Donald J. Trump’s criminal trial in Manhattan has entered its third week of testimony, with several crucial witnesses yet to take the stand.
Among these remaining witnesses is Stormy Daniels, the adult film star whose silence regarding her alleged affair with Mr. Trump in 2006 became the subject of a hush money payment during the final days of the 2016 presidential campaign. Another key figure is Michael D. Cohen, Trump’s former attorney, who orchestrated the payment and is anticipated to provide pivotal testimony for the prosecution. Additionally, employees of the Trump Organization involved in reimbursing Cohen are expected to testify.
Trump, the first former U.S. president to face criminal prosecution, faces 34 felony charges related to the reimbursement payments. Prosecutors allege that he orchestrated the falsification of documents to conceal these reimbursements.
While the exact sequence of witness testimonies remains uncertain, the trial is progressing swiftly, with the prosecution potentially concluding its case in just over two weeks. Daniels may take the stand imminently, presenting a direct confrontation between her and Trump, who has long criticized her credibility.
Trump maintains his innocence, denying both the affair with Daniels and any wrongdoing in the reimbursement scheme. If convicted, he could be sentenced to probation or up to four years in prison. It remains undecided whether Trump will testify in his defense.
Noteworthy developments in the trial include allegations of falsifying records to disguise the reimbursement payments as “legal expenses” and recent testimony from Hope Hicks, Trump’s former press secretary and White House communications director, detailing the campaign’s distress following the release of the “Access Hollywood” tape and concerns over media coverage of alleged affairs.
Furthermore, the trial has seen legal proceedings regarding a gag order imposed on Trump, with the judge holding hearings to address alleged violations. Previously fined for breaching the order, Trump faces potential consequences if found to have continued violations. Trump’s trial has sparked vigorous debates regarding its fairness with the gag order being seen as a way to put additional pressure on the former president.
