Article Summary –
The first criminal trial against Donald Trump, involving a scandal linked to hush money and porn actress Stormy Daniels, is set to begin in Manhattan. The case, the first of four criminal trials the former president is facing, has sparked a media storm and, with Trump standing for election in November, is of high stakes. Trump is facing 34 charges, classified as Class E felonies – the lowest level felonies in the State of New York – and the trial is expected to test the concept that no individual is above the law.
Manhattan Trump Trial Begins: First of Four Cases Against Former President
The first of four criminal cases against former President Donald Trump commences in Manhattan today. The high-stakes case, compared by some to the media frenzy of the O.J. Simpson trial, involves a scandal revolving around hush money, a porn star, and the unprecedented indictment of a former U.S. president.
Stormy Daniels Case: A Year of Legal Turmoil
The Stormy Daniels case, arising from hush money allegedly paid to the porn actress to keep silent about an extramarital affair with Trump, concludes the tumultuous year since the former president’s indictment. Trump’s defense, which employed delay tactics and argued that Trump should be campaigning rather than in court, has failed to postpone the trial.
The Case: A Symbiosis of Trump’s Instincts, Finances, and Ambition
As the first criminal case against Trump, the Stormy Daniels case encapsulates the former president’s character—a blend of base instincts, finances, and political ambition. The payout by Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen, made to prevent a potential scandal from jeopardizing Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, is under scrutiny as a possible case of election interference and violation of campaign finance laws.
Other Cases against Trump: Significance of the Stormy Daniels Case
Out of Trump’s four indictments, the Stormy Daniels case is said to unsettle the former president the most. Despite being dismissed by some experts as legally dubious, this case might prove to be Trump’s Achilles heel. Voters, as per the latest poll, seem to consider the charges quite serious, with 64% regarding them as such.
The Trial: Potential Impact on Presidential Elections
If Trump is found guilty and sentenced to prison, it could sway voter perception. However, the trial itself is unlikely to significantly influence public opinion since it’s not presenting new information. The final verdict will lie with the voters. Trump’s fate will be in the hands of 12 anonymous peers, chosen from amongst the 1.4 million adults in Manhattan, after the selection of the jury.
Other Cases against Trump
In addition to the Stormy Daniels case, Trump faces three more trials. The Mar-a-Lago papers case involves unlawful retention of classified documents and violations of the Espionage Act. The second is about Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election result and his role in inciting the Capitol assault on January 6, 2021. The third case relates to the subversion of the 2020 election result in Georgia, where Trump allegedly tried to alter the count.
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