Rachel Maddow again floats Trump could give up 2024 run in exchange for leniency on documents case

MSNBC host Rachel Maddow is continuing to float that former President Donald Trump could avoid prison time in his federal classified documents case by dropping his 2024 presidential candidacy.

Maddow said Wednesday that while she did not know what the "odds are" of Trump serving a sentence after his indictment on mishandling of classified materials, she would guess "he would do anything" to avoid the possibility. Some Trump allies have said Maddow's remarks demonstrate a possible political angle to his prosecution.

"What would Donald Trump do to avoid jail time? I literally suppose that he would do anything," she told MSNBC's Joy Reid, mocking his hypothetical defense in court.

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"So how else can you avoid jail time?" Maddow continued. 

"Well, you can plea in exchange for lenience," she said, noting the example of Richard Nixon's former Vice President Spiro Agnew, who quit the office in 1973 amid his own criminal charges. His resignation was part of a deal with the DOJ as he pleaded "nolo contendre" to a tax evasion charge and avoided imprisonment. 

"In order to keep Agnew out, they traded him essentially jail time for his resignation," Maddow said. 

"I’m not saying that’s what the DOJ should agree to," Maddow clarified on the possibility of Trump exiting the 2024 presidential race. "I’m not saying that’s what Trump should try for, or his defense should offer it. I’m not even saying it would be good or bad for the country. I’m just saying, the one other time we’ve dealt with this as a country, that’s how we did it."

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This is not the first time that Maddow has suggested Trump bow out of the 2024 race to avoid jail time as a result of his indictment.

Maddow said last week a plea deal for Trump would be a "political solution to this criminal problem" while on MSNBC’s "The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell."

"You have to wonder if the Justice Department is considering whether there is some political solution to this criminal problem," Maddow said. "Whether part of the issue here is not just that Trump has committed crimes, but that Trump has committed crimes and plans on being back in the White House."

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Democrats argue that Trump’s indictment is not political. 

"I've seen a lot of allegations against President Biden by MAGA Republicans, but the truth is they've amounted to nothing… I don't think they have a lot of credibility," Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., said when asked about the alleged Biden bribery scheme.

"But, look, they can knock themselves out," Swalwell added.

Trump's former Attorney General Bill Barr has called the indictment against Trump "very damning." The former president has denied any wrongdoing and said the case is a political witch hunt from the Biden administration.

A spokesman for Trump didn't reply to a request for comment.

Fox News’ Gabriel Hays, David Rutz, Elizabeth Elkind and Matteo Cina contributed to this report.

Rod Stewart is leaving rock ‘n’ roll: 'Everything has to come to an end sooner or later'

Rod Stewart is switching his tune in the music industry. 

After being a rock legend for more than six decades, Stewart announced he’s diving into other genres of music. 

During a recent interview with "BBC Breakfast," Stewart responded to a statement that host Charlie Stayt made. He said that "rock stars are performing into incredible ages now."

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The "Hot Legs" singer reacted and said, "I am actually stopping."

"I'm not retiring but I want to move on," Stewart noted. "I had great success with The Great American Songbook… and I’ve just done a swing album with Jools Holland, which is going to come out next year, so I want to go in that direction."

Stewart, 78, continued to explain his decision for leaving the rock genre ahead of his tour with Boy George, who joined him for the interview. 

"I just want to leave all the rock 'n' roll stuff behind, for a while, maybe."

"Everything has to come to an end sooner or later," Stewart declared. 

He added that he’s in a "good place" with the music genre switch.

After the rocker concludes his 2023 tour, Stewart revealed what his next project will be. 

"I’m really looking forward to doing something else, especially singing with Jools’ band," he remarked.

"It borders on rock ‘n’ roll anyway, it’s just not 'Maggie May' and 'Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?'"

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The "You’re in My Heart" singer will kick off his U.K. tour with Boy George on June 24 in Plymouth and is slated to perform at Northampton, Durham, Bristol and Hull.

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He also announced he’ll have special solo performances in Edinburgh on July 7 and 8.

Stewart recently celebrated a milestone in his music career.

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The legendary rock star shared on social media that June 14 marked 30 years of his album "Unplugged… and Seated."

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The iconic album reached number two on the music charts around the world at the time, which included hits such as "The First Cut is the Deepest" and "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You."

During Stewart’s tour in March, he canceled a concert in Australia due to a viral infection. 

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"Late this morning I was advised that I have a viral infection and my throat is too irritated to sing," the artist shared at the time on social media.

"I’m only human and sometimes get sick just like you do. My greatest joy is performing for you, so I’m doing everything I can to get on the mend and get back on stage."

He was in the country for a "Hits" tour with guests Cyndi Lauper and Jon Stevens.

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Stewart is a father to eight children, including Sarah, Kimberly, Sean, Renee, Liam, Alastair and Aiden.

His youngest two children he shares with his current wife, Penny Lancaster, and his other children are from four past relationships: his first wife, Alana, model Kelly Emberg, his second wife, model Rachel Hunter, and Susannah Boffey, whom he dated when he was a teenager.

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