The judge overseeing former President Trump’s hush money trial has reaffirmed his decision not to show jurors the “Access Hollywood” tape that was released in 2016, in which Trump made inappropriate comments about women. The prosecutor argued that the tape is evidence of sexual assault, while Trump’s attorney contended that it is too prejudicial and salacious to be presented in court. Although the judge ruled that the video itself cannot be shown, prosecutors are allowed to use Trump’s exact words from the tape and an email related to it as evidence.
The hush money trial began with the selection of jurors in Manhattan, where Trump is facing charges of falsifying business records in relation to payments made to Stormy Daniels by his former personal attorney, Michael Cohen. The $130,000 payment was allegedly made to silence Daniels about an extramarital affair she had with Trump in 2006. Trump has denied the affair and pleaded not guilty to the charges, which involve checks written by the Trump Organization to reimburse Cohen for the payment to Daniels. Prosecutors are aiming to prove that Trump falsified records in order to commit or conceal a felony.
If convicted, Trump could face more than 10 years in prison, although experts predict he may receive probation of up to four years. The trial is starting with jury selection, during which potential jurors will be questioned to ensure they can fairly consider the case. Jury selection is anticipated to last at least a week, while the trial is projected to continue for around six weeks. Upon his arrival at the courthouse, Trump criticized the trial as “political persecution” and claimed it was an assault on America and a direct attack on a political opponent.
The “Access Hollywood” tape, in which Trump made inappropriate comments about women, became a major issue during the 2016 presidential campaign and caused a stir in his campaign. Despite the judge’s ruling that the video will not be shown to jurors, prosecutors are allowed to use Trump’s words from the tape as evidence, as well as an email related to it. The hush money trial focuses on payments made by Cohen to Daniels on behalf of Trump to silence her allegations of an affair prior to the election.
The charges against Trump in the hush money trial pertain to the falsification of business records with the intent to commit or conceal a felony. The trial began with jury selection and is expected to last for several weeks. Trump has maintained his innocence and denounced the trial as a case of political persecution and an attack on a political opponent. The outcome of the trial could have significant implications for his future legal battles and potential repercussions if found guilty by the jury.
