Trump’s Hush Money Trial: Opening Statements and Witness Testimony Begin
The criminal trial against former US President Donald Trump for hush money payments entered its opening phase on Monday, with jury selection concluded last week. The jury consists of seven men, five women, and six alternates.
The trial focuses on allegations that Trump falsified his company’s internal records to conceal the true nature of reimbursement payments made to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen. Cohen arranged payments to suppress negative stories about Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign.
Key witnesses in the trial include Cohen, porn actor Stormy Daniels, former Playboy model Karen McDougal, and David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer. Daniels received a $130,000 payment, while McDougal was paid $150,000 as part of the hush money efforts.
The prosecution anticipates that the jurors may have some preconceived notions about the case. Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass forewarned them, stating that they might have ‘baggage’ coming into the trial.
Trump’s defense team includes Todd Blanche, Susan Necheles, and Emil Bove. The trial is presided over by Judge Juan M. Merchan, who has denied requests by Trump’s lawyers to step aside due to potential bias.
