Secret Service notified as Trump aide brags about 'causing innocent people to be arrested'

Donald Trump’s former White House aide is under fire after a video showed him claiming to distribute fake money to homeless people so that they will be arrested when they spend it.

Johnny McEntee, formerly the White House Presidential Personnel Office under the former president, posted a video on TikTok in which he discusses the purported scheme to “clean up the community.”

“So I always keep this fake Hollywood money in my car, so when a homeless person asks for money, and I give them like a $5 bill, I feel good about myself, they feel good,” said McEntee, also a senior advisor to Project 2025. “And then when they go to use it, they get arrested, so I’m actually helping to clean up the community and get them off the street.”

boydster,
@boydster@sh.itjust.works avatar

Didn’t George Floyd get murdered because he paid with a counterfeit? And assholes like this are proud of it.

Bluefalcon, (edited )

That is some dark shit to do to someone. The hardest hit people, that are usually mentally unstable, being setup. Fuck’d up

Potatos_are_not_friends,

Cruelty is the goal.

Bluefalcon,

It’s like give sick people a deadly virus on purpose. I hope they investigate him and he goes to jail.

moon,

No. George Floyd was murdered because an asshole cop thought he could choke him out with impunity

Dasus,

Well that’s what the situation escalated to, yes, but what was the instigating factor. I know cops really don’t need one in practice, but usually they at least make one up.

Warl0k3, (edited )

That’s a very interesting question you’re asking. Does the guilt lie with the police for the murder, or with the person that put him in the path of the cops? If you set a dog on children, and they get horribly mauled, is it the dogs fault? Does the guilt lie with the person pulling the switch, or with the lunatic that tied them to the trolley tracks in the first place?

I understand why the op here would reframe that question, as it could quite reasonably be interpreted as shifting responsibility for their actions away from the (quite guilty) cops. It’s still a good question to ask though, especially in the current context of someone intentionally trying to dangle vulnerable people in front of the cops like a steak to a guard dog.

(Personally I think guilt lies with everyone, but that calculating the exact degree of EDIT (for clarity): I mean calculating each individual person’s guilt, as in all of society. Just to clarify that the cops are absolutely guilty. But calculating the guilt of everyone in society is impossible.)

kent_eh,

Does the guilt lie with the police for the murder, or with the person that put him in the path of the cops?

Both is an acceptable (and accurate) answer.

Most situations aren’t entirely binary.

BigPotato,

A key point in your statement is ‘person’. Though it’s not universal, humans are understood to have better… Well, understanding of their actions. A vicious dog doesn’t understand that they’re vicious, they just rip and tear. A human is supposed to have that inner monologue to say “No.”

So, you release a dangerous animal on someone, you’re at fault. You kill someone, you’re at fault.

In George Floyd’s case, the cop is responsible. 1000%. I’ve been in situations, I’ve pointed a gun and I waited. Even when someone might be rigged to blow, you don’t just shoot them. Whomever called the cops isn’t responsible because the Cop should’ve been expected to be a human and not some deity who can do no wrong. Yes, everyone in America at this point should know that cops aren’t your friend but some people don’t know that.

Warl0k3, (edited )

(I was taking a bit of a jab at cops by implying they aren’t capable of free agency, which could have been more clear.)

I’m not sure if you understood my point. An absolutist approach isn’t representative of the real world, which is fine because representations don’t have to be perfect (by definition, I think). The question isn’t where do you draw the line, as with all trolley problem questions it’s why do you draw the line. Did the person who called the cops get him killed? Well, in an absolutist view, yes they did. They put him in the situation to get him killed. The cops are also guilty of killing him, as is the person who made the hypothetical counterfiet money.

But since we do not live in a truly accurate representation nor too a strict absolutist one, where do we draw that line? Its not a question of where in the legal code do we draw that line, or if their behavior was excusable or inexcusable, it’s a question about how we determine the answer to those questions.

michaelmrose,

When someone commits crimes it is legal, ethical, moral, and reasonable that you call the cops on them. It’s also reasonable to expect that the cops arrest them not summarily execute them. You can’t make the people responsible for the cops behavior.

Warl0k3,

You are taking this a great deal more literally than I intended for it to be taken. This is a hypothetical question that asks how we decided that it is legal, ethical moral etc. to call the cops. It’s not a question about the specifics of this case except where they serve to exemplify the concepts.

… I could have been more explicit about that, I realize.

michaelmrose,

It is legal ethical moral and reasonable to call the cops because it is the only practical way to make people stop breaking the law. If the cops don’t want to be prosecuted or hated they can stop overreacting and hurting people. If the people want to avoid the risk of excess harm they can stop committing crimes or vote for politicians who hold cops accountable. None of this is my problem.

boydster, (edited )
@boydster@sh.itjust.works avatar

But why were the police even called?

Before the police were called, Martin and his co-workers made two trips to the SUV that Floyd was sitting in outside Cup Foods, trying to get him to come back to the store, Martin said. He recalled telling Floyd and his friends that the bill Floyd had just used was fake, and that his boss wanted to talk to him.

All I’m saying is, the consequences aren’t as simple as “some homeless lowlife goes to jail lol” like the guy in the article seems to feel in his heart. Sometimes a counterfeit bill results in a 9- minute long public execution followed months of societal pain.

ETA: Johnny McEntee! That’s the asshole’s name. Johnny McEntee is the asshole that is trying to get homeless people into situations involving police over counterfeit money. Police that sometimes decide murder is a best path to justice for poor people with counterfeit money legal issus. Fuck that guy.

tastysnacks,

Was it Mcentee Money? Was he in Minnesota? Did he give George Floyd the fake money? I’m just asking questions.

Delusional,

Wow who knew that these obvious piece of shit scumbags were obvious piece of shit scumbags. They’re a detriment to our society and republicans elect them to positions of power where they can become even larger detriments to our society.

Kolanaki,
@Kolanaki@yiffit.net avatar

“So I always keep this fake Hollywood money in my car, so when a homeless person asks for money, and I give them like a $5 bill, I feel good about myself, they feel good,” said McEntee, also a senior advisor to Project 2025. “And then when they go to use it, they get arrested, so I’m actually helping to clean up the community and get them off the street.”

Wow… What a fucking cartoonishly evil piece of shit…

Etterra,

So another of Trump’s sycophants is committing crime that will get him arrested while Trump (who may or may not be behind or endorse the crime) gets away without consequences. How very typical.

And If memory serves, wasn’t the secret service originally invented to fight fraud? Either counterfeiting, mail fraud, or something?

Kolanaki,
@Kolanaki@yiffit.net avatar

And If memory serves, wasn’t the secret service originally invented to fight fraud? Either counterfeiting, mail fraud, or something?

Specifically counterfeiting yes. And they take it super seriously.

UncleGrandPa,

Like the movement it grew out of. trumpism is designed to be cruel. To be Sadistic. To be brutal. To be heartless. It is not a flaw in their thinking. It is a purposely chosen tactic. As it is something that is desired it will never be punished

StaySquared,

His intentions are evil, that’s a fact. But prop money isn’t counterfeit money.

todd_bonzalez,

Prop money is counterfeit money if you try to pass it as real money.

That’s exactly what he did with it, and then bragged about it stating his criminal intent.

ImADifferentBird,
@ImADifferentBird@lemmy.blahaj.zone avatar

Any money you try to pass off as real money is counterfeit money. Intent matters here.

limelight79,

They don’t care. The only way for a Trump aide to get fired is to mock them on SNL.

andros_rex,

This guy has been getting the piss mocked out of him on TikTok for months. Every video he makes and every comment section is filled with people shitposting about Five Nights at Freddie’s - it’s pretty funny.

Syrc,

The video in question, since links in the article lead to nothing

ILikeBoobies,

Less annoying link

Shadowq8,

What does it matter if Trump wins or not.

Us politicians are already bought and sold by capitalist pigs out of control.

Its only a matter of time that inflation keeps getting worse and worse and China is going to keep undermining US economy.

The CEOs have already secured their lifeboats, and the future of capitalism out of control is that it will hollow out the economy.

The USA has entered a death spiral of poverty by capitalist design, the CEOS are too blinded by greed to see what they have done. And the politicians are in there pockets.

It will keep getting worse and worse.

Vivendi,

Well, if Trump gets elected the chances of an open American war in the middle east (where I live) will go up, so uhhhh would kindly appreciate it if y’all kept your shit politics confined to y’all shit borders k thx

Shadowq8,

George Carlin said it best. Its a big club and you and I ain’t in it. Red or blue the outcome is controlled by those that control the narrative and both red and blue are their subjects.

Systems ens come and go, yours is being dismantled internally.

baru,

The usual “both sides” fallacy bs.

Shadowq8,

I don’t wana hear it the comment

barsquid,

Protip: to avoid hearing you are posting bothsideser bullshit, simply do not post bothsideser bullshit.

Shadowq8,

Maybe i like bullshit, which is why I like you

FlyingSquid,
@FlyingSquid@lemmy.world avatar

This sort of comment can only come from someone in a position of privilege.

Shadowq8,

what would a comment from the suitable class of your choice be

FlyingSquid,
@FlyingSquid@lemmy.world avatar

I have absolutely no idea what your question is, but do please let me know the way in which you are not in a position of privilege.

refalo,

I hope something nice happens to you today

Shadowq8,

Maybe you shouldn’t have skipped those reading comprehension classes

PoliticalAgitator,

Fascism is not the solution to neoliberalism.

Shadowq8,

where did I say facism was the solution

Madison420,

In supporting apathy you’re supporting who would win if the good go apathetic ie. Fascists.

Shadowq8,

Oh the forced labeling. I am just saying this is the end, beautiful friend

BigMacHole,

DEMOCRATS are the Swamp! Law And Order!

baru,

This article is about a Republican.

Lucidlethargy,

So he’s a counterfeiter? I’m sorry, isn’t that a federal crime?

BleatingZombie,

Strangely enough, the secret service covers stolen and counterfeit money

Potatos_are_not_friends,

I learned that from Fallout 76, with the gold billions!

Jessvj93,

I’m on the fence, loved Fallout 4 though, should I play 76?

wildcardology,

Uhm that’s why the secret service was notified.

FlyingSquid,
@FlyingSquid@lemmy.world avatar

Not everyone knows that the Secret Service also investigates counterfeiting crimes.

OutlierBlue,

You could say it’s a secret service of theirs.

refalo, (edited )

and even less people know that movie money isn’t prosecutable without proving it was intentional.

FlyingSquid,
@FlyingSquid@lemmy.world avatar

It can if you try to pass it off as real money.

refalo,

someone would have to prove you did it on purpose knowing it was fake, and that requires getting arrested and charged in the first place and making it all the way to court

FlyingSquid,
@FlyingSquid@lemmy.world avatar

Or you just admit it like this moron in the article.

refalo,

admit what? handing people prop money? there’s nothing illegal with that or even proof he actually did it. not trying to defend anyone but just saying. these strawmen are a bit silly IMO

FlyingSquid,
@FlyingSquid@lemmy.world avatar

I’m not sure why you missed this quote, but apparently you did:

“So I always keep this fake Hollywood money in my car, so when a homeless person asks for money, and I give them like a $5 bill, I feel good about myself, they feel good,” said McEntee, also a senior advisor to Project 2025. “And then when they go to use it, they get arrested, so I’m actually helping to clean up the community and get them off the street.”

He is blatantly admitting passing off fake money as real money.

refalo,

“passing off” implies trying to spend it yourself, knowing it’s fake. which isn’t happening here.

FlyingSquid,
@FlyingSquid@lemmy.world avatar

I’m not sure why you think giving money to a homeless person isn’t spending it, but it is.

refalo,

I don’t see where any of the definitions here apply: dictionary.cambridge.org/us/…/spending

FlyingSquid,
@FlyingSquid@lemmy.world avatar

So you are arguing that donating knowingly fake money to any sort of cause is legal? If you give the American Cancer Society $10,000 in Hollywood money, not letting them know it’s fake, and then admit it, there’s no legal issue there because it isn’t spending?

Facebones,

“Its simple. Its not illegal, because I support it. Duh.”

Of course since its a politician even if it did go to court this will probably pass as a valid legal argument that gets him off the hook. I’d think it would AT LEAST fall under some sort of entrapment or conspiracy or something, but since its a trumper nothing will probably happen.

octopus_ink, (edited )

You mean like making a video where you say you are hoping people will try to use it as legal tender, and are distributing it for that express purpose?

refalo,

which part of that is illegal?

octopus_ink, (edited )

Uh, distributing known fake bills that you intend people to use as legal tender? Is this a trick question?

Edit: you will probably have the same response here as elsewhere.

https://lemmy.ml/pictrs/image/06c8d179-ba98-4e65-a2b4-419f446fca1b.png

AngryCommieKender,

uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title18/…

Yes

whereisk,

The whole thing stinks as schoolboy level revenge fantasy. I doubt there’s truth to it.

Prop money has specific laws and guidelines and is very easily identifiable and therefore do not count as counterfeit.

If a $5 bill does find its way in the economy no one gets arrested probably, someone just made a stupid trade. Otherwise half the store owners would be in jail when attempting to deposit money that happens to contain a fake note here and there.

michaelmrose,

Manufacturing prop money for movie purposes isn’t illegal. Passing it as legal tender IS. Note that passing and creating are 2 separate crimes. Notably even though he is giving it away he has specifically stated that the aim of this scheme is for it to be used for commerce by unwitting victims.

refalo,

you’re applying those terms to the wrong thing.

there’s nothing inherently illegal with saying you’re giving someone fake money so they’ll get arrested.

and trying to use movie money also won’t get anyone arrested.

CertifiedBlackGuy,

Actually it is inherently illegal. It’s fraud.

Because like the previous person said, they’re attempting to pass it off as legal tender by getting the homeless person the money so they’ll use it.

refalo,

that’s not what passing it off means.

you have to actually try to use the money yourself, knowing it’s fake, for there to be a crime in this situation.

bradorsomething,

What if there’s gold fringe on the flag?

Liz,

What part about giving a person $5 because they asked for it isn’t using the money? They’re asking for real money. You give them fake money, knowing it’s fake. You don’t tell them it’s fake.

Imagine donating fake money to a charity. Same thing.

refalo,

it isn’t using because you’re not paying for goods or services

CertifiedBlackGuy,

There’s more to transactions than the purchase of goods and services.

Donating money is a transaction. Using counterfeit money to donate while claiming it is legal tender makea the donation fraudulent.

Crawl back under your bridge, mate.

formergijoe,

I give them like a $5 bill, I feel good about myself…

Sounds like he’s paying for something.

Liz,

Try it. Tell the secret service what you’re doing and then record yourself donating fake currency that you’re trying to pass off as real currency. Just keep tagging them until they tell you to stop because it’s totally legal.

Potatos_are_not_friends,

Look at that goalpost move!

refalo,

A difference of opinion on subjective semantics is not inherently “moving the goalposts” IMO.

ImADifferentBird,
@ImADifferentBird@lemmy.blahaj.zone avatar

Which is what he is doing when he gives it to the homeless person. Assuming we can take him at his word that he actually does this, of course, and with Trumpists, that’s a big if.

AngryCommieKender,

I got passed a fake $100 as a pizza delivery driver one time. Some secret service agents came to my store a few days later, and asked me about where I got it. They took the information I had, and continued their investigation to get to the person that made the thing. It was easy to tell them where I got it. That was the only $100 bill I had been handed in weeks.

Maeve,

I've got a real US legal tender $5 bill that says SS will do nothing.

tsonfeir,
@tsonfeir@lemm.ee avatar

I’m sure he will offer to part in anyone who gets arrested during his campaign. Then conveniently forget about it should he get elected

ArbitraryValue,

I think that this is an attempt at a joke rather than something he actually did. He probably enjoys reading about how angry his political opponents are about it.

Krono,

Ah the old “That horrific story you heard about me was actually fabricated by me, so this is actually a win haha gotcha” defense.

Is this guy a Drake ghostwriter?

rapechildren,

www.vidlii.com/watch?v=-HkErc-xfRK

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