Willie Brown Threatens Trump With Potential Legal Ramifications

In a recent development, Willie Brown has warned Donald Trump to cease mentioning his name or face potential legal repercussions.

At a Glance

Willie Brown refutes former President Trump’s story about almost crashing in a helicopter with him.
Brown threatens to sue Trump to stop him from lying.
Trump may have confused Willie Brown with another politician, possibly former California Gov. Jerry Brown or former California state senator Nate Holden.
Brown emphasizes he does not want any negative association with him to affect Vice President Harris.

False Helicopter Story

Willie Brown, former mayor of San Francisco, has refuted a claim made by former President Donald Trump about an alleged near-crash incident in a helicopter involving both men. Brown categorically denies ever being in a helicopter with Trump, contrary to Trump’s story.

This episode took center stage as Brown warned Trump to halt any public statements that falsely associate him with these incidents, citing significant legal repercussions for defamation. Brown’s lawyer, Joe Cotchett, backed this threat by highlighting its seriousness.

Brown’s stated concern lies in protecting his reputation and that of Vice President Kamala Harris, with whom he has a known relationship. Trump apparently confused Brown with another politician, potentially former California Gov. Jerry Brown or state senator Nate Holden, who was indeed involved in such an incident with Trump in 1990.

Willie Brown to Donald Trump: Mention my name again and get sued (From The New York Times) https://t.co/FkTUf5uC81

— South Florida Sun Sentinel (@SunSentinel) August 18, 2024

Accuracy in Political Discourse

Brown’s objection goes beyond a mere factual correction. He claims that the former President’s narrative falsely intertwines him with remarks allegedly made about Harris. Brown unequivocally denies ever making such comments, underscoring how falsehoods can dangerously taint political discourse.

“Somebody has got to make sure that he stops lying,” said Willie Brown in a CBS interview.

In a further interview, Brown said, “If he keeps it up, at some point, I’m going to give him a taste of his own conduct.” He went on, “If he sues The New York Times for printing that I said he lied, I’m going to sue him.”

Confronting deliberate misrepresentations, particularly in the public arena, demands stringent measures. Brown emphasized the potential harm such associations could have on Harris’s presidential aspirations and his overall legacy.

Willie Brown says near-death experience with Trump never happened https://t.co/hji202l4HK pic.twitter.com/0FHrrERu20

— KFOR (@kfor) August 9, 2024

Potential Confusion and Miscommunication

Trump’s claims came amid discussions of Brown’s relationship with Kamala Harris. Despite these assertions, Trump’s details were disproven multiple times. Nate Holden, who confirmed his own involvement in the ’90s helicopter incident, mentioned Trump’s likely confusion between him and Willie Brown.

While Holden seemed to have a somewhat lighter take on the incident, suggesting that black politicians “all look alike,” Brown was less jovial.

“Trump has got to rectify what he did with reference to me, and in particular because I really want Kamala Harris to go unfettered toward the presidency.”

Thus far, a Trump campaign official has no comment on the potential lawsuit threat. Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, reiterating his claims and threatening to sue The New York Times. Brown remains firm on not seeking an apology but insists Trump must stop mentioning his name to avoid further legal action.

If Trump really wanted to double down, he'd say it was Willie Brown who suggested he falsify years of financial statements

— David Lazarus (@Davidlaz) August 10, 2024