NEW YORK (AP) — Monday’s opening statements in the first criminal trial of a former American president provided a clear roadmap of how prosecutors will try to make the case that Donald Trump broke the law, and how the defense plans to fight the charges on multiple fronts.
Lawyers presented dueling narratives as jurors got their first glimpse into the prosecution accusing Trump of falsifying business records as part of a scheme to squelch negative stories about him during his 2016 presidential campaign.
Still to come are weeks of what’s likely to be dramatic and embarrassing testimony about the presumptive Republican presidential nominee’s personal life as he simultaneously campaigns to return to the White House in November.
Here’s a look at some key takeaways from opening statements:
Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying internal Trump Organization business records. But prosecutors made clear they do not want jurors to view this as a routine paper case. Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo said the heart of the case is a scheme to “corrupt” the 2016 election by silencing people who were about to come forward with embarrassing stories Trump feared would hurt his campaign.
“No politician wants bad press,” Colangelo said. “But the evidence at trial will show that this was not spin or communication strategy. This was a planned, coordinated, long-running conspiracy to influence the 2016 election, to help Donald Trump get elected through illegal expenditures to silence people who had something bad to say about his behavior.” He added: “It was election fraud, pure and simple.”
The business records charges stem from things like invoices and checks that were deemed legal expenses in Trump Organization records when prosecutors say they were really reimbursements to former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen for a $130,000 hush money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels. Daniels was threatening to go public with claims she had an extramarital sexual encounter with Trump. He says it never happened.
Kate Hudson hits the stage to debut songs from her new album Glorious at star
Watch: Orca seen swimming in Wellington harbour
'Enough is enough': Making streets safe for young women
'Enough is enough': Making streets safe for young women
Pope trip to Luxembourg, Belgium confirmed for September, 2 weeks after challenging Asia visit
2028 total solar eclipse in New Zealand likely big tourism drawcard, astronomer says
Iniesta says he faced double taxation, asks for a settlement
Bella Hadid goes braless in a thigh
Oxford rowers fell ill before Boat Race, but stop short of blaming River Thames pollution
Yu Darvish extends scoreless innings streak to 25 in Padres' 9
Tauranga boarding house fails healthy homes standards, owner ordered to pay tenants