The First Criminal Trial of a Former U.S. President: Trump’s Hush Money Case and Unique Terminology
Former President Donald Trump is facing his first criminal trial, accused of falsifying his company’s records to hide hush money payments made during his 2016 presidential campaign. This trial marks the first of Trump’s four indictments to go to trial, making it a historic moment in American politics.
The payments in question were made to suppress stories about Trump’s alleged marital infidelities, including a $30,000 payment to a Trump Tower doorman, a $150,000 payment to former Playboy model Karen McDougal, and a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels. While paying hush money is not illegal on its own, authorities argue that these payments amounted to illegal campaign contributions.
One unique term used in the trial is “catch-and-kill,” which refers to tabloid newspapers buying up damaging information about someone and then refusing to publish the story. This tactic was allegedly used by the National Enquirer to protect Trump’s image during his campaign.
The trial also involves charges of falsifying business records, with prosecutors alleging that Trump misrepresented payments to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, as legal fees when they were actually reimbursements for the hush money payments. Prosecutors argue that Trump’s actions were an attempt to hide the hush money scheme and conceal other crimes, including election law violations.
While Trump is not charged with conspiracy, prosecutors have used the term to describe his agreement with the National Enquirer to suppress negative stories about him and boost his image during the campaign. They argue that this amounted to election interference by hiding important information from voters.
A gag order has been imposed on Trump, limiting his ability to make public statements about the case and potential witnesses. Violations of the gag order have resulted in fines for Trump, with the possibility of jail time if he continues to breach the order.
Overall, Trump’s trial is a significant moment in American legal and political history, with implications for how former presidents are held accountable for their actions.
