Trump Begins Trial at New York Court

Donald Trump made an appearance at a New York courthouse as the first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president started. Prosecutors are explaining why Trump’s alleged cover-up of a money payment to a porn star during his 2016 campaign was in violation of the law.

Despite Trump’s call for peaceful protests at courthouses across the country, there were few supporters present when he arrived at the downtown courthouse in New York. Trump expressed his frustration on social media over the courthouse being closed down for his trial.

Trump’s legal team is expected to present their opening statement in one of the four criminal prosecutions he is facing. This trial is likely to be the only one that goes to court before his anticipated election rematch with President Joe Biden on Nov. 5.

The criminal charges against Trump stem from the $130,000 payment made by his lawyer, Michael Cohen, to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep silent about an alleged encounter with Trump. Prosecutors argue that this payment caused deception among voters during Trump’s 2016 campaign.

Despite the 34 counts of falsification of business records brought against him, Trump has pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations of a sexual encounter with Daniels.

Half of independent voters and a quarter of Republicans in a Reuters/Ipsos poll said they would not vote for Trump if he is convicted of a crime.

The prosecution claims that the payment to Daniels was part of a larger scheme involving Trump, Cohen, and David Pecker, the former CEO of American Media, to silence individuals with damaging information about Trump before the 2016 election.

The trial in New York could last six to eight weeks, with testimony expected from at least 20 witnesses. Trump also faces three other criminal indictments related to the 2020 election and handling of classified documents after leaving the White House.

Trump has maintained his innocence in all cases, portraying them as part of a Democratic effort to undermine his campaign. The trial judge has imposed a limited gag order on Trump due to his criticism of various parties involved in the case.