Former President Donald Trump is facing a historic trial in Manhattan for his alleged involvement in a hush money scheme to silence his mistresses before the 2016 election. This trial will be the first time a former US president has faced criminal prosecution. The mistresses involved in the case include a former adult-film actress and a Playboy model, adding a salacious element to the proceedings. Despite these allegations, Trump is also facing three other criminal trials related to election interference, conspiracy, mishandling classified documents, as well as civil liability for defamation, sexual misconduct, and business fraud.
The two women involved in the hush money scheme, Karen McDougal and Stephanie Clifford (known as Stormy Daniels), were paid six-figure sums before the 2016 election to keep their encounters with Trump private. These payments were made through a process known as “catch and kill,” where the National Enquirer’s parent company, American Media Inc., purchased the rights to their stories but did nothing with them. Another allegation involved a former Trump Tower doorman claiming Trump had an unacknowledged child, but this claim was never corroborated. Trump’s friend, David Pecker, approved the payments in this scheme.
The hush money scandal surrounding Trump and the alleged affairs with McDougal and Daniels only came to light after the Wall Street Journal reported on the payments made by Trump’s former fixer, Michael Cohen. Cohen admitted his involvement in orchestrating the payments and pleaded guilty to campaign finance charges. AMI, the company that facilitated the payments to McDougal, also admitted to making an unlawful campaign contribution. Cohen recorded conversations with Trump about the payments, leading to further legal implications for both individuals.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced Trump’s indictment by a grand jury in 2023, charging the former president with 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal damaging information and unlawful activity before and after the 2016 election. Trump is facing a Class E felony for falsifying records with the intent to commit or conceal another crime related to his campaign. If found guilty, Trump could face probation or up to four years in state prison on each count. Despite Trump’s denial of the alleged affairs, both McDougal and Daniels have similar stories of sexual encounters with Trump in 2006.
Overall, Trump’s involvement in the hush money scandal, along with the alleged affairs with McDougal and Daniels, has led to a complex legal situation involving multiple criminal trials and civil liabilities. The upcoming trial in Manhattan will be a significant moment in US history as no former president has faced criminal prosecution before. The implications of these legal proceedings could have far-reaching consequences for Trump’s political career and public perception. Ultimately, the outcomes of these trials will shed light on the extent of Trump’s involvement in these scandals and the potential legal consequences he may face.
