Prosecutors began laying out their case against former President Donald Trump in a pivotal moment for the first criminal prosecution of a former American president. In an opening statement, the prosecution outlined a criminal conspiracy and cover-up of sex scandals that threatened Trump’s 2016 election win. The prosecution detailed how Trump, along with his counsel Michael Cohen and David Pecker, the publisher of The National Enquirer, engaged in a strategy to “catch and kill” negative stories.
Trump, who faces up to four years in prison if convicted, watched from the defense table, occasionally shaking his head. His lawyer maintained his client’s innocence, stating that “President Trump is innocent.”
The trial’s first witness, David Pecker, explained how The National Enquirer paid for stories through a practice he called “checkbook journalism.” The trial is expected to continue with more testimonies shedding light on the case.
The case centers on a $130,000 payment that Cohen made to porn star Stormy Daniels to buy her silence during the 2016 campaign. Prosecutors allege that Trump reimbursed Cohen and falsified business records to conceal his conduct.
For more updates on the trial and other related cases, sign up for the newsletter “Trump on Trial.” This trial marks a significant moment in American history as the legal system holds a former president accountable for his actions.
