Summary

Stormy Daniels alleges she had an affair with former President Trump in 2006 and received $130,000 in hush money before the 2016 election. The trial focuses on Trump's ex-lawyer, Michael Cohen, who claims Trump directed the payment, while prosecutors argue Trump falsified records to conceal a $420,000 reimbursement to Cohen. They allege Trump illegally influenced the 2016 election by silencing damaging narratives about his personal life. The defense contends no crime occurred and aims to cast doubt on the prosecution's case, citing unreliable witnesses like Cohen and Daniels. If convicted, Trump could face felony charges among the 34 brought against him.

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Today, we’re doing a deep dive into the ongoing Trump hush money trial.

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What’s it all about?

• Adult film actress Stormy Daniels alleged she had sex with former president Trump in 2006, and was paid 130,000 dollars in order to keep quiet about it before the 2016 election, which Trump won. 
• The trial itself centers on Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, who claims he was directed to pay the sum to Ms. Daniels. Prosecutors argue that Trump falsified business records to disguise a 420,000 dollar payment to Cohen as legal fees, when in fact it was reimbursement for paying off Daniels.

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What are the arguments?

• Prosecutors allege that Trump illegally influenced the 2016 presidential election by silencing damaging narratives about his personal life. They plan to prove that Trump hid his affair with Daniels by falsifying documents indicating the payout, and that that information deceived the public prior to the 2016 election. Influencing an election through illegal means is criminalized under New York law. If they are able to prove election interference, it would transform the falsified records from a misdemeanor into a felony. In total, 34 charges have been brought against Trump.
• The defense argues that no crime was committed, and the trial will uncover enough reasonable doubt to stave off a conviction. Todd Blanche, Trump’s lawyer, claims that the former president simply fought against allegations that would have hurt his family, reputation, and brand, and the hush money did not illegally influence the election. He also cited the unreliability of some of the prosecution’s witnesses, including Cohen, who previously lied under oath, and Daniels, who lost a defamation lawsuit to Trump.

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Stormy Daniels hush money payment (BBC)

Cohen’s role in falsified business records (Reuters)

The prosecution argues election interference, falsified documents (AP, WP, CBS)

The defense says no illegal activity, cites unreliable witnesses (NBC, NPR, ABC)