As you’ve no doubt heard by now, Donald Trump is currently on trial for rape, and so far the civil case has not appeared to be going in his favor. Of course, no one knows which way jurors may be leaning—but presumably, taped testimony they heard today did not paint him in a great light, as it featured the ex-president doubling down on his claim that if you’re “a star,” it’s fine to sexually assault people—and then insulting E. Jean Carroll’s attorney’s looks.

Yes, in an astonishing deposition—even for Trump—Carroll’s attorney Roberta Kaplan asked the former president about the infamous Access Hollywood tape in which he told Billy Bush in 2005: “When you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything,” adding, “Grab ’em by the pussy. You can do anything.” After watching the clip, Trump told Kaplan, “Well, historically, that’s true with stars.” When pressed on whether he stood by those statements—which he chalked up to “locker-room banter” in 2016, later suggesting the tape wasn’t real—Trump responded: “Well, I guess if you look over the last million years, that’s been largely true—not always true, but largely true, unfortunately or fortunately.” That’s right: When asked about his claim that it was okay to grab someone’s genitals without their permission, Trump said—while in the midst of a deposition about allegedly raping someone—that it was almost 100% true. “Unfortunately or fortunately”!

Asked if he considered himself to be “a star,” i.e., someone to whom the pussy-grabbing rule would apply, Trump answered: “I think so, yeah.”

Incredibly, this wasn’t even the most shocking moment of the deposition. No, that came later when the ex-president told Kaplan he didn‘t find her attractive enough to sexually assault.

Per Politico:

During the deposition, Kaplan questioned him about several other women who have accused him of sexual assault, women Trump has characterized as not being his “type.” Growing belligerent, Trump told Kaplan herself that “you wouldn’t be a choice of mine either, to be honest.” He added: “I wouldn’t in any circumstances have any interest in you.”

Whether or not the jury finds Trump liable for rape, it would be nice if Americans could get together and decide he at least should not be elected president again.

Nothing to see here, just Ron DeSantis’s continued quest to ruin trans people’s lives

Hey look, it‘s the governor with no soul! Per NBC News:

Florida Republicans on Wednesday approved bills to ban diversity programs in colleges and prevent students and teachers from being required to use pronouns that don’t correspond to someone’s biological sex, building on top priorities of Republican governor Ron DeSantis. The two proposals were given final passage by the Republican supermajorities in the House and Senate. DeSantis is expected to sign the bills into law.

The state’s legislative session, scheduled to end this week, has been dominated by divisive cultural issues, with Republican allies of DeSantis approving his priority bills on sexual orientation, gender identity, race, and education that are expected to aid the governor in his presidential bid.

Also on Wednesday, Florida House Republicans passed a DeSantis priority bill banning colleges from using state or federal money for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. The freest state, indeed.

Welcome to the GOP court of law

In which a Fox News host suggests a man deserved to be choked to death on the subway

Bernie Sanders challenge!

Elsewhere!

Four Proud Boys members found guilty of seditious conspiracy

CNN • Read More

New Trump accuser claims he groped her while pregnant Melania changed on their first wedding anniversary

The Independent • Read More

Clarence Thomas’s Billionaire Buddy Paid for His Grandnephew’s Private School Tuition

VF • Read More

News Analysis: Kremlin Blasts Were Real. The Rest Is Hazy, Maybe Intentionally.

NYT •  Read More

The Tucker Carlson Implosion Continues

VF • Read More

Trump’s lawyers say they will seek to move New York criminal case to federal court

CNN • Read More

Twitter’s Unpaid Bills Threaten to Be an Even Bigger Problem for Elon Musk

Bloomberg • Read More

“If you want her removed from the flight, please raise your hand”: Woman gets voted off Frontier Airlines flight by other passengers

Daily Dot •  Read More

Texas high school under siege from raccoons

UPI •  Read More