Truthspresso

This episode is part 2 of examining common claims about something Donald Trump said.

As we examine each trope let's ask ourselves "Did Trump really say that?!"

Context is king. There can be more than meets the eye than what media will often have us believe.

In part 3 we dissect three hoaxes:

1. The "Dictator on day one" hoax
2. The "bloodbath" hoax
3. The "terminate the Constitution" hoax

Sources Cited:

"Trump Says He Won’t Be a Dictator ‘Except for Day One’ if Re-Elected," WSJ News, December 6, 2023.

"Donald Trump: I'm not going to be a dictator," Fox News, January 10, 2024.

"Kamala- Trump will be Dictator on day one weaponize Department Of Justice against political enemies," Dimabong Times, July 10, 2024.

"WATCH: Harris says it's 'well known' that Trump admires dictators and wants to be one," PBS News Hour, September 10, 2024.

"WATCH: Trump Makes Viral 'Bloodbath' Comments During Comments About Auto Manufacturing At Ohio Rally," Forbes Breaking News, March 17, 2024.

"MSNBC 03 18 2024 06 13 21," Rosalita Esperanza, March 18, 2024.

"Biden Rips Trump Over 'Dictator' And 'Bloodbath' Comments At White House Correspondents' Dinner," Forbes Breaking News, April 28, 2024.

"Joe Biden Warns Crowd During Speech At The DNC: Trump Is ‘Promising A Bloodbath If He Loses’," Forbes Breaking News, August 20, 2024.

"Media Saying 'Bloodbath' Compilation, Hoax EXPOSED," American Revolutionary, March 18, 2024.

Donald J. Trump, "So, with the revelation of MASSIVE & WIDESPREAD FRAUD & DECEPTION," Truth Social, December 3, 2022.

Sareen Habeshian, "Trump: Constitution should be terminated due to 'massive' election fraud," Axios, Updated December 3, 2022.

"See what Trump said about ‘our beloved Constitution’ before calling for its ‘termination’," CNN, December 5, 2022.

Donald J. Trump, "The Fake News is actually trying to convince the American People," Truth Social, December 5, 2022.

Donald J. Trump, "SIMPLY PUT, IF AN ELECTION IS IRREFUTABLY FRAUDULENT," Truth Social, December 5, 2022.

Steve Benen, "Under fire, Trump denies writing what he wrote about Constitution," MSNBC, December 6, 2022.

Andrew Feinberg, "Trump falsely claims he never called to ‘terminate’ US constitution despite having said exactly that," Rolling Stone, December 6, 2022.

"Biden on Second Amendment: 'No amendment is absolute': 'The Five' react," Fox News, April 8, 2021.

"Jordan Peterson Reacts To Dan Goldman's Statement That 'The First Amendment Is Not Absolute'," Forbes Breaking News, March 7, 2024.

"Minnesota Gov. Walz Asks Fellow Democrats To ‘Think Big’ When It Comes To Fixing Voting Issues," MSNBC, December 29, 2022.

*** Castle Rock Women's Health is a pro-life and pro-women health care ministry. They need your help to serve the community. Please consider a monthly or one-time donation. ***

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This episode is part 1 of examining common claims about something Donald Trump said.

As we examine each trope let's ask ourselves "Did Trump really say that?!"

Context is king. There can be more than meets the eye than what media will often have us believe.

In part 1 we dissect three hoaxes:

1. The Charlottesville "very fine people" hoax
2. The immigrants are "animals" and "not people" hoax
3. The "inject bleach" hoax

Sources Cited:

"President Donald Trump On Charlottesville: You Had Very Fine People, On Both Sides | CNBC," CNBC, August 15, 2017.

"Joe Biden For President: America Is An Idea," Joe Biden, April 25, 2019.

"Trump and Biden Debate Trump’s ‘Fine People on Both Sides’ Response to Charlottesville," Time, June 27, 2024.

Taija PerryCook, "No, Trump Did Not Call Neo-Nazis and White Supremacists 'Very Fine People'," Snopes, Updated June 21, 2024.

"Trump Doubles Down on MS-13 'Animals' Remark," Associated Press, May 17, 2018.

"Trump calls some illegal immigrants "animals" in meeting with sheriffs," CBS, May 16, 2018.

"MS-13," Wikipedia, Updated 13 September 2024.

"Trump calls MS-13 gang members 'animals'," Washington Post, July 28, 2017.

"Trump: Is There a Way We Can Do Something With Disinfectant?" Bloomberg Television, April 23, 2020.

"Biden on Trump’s Handling of COVID-19," The Daily Signal, June 27, 2024.

Scriptures Referenced:

Psalm 35:19-22

*** Castle Rock Women's Health is a pro-life and pro-women health care ministry. They need your help to serve the community. Please consider a monthly or one-time donation. ***

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In this episode of Truthspresso I chat about Jesus and socialism.

A coworker a while ago made the claim to me that Jesus was a socialist. I have certainly heard this claim before, but I figured I would address it.

In part 11 we look at three parables to see if they lean more socialist or free market capitalist:

1. The hidden treasure in the field
2. The pearl of great price
3. The vineyard tenants

Because the parable of the vineyard tenants is Jesus' ultimate parable about the history of Israel, one would think the illustration would be important. The vineyard owner took risks, set up capital equipment, and established a business. The vineyard laborers seemed to prefer a violent revolution and to take over ownership of the vineyard. This very "capitalist" illustration seemed to indict the rebellious Israelites for crucifying Jesus in ways that resembled modern Marxist actions.

Scriptures Referenced:

Matthew 21:33-46

*** Castle Rock Women's Health is a pro-life and pro-women health care ministry. They need your help to serve the community. Please consider a monthly or one-time donation. ***

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Mentioned in this episode:

Affiliate Link: Answers In Genesis

Answers In Genesis is a Christian apologetics ministry that equips Christians to know and defend their faith effectively. They offer books and videos on creationism, evangelism, apologetics, homeschooling, and much more. Answers In Genesis is also home to the famous Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter.

Answers In Genesis

In this episode of Truthspresso I chat about Jesus and socialism.

A coworker a while ago made the claim to me that Jesus was a socialist. I have certainly heard this claim before, but I figured I would address it.

In part 10 we look at the parable of the unjust steward. A "Christian socialist" claims that this parable proves that Jesus favors defrauding wealthy people to give to the poor. While this parable and Jesus' application can be hard to understand at first, closer study reveals that Jesus wants us to be good stewards of money unlike His worldly examples--including both the merchant and his unjust steward.

Sources Cited:

Chuck McKnight, "Jesus Was a Socialist," Patheos, Updated March 11, 2019.

Scriptures Referenced:

Luke 16:1-13

Leviticus 19:15

*** Castle Rock Women's Health is a pro-life and pro-women health care ministry. They need your help to serve the community. Please consider a monthly or one-time donation. ***

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Mentioned in this episode:

Affiliate Link: Seven Weeks Coffee

Seven Weeks Coffee is a pro-life coffee company that donates to pregnancy resources centers and other life-affirming organizations. Sip a cup and help women and babies.

Seven Weeks Coffee

After I dropped off my sons for a church youth activity I recorded most of this episode in my car in the parking lot.

I shared a few thoughts mostly about the march on Monday afternoon before the opening speeches.

Women dressed as abortion pills, pro-Palestine protesters, rainbow flags, and a sign that says "Trump and J.D. Vance are weird" donned the street.

During the first two days of the DNC, a mobile clinic offered free chemical abortions for women and vasectomies for men. Outside the center was a giant inflatable IUD. Inside the building was a display of giant inflatable abortion pills. Several speakers emphasized abortion as a fundamental right necessary for freedom.

Is there a reason not to consider the modern Democrat Party a "Molech cult"?

Sources Cited:

Barbara Rodriguez, "Here's why Planned Parenthood offered free abortion pills and vasectomies outside the DNC," 19th News, August 21, 2024.

Conrad Dias, "DNC protesters dressed as abortion pills march through Chicago demanding reproductive health care access," Meawww, August 19, 2024.

Lila Rose, "DNC's hellish abortion rituals celebrate death, the party's true agenda," Fox News, August 21, 2024.

Scriptures Referenced:

Leviticus 20:1-5

*** Castle Rock Women's Health is a pro-life and pro-women health care ministry. They need your help to serve the community. Please consider a monthly or one-time donation. ***

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As I was reading stuff online I came across an article from Roman Catholic apologist Dave Armstrong against William Lane Craig's defense of monothelitism.

Armstrong blames Craig's error on Sola Scriptura and rejecting the "infallibility" of the Roman Catholic church.

While I agree that Craig is wrong about monothelitism, I also believe Armstrong is wrong about why.

This episode addresses both the error of monothelitism and the error of Roman Catholic epistemology. I believe Craig's philosophy is the problem. I also believe history disproves Armstrong's "infallible church" idea and that Scripture is the authority for determining who Jesus is.

Sources Cited:

William Lane Craig, "#75 Monotheletism," Reasonable Faith, September 22, 2008.

Dave Armstrong, "William Lane Craig’s Christological Errors (Monothelitism +)," Patheos, Updated April 5, 2018.

Dave Armstrong, "Sola Scriptura Can’t Definitively Refute Christological Heresy," Patheos, Updated June 14, 2020.

William Lane Craig, "Does Christ Have Two Wills or One?" drcraigvideos, July 15, 2022, educational video, 0:07 to 0:56.

"Third Council of Constantinople (A.D. 680-681)," New Advent, Accessed August 18, 2024.

"Discourse I" in "Four Discourses Against the Arians (Athanasius)," New Advent, Accessed August 18, 2024.

"Gregory of Nazianzus - Critique of Apollinarius and Apollinarianism," Early Church Texts, Accessed August 18, 2024.

Scriptures Referenced:

Isaiah 53:11

Galatians 3:13

2 Corinthians 5:21

1 Peter 3:18

Acts 2:22,30-31

Hebrews 1:2-3; 2:16-18; 4:14-15; 5:7-9

James 1:13-14

See Also

Is Jesus Like My Favorite Superhero? (Playlist feed)

*** Castle Rock Women's Health is a pro-life and pro-women health care ministry. They need your help to serve the community. Please consider a monthly or one-time donation. ***

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Romans 2:13 says that "the doers of the law shall be justified."

Romans 3:20 says that "by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified."

Did Paul teach justification by keeping the law?

Did Paul contradict himself?

Chelsea returns to co-host this episode as we summarize Paul's arguments in Romans chapter 1 through 3. We believe Paul was making one harmonizing point with both verses.

Scriptures Referenced:

Romans 2:13; 3:20; 2:7-10

*** Castle Rock Women's Health is a pro-life and pro-women health care ministry. They need your help to serve the community. Please consider a monthly or one-time donation. ***

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Mentioned in this episode:

Affiliate Link: Blackout Coffee

Blackout Coffee is a coffee company that supports traditional American values of strong families, personal responsibility, and patriotism. Blackout Coffee delivers to active duty military and first responders. Be Awake, Not Woke with their rich and flavorful coffees, teas, and hot cocoas.

Blackout Coffee

May 30, 2024 is a day that will live in infamy! Donald Trump became the first former President of the United States to be brought to court on felony charges and have a jury reach a verdict of guilty. Not to mention that this happened while he is currently running for President again and is the highest polling candidate.

The ripple effects of this historical day will be felt indefinitely. The debates will rage over whether or not this was justice or merely political lawfare.

In part 5, we cover the instructions from Judge Merchan to the jury for how to deliberate. Most of the instructions were standard fare. However, the section detailing the charges raised serious questions in my mind.

The charges were 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree to conceal the crime of conspiracy to promote an election by unlawful means. Each juror could determine anonymously if the "unlawful means" was one or more of the following:

1. FECA violation (campaign contributions above the federal limit)
2. falsifying other business records
3. tax violations (by paying Cohen extra money to cover income taxes)

Falsifying business records alone is a misdemeanor.

Conspiracy to promote an election by unlawful means is a misdemeanor.

The maximum sentence for all 34 charges is 136 years in prison because Trump allegedly paid for an alleged crime in 11 installments.

The jury found Trump guilty of all 34 felony counts. A lot has happened since then. Sentencing has moved to September 18th.

Sources Cited:

Jury instructions from Judge Merchan

NY Elec L § 17-152 (2021)

Michael R. Sisak, Jennifer Peltz, Eric Tucker, and Michelle L. Price, "Jurors in Trump hush money trial end 1st day of deliberations after asking to rehear testimony," Associated Press, Updated May 29, 2024.

"D.A. Bragg Announces 34-Count Felony Trial Conviction of Donald J. Trump," ManhattanDA.org, May 30, 2024.

"Public Statement on the Hunter Biden Emails," Politico, October 19, 2020.

Touré, "It makes me so happy to write 'convicted felon Donald Trump'," The Grio, May 31, 2024.

Ximena Bustillo, "Trump loses bid to lift New York gag order in response to Harris' campaigning," NPR, August 2, 2024.

Scriptures Referenced:

Proverbs 25:2

Leviticus 19:15-18

*** Castle Rock Women's Health is a pro-life and pro-women health care ministry. They need your help to serve the community. Please consider a monthly or one-time donation. ***

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May 30, 2024 is a day that will live in infamy! Donald Trump became the first former President of the United States to be brought to court on felony charges and have a jury reach a verdict of guilty. Not to mention that this happened while he is currently running for President again and is the highest polling candidate.

The ripple effects of this historical day will be felt indefinitely. The debates will rage over whether or not this was justice or merely political lawfare.

In part 4, we cover the defense witnesses--such as they were. Trump decided not to testify. The judge's restrictions prevented a campaign finance law expert witness from testifying. After one paralegal briefly showed a chart, Robert Costello was the remaining witness.

Costello's testimony resulted in the judge almost throwing out his testimony. Shenanigans or court decorum? You decide.

Finally, the trial ended with closing arguments: Todd Blanche for the defense went first, and Joshua Steinglass for the prosecution followed. After a long day, the court adjourned for deliberation the next day.

Sources Cited:

Emma Colton, "Key Trump witness nixed after Merchan's stringent rulings reveals what his testimony would have been," Fox News, May 21, 2024.

"Highlights: Trump trial judge admonishes defense witness for 'side eye' and clears press from courtroom," NBC News, Updated May 20, 2024.

Kara Scannell, Lauren Del Valle, and Jeremy Herb, "Closing arguments wrap in Trump hush money trial," CNN, Updated May 28, 2024.

*** Castle Rock Women's Health is a pro-life and pro-women health care ministry. They need your help to serve the community. Please consider a monthly or one-time donation. ***

We value your feedback!

Have questions for Truthspresso? Contact us!

Mentioned in this episode:

Affiliate Link: Answers In Genesis

Answers In Genesis is a Christian apologetics ministry that equips Christians to know and defend their faith effectively. They offer books and videos on creationism, evangelism, apologetics, homeschooling, and much more. Answers In Genesis is also home to the famous Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter.

Answers In Genesis

May 30, 2024 is a day that will live in infamy! Donald Trump became the first former President of the United States to be brought to court on felony charges and have a jury reach a verdict of guilty. Not to mention that this happened while he is currently running for President again and is the highest polling candidate.

The ripple effects of this historical day will be felt indefinitely. The debates will rage over whether or not this was justice or merely political lawfare.

In part 3, we cover the start of the trial and all attempts to lift the gag order, recuse Judge Merchan, delay the trial, or move it to another venue were shot down.

We look at the prosecution's witness testimonies, especially the star witnesses Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen.

Sources Cited:

Robin Levinson-King & Kayla Epstein, "Who is Juan Merchan, the 'no-nonsense' judge who oversaw Trump's hush-money case?" BBC, May 31, 2024.

Jeremy Herb, Kara Scannell, Lauren del Valle, Eric Levenson and Sabrina Souza, "Judge finds Donald Trump in contempt for 10th time over gag order and threatens jail time," CNN, Updated May 6, 2024.

Sara Boboltz, "What The Stormy Daniels Testimony Can Tell Us — And What It Can't," Huffington Post, May 8, 2024. (*** Reader discretion advised ***)

Ella Lee, Zach Schonfeld, and Lauren Sforza, "Risque Stormy Daniels testimony creates uproar at Trump trial," The Hill, May 7, 2024. (*** Reader discretion advised ***)

*** Castle Rock Women's Health is a pro-life and pro-women health care ministry. They need your help to serve the community. Please consider a monthly or one-time donation. ***

We value your feedback!

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