Former President Donald J. Trump is set to go on trial in Manhattan on Monday, becoming the first former U.S. president to face criminal prosecution. The trial, expected to last up to two months, will involve salacious details about sex scandals and corporate documents. Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in connection to a hush-money payment made to Stormy Daniels.
Prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorney’s office allege that Trump orchestrated a scheme to influence the 2016 presidential election by directing allies to purchase damaging stories about him to keep them hidden. Trump, who is the presumptive Republican nominee for president, has denied any wrongdoing and criticized the charges as politically motivated.
The indictment linked Trump to multiple hush-money deals, including payments to Karen McDougal and a former Trump Tower doorman. Trump is accused of concealing campaign finance violations, election-law crimes, and tax fraud. Prosecutors must prove intent to commit or conceal a second crime to secure a conviction.
Key witnesses are expected to include Michael Cohen and David Pecker, with Hope Hicks and the alleged victims, Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, potentially testifying. The defense is likely to discredit Cohen as a dishonest witness and emphasize his previous criminal convictions.
The trial will not be televised, but Trump is expected to attend most proceedings. Justice Juan M. Merchan, known for his no-nonsense approach, will preside over the case. If convicted, Trump could face a maximum prison sentence of four years for each count. It remains to be seen how the trial will impact Trump’s political aspirations and reputation as a former president.
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