A New York judge is poised to announce a pivotal decision on whether the Manhattan district attorney’s case against former President Donald Trump, involving a “hush money” payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels, will advance to trial. This marks an unprecedented moment as it could be the first time a former U.S. president stands trial. Trump, who has been indicted with 34 felony counts of falsification of business records related to the 2016 payment, denies any wrongdoing and has pleaded not guilty, dismissing the case as politically motivated.
The case, spearheaded by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, accuses Trump of falsifying records to conceal reimbursements to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, for a $130,000 payment to Daniels, purportedly to silence her claims of an affair with Trump before the 2016 election. Trump’s legal team argues the payments were legal expenses, not part of a cover-up. The hearing, set by Judge Juan Merchan, will address pretrial motions, including Trump’s request to dismiss the case, branding it a “political,” “zombie” investigation.
Adding to Trump’s legal woes, he faces charges in three other criminal proceedings across Washington, D.C., Florida, and Georgia, encompassing allegations from attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election results to misusing public funds. Trump has chosen to attend the New York hearing over a simultaneous one in Georgia, highlighting the gravity of the New York case in his series of legal battles.
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