Former President Donald Trump is presently on trial in New York City, facing felony charges linked to a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. This trial is historically significant as it marks the first instance of a former U.S. president being tried on criminal charges.
Trump had pleaded not guilty in April last year to a 34-count indictment accusing him of falsifying business records. These charges stem from a hush money payment made by his then-attorney, Michael Cohen, to Daniels, with the aim of boosting Trump's electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.
During her recent testimony, Daniels, accompanied by her attorney Clark Brewster, expressed concerns for her safety and wore a bulletproof vest to court. Brewster stated that Daniels was apprehensive about potential threats due to her involvement in the trial.
In his testimony, Cohen detailed Trump's involvement in a scheme to conceal information from voters by falsifying business records to disguise the hush money payment to Daniels just days before the 2016 election. Cohen alleged that Trump approved the payment and that he coordinated with David Pecker of the National Enquirer to execute the scheme. Cohen also mentioned a meeting in Trump Tower where Trump agreed to reimburse Cohen for the payment.
Trump, addressing reporters after a court session, denounced the trial as a "scam," echoing sentiments of support from lawmakers such as Sen. J.D. Vance, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis.
Cohen further testified that Trump assured him of repayment for the Daniels payment, but no such conversation occurred upon Cohen's return to the office in the new year. Cohen and Weisselberg discussed reimbursement, and Cohen ultimately kept the difference between the reimbursement and the actual expenses for himself.
In addition to the Daniels reimbursement, Cohen requested a $50,000 reimbursement for tech services to a company called Red Finch, though he asked for more money than he actually spent. Cohen stated that Weisselberg instructed him to "gross up" his reimbursement to ensure he received the full amount after taxes, a practice not typical at the Trump Organization
During his testimony, Cohen revealed that after Trump's election, he was offered a position in the White House but declined. He expressed disappointment at not being considered for chief of staff, admitting that his pitch for "personal attorney to the president" was driven partly by ego and the potential for personal and professional gain.
Cohen's testimony also included details of his communications with Trump aide Hope Hicks regarding the impact of media stories on Trump's campaign, particularly related to the Wall Street Journal's report on Karen McDougal's payment and Stormy Daniels' allegations.
These revelations shed light on the intricate web of actions and communications surrounding the hush money payment, illustrating a complex narrative of deceit and concealment within Trump's inner circle.