Today marks a significant moment in New York City as the first criminal trial of a former president and presumptive presidential nominee commences. Donald Trump, who has previously faced three civil trials in New York since leaving the White House, now faces the possibility of jail time in this trial.
Trump is facing 34 counts of falsifying business records, which are related to reimbursements made to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, for hush money payments made to an adult film star prior to the 2016 election. The payments were allegedly made to keep the affair between Trump and the adult film star, Stormy Daniels, under wraps. Trump has pleaded not guilty to these charges and has denied the affair with Daniels.
Referred to as the 'hush money' trial, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has stated that the case is centered around allegations of election interference. It is claimed that the $130,000 payment was part of a broader scheme orchestrated by Trump and his associates between 2015 and 2017 to conceal damaging information from voters.
Prosecutors argue that following the release of the Access Hollywood tape, which contained controversial remarks by Trump, his campaign sought to suppress Daniels' allegations to avoid negative repercussions among female voters. The prosecution's task will be to demonstrate that Trump intentionally falsified business records to conceal the $130,000 payment.
