: Hi, Paul -

: (The Jesse Ventura video referenced in your other post
: apparently has been removed by its uploader.)

: It's reasonable to argue that Trump's rhetoric on this is less
: than statesmanlike - but is it actually illegal?

: There's a long tradition of presidents' making use of
: "the bully pulpit" to make their opinions known -
: which in a different way, is also what the NFL athletes are
: doing via their own 'bully pulpit'.

: But you're saying Trump is "well outside his duties and

: his legal authority as President."

: How much authority does he have to have in order to exercise
: his own freedom of speech? Is it reasonable to think that
: the President of the United States is accorded less freedom
: of speech than, say, alt-right marchers with tiki torches
: or 'black block' protesters shouting inflammatory things?

: --hobie

Hi Hobie,

That's my whole point, if Donald Trump as an individual states " I am not going to the games", I am OK with that, but to direct a campaign as President of The United States of America with graphic signage on his tweets and use the public airways to lead a boycott is where I believe he has crossed the line from mere opinion to that of active use of the office he holds to do economic harm. When the President exceeds his duties and if the economic losses are felt, the question you posit of his right to exercise free speech will be challenged by the legal team representing the owners and players.

Just as this President can act to destroy the NFL, unchecked, he could use the power of the office to destroy Rumormillnews the very next day by leading another boycott against you.

I believe Donald J. Trump, the man has every right to exercise free speech, But as President, my bet the owner's legal team will knock him off horse for not showing due cause and capriciously acting outside the duties of his office with willful and malicious intent.

Should be very interesting

Thanks for the feedback,

Paul Leo Faso