Prepare for a historic and scandalous event as Donald Trump faces his first criminal trial. Once a subject of eye-rolls in Manhattan, he is now the target of disdain. A jury of twelve will soon determine his fate as a potential felon. The trial, set to last up to eight weeks in a less-than-impressive courtroom, is progressing swiftly. Prosecutors are gearing up to present present their case in a matter of days. One juror admitted to losing sleep over the gravity of the situation, acknowledging the significance of the trial in the larger scheme of things.
This trial marks a significant moment in history, with Manhattan’s district attorney, Alvin Bragg, bringing forth the first criminal charges against a former president who is also seeking re-election. Despite the gravity of the situation, the charges themselves are relatively minor, focusing on salacious details involving sex, money, and blackmail. Trump’s former lawyer, set to testify against him, has characterized the situation as the “filth and muck of politics” and even less elegantly, a “shit sandwich.”
The core of the charges revolves around Trump’s alleged attempts to silence Stephanie Clifford, also known as Stormy Daniels, a former porn star, before the 2016 election. Prosecutors claim that the payment made was an undisclosed campaign expense aimed at protecting his candidacy. Trump is further accused of falsifying business records to conceal the pay-off, a claim he vehemently denies.
2024-04-18 07:57:37
Post from www.economist.com