NEW YORK — The center of former President Donald Trump’s New York hush money trial, overseen by means of Judge Juan Merchan, kicked off on Monday with opening statements and witness testimony.
Matthew Colangelo delivered the outlet argument for the prosecution, alleging that the previous president’s movements have been “election fraud, pure and simple.” Trump’s legal professional, Todd Blanche, criticized accounts from Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen and porn megastar Stormy Daniels, telling the jury “There’s nothing wrong with trying to influence an election.”
Jurors are deciding whether or not Trump falsified trade data to hide up a hush money cost from Cohen to Daniels.
Trump licensed the cost to be able to stay Daniels from hurting his 2016 presidential marketing campaign by means of going public along with her tale that the pair had intercourse, in line with the prosecutors. Trump denies Daniels’ declare and has pleaded no longer to blame.
David Pecker, the previous head of the National Enquirer’s guardian corporate, was once the primary witness known as to the stand within the case. He’s anticipated to stand additional questions on how the corporate robotically paid for scandalous tales that it didn’t put up, beneath what others known as a “catch-and-kill” technique.
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Catch up with USA TODAY’s are living updates from outside and inside the Manhattan courthouse:
Donald Trump insists bills have been ‘legal expense’ somewhat than try to have an effect on 2016 marketing campaign
After a morning of opening arguments by means of prosecutors and protection attorneys in Donald Trump’s hush money trial, the previous president gave his personal eight-minute abstract to journalists within the hallway outdoor the court.
Trump is charged with falsifying trade data to pay hush money to silence girls sooner than the 2016 election. But he insisted that his bills to his former attorney, Michael Cohen, have been as it should be marked as prison bills somewhat than what prosecutors contend have been money back for the $130,000 paid to porn actress Stormy Daniels.
Trump mentioned Cohen was once imprisoned for different fees coping with taxi medallions and tax fraud. But Cohen additionally pleaded to blame to a marketing campaign finance violation for the cost to Daniels. Trump repeated that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s predecessor and federal prosecutors investigated him and declined to prosecute.
“This is what I got indicted for?” Trump requested. “It’s very unfair.
– Bart Jansen
Donald Trump exits courtroom after day 5 of hush money trial
Donald Trump exited the courtroom at 12:43 p.m. ET. Proceedings will resume Tuesday with arguments over whether Trump has violated Judge Juan Merchan’s gag order.
Those will be held in the morning outside the presence of the jury. Jurors have been instructed that proceedings involving them will start at 11:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday, and will end at 2 p.m. ET in light of the Passover holiday.
– Aysha Bagchi
What is ‘catch-and-kill’?
The National Enquirer, a tabloid, routinely paid sources for stories and sometimes refused to publish them, under what prosecutors and witnesses in the Donald Trump hush money trial called a “catch-and-kill” technique.
The e-newsletter’s guardian corporate, American Media Inc., denied a catch-and-kill coverage after The Wall Street Journal printed a $150,000 cost to Karen McDougal, a former Playboy type who claimed a year-long affair with Trump, with out ever publishing the tale.
But as an alternative, the corporate put her image on a few mag covers and had her write a couple of health columns.
AMI later stated spending greater than was once regimen to dam McDougal’s tale for the reason that corporate anticipated to be reimbursed by means of Trump. The silencing of derogatory tales sooner than the 2016 election is on the center of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s fees in opposition to Trump that he falsified trade data to pay hush money.
– Bart Jansen
Lawyers, Judge Juan Merchan communicate over lingering trial problems
Although jurors have left for the day, attorneys and the pass judgement on are proceeding to talk about trial problems, together with directions the pass judgement on will have to give when attorneys introduce newspaper articles later in trial. Trump attorney Emil Bove additionally raised issues about “hearsay” getting into trial that is tied to Dylan Howard. a former editor of The National Enquirer who’s not able to commute and are available to the trial, in line with previous testimony.
“Hearsay” is a technical prison time period regarding statements that have been made outdoor a court however are offered in courtroom to be able to end up the reality of what was once mentioned. Such statements are prohibited until they fall into particular exceptions.
– Aysha Bagchi
Jurors excused for remainder of day
Judge Juan Merchan mentioned lawsuits would wish to wrap up for the remainder of the day. He previous mentioned they’d wish to finish by means of 12:30 p.m. ET for an alternative juror’s emergency appointment over a toothache. The jurors have exited the court. The attorneys have approached Merchan’s bench for a non-public dialog.
– Aysha Bagchi
Prosecutor asks Pecker about former National Enquirer editor, ‘juicy tales‘
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass requested Pecker about Dylan Howard, who was once as soon as the editor of The National Enquirer. Howard now lives in Australia and has a well being situation that stops him from touring, to the most productive of Pecker’s wisdom, Pecker mentioned. Pecker showed Howard would run “juicy stories” by means of Pecker.
– Aysha Bagchi
Donald Trump listening closely to David Pecker testimony
Donald Trump has his palms at the desk in entrance of him and is leaning his frame ahead relatively as he faces David Pecker at once.
– Aysha Bagchi
Why is David Pecker tied to Donald Trump’s hush money case? Publisher says he had ‘ultimate say’ as former head of tabloid writer
Pecker described having say over what would get published, including approving expenditures. He confirmed prosecutor Joshua Steinglass’ statement that he would have “final say” over whether to publish an article involving a famous person.
– Aysha Bagchi
David Pecker called to the stand
We have gotten our first witness in the case: David Pecker, a tabloid publisher. Prosecutors have alleged Pecker was a key member of a “catch-and-kill” conspiracy involving Donald Trump to prevent stories that could hurt his 2016 presidential campaign from becoming public.
– Aysha Bagchi
Donald Trump returns to courtroom
Donald Trump returned to the courtroom at 12:01 p.m. ET, trailed by members of his defense team. Judge Juan Merchan just asked for jurors to be brought into the courtroom.
– Aysha Bagchi
Judge Juan Merchan enters courtroom
Juan Merchan re-entered the courtroom at about noon ET. Prosecutors are also in the courtroom. We are waiting for Trump and his defense team to return.
– Aysha Bagchi
Trump leaves the courtroom
Trump exited the courtroom at about 11:50 a.m. ET for a short break in proceedings.
– Aysha Bagchi
Trump lawyer ends opening statement
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche ended his opening statement by telling the jurors to “use your common sense.” He added: “We’re New Yorkers.”
Blanche reminded jurors they promised to put aside any views they have about Trump and decide the case based on the evidence presented in the trial. If they do that, there will be a “very swift” not guilty verdict for Trump, Blanche claimed.
– Aysha Bagchi
Trump lawyer and prosecutors argue over Cohen’s alleged lies
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche began telling jurors that Michael Cohen has lied multiple times under oath. But prosecutors objected and there was just a private conversation at the judge’s bench. “The objection is sustained,” Judge Juan Merchan said.
Blanche then told jurors they will learn Cohen has pleaded guilty to lying under oath. There was no objection – Merchan appears to be allowing that statement to the jurors.
Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to Congress in 2018.
– Aysha Bagchi
Michael Cohen ‘has a goal, an obsession, with getting Trump,’ lawyer for Trump says
Todd Blanche in his opening statement has been focusing on Michael Cohen, a potentially key witness for prosecutors.
Michael Cohen “has misrepresented key conversations, where the only witness who was present for the conversation was Mr. Cohen and allegedly President Trump,” Blanche told the jurors.
“He has a goal, an obsession, with getting Trump, and you’re going to hear that,” Blanche added. “I submit to you that he cannot be trusted.”
– Aysha Bagchi
Trump’s lawyer says Stormy Daniels’ claims are “false” in dramatic moment
Whether Stormy Daniels and Donald Trump actually had sex may be beside the point in this case, which deals with whether Trump falsified business records to cover up an attempt to unlawfully interfere with the 2016 election through the hush money payment to Daniels.
But Trump lawyer Todd Blanche still took his time in emphasizing Trump denies Daniels’ claim. Paying Daniels for her agreement to not publicly spread “false – false – claims” about Trump isn’t illegal, Blanche told the jurors.
– Aysha Bagchi
Trump lawyer: ‘There’s nothing wrong with trying to influence an election. It’s called democracy.’
“There’s nothing wrong with trying to influence an election. It’s called democracy,” Trump lawyer Todd Blanche told the jurors. Blanche added that prosecutors have put a “sinister” spin on this, as if it’s a crime, but jurors will learn it’s not.
– Aysha Bagchi
Defense lawyer denies Donald Trump was reimbursing Michael Cohen for Stormy Daniels hush money
Donald Trump’s defense is beginning to take shape. Trump lawyer Todd Blanche said a series of payments Trump sent to Michael Cohen weren’t payback for Cohen paying porn star Stormy Daniels hush money.
That contradicts prosecutors, who say they were reimbursement payments. Blanche said Cohen was Trump’s personal attorney. According to prosecutors, Trump falsely labeled his checks to Cohen as being for legal services.
– Aysha Bagchi
Trump is now looking over in direction of jurors and lawyer
Donald Trump largely looked forward as prosecutor Matthew Colangelo delivered an opening statement to Trump’s right, in the direction of the jurors who are also to Trump’s right.
Now that Trump lawyer Todd Blanche is addressing jurors, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee has turned his body and face toward his right, facing the jurors often and sometimes turning his head to see Blanche, who is standing both to Trump’s right and slightly behind him.
– Aysha Bagchi
‘He’s a husband. He’s a father. He’s a person’: Trump lawyer addresses jurors
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche said his team will refer to Trump as “President Trump” throughout the trial out of respect for the office he held. Blanche added about his client: “He’s also a man. He’s a husband. He’s a father. He’s a person, just like you and just like me.”
– Aysha Bagchi
‘President Trump is innocent’: Trump lawyer begins opening statement
“President Trump is innocent,” Trump’s defense lawyer said to begin his opening statement on behalf of the former president.
– Aysha Bagchi
Prosecution ends opening statement in Trump hush money case
Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo ended his opening statement by alleging Donald Trump is guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records.
– Aysha Bagchi
Michael Cohen’s testimony will be ‘backed up by Donald Trump’s own words,’ prosecutor says
Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo told jurors Michael Cohen’s testimony in the trial will be backed up by a paper trail that includes phone logs and business documents. It will be “backed up by Donald Trump’s own words on tape, in social media posts, in his own books, and in video of his own speeches,” Colangelo added.
– Aysha Bagchi
Will the jury be sequestered in the Trump trial?
No. While Merchan has cautioned the media to refrain from reporting on some personally identifiable attributes of jurors, he has not decided to sequester the jury.
During Trump’s defamation trial earlier this year, the jury was sequestered from the public during breaks and transported to the courthouse by the U.S. Marshals Service, according to the Associated Press.
– Kinsey Crowley
Trump no longer having a look at prosecutor all through prosecutor’s opening
Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo is status at a lectern to the precise and relatively in the back of former President Donald Trump. The lectern is going through the jurors at the proper facet of the court. Trump has been having a look ahead via many of the remark, somewhat than at Colangelo or the jury.
Trump has a display screen in entrance of him that displays are living video feeds of the lawsuits from other vantage issues. He has shaken his head at least one time up to now all through the prosecution’s opening. He has additionally leaned over to keep in touch together with his attorney, Todd Blanche, a minimum of two times.
– Aysha Bagchi
Prosecutor: ‘It was once election fraud, natural and easy.’
Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo described the alleged scheme to shop for porn megastar Stormy Daniels’ tale for $130,000 to be able to stay it from American citizens: “It was election fraud, pure and simple,” Colangelo alleged.
– Aysha Bagchi
Prosecutors describe flurries of calls surrounding unencumber of scandalous tales
Years sooner than Donald Trump’s trial, FBI investigators exposed flurries of calls between his private attorney, Michael Cohen, and National Enquirer executives when scandalous tales have been breaking.
One cluster of calls came about Oct. 8, 2016, the day after The Washington Post launched the now-infamous “Access Hollywood” tape, whilst negotiations have been beneath method to shop for the silence of porn actress Stormy Daniels.
Cohen known as David Pecker, CEO of the National Enquirer’s guardian corporate, in brief at 7:39 p.m. and once more 4 mins later. Then Cohen were given a decision from Dylan Howard, the corporate’s leader content material officer. After conferring with a Trump spokesperson, Cohen were given a decision from Pecker after which known as Trump. Cohen were given two extra calls from Howard at 8:39 p.m. and eight:57 p.m.
Another crew of calls erupted Nov. 4, 2016, sooner than The Wall Street Journal reported the National Enquirer paid Karen McDougal, a former Playboy type, for her tale in regards to the affair and not revealed it.
– Bart Jansen
Jurors listen Stormy Daniels’ tale of affair with Donald Trump
Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo is now describing to jurors the trouble to shop for the rights to porn megastar Stormy Daniels’ tale of an affair with Trump (Trump denies her tale).
Cohen despatched a $130,000 cost to Daniels’ attorney to kill the tale sooner than the 2016 election, Colangelo says. “Cohen made that payment at Donald Trump’s direction and for his benefit,” he tells the jurors.
– Aysha Bagchi
Donald Trump asks ‘So what will we gotta pay for this, 150?’ on tape, prosecutor says
Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo instructed jurors a couple of recorded dialog during which Cohen and Trump are discussing McDougal’s tale. He mentioned the jurors will listen Trump in his personal voice at the tape pronouncing, “So what do we gotta pay for this, 150?”
Cohen recorded the dialog to turn David Pecker that Trump deliberate to pay him again for purchasing McDougal’s tale, Colangelo mentioned.
– Aysha Bagchi
Playboy type’s catch-and-kill tale
Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo is describing a “catch-and-kill” effort to protected the tale of former Playboy type Karen McDougal, who mentioned she had an affair with Trump – a declare Trump denies.
Pecker agreed to have his corporate pay McDougal $150,000 to stay her quiet. The core explanation why for the cost was once to stay the tale from hurting Trump’s presidential marketing campaign, Colangelo mentioned.
– Aysha Bagchi
Who is Matthew Colangelo, the prosecutor beginning off opening arguments?
Matthew Colangelo, who’s beginning off the prosecution’s opening arguments, joined the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office in December 2022 after serving as a senior legit on the Justice Department in Washington.
Colangelo, who was once the previous performing Associate Attorney General at DOJ, specialised in housing & tenant coverage, hard work & employee coverage and white-collar investigations on the DA’s place of job.
“Matthew Colangelo brings a wealth of economic justice experience combined with complex white-collar investigations, and he has the sound judgment and integrity needed to pursue justice against powerful people and institutions when they abuse their power,” DA Alvin Bragg mentioned on the time.
– Josh Meyer
Prosecutor describes three-pronged conspiracy to intervene with 2016 election
Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo described to jurors a gathering between Donald Trump, his former attorney Michael Cohen, and a tabloid writer, David Pecker. The 3 agreed to a three-pronged conspiracy to intervene with the 2016 presidential election, Colangelo mentioned:
- Pecker will be the marketing campaign’s “eyes and ears,” reporting probably damaging information to Cohen, who would paintings to stay it quiet. Colangelo described this because the “core” of the conspiracy.
- Pecker would put up flattering tales about Trump.
- Pecker would use his publications to assault Trump’s political warring parties.
– Aysha Bagchi
‘This case is ready a felony conspiracy and a cover-up’: Opening statements start in Trump’s hush money trial
“This case is about a criminal conspiracy and a cover-up,” mentioned Matthew Colangelo, in starting his opening remark for the prosecution.
Colangelo persisted by means of telling jurors that Trump orchestrated a felony scheme to intervene with the 2016 presidential election, and coated it up by means of mendacity in his New York trade data “over and over and over again.”
– Aysha Bagchi
If Trump testifies, prosecutors can tell jurors of Trump civil fraud case, E. Jean Carroll defamation trial
Before jurors entered the court, Judge Juan Merchan mentioned that, will have to Trump testify, prosecutors would be capable of tell jurors that Trump was once discovered accountable for violating state legislation by means of fraudulently inflating the worth of his property. That resolution ties to his civil fraud case, during which Trump is interesting a $454 million judgment in opposition to him.
Merchan additionally mentioned prosecutors may just tell jurors that Trump was once discovered accountable for defaming New York creator E. Jean Carroll, even if Merchan did not point out they may be able to tell jurors about Trump’s legal responsibility for sexually abusing Carroll.
Merchan additionally mentioned prosecutors can tell jurors that Trump was once discovered to have violated a gag order two times in his civil fraud case. And prosecutors will probably be allowed to tell jurors of an settlement that the Trump Foundation could be dissolved because of an investigation into self-dealing transactions.
If Trump testifies and prosecutors search to introduce the ones determinations, jurors will probably be recommended to simply imagine the determinations with regards to comparing Trump’s credibility.
– Aysha Bagchi
Jurors no longer authorised to talk to others in regards to the case
Judge Juan Merchan recommended the jurors that they don’t seem to be authorised to talk with others in regards to the case as a result of best they’re licensed to make a decision the case.
– Aysha Bagchi
Jurors recommended on the way to way deliberations at finish of trial
Judge Juan Merchan is giving jurors intensive directions at the trial and their position inside it. He tells them to not be influenced by means of stereotypes or implicit biases, together with with regards to political association.
– Aysha Bagchi
Who is Stormy Daniels?
Stormy Daniels, born Stephanie Clifford, is an adult film star.
Daniels claims she had an affair with Trump in 2006, months after Melania Trump gave birth to Barron Trump. Michael Cohen paid her $130,000 to stay quiet about the alleged affair ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
Daniels sued to cancel the non-disclosure agreement signed 11 days before the election, which was dismissed in 2020 She additionally sued Trump for defamation in 2018 over a few of his tweets, however that lawsuit was once additionally thrown out.
– Kinsey Crowley
What is Trump on trial for?
Trump has pleaded no longer to blame to fees that he falsified trade data to hide up a hush money cost to porn megastar Stormy Daniels that was once designed to unlawfully intervene within the 2016 presidential election.
The cost was once made by means of former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen and violated federal campaign finance laws, according to prosecutors. They say Trump authorized the payment to help his presidential campaign, and falsified records to cover up the checks he sent to reimburse Cohen for the hush money.
– Aysha Bagchi
Will the Trump trial be televised or live streamed?
No.
New York court rules state that audio-visual protection of trials isn’t authorised until a consultant of the news media submits an software and the pass judgement on lets in it, which has no longer came about for this trial.
– Kinsey Crowley & Aysha Bagchi
Judge signifies prosecutors can not inform jurors about E. Jean Carroll sexual abuse case
Before the jurors entered, Judge Juan Merchan dominated that prosecutors will be capable of tell jurors of six prison determinations in opposition to Trump if he chooses to testify. However, Merchan did not point out a jury’s resolution in a civil case that Trump sexually abused New York creator E. Jean Carroll, indicating that resolution may not be allowed within the felony case. Trump denies Carroll’s declare.
– Aysha Bagchi
Jurors input the court
The jurors entered the court at about 9:55 a.m. ET. Judge Merchan is teaching them on how issues will spread, together with his plan to provide them introductory directions that can final about half-hour.
– Aysha Bagchi
Trump Media inventory worth
At open on April 22, Trump Media & Technology Group Corp percentage worth fell to $35, down 3.79% from earlier shut
– Kinsey Crowley
Donald Trump assaults officers over hush money trial with out providing evidence
Donald Trump sharply criticized the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office on Monday morning as opening arguments have been set to get underway, telling journalists that the hush money case in opposition to him quantities to unfair election “interference.”
“Everybody knows it,” Trump mentioned outdoor of courtroom, claiming that the trial is fighting him from being at the marketing campaign path.”
“Fortunately, the poll numbers are very good. They’ve been going up because people understand what’s going on. It’s a witch hunt and it’s a shame. And it comes out of Washington,” Trump mentioned, with out providing any evidence.
There isn’t any indication that any one in Washington, together with the Biden management, has performed any position within the first felony prosecution of Trump on fees of paying hush money to 2 girls simply sooner than the 2016 election who claimed to have had intercourse with him.
– Josh Meyer
Who is Judge Juan Merchan? What to understand as Donald Trump’s hush money trial continues
Judge Juan Merchan is presiding over the first criminal trial of a former president in U.S. history. Donald Trump has been charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up the hush money payments issued to Stormy Daniels.
Merchan has been a felony judge for 15 years.
Before that, Merchan served as an assistant legal professional common for Nassau County, on suburban Long Island, and within the Manhattan district legal professional’s place of job for 5 years.
He won his bachelor’s level is from Baruch College and his legislation level is from Hofstra University.
– Kinsey Crowley and Bart Jansen
Juror #9 will stay in trial regardless of expressing fear over media
Judge Merchan introduced that Juror #9, who expressed fear about proceeding because of media consideration, will stay within the trial. Merchan simply met with the juror outdoor the court.– Aysha Bagchi
Juror expressed fear about proceeding because of media consideration
A juror known as the courtroom expressing fear about attending the trial because of media consideration, however the juror is right here nowadays, Judge Juan Merchan mentioned. Merchan and contributors from every prison workforce are lately assembly with the juror outdoor the court.
– Aysha Bagchi
Court to finish early at 12:30 p.m. ET because of change juror toothache
Judge Merchan introduced courtroom will probably be finishing at 12:30 p.m. ET nowadays as a result of an alternative juror must get to an emergency appointment because of a toothache. Court was once already scheduled to finish early at 2 p.m. ET nowadays and the next day to come for the Passover vacation.
– Aysha Bagchi
Judge Merchan enters the court
Judge Juan Merchan entered the court at 9:31 a.m. ET.
– Aysha Bagchi
Trump enters the court
Former President Donald Trump entered the court at 9:26 a.m. ET.– Aysha Bagchi
What occurs if Trump is located to blame? Will he move to jail?
If Donald Trump is convicted on all counts in his New York criminal hush money trial that started last week, he could theoretically face more than a decade in prison.
But most legal experts who spoke to USA TODAY said such a dramatic outcome is unlikely. Instead, he would likely be sentenced to something between probation and four years in prison.
And he would probably still be out, free to campaign for president as the presumptive or actual 2024 Republican nominee, while his all-but-certain appeal was pending.
– Aysha Bagchi
Donald Trump enters NY courthouse
Donald Trump has entered the Manhattan courthouse as the second week of his hush money trial begins
– Bart Jansen
What is hush money?
The former president isn’t actually charged with making a $130,000 payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels in exchange for a non-disclosure agreement. Instead, he’s accused of falsifying business records to hide the payment.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg described the payments to Daniels and some other lady, former Playboy type Karen McDougal, as a part of a “catch-and-kill” option to save you the ladies from telling their tales. But the felony fees are that Trump falsified his corporate’s trade data to hide the bills.
– Bart Jansen
Who are Donald Trump’s attorneys?
Trump’s protection workforce is led by means of Todd Blanche and Susan Necheles.
Blanche was once a federal prosecutor for 9 years within the Southern District of New York, which incorporates Manhattan. As a distinguished white-collar protection attorney he has defended Trump marketing consultant Boris Epshteyn and Trump’s former marketing campaign chairman, Paul Manafort.
Necheles is ranked some of the best felony protection attorneys in New York by means of the prison score and head-hunting company Chambers and Partners. She was once additionally a former recommend to Venero Mangano, the previous Genovese crime circle of relatives underboss referred to as Benny Eggs..
– Josh Meyer
Is the Trump trial being televised?
No, the trial may not be televised or to be had to observe on-line or aired on TV.
New York court rules state that audio-visual protection of trials isn’t authorised until a consultant of the news media submits an software and the pass judgement on lets in it.
Records display an software was once submitted to hide the arraignment, however no longer the trial. Judge Juan Merchan rejected the request to televise the arraignment.
– Kinsey Crowley and Aysha Bagchi
Who is Karen McDougal?
The National Enquirer, owned by American Media Inc., was fined $187,500 by the Federal Election Commission for paying McDougal $150,000 for exclusive rights to her story with the intent of influencing the election. McDougal also sued the company. She has since spoken out about her affair with Trump, saying it lasted for 10 months starting in 2006.
– Kinsey Crowley
How long will Trump’s trial last?
Donald Trump’s hush money trial that begins Monday in Manhattan could last as long as eight weeks.
It is the first time a former president has been criminally charged, although Trump has now also been charged in three other criminal cases in other jurisdictions for attempting to overturn the 2020 election and hoarding classified documents after leaving office.
In New York, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records for allegedly disguising hush money payments issued to porn star Stormy Daniels. He has pleaded not guilty.
– Aysha Bagchi and Kinsey Crowley
What time does trial start today?
Proceedings in Donald Trump’s hush money trial are expected to begin at 9:30 a.m. local time in New York.
– Marina Pitofsky
Who is David Pecker? Here’s what to know about the first witness in Donald Trump’s trial
Pecker was president and CEO of American Media Inc. (AMI) in August 2015, when he met with Trump and his personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, to “help deal with negative stories about Trump” by purchasing them and not publishing them, according to a Federal Election Commission agreement with the company.
After a lawyer for Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model who claimed an affair with Trump, contacted the company, Pecker and Dylan Howard, the company’s vice president and chief content officer, notified Cohen, according to the FEC agreement.
In August 2016, the company McDougal $150,000 for her life story, including about any relationship with “any then-married man” and then didn’t publish the story, according to the FEC agreement.
– Bart Jansen
Wonder what it would be like to watch the Trump trial? Graphics take you inside courtroom.
Opening statements are expected to start at 9:30 a.m. today at Donald Trump’s criminal trial. The former president ffaces 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection with a payment of $130,000 in hush money to an adult film actress ahead of his 2016 presidential campaign.
But where is the trial? Who are the key players? Go deeper with USA TODAY’s graphics team:
More:Wonder what it would be like to watch the Trump trial? Graphics take you inside courtroom.
Trump’s $175 million appeal bond under scrutiny
While the hush money trial is underway Monday morning, Judge Arthur Engoron will be hearing arguments in a courthouse next door over whether Trump’s $175 million appeal bond passes muster in his New York civil fraud case.
The bond, if accepted by Engoron, will prevent New York Attorney General Letitia James from seizing Trump’s assets while his appeal over the $454 million judgment against him is pending. James is arguing that Trump hasn’t demonstrated he provided enough collateral to truly back up the bond, which was provided by Knight Specialty Insurance Company.
The Knight company is owned by self-proclaimed Trump supporter and California billionaire Don Hankey.
An appeal bond functions as a guarantee that a judgment will be paid once the appeal is over, at least in the amount of the bond. A New York appeals court allowed Trump and his co-defendants to post just $175 million, instead of the full $464 million judgment they face – all but $10 million of which Trump faces personally.
– Aysha Bagchi