PART ONE: Before He Came Down the EscalatorAmericans have literally millions of opinions about Donald Trump. Some adore him. Some like his willingness to say and do things other presidents wouldn’t consider. Some single-issue voters hold their nose and vote for him because he supports their single issue.
Many voters (Democrats, Independents, and Republicans) don’t like him at all—did not and would never vote for him. They can’t understand how the American people could elect, a second time, someone as unethical, unlawful, crass, narcissistic, careless, dangerous, or deceitful as Donald Trump.
A second time? That’s right, a second time. After all, in 2016, America did not like or trust Hillary Clinton. Trump did a good job labeling her and turning blue-collar voters against her. Trump was outspoken, controversial, crass, pro-America, pro-American worker, and enough voters were willing to give him a try.
I’ve never voted for or considered voting for Donald Trump. Count me as one of those he calls “never Trumpers.” I concede I am not an unbiased reporter. And you know what they say about opinions: They’re like rectums—everybody has one. However, facts are facts. In this series, I intend to report the facts. I know I won’t change anyone’s mind; but I’ll feel venting about the most unethical, criminal president in American history.
Before he came down the escalator in 2015 to announce his 2016 candidacy, Trump had an interesting career as a businessman, New York City celebrity, television star, and flashy, flamboyant Real Estate mogul. Controversy followed him around . . . by invitation only. Like most of his problems as president and presidential candidate, his early wounds were self-inflicted, the result of character traits and behaviors that get “ordinary people” in trouble.
Was his behavior criminal? Not necessarily, but it was questionable, unethical, and in many cases disgusting, cruel, evil, and dishonorable. Furthermore, he faced multiple investigations, lawsuits, and was force to make settlements—many of which strongly suggested fraud, discrimination, and unethical conduct. He often paid millions to avoid trial or admitted no wrongdoing in civil settlements.
1. The first such example of this behavior happened in 1973, when Trump was 27 years old. He, his father, and their company, Trump Management Co. were investigated and sued by the Justice Department under the Fair Housing Act for discriminating against Black renters.
The evidence in the case included documentation that:
· Black applicants’ rental applications were marked with a “C” for “colored.”
· Trump Co. agents told Black applicants that no apartments were available, while, at the same time, offering those apartments to white applicants.
Outcome: Trump settled in 1975 without admitting wrongdoing. The Trumps had to agree to stop discriminatory practices and regularly report to the DOJ. Before anyone starts screaming “witch-hunt” or “fake news,” recall that Presidents Nixon and Ford were in office between 1972-1975. In 1973, Trump called the charges “absolutely ridiculous.” Department of Justice prosecutor Donna Goldstein was quoted in the Washington Post:
“The pattern was blatant. It wasn’t even subtle.”
2. In the 1980s, Trump companies used undocumented labor to demolish the Bonwit Tell Building to erect Trump Tower at the location. The workers sued (probably because they weren’t paid) citing 16-hour shifts, no safety gear, and below minimum wage. The New York Times printed this quote from a worker:
“No helmets. No gloves. I was afraid. But I needed the Money.”
Trump, proudly anti-immigrant today, denied any knowledge of the scheme and dragged the litigation out 15 years before paying out a confidential settlement in 1999. For those who don’t understand the significance of that practice, wealthy litigants often use power and money to delay needed payouts to the less fortunate to force case resolutions for less than full value.
3. Trump was involved in multiple controversies and lawsuits related to business and financial mismanagement dated back to the 1980s. His businesses, most notably an Atlantic City casino, declared bankruptcy 6 times between the1980s and 2009. While these incidents were not necessarily criminal, they were deeply damaging to investors, contractors, and workers, many of whom were never paid. Forbes magazine, hardly a left-leaning publication, quoted former casino analyst, Marvin Roffman back in the day:
“He was an emperor with no clothes. The numbers never worked.”
4. In 1989, five black and Latino teenagers from Harlem were convicted of raping a white female jogger in New York City’s Central Park. Their convictions were predicated on confessions that the teens later recanted. The men served between six and 13 years before their convictions were vacated in 2002.
Donald Trump took out full-page ads in several New York newspapers, before the men were convicted, advocating for the death penalty. I don’t condemn Trump for placing the ads; he was reflecting the mood of the city at the time. I am critical of Trump for two reasons: 1. We are innocent until proven guilty in this country. I am critical of any public action taken by anyone, whether a public or private citizen, that suggests guilt before a conviction. 2. Although their convictions were overturned in 2002 (someone else confessed to the crime), Donald Trump has never apologized to the Central Park Five. In fact, he has quintupled down. On at least five occasions, Trump has maintained their guilt, said vile things about them, and argued that the settlement they received from the city was a mistake. As we all know, he is incapable of admitting when he’s wrong.
5. In 2005, Trump started a new business. Trump University was marketed as a real Estate training program run by Experts “hand-picked by Donald Trump.” Numerous lawsuits claimed it was a fraudulent scheme, with high-pressure sales tactics and false promises. As has become his trademark, Trump settled the lawsuits for $25 Million without an admission of liability or wrongdoing. National Public Radio quoted New York Attorney General, Eric Schneiderman as saying:
“Trump University was a fraud from beginning to end.”
6. Before he ran for president, Donald Trump faced multiple charges of sexual misconduct. While many charges escalated to indictments, lawsuits, and, eventually, a 34-count felony conviction only after he became a presidential candidate and a president, he is, nonetheless, responsible for his misconduct. At least 25 women have accused Trump of rape, non-consensual kissing/groping, and harassment dating back to the 1970s.
A. The most substantial case belongs to E. Jean Carroll, who successfully sued Trump. In 2023, a civil jury found our current president liable for sexual abuse and defamation and awarded Carroll $5 Million in damages. Trump, of course, blamed the victim, calling Carroll a “nut job” and the verdict a “disgrace” and a “witch hunt.”
B. “Grab’em by the . . .” -hot-mike remarks: We all saw the 2005 video of Trump bragging to Billy Bush when Trump starred in The Apprentice:
“When you’re a star… you can do anything… grab ’em by the pussy.”
Since Trump couldn’t deny the demeaning and decadent remarks, he admitted them, referring to them as “locker room talk.” I can’t speak for all men, but I have been in many locker rooms, and I’ve never heard any man say anything like that. The quote was used in the E. Jean Carroll case as evidence of Trump’s general attitude toward women. And Evangelicals and women voted for Trump—hypocrites all.
C. Stormy Daniels Hush-Money Scandal: In 2006, Trump had a sexual relationship with porn actress Daniels. He decided to keep her quiet about it and ordered Michael Cohen to handle a $130,000 payoff for her silence ahead of the 2016 election. Cohen was charged and convicted of campaign Finance violations. Trump became president. Go figure—only in Trump World. After his first term and before his second, Trump was convicted (he is the only former president to be convicted of a felony) on 34 counts of falsifying business records. But it was too little-too late (more about that later in this series) and we the people elected him president a second time.
D. The Epstein Files: A work in progress—there is little doubt that Trump and child-sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein were “more than” acquainted. Recent reports indicate that Trump’s name appears multiple times in the so-called “Epstein Files.” I’ll have a more detailed discussion about this later in the series.
Donald Trump’s business and political life is a mosaic of credible civil and criminal accountability. Juxtaposed with public revelations that reinforce a clear pattern. These are not my biased opinions, they are contained in court and other public records. And Trump’s misbehavior is not limited to his time out of office, he has been a wrongdoer in office, as well.
In Part II of our series, we’ll explore his misbehavior in office and why the press, Congress, and two Attorneys General are complicit in enabling this man to scam the public. Stay tuned for Part II of The Unethical-Criminal President.
Mark M. Bello is an attorney and author of 9 Zachary Blake Legal Thrillers and other legal themed novels and children’s books. For more information, please visit https://www.markmbello.com
