Michigan
Trump Lashes Out About Legal Woes In Michigan Speech—Blasts ‘Crooked Judge,’ Swipes Again At Carroll
Topline
Former President Trump raged against Judge Arthur Engoron, Fani Willis and others in a speech in Michigan on Saturday, a day after Engoron ruled that Trump owes more than $350 million in a civil fraud caseâwhich Trump has repeatedly called a âtotal sham.â
Key Facts
Trumpâs attacks on Engoron were similar to Truth Social posts he made about Fridayâs verdict and he also mocked Fani Willis, the Fulton County district attorney prosecuting him and 18 others for efforts to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia.
But then Trump attacked E. Jean Carrollâwho he already owes more than $80 million from a defamation lawsuitâsaying âIâm saying âwho the hell is she, whoâs the womanâââsparking fresh speculation Carroll will again sue Trump for defamation.
Tangent
In a Jan. 29 interview with Rachel Maddow on MSNBC, Carroll said she would sue Trump if he defamed her again. Roberta Kaplan, one of Carrollâs attorneys, also said in a Good Morning America interview that âall options were on the tableâ in the face of future defamatory statements.
Crucial Quotes
âThese repulsive abuses of power are not just an attack on me,â Trump said. âTheyâre really an attack on you and all Americans.â
Big Number
More than $440 million. Thatâs how much Trump owes in legal feesâfrom more than $350 million in his civil fraud case and more than $80 million in E. Jean Carrollâs defamation case.
Forbes Valuation
We estimate Trumpâs net worth is approximately $2.6 billion as of October, with an estimated $640 million in cash and personal assets.
What To Watch For
Trump will go to trial on criminal charges for the first time next month, with jury selection slated to begin on March 25. The former president was indictedâand pleaded not guiltyâon 34 criminal counts for falsification of business records in August.
Surprising Fact
On Saturday, the former president also launched a $399 high-top sneaker line. During a speech at Sneaker Con in Philadelphia, Trump said itâs âsomething [heâs] been talking about for 12 years.â
Key Background
Saturdayâs fiery speech was the first time Trump publicly addressed his legal troubles since Engoronâs ruling. Last May, he was also ordered to pay Carroll $5 million for sexual abuse and defamation after a jury found him guilty on those counts.
Further Reading
Trump Launches $399 Sneaker Line In Ex-President’s Latest Merchandise Sale (Forbes)
Hereâs How Much Donald Trump Is Worth (Forbes)
Trump Blasts âTotal Shamâ $350 Million Fraud Ruling â While His Campaign Fundraises (Forbes)
Fani Willis Admits To Romantic Relationship But Chides ‘Offensive’ ‘Lies’ About Timeline (Forbes)
Michigan
Michigan superintendent accused of smoking weed with colleague, having gun on school grounds
A Michigan school superintendent was ousted from her position for allegedly getting high with a colleague on school grounds and then driving off in her car – where police found a hunting rifle stashed in the backseat.
Hollie Stange, who headed Fitzgerald Public Schools in Warren, is accused of getting behind the wheel after police spotted her smoking marijuana with the district’s food services director for several minutes in a parked car 1,000 feet from school grounds, according to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office.
Police arrested Stange and Amanda Carroll, both 38, after the pair left in separate vehicles on Dec. 20, and were found allegedly driving “under the influence.”
“This is deeply concerning and violates the trust our community places in these school administrators,” Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido said.
“Driving under the influence and possessing drugs near school grounds is not only unlawful but also puts the safety of our children at risk. As individuals entrusted with the well-being of Macomb County’s children, we will take all necessary legal steps to ensure accountability.”
Police found a rifle wrapped in a blanket in the backseat of Stange’s car, along with a 50-gram bag of marijuana in her purse, WWJ reported.
A 6-year-old was inside Carroll’s vehicle when police pulled her over.
Carroll was also in possession of more than 25 grams of weed, the outlet reported.
Prosecutors believe Stange had the gun in her car while she was on school grounds.
Both women were placed on leave, pending an internal review, on Sunday following a unanimous vote by the Fitzgerald School Board.
“The Fitzgerald Public Schools Board of Education today voted unanimously to place District Superintendent Stange and Amanda Carroll on leave effective immediately pending our internal review and the ongoing criminal investigation,” board president Julia Yokel said in a Facebook post.
“The school district is cooperating with local law enforcement and will continue to do so.”
Stange is charged with possession of marijuana on school grounds, possession of a weapon in a weapon free zone and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, prosecutors said.
Charges against Carroll include possession of marijuana on school grounds, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated second offense and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated with an occupant less than 16 years old.
Both women were arraigned on Dec. 21 in Warren District Court, and their bond was set at $5,000 each.
Both are barred from entering school grounds unless otherwise directed, no uses of alcohol or drugs with random testing twice a week and limited contact with each other, prosecutors said.
Stange is also restricted from using any firearms.
“My client is a dedicated educator and administrator with two decades of services, a mother of two young children herself, and is presumed innocent under the law,” William Barnwell, defense attorney for Stange, told the Detroit Free Press.
“They have to prove she knew the weapon was in the vehicle, they have to prove distance (from school grounds) and they have to prove impairment.”
They will appear in court next on Jan. 2.
Michigan
Will Mikey Keene be Michigan’s Week 1 starting quarterback in 2025?
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Michigan Wolverines fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
Michigan now has a veteran quarterback in the fold for the 2025 season. On Monday afternoon, Fresno State transfer QB Mikey Keene committed to the Wolverines.
Keene had a 70.5 completion percentage in 2024 with 2,892 yards with 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions at Fresno State. Keene was at Central Florida for his first two years and is familiar with Michigan’s new offensive coordinator, Chip Lindsey. Lindsey was Central Florida’s offensive coordinator in 2022 while Keene was at UCF. Keene fared well in ‘22 with Lindsey when he saw the field, throwing for 647 yards, six touchdowns and one interception with a 72.3 completion rate.
Does Keene’s veteran presence and familiarity in Chip Lindsey’s scheme give him the edge to ultimately be named Michigan’s starting quarterback in Week 1 against New Mexico next season? Or will the 2025 No. 1 overall prospect and No. 1 QB Bryce Underwood prove to be ready to roll right out of the gate? Vote below.
Whether Keene winds up starting or not he was brought in to compete with Underwood and receive a shot at the starting position in 2025. Keene, who stands 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, will be entering his fifth collegiate season in 2025 and has amassed 8,245 passing yards, 65 touchdowns and 28 interceptions in his career with a 67.8 completion percentage.
Michigan
Snow, sleet and freezing rain hit Southeast Michigan
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