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The third week of Donald Trump's hush money trial concluded on Friday (May 10) with a shift from the dramatic testimony of Stormy Daniels to a focus on checks and phone records. The prosecution is laying the groundwork for their star witness, Michael Cohen, Trump's former attorney, to take the stand next week.
Daniels' account of an alleged sexual encounter with Trump was a key component of the prosecution's case. They aim to demonstrate that Trump and his allies suppressed unflattering stories in the final weeks of the 2016 presidential election to unlawfully influence the outcome. Trump has vehemently denied the allegations.
On Friday, the court heard from Madeleine Westerhout, a former Trump White House aide, who detailed the process by which Trump received and signed checks while in the White House. These checks are said to have reimbursed Cohen for the payment to Daniels. Westerhout also testified that Trump was 'very upset' when The Wall Street Journal published a 2018 story about the hush money deal with Daniels.
The trial, which has alternated between technical testimony and dramatic accounts, ultimately hinges on whether the payments were made to illegally influence the 2016 election. Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying internal Trump Organization business records related to the reimbursement to Cohen, which were recorded as "legal expenses." If convicted, Trump could face prison or probation.
Looking ahead to next week, Michael Cohen is expected to testify. Cohen, who arranged the $130,000 payout to Daniels, is likely to be on the stand for several days. His testimony is anticipated to be a pivotal moment in the trial, as defense lawyers will likely focus on his criminal history to question his credibility. Cohen served prison time for crimes, including tax evasion and campaign finance violations related to the hush money scheme.