By John Q. Hosedrinker Is the Nickname ‘Donald Rapist Trump’ Defamatory? | The former president was found liable for behavior that a judge said is commonly understood as “rape.” So why not call him what he apparently is?
In recent discussions about the former president, Donald Trump, the topic of whether or not it is defamatory to refer to him as the nickname ‘Donald Rapist Trump’ has arisen. The issue at hand stems from a court case involving writer E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in the mid-1990s.
The court case resulted in a judge finding that Carroll’s allegations against Trump were established as a fact, thereby labeling him as a rapist. This raises the question: if it has been legally determined that Trump’s behavior aligns with the commonly understood definition of rape, should we not call him what he apparently is?
To understand the implications of using the nickname ‘Donald Rapist Trump,’ we must first consider the legal and moral aspects of defamation. Defamation involves making false statements about someone that harm their reputation. However, truth is a defense to defamation, meaning that if the statement is true, it is not defamatory.
In this case, the court’s finding that Trump’s behavior constitutes rape provides a strong argument for labeling him as such. The judge explicitly stated that the fact of Trump sexually abusing Carroll has been conclusively established. This finding, rooted in a court of law, lends credibility to the assertion that Trump is a rapist.
Moreover, it is important to note that Carroll’s use of the term “rape” aligns with both the public’s understanding of the term and how other states’ penal codes define it. While the court did not find that Trump had raped Carroll according to New York state law, the judge acknowledged that Carroll’s use of the term is consistent with the broader definition of rape.
Considering these points, it becomes clear that referring to Trump as ‘Donald Rapist Trump’ is not defamatory but rather a statement of fact. The court’s ruling, the consistency with public understanding, and the alignment with broader definitions of rape provide a strong basis for this designation.
However, the reluctance to openly use this nickname in the media raises important questions. Many comments express confusion and frustration as to why the media hesitates to label Trump as a rapist. Some argue that other individuals who have committed similar acts, such as Brock Turner, are commonly referred to as rapists despite not being criminally convicted. If the same standard applies to Turner, it should apply to Trump as well.
Additionally, the fact that Trump has been impeached twice reinforces the notion that he should be referred to as the “Twice-impeached ex-President Trump” before adding any other designations. It is crucial to accurately represent an individual’s actions and history, especially when they hold a position of power.
Ultimately, the question of whether it is defamatory to refer to Trump as ‘Donald Rapist Trump’ requires a careful examination of the facts and the legal framework. With a court ruling establishing his behavior as rape, consistent public understanding, and alignment with broader definitions, calling Trump a rapist can be seen as a statement of fact rather than defamation.
We should not shy away from accurate and truthful descriptions of individuals, particularly when it comes to their actions that have been legally determined. Holding individuals accountable for their behavior, regardless of their position, is of utmost importance in maintaining a just society. Therefore, it seems justified to call Trump ‘Donald Rapist Trump’ based on the evidence presented.