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☆ Opinion: Even if Trump can’t stay awake this week, the jury will have reason to
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Opinion Norman Eisen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Welcome to week two of the Trump 2016 election interference trial. And the case Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg brought is, at heart, a documents case – Trump has been charged with 34 counts of felony record falsification, actions allegedly taken to cover up hush money payoffs connected to the 2016 election. But as demonstrated by longtime Trump assistant Rhona Graff’s testimony Friday afternoon, the methodical nature of the testimony and evidence doesn’t mean it will be dull for the jury. The testimony of Gary Farro, Cohen’s onetime banker, is emblematic of what we are likely to hear from other witnesses this week. When defense counsel elicited from Graff on cross-examination that Trump was a good boss, she became a free character witness.

Persons: Norman Eisen, “, Donald Trump, David Pecker, Norm Eisen, Attorney Alvin Bragg, – Trump, Rhona Graff’s, Trump’s, paramours, Karen McDougal, Stormy Daniels, Pecker, Dallas ”, ” –, Trump, Michael Cohen, Daniels, Gary Farro, Cohen’s, Farro, Graff, Cohen, Rebecca Mangold, McDougal, Mangold, It’s, Team Trump Organizations: CNN, National Enquirer, Attorney, Trump, Dallas, Prosecutors, Team, DA Locations: Manhattan

☆ Old, unused, and 'twisty' — meet the obscure NY election-conspiracy law that just might get Trump convicted
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Attorneys specializing in state election law believe the statute has never been prosecuted. Jeenah Moon-Pool/Getty ImagesTwo highly respected law professors specializing in New York election law said the same. "I think it's very smart of prosecutors to use this state law, whether it's been used before or not," said Jeffrey M. Wice, who teaches state election law at New York Law School. Related storiesThese same three "underlying crimes" — using state election law, federal election law, and state tax law — were again given equal prominence here in a February 15 decision by Merchan. "You're having an underlying crime within an underlying crime to get to that felony," Connor told BI.

Persons: Alvin Bragg's, Trump, —, Donald Trump's, Donald Trump, Law Trump, Stormy Daniels, Joshua Steinglass, Juan Merchan, Steinglass, I've, Sen, Martin Connor, Joseph T, Burns, that's, it's, Jeffrey M, Wice, — Merchan, Alvin K, Trump's, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Michael Cohen, Daniels, Cohen, Connor, Prosecutors, Jerry H, he's, Goldfeder, Cozen O'Connor Organizations: Service, Manhattan, New York, Court, New, Republican, Democratic NY, Erie, Erie County Republican, New York Law School, Attorney, National Enquirer, Trump, Fordham Law, Democracy Locations: Manhattan, New York, Brooklyn, Erie County, Buffalo , New York

☆ Too busy for hush money? Trump debuts longshot 'multi-tasking' defense during testimony by longtime assistant Rhona Graff
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The now-retired assistant, Rhona Graff, told jurors that Trump was prone to "multi-tasking" and sometimes would be on the phone at the same time he signed checks. The testimony was elicited during Graff's cross-examination by Trump attorney Susan Necheles. Related storiesThe nine checks are the only records bearing Trump's signature out of 34 checks, invoices, and business-ledger records he allegedly falsified. After Trump signed each check, it would be FedExed back to the Trump Organization's Trump Tower headquarters, scanned into the company records, and then cut and mailed to Cohen. — respectful boss to me," Graff told jurors of working alongside Trump in the Trump Organization headquarters on the 25th-floor of Trump Tower.

Persons: —, Donald Trump, Rhona Graff, Trump, Trump's, Michael Cohen, Stormy Daniels, Susan Necheles, Necheles, Graff, Susan Hoffinger, Juan Merchan, Cohen, Alvin Bragg, Bragg, Daniels, Karen McDougal, McDougal, Playboy Bunny Organizations: Service, Business, GOP, Manhattan, Trump, Court, Trump Organization, White, Prosecutors, Trump Tower Locations: New York, Trump

☆ Fact check: Trump’s false courthouse claims about his trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Daniel Dale | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Here’s a fact check of four of the claims he made about the trial. (For this particular article, we’ll leave aside the false claims he made in the courthouse about a variety of other subjects.) It is an armed camp to keep people away.” And he said in comments inside the courthouse on Thursday: “This courthouse is locked down; there’s not a person within five blocks.”Facts First: Trump’s claims are all false. Facts First: As he has before, Trump made Merchan’s gag order sound far broader than it is. The gag order does not prohibit Trump from declaring the case a sham or from sharing others’ claims that the case is a sham.

Persons: Donald Trump, Here’s, we’ll, Trump, it’s, Michael Cohen’s, Michael Cohen “, ” Cohen, “, ”, Cohen, Trump’s, ” Trump, Judge Juan Merchan’s, Merchan, you’re, “ I’m, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Bragg, Biden, Alvin Bragg’s, Matthew Colangelo, Colangelo Organizations: Washington CNN, New York Times, Trump, CNN, Monday, Republican, Intelligence, Manhattan, Attorney, Biden, Justice Department Locations: Lower Manhattan, Moscow, Russia, ”, Manhattan, York’s

☆ Trump feared for campaign, not family, as sex scandals were caught and killed, ex-Enquirer CEO tells hush-money jury
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

When a porn star and Playboy Bunny both came forward, Trump feared for voters, not family, Pecker told jurors. Then, in swift succession and with the 2016 election just months away, a Playboy Bunny and a porn star appeared with more sex scandals. But in the months before the 2016 election, all Trump worried about was his voters, Pecker testified on his third day on the stand. "I thought his concern was with the campaign," Pecker added. Pecker told jurors he had been investigated by California officials for just this sort of thing more than a decade before Trump's 2016 campaign.

Persons: David Pecker, Playboy Bunny, Trump, Pecker, —, Donald Trump, Dino Sajudin, Bunny Karen McDougal, Stormy Daniels, Joshua Steinglass, Steinglass, Daniels, Michael Cohen, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Bragg, Dylan Howard, Trump's, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Arnold, Howard, Howard texted, Cohen, Karen, McDougal, Michael, Jeff Sessions Organizations: National Enquirer, Service, Trump, Enquirer, Trump Organization, Attorney, American Media International, AMI, Prosecutors, McDougal's, Federal, Commission Locations: Manhattan, California, Australia

☆ Trump trial: Hearing on gag order violations; David Pecker to resume testimony
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The New York hush money trial of Donald Trump is set to resume Tuesday with testimony from its first witness, former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker. Most either referenced, or linked to articles referencing, Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen, a key witness in the Manhattan Supreme Court trial. The posts "unquestionably relate to known witnesses and prospective jurors in this criminal trial" in violation of Trump's gag order, a state prosecutor wrote in a court filing Thursday. Defense lawyer Todd Blanche fired back, "I have a spoiler alert: There's nothing wrong with trying to influence an election. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg accuses Trump of carrying out the hush money scheme in order to influence the 2016 election, which he would go on to win.

Persons: Donald Trump, Stormy Daniels, David Pecker, Pecker, Trump's, Michael Cohen, Jesse Watters, Juan Merchan, Trump, Matthew Colangelo, Todd Blanche, It's, Cohen, Daniels, Attorney Alvin Bragg Organizations: National Enquirer, Manhattan Supreme, Fox News, Liberal, Trump, Manhattan, Attorney Locations: Manhattan, New York City, U.S, York

☆ Opinion: Trump’s refusal to follow gag order could cost him
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Opinion Norman Eisen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Norm Eisen Courtesy Norm EisenTuesday morning, however, will be something I have never seen before in my three decades of criminal law practice. Seven of the 10 came after Trump was put on notice of the gag order hearing and were rolled into it. As the Court found in issuing the gag order, Trump’s history of attacking his perceived foes presents a serious threat to the safety of witnesses and jurors (among others) and thus to the integrity of the trial. Moreover, the comments at issue concern the trial and are not in regard to Trump’s presidential campaign – at all. The judge may split the baby and order sanctions for some but not all of Trump’s statements.

Persons: Norman Eisen, “, Trump, Donald Trump’s, Norm Eisen, Juan Merchan, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Daniels, Michael Cohen, Merchan, they’re, Emil Bove, Cohen “, Mr, Cohen, ” Organizations: CNN, Trump, Attorney, TRUMP Locations: York

☆ Hush-money judge repeatedly bench-slaps Donald Trump's lawyer over gag violations: 'You're losing all credibility!'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

"You're losing all credibility," the judge railed when Blanche insisted Trump was "careful" online. "You're losing all credibility," New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan angrily told the lawyer, Todd Blanche. It was at this point that the judge accused Blanche of "losing all credibility." Blanche's arguments at Tuesday's hearing, in defense of Trump's posts, fell roughly into three categories. Blanche's third argument was that reposting attacks on trial witnesses that were originally made by others was somehow exempt.

Persons: Todd Blanche, Blanche, Trump, —, Donald Trump, Juan Merchan, Merchan, Christopher Conroy, Timothy A, Clary, Trump's, Michael Cohen, Stormy Daniels, I've, Atilgan, Daniels, Cohen, Conroy, Jesse Watters, David Pecker, Pecker, Hillary Clinton, Ted Cruz, Alvin Bragg's, reimbursing Cohen, Karen McDougal, McDougal Organizations: Service, GOP, Prosecutors, Reuters, Trump, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Fox, Merchan, National Enquirer, Mar, Manhattan, Trump Organization Locations: Manhattan, Florida, Washington, DC

☆ Trump thought hush money was risky because 'It always gets out,' National Enquirer exec testifies. In this case, Trump was right.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

"It always gets out," Pecker testified Trump told him. "It always gets out," Trump explained of his hesitancy, according to the trial's first witness, former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker. Advertisement"I think the story should be purchased and you should buy it," Pecker told jurors, describing what he told Trump about McDougal's accusations during a June, 2016 phone call. But Trump wanted nothing to do with the McDougal payoff, Pecker said Tuesday, his second day on the witness stand. But Trump is now on trial for a second hush-money payment that prosecutors say has Trump's fingerprints all over it — the payment to Daniels.

Persons: Donald Trump's Manhattan, David Pecker, Pecker, Trump, —, Donald Trump, Model Karen McDougal, Stormy Daniels, Alvin Bragg's, Daniels, Bragg, McDougal, Michael Cohen —, Cohen, Melania Trump, Barron, Pecker's Organizations: Service, National Enquirer, Trump Organization, Trump Org

☆ Trump trial set for opening statements and first witness testimony: Live updates
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Prosecutors and defense lawyers in the New York hush money trial of Donald Trump are set Monday to deliver opening statements and start calling witnesses to testify. Cohen paid $130,000 to Daniels less than two weeks before the election, which Trump went on to win. American Media earlier in 2016 also allegedly paid $150,000 to former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who also says she had an extramarital affair with Trump. Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records in order to conceal his reimbursement to Cohen for paying off Daniels. Trump in a post Monday morning on Truth Social defended those payments to Cohen as he railed against the DA.

Persons: Donald Trump, David Pecker, Pecker, Trump's, Michael Cohen, Stormy Daniels, Cohen, Daniels, Trump, Karen McDougal, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Bragg Organizations: U.S, Manhattan Criminal, National Enquirer, American Media, NBC News, Trump, Republican, Daniels . Manhattan, Attorney, Social, DA Locations: New York City, New York, Daniels

☆ Opinion: As Trump trial opens, attorneys have to make deft first moves
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Opinion Norman Eisen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Editor’s Note: Norman Eisen is a CNN legal analyst and editor of “Trying Trump: A Guide to His First Election Interference Criminal Trial.” He served as counsel to the House Judiciary Committee for the first impeachment and trial of Trump. CNN —I will be joining the line Monday morning to witness opening statements in the first-ever criminal trial of a former American president. As a trial lawyer, I always would rather the jury hear about any problems with witnesses from me first, together with the solution. If the DA wants to build a bridge for the jury into what Trump was thinking, Blanche wants to preemptively destroy it. But before that I’ll be back to you with an evaluation of how both sides did for the next installment of my trial diary.

Persons: Norman Eisen, “, Trump, CNN —, Norm Eisen, Donald Trump –, Juan Merchan, Alvin Bragg’s, Matthew Colangelo, Susan Hoffinger, Joshua Steinglass, it’s, It’s, –, Michael Cohen, Stormy Daniels, David Pecker –, Todd Blanche, he’s, Blanche, Cohen, Daniels, I’ll Organizations: CNN, Norm Eisen Journalists, Justice Department, New York, American Media, National Enquirer Locations: American, Manhattan

☆ Opinion: Shaking off the Trump effect
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Richard Galant | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

We’re looking back at the strongest, smartest opinion takes of the week from CNN and other outlets. CNN —“We are most deeply asleep at the switch,” wrote Annie Dillard, “when we fancy we control any switches at all. When the Senate voted to send new aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan two months ago, House Speaker Mike Johnson took no action. With the help of Democrats, the House approved aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan on Saturday. Writing for CNN Opinion, he emphasized that there are legal principles that require universities to prohibit expressions of antisemitism.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Annie Dillard, “, time’s, —, Mike Johnson, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, Trump, Biden, Sleepy Joe ”, Israel, Johnson, MAGA, Julian Zelizer, Walt Handelsman, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s, Kevin McCarthy’s, Clay Jones, Fareed Zakaria, Alejandro Mayorkas, “ Biden, ” Zakaria, Bill Clinton, ” Trump, Jack Ohman, Agency Donald Trump’s, dozed, Elliot Williams, Patrick T, Brown, …, ‘, ’, Attorney Alvin Bragg, ” Will, Jeffrey Abramson, ” “, Norm Eisen, Stormy Daniels, ” Eisen, Michael Cohen, Elie Honig, Frida Ghitis, Benjamin Netanyahu, ” Lisa Benson, GoComics.com Peter Bergen, Daniel R, DePetris, Dean Obeidallah, Susanne DeWitt, ” David Schizer, ” Schizer, Danielle Campoamor, Caitlin Clark, Simone Biles, Campoamor, Latika Bourke, John Howard, Justin J, Pearson, Winston Churchill, Holly Thomas, Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak’s, It’s, ” Thomas, YouGov, ” Don’t, Drew Sheneman, Agency David M, Perry, Frankie de la, Angel Reese, Roy Schwartz, Joni Mitchell —, Raul A, Reyes, Sonia Sotomayor, Jules Boykoff, Jaime M, Valiathan, Ed Manning, Sara Stewart, Noah Berlatsky, Taylor Swift Amy Bass, Taylor Swift, Swift, Department ”, ” Bass, “ Swift, Joe, Alwyn, Diana, they’re, Clara Bow, Dylan Thomas, Patti Smith — Organizations: CNN, Republicans, MAGA Republicans, Agency, Congress, Biden, Homeland, National Guard, ‘, Manhattan, Attorney, New York Democrats, Twitter, Facebook, New York Times, Trump, Berkeley, Nazism, Columbia, Nike, Team USA, Sydney, Port, Conservative, Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force, Central Press, Hulton, National Health Service, WNBA, Ungentlemanly, Department Locations: Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, Manhattan, Iran, Russia, China, ‘, New, CNN Iran, “ Israel, Gaza, Israeli, Damascus, Iraq, America, Dearborn, Nazi Germany, Berkeley , California, Berkeley, East Bay, Sydney, Port Arthur, Tennessee, Surrey, Croydon, Quebec, Britain, Vancouver, London, Welsh

☆ Opening statements to show the stark personal and political stakes of Trump’s first criminal trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-21 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

But on Monday, his diminished reality as a criminal defendant will become clear in humbling fashion during opening statements in his first criminal trial. The process, known as a Sandoval hearing, offered the ex-president a glimpse of personal and unflattering revelations that the trial could dredge up. The political case against the prosecutions was laid out by South Dakota Gov. But Noem rehearsed a political argument that Trump and his associates will be seeking to land as the trial goes ahead. But the deeply consequential political and personal stakes for the former president will become even clearer when the first trial begins for real on Monday.

Persons: Donald Trump, he’s, Trump, Joe Biden, –, victimhood, He’s, “, ” Trump, president’s, haggled, Sandoval, Stacey Schneider, Jean Carroll, ” Schneider, it’s, Stormy Daniels, Michael Cohen, David Pecker, Pecker, Joshua Steinglass, ”, Juan Merchan, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Bragg, Biden, There’s, Kristi Noem, ” Noem, CNN’s Dana, Noem, Cohen Organizations: CNN, White, Republican, Trump, American Media Inc, National Enquirer, Prosecutors, Manhattan, Attorney, Democratic, Mar, South Dakota Gov, New York Times Locations: Manhattan, North Carolina, New York, United States, “ State, Siena, Dakota

☆ Trump will face a grueling cross-examination about his lying, defaming, and books-cooking if the DA gets his way
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Laura Italiano | Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewIf former President Donald Trump keeps his promise to testify at his hush-money trial, cross-examination could get ugly. Prosecutors want to roast him on the stand for violating court orders, as the same fraud trial judge also found, in repeatedly citing Trump for gag-order violations. Related stories"We object to each," defense lawyer Emil Bove had said of all the acts prosecutors want to bring into the case. AdvertisementDuring the nearly two-hour Sandoval hearing, Bove complained of the DA's plans to the trial judge, state Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan. When defense lawyer Susan Necheles suggested that not knowing the name now might "delay the trial," the judge reacted sternly.

Persons: —, Donald Trump, Trump, E, Jean Carroll, what's, Sandoval, — scowling, Emil Bove, Bove, Juan Merchan, Carroll, Matthew Colangelo, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Merchan, Susan Necheles, Necheles Organizations: Service, Trump, Prosecutors, Business, Trump Organization, GOP, Attorney Locations: Manhattan

☆ Trump trial set to pick final alternate jurors for hush money case
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Former U.S. President Donald Trump appears ahead of the start of jury selection at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 15, 2024 in New York City. The New York criminal hush money trial of Donald Trump is poised to get its final five alternate jurors Friday after a full 12-person panel and one alternate were seated a day earlier. Judge Juan Merchan anticipates opening arguments in the Manhattan Supreme Court trial to begin Monday. Trump has said that he would testify in the hush money trial. The presumptive Republican presidential nominee has fumed that the trial is a "scam" and a "witch hunt" aimed to damage his electoral chances against President Joe Biden.

Persons: Donald Trump, Juan Merchan, Alvin Bragg's, Trump, E, Jean Carroll, defaming, Carroll, Merchan, Sandoval, Joe Biden Organizations: U.S, Manhattan Criminal, New, Manhattan Supreme, Trump, Manhattan Locations: New York City, New York, Manhattan

☆ Trump trial: Full jury chosen for New York hush money case
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Former US President Donald Trump sits in the courtroom at Manhattan criminal court in New York, US, on Thursday, April 18, 2024. Jeenah Moon | ReutersA full jury of 12 people was seated Thursday at the New York criminal hush money trial of former President Donald Trump. "The whole world is watching this New York scam," Trump said. Trump has denounced the trial as a political "witch hunt" and complained that it keeps him off the campaign trail. Former President Donald Trump visits a bodega in the Harlem neighborhood of upper Manhattan where a worker killed a man who had assaulted him in 2022, on April 16, 2024 in New York City.

Persons: Donald Trump, Juan Merchan, Trump, Alvin Bragg's, Joe Biden, Stormy Daniels, Brendan McDermid, Merchan, Chris Conroy, Conroy, Jesse Watters, Elizabeth Williams, Reuters Conroy, Watters, Silvio Berlusconi, Berlusconi, Judge Juan Merchan, Spencer Platt Organizations: Reuters, New, Former U.S, Prosecutors, Fox News, Liberal, Manhattan Criminal, Trump, Via Reuters Trump, Getty Locations: Manhattan, New York, York, New York City, U.S, Italy, Italian, bodega, Harlem

In video from WCBS, pro-Palestinian protesters could be seen clashing with police and some had lit small fires. Police officers detain pro-Palestinian demonstrators who had set up an encampment on the South Lawn at Columbia University in New York, on Thursday afternoon. Protestors demonstrate at Columbia University, on Thursday, April 18, 2024. Hirsi, an organizer with Columbia Students for Justice in Palestine, said earlier Thursday she and two other students at Barnard College – located across the street from Columbia University – were suspended for participating in pro-Palestinian protests. Barnard is an official college of Columbia University, but also an independently incorporated educational institution.

Persons: Nemat “, Shafik, –, ”, ” “, ” Shafik, Joshua Briz, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Ilhan, Isra Hirsi, Ilhan Omar, Hirsi, Columbia University –, “, ” Hirsi, Barnard, Israel, CNN’s Matt Egan, Ramishah Maruf Organizations: CNN, New York Police, Columbia University, Columbia, Israel, WCBS, NYPD, Police, Lawn, New York Times, University, Attorney, Metropolitan Transportation, Rep, Columbia Students, Justice, Barnard College –, Barnard College, Education Locations: Washington , DC, Manhattan, New York, C.S . Muncy, Columbia, Palestine, Israel

☆ Prosecutors want Trump held in contempt for 'disturbing' Truth Social post attacking prospective jurors
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewManhattan prosecutors in Donald Trump's criminal hush-money case asked the judge presiding over the case to sanction him for attacking prospective jurors in the trial, arguing the former president had repeatedly violated his gag order. Related storiesMerchan issued a gag order in the case forbidding Trump from making statements about trial jurors, witnesses, staff prosecutors, and family members of Merchan and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Prosecutors accused Trump of violating it on Monday with attacks on Daniels and Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer. On Thursday, Conroy said Trump violated the gag order seven more times, with attacks on Cohen on social media and on his campaign website. Merchan previously scheduled a hearing for next Tuesday to determine whether Trump violated his gag order.

Persons: —, Donald Trump's, Christopher Conroy, Jesse Watters, Trump, Watters, Conroy, Juan Merchan, Merchan, Stormy Daniels, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Daniels, Michael Cohen, Trump's, Cohen, Emil Bove, Bove Organizations: Service, Trump, Fox News, Business, Liberal, New, Prosecutors, Manhattan, Attorney Locations: Manhattan, Merchan

☆ Opinion: The basic problem with putting Trump on trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Opinion Patrick T. Brown | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

In this week’s mammoth New York trial of former President Donald Trump on charges of falsifying business records in connection to hush money paid to an adult film star, the yawning gap between “Us” and “Them” is along partisan lines. After all, making hush money payments, as Trump is alleged to have done with former adult film actress Stormy Daniels, isn’t illegal. For decades, Trump has been a fixture on our airwaves, social media sites and political coverage. But they didn’t, and now many are feeling a rally-round-the-flag effect in what is likely the first and potentially only Trump criminal case that’s going to trial before Election Day. Bragg’s decision to bring this case, with its attenuated connection to an actual crime, can’t be taken out of its political context.

Persons: Patrick T, Brown, CNN —, Tom Wolfe, Larry Kramer, ” Patrick T, Donald Trump, –, Trump, “, Attorney Alvin Bragg, it’s, Stormy Daniels, ” Michael Cohen, Daniels, Bragg, Cohen, Andrew McCarthy, can’t, maneuverings Organizations: Public Policy Center, Economic, Twitter, CNN, Manhattan, Attorney, New York Democrats, New York Times, Commission, Trump Locations: Washington , DC, New York City, York, “, New, New York, Georgia

☆ A jury that will decide Trump’s fate begins to take shape as first criminal trial powers ahead
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

First, the conventions of the criminal trial – like those in thousands of courtrooms every day – mean this case will grind on relentlessly. In previous civil trials, Trump challenged the dignity of the rule of the court and feuded with other judges. But potential jurors appeared to take their obligation deeply seriously. But other potential jurors said they’d be able to put any political feelings about Trump to one side and focus on the evidence and the law. And in another revealing trend that hinted at the ex-president’s political appeal, some potential jurors mentioned that they viewed his rhetorical eruptions as those of someone who speaks his mind, unlike conventional politicians.

Persons: Donald Trump, ”, Biden, Trump, Juan Merchan, — Trump, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Joe Biden, “, Alvin, ” Trump, Stormy Daniels, Daniels, Andrzej Duda, don’t, Duda, Mimi Rocah, CNN’s Erin Burnett, “ You’re, Merchan, he’s, won’t, Barron’s, they’d, Robert Hirschhorn, CNN’s Burnett, Christine Cornell, John Gotti, Bernie Madoff Organizations: CNN, White House, ”, Manhattan, Attorney, New York, Trump, US, Office, Southern, of, Boeing, Republican Locations: Manhattan, bodega, Pennsylvania, Trump, of New York, New York

☆ Opinion: Trump trial isn’t a hush money case, but an election interference one
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Opinion Norman Eisen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

We should call it an “election interference” trial going forward. Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass skillfully advanced the election interference theory by structuring his evidentiary points in chronological order within that frame. Trump’s alleged 2020 attempt to overthrow our government distorts perceptions of how serious the charges related to the 2016 election are. How can we call this an election interference trial, they ask, if the election was already over when the 34 alleged document falsification crimes occurred? It is an election interference one and we should say so.

Persons: Norman Eisen, “, Donald Trump, Juan Merchan, Trump, Stormy Daniels, Joshua Steinglass, Steinglass, Michael Cohen, David Pecker, Daniels, Cohen, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jack Smith, Fani Willis, Trump’s, Bragg Organizations: CNN, Trump, ”, American Media, National Enquirer, DA, Attorney, Fulton, Twitter Locations: Georgia, Fulton County, Manhattan

Jury selection continues Tuesday in Donald Trump's Manhattan hush-money trial. Trump gave reporters a preview of his potential defense before he entered the courtroom. Meanwhile, jury selection continued for a second day on Tuesday. AdvertisementNo jurors were selected during four hours of jury selection on Monday, a day that began with a half-day of arguments over pretrial motions. He has appeared to struggle to stay awake during the sometimes tedious jury selection process.

Persons: Donald Trump's Manhattan, Trump, —, Stormy Daniels, Defendant, Michael Cohen, Juan Merchan, District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Donald Trump Organizations: Service, Trump Organization, Trump, District Attorney Locations: Donald, Manhattan

☆ Inside Trump’s first day on trial in Manhattan criminal court
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Jeremy Herb | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Trump only spoke three times during Monday’s session, acknowledging to the judge he understood his rights as a criminal defendant. Throughout the day Trump often engaged with his attorneys, whispering to them and sharing notes as they debated motions with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Trump looked toward Merchan as the judge addressed the prospective jurors to explain the case and their instructions as potential jurors. Entering and exiting the courtroom, Trump had to walk right past Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who brought this case against Trump and was seated in the fourth row behind his prosecutors. Trump will be back at the defendant’s table on Tuesday, when Merchan will continue questioning the prospective jurors who could ultimately decide whether to convict Trump in the first criminal trial of a former president.

Persons: Donald Trump, –, Trump, Juan Merchan slogged, ” Trump, Merchan, Todd Blanche, Emil Bove, Blanche, Jean Carroll, Michael Cohen, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Bragg, Trump Organizations: CNN, Republican, Manhattan, Attorney’s, Trump, Attorney Locations: Manhattan, Merchan

☆ Key players in Trump’s hush money trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Kaanita Iyer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Donald Trump’s criminal New York hush money trial begins Monday, more than a year after the former president was indicted in the case. Stormy DanielsAdult-film star Stephanie Clifford, better known as Stormy Daniels, received a $130,000 payment just days before the 2016 presidential election. Michael CohenThe $130,000 payment to Daniels was made by Cohen, then Trump’s personal attorney, who landed in federal prison over that transaction for breaking campaign finance laws. Cohen, now a critical witness, has said that Trump directed him to make the payment to Daniels. Judge Juan MerchanNew York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan, who is known for maintaining control of his courtroom even when his cases draw considerable attention, will preside over this case.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Donald Trump, Trump, ” Trump, Stephanie Clifford, Stormy Daniels, Daniels, Michael Cohen, Cohen, he’s, David Pecker, Pecker, Karen McDougal, Hope Hicks, Hicks, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Alvin Bragg, Bragg, Juan Merchan, Steve, Trump’s, Allen Weisselberg, Merchan, Sydney Kashiwagi, CNN’s Devan Cole, Kara Scannell, Lauren del Valle, Jeremy Herb, Marshall Cohen, Kaitlan Collins Organizations: CNN, Prosecutors, Trump, American Media Inc, National Inquirer, AMI, Manhattan, Attorney, Juan Merchan New, Trump Organization, Democratic Locations: York, Manhattan

☆ Trump campaign texts supporters that he 'could be locked up for life.' He almost certainly won't.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Monday is the first day of Donald Trump's criminal hush-money trial. During pretrial arguments, his campaign texted supporters saying he "could be locked up for life." AdvertisementAs the first day of Donald Trump's criminal hush-money trial got underway in a Manhattan courtroom on Monday, the former president's reelection campaign blasted out a text message to supporters saying that he "could be locked up for life." Related storyAt the end of the message, supporters were encouraged to donate money to Trump's reelection campaign. AdvertisementTrump's first criminal trial was to kick off Monday with jury selection after a morning of final pretrial arguments.

Persons: Donald Trump's, Trump, —, Trump's, they're, Stormy Daniels, Prosecutors, Michael Cohen, Daniels, Attorney Alvin Bragg, there's, Joe Biden Organizations: Service, Trump, Prosecutors, Attorney, Republican Locations: Manhattan, America

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