Trump’s Hush Money Trial Begins as Prosecutors Accuse ‘Illegal Scheme’

Donald Trump’s criminal trial over alleged hush money payments kicked off its first week in New York City, with prosecutors painting an image of the former president being involved in an “illegal scheme” aimed at influencing his 2016 election campaign by concealing negative stories. As proceedings continue this week, banker Gary Farro is set to testify about how Michael Cohen opened accounts for two limited liability companies linked to payments made to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal in order to bury allegations of extramarital affairs with Trump during the campaign. Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker detailed “catch-and-kill” arrangements under which seamier stories about the candidate were bought up by him or his associates, while Trump’s former executive assistant Rhona Graff recalled seeing Daniels at Trump Tower and presumed she was being considered for an episode of one of Trump’s television shows. Meanwhile, jurors are set to hear from a second witness on Tuesday after Farro’s appearance in court this morning. With Cohen yet to testify, Judge Juan M Merchan may also rule this week over whether the former president will face fines following allegations he breached gag orders designed to restrict public comments about witnesses and other parties linked to his trial.