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Hush money trial against Trump begins in defeat
April 15, 2024, 5:10 p.m
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For a long time, ex-President Trump has been vocal against the trial and has spoken of political persecution. Now he has to answer in court for covering up a hush money payment. There is a risk of up to 136 years in prison.
The historic trial against Donald Trump for covering up a hush money payment has begun in New York. It is the first criminal trial against a former US president in the country’s history. Trump is accused of forging business documents to cover up a hush money payment to former porn actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. For the 77-year-old, the process began with a defeat.
“Good morning, Mr. Trump,” said Judge Juan Merchan as he entered the courtroom where the defendant was sitting. Trump had recently denounced the trial again as “political persecution.” It was an “attack on America,” he said upon his arrival at the court in the Manhattan district.
Then came the setbacks: Within minutes, Judge Merchan rejected a second request from the Republican to withdraw from the proceedings in connection with hush money payments to a porn star because of bias. Last week, Trump’s lawyers filed three motions that would have delayed the trial. They were all rejected.
The Republican is facing criminal charges in three other cases, including because of his attempts to subsequently overturn his 2020 election defeat against now-President Joe Biden. However, it is uncertain when the trials for these three cases could begin. Trump denounces all criminal proceedings against him as politically motivated maneuvers to prevent him from returning to the White House. In the election on November 5th, he wants to run again for the Republicans against incumbent Biden.
A complicated process
Trump is accused of falsifying business documents to keep a $130,000 hush money payment to former porn actress Stormy Daniels secret before the 2016 presidential election. According to her own account, Stormy Daniels had sex with Trump in 2006, which he denies.
At the beginning of the trial, the twelve jurors should be selected. This is a complicated process that can take days or even weeks. The citizens summoned by Judge Merchan have to answer dozens of questions – including whether they belong to right-wing extremist groups and whether they follow Trump on online networks.
Hush money is usually not illegal in the USA. But the indictment does not relate to the hush money itself, but rather to the fact that Trump is said to have disguised the payment in 34 cases by forging business documents. The public prosecutor argues that information that was “harmful” to Trump was kept secret from the electorate.
Probation or prison?
Each of the 34 charges is punishable by up to four years in prison – that would add up to 136 years. According to experts, it is unlikely that the ex-president would actually have to serve a prison sentence since it would be his first criminal conviction. A prison sentence could be suspended. Trump has pleaded not guilty.
If the ex-president is convicted, this would not prevent him from running for president or from returning to the White House if he wins the election. The U.S. Constitution generally does not prohibit convicted felons from running for the highest office in the state.