Should Trump's Conspiracy Trial be televised?

[Dave Gray]

I am curious as to what people think vs. whether or not they support Trump.

Of people I know that do not support Trump, there is a split.  Some think that this needs to be aired out in public, to prevent disinformation and to reduce conspiracy theory.  And I see those that think that the trial would turn into a circus if on TV and cause performative art for the camera that would make a mockery of the system.

What say you?

[Phishfan]

When I was working from home I watched every minute of Casey Anthony and George Zimmerman. I wouldn't be able to watch this live but replay and highlights would be good.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Televise it. 

As for circus element:. Not much of an effect.  Team Trump is going to make this a circus. -- televised or not.  Jack Smith is going to methodically lay out the case to the jury whether only 12 people are watching or 12 million.

Televising it does two things: reduces misinformation and eliminates Trump's talking point of it being a "secret trial"

Bonus Trivia question: Name the defendant in the first trial to ever be telivised live.

[Dave Gray]

I agree with everyone, so far.

Since I believe all of the prosecution's witnesses will be from Trump's own team of Republicans, I think it's important to have all that stuff televised for history to see.  Conspiracy people gon' conspiracy in the short term, but I think that it will be important to have all that stuff out there for the long-term health of the nation.

It will likely be a circus either way and it will probably make it worse to be on TV, but I think you have to.

[Spider-Dan]

I'll say no.  I think it should be audio-only to reduce the circus element.

This trial should be as boring and clinical as possible.

[Phishfan]

Does it sway anyone's opinion knowing it isn't possible? Federal courts are very rigid. No one is allowed any electronic devices.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Does it sway anyone's opinion knowing it isn't possible? Federal courts are very rigid. No one is allowed any electronic devices.

Why should it? My opinion on abortion, gun control, civil rights, police accountability etc. has never been swayed by *current* law. 

[Downunder Dolphan]

Trials are not meant to be a media circus, they are meant to be a judgement of fundamental right and wrong, the law as it fits for the community and humanity to survive.

End of story.

[Downunder Dolphan]

Trials are not meant to be a media circus, they are meant to be a judgement of fundamental right and wrong, the law as it fits for the community and humanity to survive.

End of story.

The problem of trial by media (and this can work either way) is that fundamental justice is undermined by sensationalism.

It seems utterly ironic to me that Rupert Murdoch got his start owning a local newspaper in my city, and underpinned his journalistic integrity campaigning for people who were unfairly wronged (look it up, unbelievably it's true).

It's (quite literally) 10,000 miles away from where he started to where his is now, in a geographical, personal and political space. Chew on that.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

This trial should be televised for the same reason why the first trial to ever be televised was.

In criminal trials the victims and the family of the victims are permitted to attend.  in some cases there is so many interested in attending they can’t all fit in the courtroom and additional venues will be added to watch via closed circuit tv as occurred in the trial of McVey.  And generally this is sufficient.

But the first trial to ever be televised live was done so because it would be literally impossible to accommodate all those who wished to wanted to attend the trial of Eichmann, so it was televised live on Israeli TV.

Likewise, the victims of Trumps crimes is all of the American people.  It will be impossible to permit all of us into the courtroom.

[Downunder Dolphan]

This trial should be televised for the same reason why the first trial to ever be televised was.

In criminal trials the victims and the family of the victims are permitted to attend.  in some cases there is so many interested in attending they can’t all fit in the courtroom and additional venues will be added to watch via closed circuit tv as occurred in the trial of McVey.  And generally this is sufficient.

But the first trial to ever be televised live was done so because it would be literally impossible to accommodate all those who wished to wanted to attend the trial of Eichmann, so it was televised live on Israeli TV.

Likewise, the victims of Trumps crimes is all of the American people.  It will be impossible to permit all of us into the courtroom.

The problem is it leads to vigilantes who refuse to accept the results. No one is satisfied, and there will be blood.

At some stage a line must be drawn, and whether we all like it or not, it has to be that way for civilized society to move on. Otherwise, we are back to being animals, and back to the laws of the jungle... and we are not physically the apex predators of our planet. We have dominated by a combination of our brains in problem solving, imagination, and social skills, and not managing to kill each other in territorial or other matters. Religion is part of that too in the whole scheme of things, if you look at it as either a purely scientific or theological measure or a combination. We separated us from the other animals to dominate this world... we should not forget that.

[Dave Gray]

Does it sway anyone's opinion knowing it isn't possible? Federal courts are very rigid. No one is allowed any electronic devices.

From what I understand, in federal trials, it is rare, but possible.  This doesn't sway my opinion.

[Dave Gray]

The problem is it leads to vigilantes who refuse to accept the results. No one is satisfied, and there will be blood.

I feel exactly the opposite.  I think it will be easier to reject the results if you don't see the testimony.  It will just add to the conspiracy.  To see everyone testifying against him who are also people he chose, in his own party, will make it harder to dismiss.

(Some still will, obviously, but less so.)

[Downunder Dolphan]

I feel exactly the opposite.  I think it will be easier to reject the results if you don't see the testimony.  It will just add to the conspiracy.  To see everyone testifying against him who are also people he chose, in his own party, will make it harder to dismiss.

(Some still will, obviously, but less so.)

A lot of that depends on the separation of powers... it's a critical thing of the Westminster system passed down from Colonial Britain to us (and I thought you)...

Politics, Religion and Military/Police have to exist separate from each other. The moment one takes a dominant factor over the other, chaos will take over. All should work independently in a healthy democracy.

[Brian Fein]

I do not think it should be televised.

People who support Trump are dug in and will not change their mind over the trial.  Same can be said for people the oppose him.

The only thing that can come out of televising the trial is empowering Trump's followers to interfere with the trial, badger witnesses and possibly jurors, and just overall cause chaos.  If invading the capitol building during the certification of an election isn't above the line for people, interfering with a trial is just as risky.  Televising it can only make things worse.