Trump remarks on hush-money trial before closing arguments: "A disruptive day for America"
The historic trial against a previous US president is set to see final arguments from both the defense and prosecution on Tuesday. Jury deliberations are anticipated for Wednesday.
At the center of this trial, the alleged Republican presidential nominee is facing charges for altering business documents in an attempt to cover up a monetary payment to adult entertainer Stormy Daniels. Daniels has claimed she was offered the payment to stay silent about an alleged affair with Trump prior to the 2016 election, which Trump denies.
Former lawyer to Trump, Michael Cohen, has presented himself as a primary witness for the prosecution claiming that the payment for silence was given with the president's approval. The funds, totaling $130,000 (around €120,000 today), were then repaid by the Trump Organization and falsely documented as legal expenses.
Trump has been charged with forging business documentation in 34 instances. Prosecutors additionally believe this hush money to be an illegal interference in the 2016 presidential elections.
Should the 77-year-old former president be found guilty by the jury, sentencing will be decided at a future time. The potential sentence could include imprisonment, but experts predict a probation or penalty would be more likely. Trump interprets the trial as a political tactic devised to hinder his 2024 re-election campaign against President Joe Biden.
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- During the trial, Michael Cohen, a former lawyer for Republican President Donald Trump, has testified that the hush money payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels was given with Trump's approval.
- On this final phase of the trial, the jury will hear closing arguments from both the defense and prosecution on Tuesday, with deliberations expected on Wednesday.
- Trump, facing charges for forging business documents to conceal the hush money process, has denounced the trial as a "disruptive day for America."
- Cohen claimed that the $130,000 payment to Daniels was made to keep her from discussing an alleged affair, but was later repaid by the Trump Organization and falsely documented as legal expenses.
- The prosecution believes this hush money payment was an illegal interference in the 2016 presidential elections, and Trump has been charged with altering business documents in 34 instances.
- If found guilty, Trump's potential sentence could include imprisonment, although experts predict probation or a lighter penalty.
- The historic trial has prompted concerns among Republicans about its impact on Trump's 2024 re-election campaign against President Joe Biden, and Trump has labeled the trial as a political tactic.
- Stormy Daniels, a key figure in the trial, has alleged an affair with Trump prior to the 2016 election, which Trump has denied.
Source: www.stern.de
