There are some things that just cannot be covered properly as they’re occurring, and one of them is happening right now. U.S. District Judge Carl J. Nichols, a Trump appointee in DC, is hearing arguments from the attorneys for Sidney Powell, Mike Lindell and Rudy Giuliani–as well as others like Alan Dershowitz–arguing that the statements made by trio do not amount to defamation against Dominion Voting Systems.  We’re linking to the Twitter thread below covering it in real time because you can’t make this shit up.

UPDATE:  The judge has a sense of humor:

"I don't want the court to be led down the incorrect legal framework," Clare says.

"I don’t think there’s a risk of that," the judge replies.

— Jacqueline Thomsen (@jacq_thomsen) June 24, 2021

Among the highlights:  Powell’s attorney says she engaged in “hyperbole.”  Lindell’s attorney said Lindell claimed Dominion machines might have been hacked; when Dominion’s attorney corrected and quoted Lindell as saying Dominion “intentionally aided in election fraud,” Lindell’s attorney said the debate should be held in the “marketplace of ideas.”  And Giuliani’s attorney is claiming Dominion wasn’t specific enough about lost revenue to have a basis for a lawsuit (a claim already rejected by the courts).

Alan Dershowitz is on the line, Mike Lindell and Sidney Powell are in the courtroom, the Dominion court hearing is getting started.

— Jacqueline Thomsen (@jacq_thomsen) June 24, 2021

And then there’s this:  Mike Lindell is fighting for EVERY AMERICAN.

"Mr. Lindell, as a practical matter, is not the only one in court today," Daniels says. "Any American who ever intends to voice their opinion about matters as important as election security are in court today."

— Jacqueline Thomsen (@jacq_thomsen) June 24, 2021