Letitia James

While it's true that Donald Trump took advantage of a particular rot within the GOP that helped him rise to power, his presidency was not inevitable, argues columnist Jamelle Bouie for The New York Times.

"If Republican elites had coalesced around a single candidate in the early days of the 2016 presidential race, they might have derailed Trump before he had a chance to pick up steam," Bouie writes. "If Republicans had chosen, in the aftermath of the 'Access Hollywood' videotape, to fully reject his presence in American politics, he might have flopped and floundered in the November election."

Federal appeals Judge Karen LeCraft Henderson grilled attorney John Sauer as he argued that former President Donald Trump was entitled to absolute immunity from indictment for election subversion.

During Tuesday oral arguments before the United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, Henderson became frustrated with Sauer.

Reacting to New York Attorney General Letitia James increasing to $370 million the fine she wants to be imposed on Donald Trump for financial fraud, "Morning Joe" host Joe Scarborough suggested it would ruin the former president because he likely doesn't have that kind of cash.

After co-host Mika Brzezinski reported on the stunning change requested in Judge Arthur Engoron's courtroom on Friday, the two hosts shook their heads at the former president's prospects if Engoron accedes to James' request when he makes a final ruling next month.

"The New York Attorney General is now seeking $370 million as a penalty against Donald Trump and his company, just slightly up from the last request," Brzezinski reported before adding, "Closing arguments are scheduled for Thursday. Trump is expected to appear in court for that to find out how much he has to pay for what he's already been found [guilty of]."

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"For his sake, I hope it is, like, $25.75. I mean, he does not have that money," co-host Scarborough interjected.

"She's asking for a lot, I wonder what happens if she gets it?" Brzezinski asked.

"I don't know how he pays it, I don't think he is capable. I don't think he has that much money," Scarborough pointed out.

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Donald Trump has been leaning into the crimes that he's been charged with committing, and MSNBC's Joe Scarborough concluded that his supporters actually approve of him breaking the law.

The twice-impeached former president has been indicted four times on 91 counts, found liable for fraud and sexual assault, and disqualified from two states' ballots for violating the Constitution's insurrectionist clause, but his lawyers insist Trump should be immune from prosecution and called for special counsel Jack Smith to be held in contempt for working on the case before that appeal is decided.

Following his last rally in Iowa on Saturday night, Donald Trump went on a midnight all-cap tirade aimed at Supreme Court 1st Judicial District Judge Arthur Engoron accusing him of "lawlessness."

The former president took time out from sharing clips from his Iowa speeches to rail at the judge who is overseeing the financial fraud trial that wrapped up final arguments last week at which time New York Attorney General Letitia James increased her request for $250 million in penalties to $370 million.

New York's attorney general is seeking $370 million from former president Donald Trump in a fraud case which has seen the real estate mogul accused of inflating the value of his properties, court documents showed Friday.

"Record evidence... supports disgorgement of $370 million, plus pre-judgment interest," said the filing, significantly more than the $250 million that New York Attorney General Letitia James previously said she would seek.