In a historic turn of events, former U.S. President Donald Trump is set to face a criminal trial, becoming the first ex-president to do so. The trial centres around hush-money payments made in 2016 to two women who alleged extramarital encounters with Trump. The Judge has declined to delay the hush money trial as it would lead to pretrial publicity.
The Key Players
- Donald Trump: The heart of the case lies in Trump’s successful 2016 presidential campaign. Prosecutors allege that as he closed in on victory, he paid $130,000 to adult film star Stormy Daniels to conceal their illicit sexual affair from the public. But it doesn’t end there. Trump and his lawyer, Michael Cohen, are accused of conspiring to cover up these payments by falsely recording them as legal expenses within the Trump Organization’s accounts.
- Stormy Daniels (Stephanie Clifford): Daniels claims that she and Trump had a sexual encounter in 2006. She is expected to testify, setting the stage for a potential clash with Trump’s attorneys.
- Michael Cohen: Trump’s former personal lawyer turned sworn enemy. Cohen paid the $130,000 to Stormy Daniels at Trump’s request. His federal conviction for this payment makes him a crucial prosecution witness. Expect the defence to challenge his credibility.
- Alvin Bragg (Manhattan District Attorney): The self-described “child of Harlem” and the first African-American Manhattan prosecutor. Bragg inherited the case and initially faced criticism for allegedly burying it. However, he ultimately indicted Trump, leading to this landmark trial.
- Judge Juan Merchan: A respected magistrate in his 60s, Merchan will preside over the trial. His Colombian heritage and relocation to the United States add to the case’s unique context.
The Charges and Allegations
- Falsifying Business Records: Trump faces 34 counts of first-degree falsifying business records, a low-level felony. If convicted, he could serve up to four years in prison.
- The Heart of the Case: Prosecutors allege that Trump repeatedly falsified New York business records to hide damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential election. The case revolves around sex scandals, including Trump’s alleged affair with Stormy Daniels. Cohen’s involvement and the National Enquirer’s role in suppressing stories add intrigue.
- The Cover-Up: In the final days of the election, Cohen paid $130,000 to silence Daniels. After Trump’s election, he reimbursed Cohen through checks from his trust, falsely labelled as “legal services rendered.” The DA contends that this reimbursement was fraudulent.
Unique Aspects of the Hush Money Trial
Trump’s hush money trial is the first of his four criminal indictments slated to go to trial and would be the first criminal trial ever of a former president.
He is accused of doctoring his company’s records to hide the real reason for payments to Cohen, his former lawyer and fixer who helped the candidate bury negative claims about him during his 2016 campaign. Cohen’s activities included paying porn actor Daniels $130,000 to suppress her story of an extramarital sexual encounter with Trump years earlier, which Trump denies.
- Ex-President on Trial: Trump’s trial marks an unprecedented moment in U.S. legal history. Never before has a former president faced criminal charges.
- Jury Selection: The jury selection process, expected to last one to two weeks, is crucial. Jurors’ identities will remain anonymous due to security concerns.
- Political Context: Trump’s trial unfolds against the backdrop of a presidential campaign where he’s the presumptive Republican nominee. Balancing campaigning and courtroom proceedings adds complexity for the Politically Exposed Persons.
- Public Interest: The trial’s high-profile nature and its connection to Trump’s presidency ensure intense media scrutiny.
In conclusion, the hush money trial of Donald Trump combines legal drama, political stakes, and historical significance. As the courtroom doors swing open, all eyes are on the former president, the witnesses, and the justice system itself.
