]

53. That's my two cents worth as well. Put a bag over his head. Kill the circus.

If they do handcuff him, be sure they make him walk down an icy 10% or greater ramp slope......... while trying to drink water from a bottle during a solar eclipse.

[Buckeyeblue]

11. He wants to turn this into a shit show for 2 reasons

1. The political mileage he'll get. It forces Republicans to show their hand as to the level of support they'll give him.

2. It makes it harder to get a fair trial. Any conviction would potentially have multiple questions for appeals.

I want him held accountable for his crimes. I hope this indictment is more than just paying off Stormy Daniels. If that's all it is I worry that we're just giving him attention.

I much prefer the Georgia case. I think it's the one Republicans fear the most.

[GoCubsGo]

26. Three reasons.

3. He is trying to fund-raise off of it. He makes lots of money off of playing the victim. Even our shitty media is onto the "victimhood" thing now.

[mobeau69]

12. He's probably thinking about a crown of thorns as well.

Do whatever but don’t be too nice about it.

[EYESORE 9001]

13. Does he wanna get spanked too?

Denied! No spanks, no cuffs, you cheeky monkey.

[Midnight Writer]

106. We already knows he wants to be spanked. But is America ready to see that?

[EYESORE 9001]

113. See it? Hell, I'd volunteer to wield the paddle!

Especially if it was one like they used at my elementary school. It had holes drilled in it to reduce air resistance plus enough mass to really impart some energy. I think one whack would bring tears to his eyes.

[patphil]

131. Dang! You beat me to it.

[allegorical oracle]

14. He may not get his wish...

"The Secret Service may not allow law enforcement to handcuff former President Donald Trump if he is arrested as part of a political indictment according to a Florida prosecutor."

(That's according to Dave Aronberg in W Palm. Note the phrase "as part of a political indictment".)

https://www.newsweek.com/secret-service-wont-allow-police-cuff-donald-trump-prosecutor-says-1789406

[Lovie777]

15. shithole wants to further enrage the insane cult for more deadly violence......

RWers, evangelists, GQPs, white nationalists can never ever convince me about patriotism.

[dchill]

17. Yep. We have a winner!

[malaise]

16. Next he'll want to be crucified - after all he thinks he's gawd!

He still thinks this is a TV show. It should be the final episode of You're Fired!

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

18. Does he want to be spanked too?

I seem to recall he made Stormy Daniels do that to him.

[Silver Gaia]

19. If he WANTS this, then that just means he plans to use it

for his nefarious purposes. If he WANTS it, then I DON'T want it. Simple. Deny him whatever he says he wants because fuck him and his goddam circus.

[ForgedCrank]

75. That is

my position exactly.
The worst thing anyone could possibly do to him is ban all media, cameras etc from being anywhere near and getting any photos or video of him. Letting this ass in front of any camera or mic is a really bad idea.

[Mr. Ected]

20. Justice is blind

But this Joker worries only about the optics.

Know your audience.

[3Hotdogs]

21. My first thoughts last week, "Frog march the fucker."

But it would be used.....(Photos on Jumbotron) "See how unfair this is? Dod they go after Hillary? ......"

[MiHale]

23. He's a reality tv personality...

He should look like real life…a disgusting, puerile, slimy, weak, decrepit, a dud excuse of a semi-human entity.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

29. Bounce his head on the police car as they stuff him in. Like he suggests cops do to demonstrators

[boston bean]

30. He doesnt get a say.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

71. You are exactly right! They definitely won't handcuff him. There are optics

on the other side too. He will be treated with utmost respect even if he doesn't deserve it.

WSJ yesterday described likely sequence. Secret Service will want the whole thing on the down low

Wonder if either side could film it all tho?? Do you think they could?

[Lovie777]

31. Apparently sucker tucker wants Pres. Biden to stop shithole's indictment.......

[Delphinus]

32. It is

ALWAYS, in all ways, about him and staging and how it can be used.

[IcyPeas]

124. I couldn't agree more.

"in all ways, about him and staging and how it can be used"

[lastlib]

34. They only handcuff someone they think will fight or flee....

Given his decrepit age and condidtion, he can do neither. So not cuffing him is a statement that he's feeble. Leave 'em off.

[DinahMoeHum]

35. Fucking drama queen.

[tavernier]

36. Will they check his coiffure

for hidden weapons? I bet he could tuck a few hand grenades in there and it wouldn’t even move a hair out of place.

[ancianita]

37. HE wants to fundraise off it? Let him try. Once he's there, he's the confirmed All Time Loser.

Not the GOAT, the GOAL.

Slap all those court photos around and have his base will see how unpresidential he is. They won't even GOTV for him.

[Mr. Ected]

38. He wants to be the MAGA Jesus

Marched in leg irons through town with a large wooden cross on his back.

It's all about the imagery.

[dlk]

40. Trump wants to play at being a political prisoner/martyr

It will be good for fundraising.

[JuJuChen]

42. it's sad when he still tries to look like he's in control, even through processing

[SunSeeker]

44. Sounds like he's trying reverse psychology to get out of being handcuffed.

[Johnny2X2X]

45. "Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake." - Napoleon Bonaparte

People thinking this arrest and the others that are sure to follow will help Trump are making a grave miscalculation.

This will get his ever shrinking base riled up, but moderate Republicans and independents will move further from Trump. It also will give DeSantis an opening, not necessarily for this arrest, but for the preponderance of all of his court cases, DeSantis is going to start talking about Trump's baggage.

[dembotoz]

46. so close to easter ....all he needs is a crown of thornes its good trump theater

to make it extra special lets do it during holy week
Have him in chains, make him look like he has to carry a cross.

As much as i would buy popcorn to see a real perpwalk led away in chains, It will gin up his base

and i have no expectations of rational thought from them

[panader0]

47. How about the Hannibal Lecter mask?

[JanLip]

90. I thought the same thing

I can picture it in my mind. Mask, straight jacket, feet bound wheeled in on a dolly. Yes that would be perfect

[karynnj]

48. Interesting article and I wonder if he sees it almost as the good, strong, noble leader unfairly in

before his enemies. Almost like the martyrs of the early Christian church. Subtext he is subject to this because of what he does for his people.

I further wonder if part of it is the pettiness of this crime. It is not leading the insurrection or trying to cheat in GA and elsewhere. Some of the right wingers on TV are already in the everybody does this and making false equations to Bill Clinton paying the court agreed with settlement to Paula Jones.

[Miguelito Loveless]

49. Sure,

but it will cost extra.

[Pepsidog]

50. He should be thrown in a cop car roughly like he advocated when he was president.

[bigtree]

51. Stormy used to charge extra for that.

...

[newdayneeded]

52. I heard his request for a large

wooden cross was already denied, so he'll just go with handcuffs.

[TheCowsCameHome]

54. I hope they shave his head and make him wear only a thong.

That should sicken even his most ardent supporters.

[Ilsa]

108. I'd never be able to un-see that. nt

[Scrivener7]

55. The fun thing about this is that no one needs to give a shit what he wants.

[Kaleva]

57. Live feed the cavity search

[Whatthe_Firetruck]

133. Pay-per-view...

... Benefiting the Democratic Party. Even the RW would buy in to see that.

[The Jungle 1]

58. He announced he would be arrested on Tuesday.

So they waited playing him for the fool.
Does he really want to be handcuffed or is it another stupid game.

Handcuff him and take his belt so he has to hold up his pants on that massive waist line. Better yet give him the paper jump suit so his depends show.
He really should have a cavity search done. He could easily hide a gun in those massive cheeks.

[Joinfortmill]

59. Treat him like any other person would be under the law.

[Traildogbob]

60. Fur lined cuffs

And Stormy spanking him with a Forbes magazine? Maybe an Enquirer paper?

[stumpysbear]

61. Doesn't want to look like a looser? Too late buckaroo!

[oldsoftie]

62. he wants that publicity. Dont give it to him. Or his cult.

Do it remotely by video. Then he cant posture or filibuster.

[tanyev]

63. How about "Please don't be too nice"?

[ECL213]

64. Hog tie the fucker...

and throw him on the floor of the transport. Maybe he'll suffocate before he reaches processing.

[IronLionZion]

66. Many MAGAts associate handcuffs with guilt rather than oppression

this could backfire badly on him

[EmmaLee E]

67. Do Not give him what he wants ...

He knows how to rile his base.
He will use them for violence, for money, for votes.

This is not the funny thing many choose to believe.

[Maeve]

68. But whatever you do, don't throw me in the briar patch!"

Yeah, whatever, asshole...

[niyad]

69. Stroke out already, you F'n, murdering, orange TRAITOR**.

[Marthe48]

70. I wonder if he'll drag a cross behind him

Although that would be hard to do if he's cuffed

Seriously, it's a damned shame that he visualizing his arrest as a photo op.

[mn9driver]

72. The Trump Show. It's how he got elected the first time.

His impending arrest has no doubt been great for fundraising. Handcuffs will be even better. This is the level that his supporters function at. This is how reality TV works. This is America in 2023.

[BlueIdaho]

74. Kinky SOB...

[Texin]

76. Give him what he wants and throw in a metal down ramp to complete the picture.

[JI7]

78. They can remove his Wig and Makeup also

[Irish_Dem]

80. He is in legal jeopardy and all he can think of is his PR, raising money, votes.

[Arazi]

82. The Secret Service won't allow it

They’ll want their guy with some mobility which cuffs would be troublesome.

He’ll be quietly taken to the loading dock and given the utmost respect imo.

Cool fantasy by #Traitor tho. Says a lot about his personal kinks

[usonian]

83. Inquiring minds want to know. Is this ....

□ Bondage?
□ Domination?
□ Sadism?
□ Masochism?, or
□ All of the above?

This is not a poll.

[LiberalFighter]

84. Why doesn't he Stormy spank him again?

[smb]

85. It's A Delaying Tactic

It could take a while to find a pair of extra-small handcuffs.

[Buns_of_Fire]

86. New glasses. Gotta get new glasses.

Every time I'm scanning the titles in GD to pick up new stuff, this post always initially registers as "Trump wants to be handcuffed to Stormy Daniels..."

Maybe I'm just not drinking enough.

[world wide wally]

87. Whatever they do, make sure they lose the key

[Paladin]

88. At what point do we relieve trump of his leadership role?

That's the only pertinent question, at this point.

[Gary 50]

91. Let's upgrade the handcuffs to leg irons and a fifty pound ball and chain.

[llmart]

92. I doubt very much if he's going to be handcuffed.

It is sort of fun to read through all the comments on here - many of them giving me hilarious visions of what that would look like, but as some more level-headed, realistic posts say, knowing how the narcissist's mind works, I agree with those who say don't play into his hand. He wants nothing more than to come off as being a victim.

I just don't want him to get any special treatment. Treat him the way you would anyone else for the crime he is being arrested for.

[Mad_Machine76]

93. Of course he does

the bigger the spectacle, the larger the drama and martyrdom (oh and fundraising of course).

[LiberalLovinLug]

95. They should also take his advice and "accidently" bump his head on the top of the doorway of the car

when they arrest him.

[Wonder Why]

96. After handcuffing him, dress him in a clown outfit with big makeup smile,

long red nose and those giant clown shoes. He'd really look like a hero to his maggot followers.

[LuckyCharms]

97. Wrap him head-to-toe in Saran Wrap. n/t

[republianmushroom]

98. playing for his base.

Do it for the rest of use who want to see him in prison.
26 months and counting

[TygrBright]

99. What, does he want her to spank him again, too? n/t

[Smackdown2019]

100. I rather see him tied to the stake and carried facing down as if going to a roast

Too bad we couldn't have him hauled before the court tied to the stake, an apple in his mouth. Of course who ever hauls him in, need wide load and heavy load signs.... just saying...

[kskiska]

101. And don't hold his head down

when loading him into the squad car.

[thesquanderer]

102. not wanting to "look weak or like a loser" is how he'll get out of this.

I heard today on WNYC that John Edwards got out of something similar by saying the payoff to the mistress was not for political gain, but to hide it from his wife. The guest on the radio show said that Trump would have a hard time with that defense since he told at least two people (Michael Cohen and the publisher of the Enquirer) that he wanted it kept secret because it would hurt his presidential campaign. But it would be "on brand" for Trump's lawyer to now say, sure, that's the reason he gave, but only because it would be embarrassing for him to admit he wanted to keep it secret to avoid trouble with Melania. That, from his perspective, would be a "p*ssy ass b*tch" reason, as Chrissy Teigen would put it. A much more "manly" reason is that it would be interfering with his plans to become the most powerful person in the world.

I'm not saying that he didn't in fact pay her off to protect the presidential campaign. I'm just saying that he could make a credible argument that, despite telling people that was the reason, that wasn't the real reason... and I see a "reasonable doubt" defense there.

[Vinca]

104. More likely he wants to be handcuffed by Stormy.

[cstanleytech]

105. Trump has a bondage fetish? TMI.

[LudwigPastorius]

110. Somebody needs to tell Trump that they won't handcuff him...

unless he lunges at the judge at some point.

[CaptainTruth]

112. Trump is into that kind of thing, just ask Putin.

[link:|]

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

114. Rather than putting him in orange prison garb,

dress him in a pink jumpsuit which is two sizes too small. Then say he can't be handcuffed due to Secret Service regulations. Let him do his "thumbs up" schtick looking like an overstuffed sausage.

Oh, don't forget to remove his lift shoes before the mug shot to show exactly how small he is.

[ShepKat]

117. how about a gold tiara, munching grapes or twinkees

being carried in by 4(or 8, or 12...) euniks(sp)... on one of those roman thingees with a slave girl throwing flower petals on the floor before his every step LOL

[Hekate]

120. Spectacle is all. Remember he wanted to rip off his white shirt to show a Superman T-shirt...

…when he got back to the WH after COVID? But the meanies wouldn’t let him.

I hope nobody lets him play the pitiful victim with cuffs, either. Maybe one of his pet SS agents can loan him some.

[IcyPeas]

125. court, jail, indictments, imeachments. Roger Stone, Steve Bannon, Alex Jones, Michael Flynn, etc.

they act like they don't care. They come out of courts joyful.... surrounded by media... Steve Bannon and roger Stone - proud of themselves, I remember pictures of them. it was like they were walking on a red carpet in hollywood.

[Bucky]

127. He wants to look persecuted. His thralls dig that look.

[Goonch]

130. 👇👇👇

[Emile]

132. Arrest him Friday night with a bail hearing on Monday evening.

[usonian]

134. This thread has been entertaining, if a bit dark.

Just make a mistake and handcuff him to someone else and accidentally drop the key down a storm drain.

Suggestions:
Mitch
Mike Pence
Mother Pence
Rudy
Scott Adams
Aaron Rodgers
A courier


Others?