Jury Prepares for Opening Statements in Trump Hush Money Trial
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Donald Trump is on trial for alleged election fraud and illegal influence over the 2016 presidential election through silencing damaging stories about his personal life. This historic hush money trial is the first criminal trial of a former American president and one of four prosecutions against Trump. The defense argues that Trump is innocent and that his actions were intended to protect his family and reputation, not to influence the election.
Trump Accused of Illegal Influence on 2016 Election in Historic Hush Money Trial
In a landmark hush money trial, prosecutors allege that former President Donald Trump tried to unlawfully sway the 2016 election by suppressing damaging personal stories. Described as a calculated, long-standing plot to help him win the election through illicit expenditure, the case represents the first criminal trial of a former American president.
Prosecutor, Matthew Colangelo, described Trump’s actions as “election fraud, pure and simple”. Defense lawyer, Todd Blanche, countered by attacking the credibility of the government’s key witness, a former Trump confidant. He asserted that Trump is innocent, and the case should never have been brought.
The 12-person jury and general public were presented with vastly disparate views of a case that will unfold in the midst of a hotly contested White House race. Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, faces both a potential felony conviction and imprisonment.
The allegations center on election interference through hush money payments to a porn actor who claimed to have had a sexual encounter with Trump. This is the first of four prosecutions of Trump to reach a jury.
Trump’s criminal charges could affect his campaign, as the trial, which may last up to two months, may keep him off the campaign trail. Despite this, Trump has used his legal jeopardy to rally his campaign, with repeated claims that the justice system is biased against him.
Trump is facing 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, each carrying a maximum sentence of four years in prison. Although a conviction would not prevent him from running for president again, as a state case, he would not be able to pardon himself if found guilty. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The case revisits a period in Trump’s life when his celebrity status clashed with his political ambitions, leading, prosecutors argue, to efforts to suppress stories that could harm his campaign.
The trial will shine a light on the notorious ‘catch-and-kill’ tabloid practice, which involves purchasing the rights to a potentially damaging story and suppressing it through non-disclosure agreements. The case could have a significant impact on the November election as it may be the only one out of four cases against Trump to reach trial before then due to appeals and legal wrangling delaying the others.
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