Trump's Defense Team Asserts His Innocence as Historic Criminal Trial Begins

The first criminal trial of a former U.S. president began on Tuesday, with Donald Trump's defense team asserting his innocence in their opening statement. Trump is charged with falsifying 34 business records in an attempt to cover up a payment to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.

Prosecutors allege that Trump orchestrated a criminal scheme to influence the 2016 presidential election through illegal hush money payments, which he then tried to cover up by falsifying business records.

They framed the case as Trump being part of a larger conspiracy to hide damaging information about him through the payments to Daniels.

Trump's defence attorneys, however, argued that the former president did nothing illegal and was not involved in the creation of the business records he is charged with falsifying. They portrayed the case as a "bookkeeping" issue and a "very minor thing." The defense also challenged the credibility of the prosecution's expected star witness, Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen, who pleaded guilty to federal charges related to the hush money payments.

Why this matters: The trial marks the first time a former U.S. president has faced criminal charges. The outcome could have significant implications for Trump's political future as he campaigns for a return to the White House in 2024.

After the opening statements, the prosecution called its first witness, David Pecker, the former CEO of American Media Inc., the publisher of the National Enquirer. Pecker testified about his role in the "catch and kill" scheme to control the public narrative about Trump ahead of the 2016 election by buying and burying negative stories.

The trial is expected to last several weeks and will feature testimony from a range of witnesses, including Cohen and Daniels. Trump has denied the allegations against him and has sought to portray the charges as politically motivated. The judge has issued a gag order barring Trump from attacking witnesses, which the prosecution alleges he has already violated.

Key Takeaways

• Trump's first criminal trial begins, charged with falsifying business records.
• Prosecutors allege Trump orchestrated a criminal scheme to influence 2016 election.
• Trump's defense argues case is a "bookkeeping" issue, challenges witness credibility.
• Trial marks first time a former U.S. president faces criminal charges.
• Outcome could have significant implications for Trump's 2024 presidential campaign.