"The Insider" breaks news that Levi Johnston is going to file for joint custody of Tripp, his son with Bristol Palin.
Levi told "The Insider" he is now going to take legal action because he had trouble when trying to see his infant son over the weekend. "At the end of the month I'm going to file for joint custody of Tripp."
He goes on to say that he's tried the friendly way and it's "Not working. I'm done. It's going to have to go to court. They just finally pushed me over the edge."
This is WONDERFUL news. And about damn time!
Okay boys and girls this is IT now just hang on for the ride.
Update: Hold the phone guys! I just received a call from one of my sources and they say that Levi is NOT planning to file for joint custody at the end of this month! I don't know if Levi was misquoted, or if he spoke without checking with his attorney, but it is not in the works thus far.
I did hear however that if Bristol files any papers that Team Levi is ready to respond.
I apologize for getting everybody's hopes up. I was kind of excited as well.
Update2: By now many of you have seen the Insider interview with Levi and wonder if I have gone off of the deep end. I made a follow up call and this is the deal.
TeamLevi is convinced that there will be a motion for full custody filed by the Palin family. In order to let THEM know that Levi is not afraid of that, and that he is willing to go to court as well, he made that statement to the Insider. As you can see from Levi's demeanor he is serious.
The reason that Levi has been giving interviews to Vanity Fair and offering to pose for Playgirl is to make money to care for Tripp. He has been doing the best he can to demonstrate that he is a responsible parent, but the young man simply CANNOT get a regular job.
Being plucked out of the middle of his hunting trip and deposited into the middle of the McCain campaign has changed his life forever. He is unable to return to the life he lived before so, with the help of Tank Jones and Rex Butler, he is trying to make lemonade out of the pile of lemons left to him when Palin evicted him from her home.
All that Levi wants from the Palin's now is access to his boy. I don't think that anybody would believe that was too much to ask.
From what I understand Levi did NOT want to talk about Sarah's secrets. However she left him with little choice but to leverage the ONE thing that people wanted from him.
"At the end of the month I'm going to file for joint custody of Tripp."
ReplyDeleteThat was suppose to be a quote. It is not from the Insider TV panel? wtf is up? Would someone plant that? Why?
Good! They jerked the wrong chain one too many times. Had to call his bluff and play games. Get your fair share Levi, this is best anyway. Make her answer to a court of law.
ReplyDeleteBTW, sorry to tell ya, it's going to be this way every day and year of Tripps life. Brace for it and watch your back.
So perhaps this is just a gentle nudge by Team Levi, also too?!
ReplyDeleteWell damn Gryphen, me too! I saw this over at Bree's blog. I hope Levi does file for joint custody. $P is going to see that he keeps getting jerked around. Levi, sometimes it just doesn't pay to play nice!
ReplyDeleteDon't apologize for getting our hopes up. I think this is a very hopeful sign. Sarah's an idiot for using Levi as a punching bag and I'm thinking he must have gotten an advanced preview of whatever tirade she's unleashed against him in her book. No wonder he's mad.
ReplyDeleteBut how stupid is she, to go after the one person who knows all her darkest secrets? That boy is in the catbird seat. I'm hoping he'll take advantage of it...in every way.
Damn, I had my hopes up that this is when shyt hits the fan! It's close, I'm sure , too much crazy stuff going on. Scarah is toxic, so Levi beware.
ReplyDeleteI just wrote on Bree's blog, that I would have doubted very much that the Palins (any or all of them, Bristol included) would go to court. The last thing Sarah could do is swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help her God. It is physically impossible for her.
ReplyDeleteI suspect that Levi made the threat to essentially "see you in court" causing the Palin gal pals to back down and propose visitation arrangements that were acceptable to Team Levi. Since his motive has been to see his son, the result worked for him and he retracted his threat. Just my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI agree w/mxm - this 'end of the month' was to get their attention which they didn't need at this time w/the book coming out and being on the book tour. I would think Sarah would be called into the Court proceedings. He should go to court and get this matter solved once and for all. Can you imagine having to deal with the Palin family constantly? God forbid! Ms. Sarah is a horrid grandmother!
ReplyDeleteI just do not get why everyone thinks Sarah would be brought to court. It is between Bristol and Levi, the parents. Why would Sarah get called into court?
ReplyDeleteI was just thinking--what if Levi knows full well that Tripp is NOT his son but sues for custody anyway (or threatens to). After all, that's the line the Palin camp is giving out--that Trig is Sarah and Todd's and Tripp is Bristol and Levi's. Maybe Levi is or isn't Trig's father (I kind of think he is) but maybe THIS is how he calls their bluff. He may be very well aware that he is suing for custody of a child that isn't his, BUT this is what he and the world have been told is true. The thought of being deposed and having to produce legal documents isn't very appetizing to Sarah. Wouldn't that be the strongarm tactic of the world? Then who would have leverage over whom? Makes you think.
ReplyDeleteWas this the same source that said Splitsville was imminent? I think I'll wait and see what LJ says on camera.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the reason the quote was pulled back is because Levi really meant he is going to sue for his visitation rights, not for joint custody.
ReplyDeleteAnd he might not do it right at the end of the month. He may feel at this time he's not ready to try to take Tripp half time or some other arrangement where he actually has care of Tripp for significant periods of time. Maybe he's going for visitation rights to be enforced. After all, right now he can't even see his son at all again, and Bristol lives at the Palin Compound, so he can't go there thanks to Sarah.
It certainly is good he said whatever he said, even if it was misquoted or Rex felt he needed to dial it back some. I think the message is delivered for now. Right before the Rogue book release is a good time for Levi to be reminding Sarah he's through with the Palin BS about access to his child.
I am very glad Levi has let it be heard that he's through with repeatedly having access to his child yanked. Being essentially called a prostitute because he is modeling nude is also ridiculous.
Even Ms. Prejean with her "solo" sex tape is not a prostitute. Wonder if she and Sarah are still BFF's, by the way?
Why does Levi keep calling Tripp his "10-month old son" in all these interviews? If Tripp was really born on 12-27-08, wouldn't he be 11 months old now? (Almost 11-1/2 months)
ReplyDeleteIs Levi trying to tell us something?!
I think it's a guy thing calling Trigg 10 months, he's counting from Oct. not from Nov. 9th. technically he's 10 1/2 months.
ReplyDeleteLeadfoot said...Is Levi trying to tell us something?!
ReplyDeleteI don't know. Why did Bristol look as she did when Gryphen posted a photo of her at the dog race. I think it was February of this year. She looked preg or new nursing mother.
Ella, the court reference to Scarah is only because she'll be funding the lawyer cost for Bristol and she'll also do everything she can behind the scenes to make sure they have more clout than Levi. Scarah will be coaching Bristol big time. And, it's Scarah war with Levi, not really Bristol.
ReplyDeleteLevi doesn't have to be the bio Dad if he is the Dad on the birth certificate and no one requests DNA. He is by law the parent.
ReplyDeleteIf he is the parent on bc and someone is changing their story, that is something else. The court would probably get DNA test ASAP.
Leadfoot @2:11
ReplyDeleteMaybe because is?
If born on 12/27/2008, that would make the child 10 months old on 10/27/2009--11 months old on 11/27/2009, which is still nearly three weeks away.
If born on 12/27/2008, he will not be 11 1/2 months old until a full month from now (mid December).
It certainly doesn't help getting to the truth when simple math isn't adhered to...or exaagggerations made--or was that the purpose of your post?
If necessary, take your Leadfoot off the gas, pull off your shoes and socks and count on your toes. You only need ten -- December 27 through October 27 is ten months.
Ella -- Sarah would probably be asked to stay away from a custody hearing between L and B.
ReplyDeleteIf there is a case for alienation of affection or some kind of obstruction what have you with Sarah, that is when she could be in court with Levi. I don't know how that would work or what the terms are for an interfering Grandmother. She would have to tell some big lies and do some clear damage.
The bots are reporting that scarah is tweeting on twitter again, under the name
ReplyDeleteSarahPalinUSA. Shatner standing by.
Leadfoot - if Tripp was born on 12/27/08, he will not be 11 months old until 11/27/09. He would be ten months and nine days now.
Sorry to be "off topic" with this question, but does anyone know what has happened to Sarah's Facebook page? All comments have disappeared, as well as the list and count of subscribers. Very curious.
ReplyDeleteThe quote came from a legit source. Which means that good ol' Levi is pulling our chains. Oh no, we all cry, Levi isn't like Sarah, he's a good boy who wouldn't pose like a beauty queen for a dying rag! Not like Sarah in Runners' World, no sir! And he'd never use the press to threaten family... and then claim it warn't him... hmm.
ReplyDeleteThere's two sides, apparently. Either you support Levi, or you support Sarah. One or the other is completely pure, clean and washed with the light that makes selling yourself in the media a thing of beauty -- and the other, doing the same darn thing, absolute garbage.
Hey, I've got an idea. How about I create a third side, MY side? And say I'm tired of being manipulated by Team Levi and their saintly, open & disingenuous cardboard figurehead, and the bloom's been off the rose for a long time on the Palin front? And I'm not buying either one of them -- so I won't be saving the publishing industry by buying my own copy of Levi's abs?
How well will that much-anticipated nudie spread go over in family court, I wonder? About as well as Prejean's video, I dare say.
Somebody is giving you bad info, Gryph. I just saw him say he's taking them to court to fight for custody on the Insider.
ReplyDeleteI'll tell you what's weird, a guy calling his child 10 or 11 months old. My husband would never have said "our 3 month old daughter," men don't talk like that. That's code for being coached by a lawyer. What was natural was when Levi just called Tripp his kid, period, no age.
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere that Mrs Prejean also saw her daughter's sex tape. It was just shortly after the viewing that Ms. Prejean dropped her lawsuit....that's family values for you. How many of us have made sex tapes.....no need to answer that. It's just these preachy, Christian hypocritical women are starting to get on my nerves. Levi is careful & never makes a move w/o Butler's ok so I wonder what's up. Think the Paylins & Team Levi are testing the waters.
ReplyDelete"I just do not get why everyone thinks Sarah would be brought to court. It is between Bristol and Levi, the parents. Why would Sarah get called into court?"
ReplyDeleteThis is Sarah Palin. Of course it's All About Her. Everything is. You think she has the brains to keep a low profile? Not a chance.
Ivyfree
Well, I just saw the Insider show with Levi, and he was quite serious, probably the most articulate that I have ever heard him to be and he sounded very determined. Perhaps he got the end result he needed just by the threat to pursue legal action, but he impressed me with his decisiveness. His subsequent comments, essentially calling Sarah out and showing absolutely no hesitation or fear are great. Lot's of teasing about Oprah. Levi says he will watch and go from there.
ReplyDeleteAnd I keep thinking of the cryptic, Trig was Trip before he was Trig. So, just which baby would Levi be talking about?
I do think that Levi has been playing and teasing with his comments for some time. The 'my kid' references and only recently using the name Trip continues to puzzle me. The older toddler or the 10 month old, hmmmmmmmmmm. If he is talking about securing a custody agreement for the toddler, this would be IT and we would need to hang on for the ride. Kind of fits with Van Flea's threat that Trip's father could see him whenever he desired - that makes sense if Levi is not Trip's father.
Too much bluff calling going on in the media -- danger, danger Will Robinson.
Wow, they keep coming back to Levi, and he just had a message for Sarah - he asked her for a truce and said he just wants to be able to have a relationship with his 'kid'. Then more teasing and advice giving on the PlayGirl photo shoot. Levi remains confident, articulate and pretty damn impressive. What happened to him over the weekend????? He is also all cleaned up and looks elegantly, youthfully handsome if I do say so.
ReplyDeleteSorry, my bad. I just counted backwards from 11/2009 to 12/2008 and got 11 months. But I guess my math was bad. No need to flame, Anon. 2:48 - It was just a math error. (and a little wishful thinking!)
ReplyDeleteEven if Levi filed for visitation or joint custody, there would still be a certain amount of time elapsed before getting on the court docket. It is also possible that just the action of filing, would result in meetings of their respective lawyers and a possible settlement. Palin may not be required to make any appearance if it went to court, but I can't imagine her not attempting to put her two cents into it. Also - most hearings relating to matters with children are usually in Family Court and not open to the public.
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot going on out there regarding Sarah. Some of the conservatives who are well regarded journalists, pundits, writers are starting to trash Sarah. See David Frums article about Saint Sarah and there are others. Haley Barbour was not very complimentary about her on TV yesterday. Tomorrow CNN is ding a special report about Sarah and whether she can lead the GOP. And on severall CNN segments they are saying she is still lying about health care reform. Even Huckabee put down Sarah.
ReplyDeleteShe is a very negative force in this country and intelligent people (on both sides) know this. I think you are going to see a big attempt to discredit her. We have to keep it up but the effort to get rid of Sarahis already in place. Even her fans know that. Where they are wrong though is that it is not Obama or the DNC who are behind anything. It's who she calls "elite" GOP and they do not want her.
Maybe they know more about babygate then we think. We all know how McCain talks about her. Do you really think he'd let her be the nominee? And they can't just mildly discredit her, they have to wipe her out so she can't even run as an independent.
It's all happening tick...tick...tick ........
Gryphen and all, URGENT Notice
ReplyDeleteWhen I tried to open the link to the photo listed at 3:48 (what is the date of this Bristol photo) - bells and whistles went off from Norton Antivirus stating that link was unsafe. I got out quickly. Perhaps you need to delete that link.
Judges usually like parents to work out the parenting plan themselves with their lawyers and then bring it to court. then he signs off on it.
ReplyDeleteA court battle will not help Sarah's family values image.
ReplyDeleteIf she goes after the young man too hard she will lose male support and female sympathy.
Stay tuned, Will Sarah hoisted herself on her own pitard?
Whatever is going on with the Levi court or no court, it must have Sarah Palin thinking of those chats with Barbara and Oprah.
ReplyDeleteCan she stay on script? Levi will be watching on HDTV. The book will be released and the bus ready to roll. Will the media be following? What fun. Twitter, too!
Leadfoot @ 3:53
ReplyDeleteAll is forgiven.
Wishful thinking is allowed. I just got the impression that it might be on purpose in order to make trouble.
Sorry I jumped to conclusions--that is, the wrong conclusion.
Are we cool?
I hope that Levi keeps mentioning not getting a chance to see his kid(s). By keeping the topic front and center, maybe Oprah and Barbara will bring up the subject in Sarah's interview.
ReplyDeleteLevi must be confident she will take him up on a truce and he'll be enjoying the season with his son.
ReplyDeleteWhat's with the link @
(what is the date of this Bristol photo) at 3:48
Is it safe to open?
I NEVER watch Oprah, but today I saw her entire show, an interview with Ellen and Portia, the "teaser" for the exclusive Sarah Palin interview shows snippets of the Madonnaesque (NOT that one) Saint Sarah, and baby Trig in a rare mother/son moment along with other photos and props, and the voice says parts of the interview will be from Sarah's home. Wonder if any construction coverage will be alluded to or allowed?
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking this whole thing is going to be scripted by Sarah's Ghostwriters beforehand.
Hmm Ellen, an out lesbian, gets the cover of O Magazine, and gets inteviewed before Sarah- that must sit well with her followers.
Love It!
DNA.
ReplyDeletefrom the s'arah FB page tonite:
ReplyDeleteWilliam R. Bill Hedger Stocking up on lots of guns and ammo. Just bought another 12 gauge Remingon 870 pump for the main house and a little 38 caliber Titanium Taurus (hammerless) for a little back up with the CCH here in TN. Best wishes to all out there.10 minutes ago · View Feedback (3)Hide Feedback (3) · Report
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Peaceful little place, eh?
For the life of me I can't understand how SP can speak to a Right-to-Life group about how precious children are, so sanctimonious about their welfare......yet, (according to Levi) gets involved in trying to sabotage him from seeing his grandchild at times.
ReplyDeleteNow, is her Down's baby going to have to endure napping and traveling on a bus for weeks at a time, intervaled with staying at a different hotel each night? Or is Saint Sarah going to leave him home yet again? Her base must ask themselves what kind of mother would again leave her baby for weeks on end? Especially during these developmental months.....very fishy indeed.
A loving mom would "wait" for her book tour - she'd put his needs in front of hers. But then, that's what a loving mom would do.
Don't know anything about Alaskan law, but it is curious why SP might be a participant in this possible custody case. Maybe it's because she is the homeowner that houses Tripp and a judge places an order for the grandparents' to allow Levi on the home's premises to pick up the child. They need to actively assure the judge they will allow this.
ReplyDeleteAnon 5:09 - we are cool. :)
ReplyDeleteGryphen says (last addition to his post): "From what I understand Levi did NOT want to talk about Sarah's secrets. However she left him with little choice but to leverage the ONE thing that people wanted from him."
ReplyDeleteThis wrenches the heart. On the off chance you read this, Levi, let me say that I want this for you:
A life filled with abundant love from family and friends. The joy of seeing your son grow and prosper.
Wishes that you stay genuine and honest. Most of all, may your heart be loving and given generously for those who deserve it (and may peace be found from forgiving those who do not deserve it).
Ever wonder why the Insider poll is so Sarah?
ReplyDeleteFB page tonite:
I know that we're not supposed to talk about Levi Johnston but I want people to vote at the following poll: The Insider
The comment from FB page (@7:07)went away. Abby left another one. She asked again for Palinbots to vote at the Insider.
ReplyDeleteAbby: "I personally hope that Sarah doesn't talk about Levi at her Oprah interview. Otherwise, I can't wait to hear her speak as I have nothing but the utmost respect for all that she stands for!"
Like influencing daughter not to let Tripp see Daddy.
If the Palin family thinks they can ask for and receive "full custody" of Trip, they are sadly mistaken.
ReplyDeleteThey would absolutely have to prove that Levi is an unfit parent who doesn't deserve to have custody of his child at all.
Joint custody, with Bristol having physical custody and Levi being allowed visitation rights (which means he can take the child away from the Palin home) is the best guess I have on what will happen in a custody hearing.
Child Support is not a basis for allowing or disallowing custody or visitation rights. If Levi is paying child support (and can prove it) and if the Palin family is not allowing him to see his child (and he can prove it) then he has a very good case against Bristol.
but what about TRIG'S BIRF CIRTIFACUT, HENGH, HENGH?! (and we won't be satisfied until we see the LONG form OFFICIAL one...hell he coulda been born in Russia for all we know!)
ReplyDeleteRegardless of whether the actual parents are the ones who would be involved in a custody case, the fact of the matter is that Sarah is the one who Levi is sparring with publicly about visitation issues. The best way to cut Sarah out of the picture is to take away her power. If Levi has knowledge of wrong-doing by Sarah, he can reduce her power by going public with this information.
ReplyDeleteLevi...do you want to even out the power struggle with Sarah? Tell what you know. You'll get a lot further with your custody questions...and the public has a right to know if she did things which were immoral or illegal.
Thanks to Anon @ 7:07 PM, I went to the Insider site. At the bottom of the page, there is a reference to Levi and Tripp in GQ.
ReplyDeleteI went there and found a picture of them. Weird! Enlarge it and look at Tripp's face. To me, he has a... "Get Me Out of Here" look!
Are these pictures staged? This is the same feeling I had when Bristol held him on Greta's show in Feb.
It's not too often I'm speechless...
Ginger
As far as any of us know, Bristol is still an unemployed teenage single mother. Why would she get custody rights?
ReplyDeleteAnd why would Sarah or Todd Palin have anything to do with a child that was born to Levi and Bristol?
I can't imagine why Oprah would do a puff piece on Sarah. What does Oprah have to gain? I don't think it will be a "hard hitting" interview, but I also imagine that Oprah will be asking some tough questions.
ReplyDeleteLike about Sarah's comments on health care, for example.
Come on, Oprah! Sarah doesn't like homosexuals (like Ellen) and she probably doesn't like black people all that much either.
jk
I can't believe that in all the court papers for custody and visitation that will be filed, a birthdate for Tripp will not be mentioned once. Court filings include dates of birth to help identify you. Having never filed for custody in AK, I could be wrong.
ReplyDeleteCarrie
You folks all need to get a life. SERIOUSLY
ReplyDeleteI am more curious about Gryphen's reaction. This is IT ... makes me think that Gryphen knows that if this went to court, papers would have to be presented to the judge about the child, and the truth would be ... hummm. It seems to me that getting Palin to court has always been the key from the beginning. It still bothers me that Palin is getting all this attention going and how is that going to be stopped when the truth comes out? She has ducked and lied her way out of so many legal, moral, total wrong-doings already what could possibally knock her off her stage forever? Gryph??????? Love your blog but if you are going to slay the beast please do it soon.
ReplyDeleteNo matter what happens, I suspect Gryphen will claim that "he knew it" through his "sources" long ago -- but couldn't say a thing, for fear of... whatever. Since when hasn't he known before us peasants, and couldn't tell, because of a conspiritorial danger, but is totally vindicated now, and aren't we all happy for him. Honestly, it's the same side of the coin Levi is tossing around. How're yer abs, Gryph?
ReplyDeleteI can't confirm this so I consider it speculation but thought I'd pass it on. Supposedly Levi is dropping hints to ?whoever? to speak up before he has to. He is doing everything he can to avoid an ugly fight. Why? He doesnt want to do anything to hurt his son's mother. Take note Miss Twitchy-pants... that's what love looks like.
ReplyDeleteI DO know for sure that the repubs have some stuff on her and consider it insurance. After all, an instant "distraction" is highly valuable!
Tick-tock, tick-tock is right!!
OMG I meant Twitty not twitchy!! I have no idea where THAT came from. Tho it is rather funny...
ReplyDeleteYou have to show the birth certificate, dates and ages of children. My daughter just finished a divorce with many issues on child custody in state of WA. Parenting plans are what Judges want. I don't like them unless both parents are active in the young child's life.
ReplyDeleteCheck out AK child custody laws.