Trump’s Hush Money Trial Nears Conclusion: Key Testimonies and Evidence Recap
Donald Trump’s hush money trial is entering its seventh and potentially final week, with the jury set to deliberate soon. Over the past six weeks, jurors have heard testimony from more than 20 witnesses, as prosecutors aim to prove that the former president falsified business records to hide reimbursements to his former lawyer Michael Cohen. These payments were made to silence porn star Stormy Daniels, who alleged an affair with Trump in 2006.
The Heart of the Case
The crux of the prosecution’s case lies in Cohen’s $130,000 payment to Daniels before the 2016 election. Cohen, who pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations in 2018, testified that Trump knew about the payment. The prosecution argues that Trump falsified business records to conceal this crime, which constitutes a felony. Much of the testimony focused on how Trump’s campaign managed negative stories, especially after the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape surfaced.
Key Testimonies and Evidence
Former National Enquirer CEO David Pecker testified about his role in helping Trump by silencing damaging stories. Pecker met with Trump and Cohen in 2015, promising to be the “eyes and ears” for the campaign. He testified that he notified Cohen about any negative stories and assisted in killing them, including a $30,000 payment to a Trump Tower doorman.
Cohen provided pivotal testimony, including a secret recording of Trump discussing another hush money deal involving former Playboy model Karen McDougal. In the recording, Trump allegedly asks, “So, what do we got to pay for this? One-fifty?” Cohen also testified that Trump praised him for securing Daniels’ silence, saying, “Fantastic. Great job.”
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Impact of the “Access Hollywood” Tape
The “Access Hollywood” tape, where Trump boasted about groping women, was a significant point of discussion. Although jurors did not see the video, its transcript was presented as evidence. Witnesses, including Hope Hicks and Keith Davidson, testified about the tape’s damaging effect on Trump’s campaign. Cohen recounted that Trump wanted to spin the tape as “locker room talk” to minimize its impact.
Controversial Testimony from Stormy Daniels
Daniels provided detailed testimony about her alleged encounter with Trump, describing how the event left her shaken. Trump’s lawyer Todd Blanche requested a mistrial, claiming her testimony could prejudice the jury. However, Judge Juan Merchan denied the motion, noting that the defense’s denial of Daniels’ story put the jury in a position to decide whom to believe.
Alleged Reimbursement Scheme
In critical testimony, Cohen described a scheme where Trump approved repaying Cohen for the hush money through monthly payments disguised as a legal retainer. Jeffrey McConney, former controller at the Trump Organization, corroborated this by explaining how the $130,000 was divided into $35,000 monthly payments. Cohen admitted to inflating costs to steal from the Trump Organization as part of this scheme.
Defense Witness Robert Costello
The defense called Republican lawyer Robert Costello as their second and final witness. Costello faced numerous objections from the prosecution, which led to a heated exchange with Judge Merchan over courtroom decorum. Costello testified about Cohen’s previous statements, particularly how Cohen claimed he had no evidence against Trump during a 2018 FBI raid.
As the trial nears its conclusion, both the defense and prosecution are set to present their closing arguments, after which the case will be handed to the jury. The outcome will hinge on whether jurors believe Trump falsified business records to cover up a campaign finance violation.
Trump’s Hush Money Trial Nears Conclusion: Key Testimonies and Evidence Recap
Donald Trump’s hush money trial is entering its seventh and potentially final week, with the jury set to deliberate soon. Over the past six weeks, jurors have heard testimony from more than 20 witnesses, as prosecutors aim to prove that the former president falsified business records to hide reimbursements to his former lawyer Michael Cohen. These payments were made to silence porn star Stormy Daniels, who alleged an affair with Trump in 2006.
The Heart of the Case
The crux of the prosecution’s case lies in Cohen’s $130,000 payment to Daniels before the 2016 election. Cohen, who pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations in 2018, testified that Trump knew about the payment. The prosecution argues that Trump falsified business records to conceal this crime, which constitutes a felony. Much of the testimony focused on how Trump’s campaign managed negative stories, especially after the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape surfaced.
Key Testimonies and Evidence
Former National Enquirer CEO David Pecker testified about his role in helping Trump by silencing damaging stories. Pecker met with Trump and Cohen in 2015, promising to be the “eyes and ears” for the campaign. He testified that he notified Cohen about any negative stories and assisted in killing them, including a $30,000 payment to a Trump Tower doorman.
Cohen provided pivotal testimony, including a secret recording of Trump discussing another hush money deal involving former Playboy model Karen McDougal. In the recording, Trump’s allegedly asks, “So, what do we got to pay for this? One-fifty?” Cohen also testified that Trump’s praised him for securing Daniels’ silence, saying, “Fantastic. Great job.”
Impact of the “Access Hollywood” Tape
The “Access Hollywood” tape, where Trump boasted about groping women, was a significant point of discussion. Although jurors did not see the video, its transcript was presented as evidence. Witnesses, including Hope Hicks and Keith Davidson, testified about the tape’s damaging effect on Trump’s campaign. Cohen recounted that Trump wanted to spin the tape as “locker room talk” to minimize its impact.
Controversial Testimony from Stormy Daniels
Daniels provided detailed testimony about her alleged encounter with Trump, describing how the event left her shaken. Trump’s lawyer Todd Blanche requested a mistrial, claiming her testimony could prejudice the jury. However, Judge Juan Merchan denied the motion, noting that the defense’s denial of Daniels’ story put the jury in a position to decide whom to believe.
Alleged Reimbursement Scheme
In critical testimony, Cohen described a scheme where Trump approved repaying Cohen for the hush money through monthly payments disguised as a legal retainer. Jeffrey McConney, former controller at the Trump Organization, corroborated this by explaining how the $130,000 was divided into $35,000 monthly payments. Cohen admitted to inflating costs to steal from the Trump Organization as part of this scheme.
Defense Witness Robert Costello
The defense called Republican lawyer Robert Costello as their second and final witness. Costello faced numerous objections from the prosecution, which led to a heated exchange with Judge Merchan over courtroom decorum. Costello testified about Cohen’s previous statements, particularly how Cohen claimed he had no evidence against Trump during a 2018 FBI raid.
As the trial nears its conclusion, both the defense and prosecution are set to present their closing arguments, after which the case will be handed to the jury. The outcome will hinge on whether jurors believe Trump falsified business records to cover up a campaign finance violation.
