• Sanctus@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    Its about time there is some accountability for spreading such falsehoods. Does Libel not apply to this, or any law? Come on, he endangered an entire group of his own constituents. They are legally here.

    • CarbonIceDragon@pawb.social
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      3 months ago

      It’s very similar to the concept of blood libel I think, just directed at a different group than that term usually refers to. Which, given what that kind of thing historically has led to, is extremely concerning coming from such a public figure.

      • barsquid@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        It is extremely concerning, and it is not just this. They have been talking about mass deportations all year.

    • Unfortunately and with deep regrets, I think it’d be tough. From https://lipskylowe.com/when-are-false-accusations-of-racism-defamation/ there are four points:

      False Statement about the target was stated as fact (not opinion)
      Publication or communication of that statement to a third person
      Fault on the part of the person making the statement amounting at least to negligence
      Harm to the subject of the statement (damages)

      Considering how hard he’s publicly pushed the story as a true fact, I think prongs 1 and 2 have been met. Alas, I can see 3 being not reached (he checked with his constituents who claimed the story was true and a judge accepts that as sufficient due diligence).

      And 4 would be the hardest - how does one prove damages (like a dollar amount) and that they were specifically caused by his comments?

      • Sanctus@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        It’d be hard but I thinks a case can be made by analyzing violence against the Haitian community before and after the comments. We have a date for when it was said, which can serve as our starting point for after. It might not be the easiest but its definitely within reason. On top of it all, I’m tired of this and thats by design. To so obviously be trashing and damaging these communities, but due to the law still have believable excuses. Its bullshit. We know and so do the rubes.