On Politics

Mon Apr 22 2024

Sudiksha Kochi | Congress, Campaigns and Democracy Reporter

@KochiSudiksha

Hey OnPolitics readers! After jury selection consumed its first week, former President Donald Trump's New York hush money trial moved into opening arguments and witness testimony on Monday about a six-figure payout to block a scandalous story before the 2016 election.

Prosecutors argued the former president falsified business records to hide his reimbursement to his then-lawyer Michael Cohen for a $130,000 payment to silence porn actress Stormy Daniels, who says she had sex with Trump, USA TODAY's Bart Jansen reported.

Here's a look at the case so far:

💸Trump's hush money payments: The case centers around an accusation that Trump falsified the records with the "intent to commit another crime," which if proven could elevate the charges against the former president from misdemeanors to felonies.

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❌ Trump, lawyers blast 'zombie' case: Trump is expected to uncork a full-throated defense. He contends − as he has in all four criminal cases pending against him − the trials represent partisan interference in the 2024 election. There is no evidence prosecutors are targeting Trump's reelection bid.

❓ Wait, what did Stormy Daniels say? Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, has said she and Trump started a relationship in July 2006, after a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe. Trump was already married to Melania Trump, who had recently given birth to their son Barron Trump.