Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo accused Trump of a “criminal conspiracy and a cover-up” in the New York court. The goal was “to influence the 2016 presidential election.” Trump “orchestrated a criminal plot” to “corrupt” the election.
The prosecution was first to speak in the opening statements, with the defense taking the floor later. This is the first criminal trial in history against a former US president.
Paid $130,000 in hush money?
The US Republicans’ expected renewed presidential candidate is accused in the proceedings of having covered up a hush money of $130,000 (122,000 euros at today’s rate) to former porn actress Stormy Daniels by forging business documents. The payment silenced Stormy Daniels about an alleged sex affair she said she had with Trump in 2006.
Prosecutors argue that the payment to the porn star and the falsification of business documents were intended to keep information potentially damaging to Trump from the electorate. The indictment accuses the real estate entrepreneur of 34 counts of forgery.
Trump pleads not guilty
Trump has pleaded not guilty. He has also denied any sexual contact with Stormy Daniels. If convicted, he could face a prison sentence – although legal experts believe this is unlikely. They are more likely to face a fine.
The trial began a week ago on Monday. In the first week of the trial, the twelve jurors and six alternate jurors were selected.
“Election interference” and “witch hunt”
Trump denounces the hush money trial – as well as the other criminal charges brought against him – as a politically motivated maneuver designed to prevent his return to the White House. On Monday, upon his arrival at the courthouse in the Manhattan district, he once again described the trial as “election interference” and a “witch hunt.”
The former US president is criminally charged in three other cases. Two of these cases involve his massive attempts to retrospectively overturn his 2020 election defeat against current President Joe Biden, and another case concerns his taking secret government documents to his private residence in the US state of Florida.
It is unclear when trials on these three other charges might begin. Trump wants to run against Biden again in the November election.
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