Former President Donald Trump is set to face a historic criminal trial in Manhattan, marking the first time a former American president has faced prosecution by a jury. The case centers on allegations that Trump orchestrated hush-money payments to prevent damaging stories about his personal life from becoming public.
Prosecutors allege that Trump concealed the true nature of payments made to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, who testified that he paid $130,000 to porn actor Stormy Daniels to silence her claims of an alleged sexual encounter with Trump. Trump has denied the allegations and claimed that the payments were legal expenses.
The trial is expected to unfold as Trump campaigns for the presidency again, requiring him to navigate both the courtroom and the campaign trail. Prosecutors will present evidence and call witnesses, including Cohen, who is expected to provide key testimony. The case will test the ability of jurors to remain impartial amidst the ongoing political and legal debates surrounding Trump.
A conviction could lead to four years in prison, but it would not preclude Trump from running for office again. However, as a state-level case, Trump would not be able to pardon himself if found guilty. The trial will also test Trump’s ability to abide by court restrictions, such as a gag order prohibiting him from attacking witnesses.
