New York City: In a historic turn of events, Donald Trump, a leading contender in the 2024 US Presidential Election, is set to be sentenced today in the highly publicized case involving porn star Stormy Daniels. On May 30, 2024, Trump was found guilty by the court of making hush money payments to Daniels and falsifying business records during his election campaign.
A Six-Week Legal Marathon:
The courtroom drama unfolded over six weeks in New York, culminating in Trump’s conviction on 34 separate charges. These charges trace back to actions taken before Trump’s tenure as President, marking an unprecedented moment in American history where a criminal case has been brought against a former president.
Unpacking the 34 Charges:
The charges against Trump are extensive, encompassing allegations of falsified business records during the 2016 election. Specifically, the charges involve a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels to ensure her silence about an alleged affair. The breakdown of the charges includes:
- 11 counts related to issuing cheques for the payment.
- 11 counts for submitting false invoices to Michael Cohen’s company.
- 12 counts of providing false information in business records.
Cohen’s Explosive Testimony:
Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, delivered damning testimony, claiming he paid Daniels from his pocket at Trump’s behest. Cohen alleged that Trump reimbursed him through a series of cheques over ten months, falsely recorded as legal fees, which were intended to cover up the affair and influence the election.
Historical Charges in Manhattan Court:
On April 5, 2023, the Manhattan court formally charged Trump with these 34 offenses, a significant legal milestone marking the first criminal charges ever filed against a former US President.
Supreme Court Reprieve:
In a separate legal battle, Trump recently secured a significant victory in the Supreme Court regarding his alleged involvement in the January 6th Capitol attack and efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Trump’s appeal to the lower Washington court sought immunity from criminal prosecution, citing his former presidential status. While initially rejected, the Supreme Court overturned the lower court’s decision on July 1, ruling that a former president cannot be criminally charged for actions taken while in office. This ruling provides Trump with a substantial legal reprieve amid his ongoing battles.
