Trump Criminal Trial Archives

The Rundown After Another Contentious Day of Testimony at Trump’s Trial

The prosecution’s star witness in the first criminal trial against a former US President took the stand yesterday. In a courtroom drama gripping the nation, Michael Cohen, once Donald Trump’s trusted lawyer and fixer, took the stand as the prosecution’s star witness in the former president’s hush-money trial, marking a pivotal moment in the proceedings.

Addressing the court on Monday, Cohen candidly admitted to his past misdeeds, acknowledging, “I lied and bullied on behalf of my former boss.” His gaze occasionally flickered towards Trump, who sat slumped at the defendant’s table, a palpable tension lingering in the air.

The prosecution’s allegations center on Trump’s alleged falsification of business records related to pre-election hush-money payments, notably a $130,000 transaction Cohen facilitated with adult film star Stormy Daniels to prevent her from publicly discussing her alleged 2006 liaison with Trump.

Dismissing Trump’s denials and claims of political vendettas, prosecutors maintain that Cohen’s testimony is instrumental in revealing the truth behind these transactions, even as Trump seeks reelection.

Key revelations emerged from Cohen’s testimony on this critical day of the trial:

1. Cohen’s Unwavering Loyalty: Cohen, 57, portrayed his role as Trump’s fixer, stating, “I took care of whatever he wanted,” underscoring his willingness to execute Trump’s directives without hesitation.

2. Efforts to Manipulate Media: Cohen disclosed a 2015 meeting with Trump and David Pecker, then-publisher of the National Enquirer, where they strategized using the tabloid to bolster Trump’s image while undermining his opponents. Trump instructed Pecker to alert Cohen of any negative press, with a tacit agreement to suppress unfavorable stories.

3. Publisher’s Demands for Reimbursement: Following a $150,000 payment by the National Enquirer to silence Karen McDougal’s allegations, Cohen revealed Pecker’s relentless pursuit of reimbursement from Trump, recounting a tense encounter at an Italian restaurant where Pecker expressed frustration over unpaid expenses.

4. Trump’s Anger Towards Daniels: Cohen divulged Trump’s fury over Stormy Daniels’ attempts to publicize their alleged encounter, indicating Trump’s strong desire to silence her.

5. Direct Orders from Trump: Cohen provided intricate details of the hush-money payment to Daniels, asserting that Trump instructed him, “Just do it,” underscoring Trump’s direct involvement in the transaction.

As Cohen’s testimony unfolds, it casts a stark light on the inner workings of Trump’s inner circle and the extent of his involvement in the alleged financial improprieties.

The post Prosecution’s Star Witness in Trump Criminal Trial Takes Stand first appeared on The Source.

The post Prosecution’s Star Witness in Trump Criminal Trial Takes Stand appeared first on The Source.

Here’s What We Know About the Jurors Seated in Trump Historic Criminal Trial

During Donald Trump’s criminal trial, jurors were presented with vivid details of an alleged sexual encounter he tried to conceal before the 2016 presidential election. Stormy Daniels, the adult film star involved, testified, marking the first time she and Trump had faced each other in over a decade. Trump faces charges of falsifying business records to cover up hush money paid to Daniels by his former attorney, Michael Cohen, aimed at boosting his 2016 electoral chances. Despite objections from Trump’s legal team, Daniels’ testimony included explicit descriptions prompting objections and a failed mistrial attempt. Though Trump’s attorney attempted to challenge Daniels’ animosity, core aspects of the case remained largely unchallenged.

Here’s a breakdown of the four big takeaways from today’s courtroom action:

1. Stormy Daniels recounted in vivid detail her alleged encounter with Donald Trump nearly two decades ago, offering jurors a comprehensive and, at times, explicit narrative of her purported night with the former president.

2. Throughout Stormy Daniels’ testimony, Donald Trump frequently signaled to his attorney, Susan Necheles, urging her to object. When Daniels approached the moment of alleged intimacy, Trump motioned for Necheles to intervene, leading to a bench conference with Judge Juan Merchan, who sustained the objection. It marked one of Trump’s most active engagements in the proceedings.

3. Despite a motion for mistrial by Trump attorney Todd Blanche following Daniels’ direct examination, Judge Merchan denied it, citing the lack of objections during Daniels’ testimony. The defense argued that Daniels’ testimony was prejudicial, but the judge sided with the prosecution, emphasizing the importance of restoring her credibility.

4. During a contentious cross-examination by Trump’s attorney, Susan Necheles, Stormy Daniels faced intense questioning about her credibility and her feelings towards Trump. Necheles accused Daniels of fabricating her testimony, leading to a heated exchange where Daniels admitted her animosity towards Trump. Judge Merchan intervened multiple times as the questioning verged on a dispute, with Daniels even raising her voice in response to a tweet shown by Necheles.

The post Key Takeaways in Day 13 of Trump Criminal Trial With More Stormy Daniels Testimony first appeared on The Source.

The post Key Takeaways in Day 13 of Trump Criminal Trial With More Stormy Daniels Testimony appeared first on The Source.