Trump trial begins with a bang: See the DA’s damning case to bust Trump for jailable felony

MSNBC
12 Apr 202422:31

Summary

TLDRThe transcript outlines the unprecedented criminal case against former President Donald Trump, focusing on hush money payments made in 2016 and their subsequent cover-up. The New York DA, Alvin Bragg, made history by indicting Trump for falsifying business records and orchestrating a scheme to distort the election, marking the first time any former president has faced such charges. The case is set to go to trial, with legal experts and witnesses expected to provide testimony that could significantly impact the outcome. The trial is not only a legal milestone but also a political reckoning, with potential implications for future elections and the role of criminal liability in American politics.

Takeaways

  • 📢 The trial of Donald Trump, a former president, is unprecedented in American history and is expected to be a significant legal and historical event.
  • 🔍 New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg made legal history by indicting a former president for the first time, marking a pivotal moment in the American judicial system.
  • 💰 The case against Trump is centered around alleged hush-money payments made in 2016, which are now being characterized as criminal lies and falsification of business records.
  • 🏛️ The prosecution is framing these payments as part of a larger election plot felony, using established lies and business record falsifications to build a case for a more significant crime.
  • 🤝 Key witnesses and participants in the case, including Michael Cohen and individuals associated with the Trump campaign, are expected to provide testimony that could be crucial to the outcome of the trial.
  • 📈 The defense is likely to argue that the actions taken by Trump were not part of a criminal conspiracy but rather individual financial misdeeds that should be treated as misdemeanors.
  • 🎥 Recordings and evidence of conversations and financial transactions will be presented to the jury, including Trump's own involvement in signing checks related to the payments in question.
  • 📊 The outcome of the trial is uncertain, but it will undoubtedly have lasting implications for the nation, potentially influencing future legal and political conversations for years to come.
  • 🚨 The case highlights the importance of establishing criminal intent, with the prosecution needing to prove that Trump knowingly and intentionally engaged in criminal activities to cover up the payments.
  • 📝 The script emphasizes the importance of facts and evidence in legal proceedings, stressing that the case against Trump is built on established records and witness testimonies.
  • 🔎 The investigation into Trump's financial dealings and alleged campaign finance violations was thorough and meticulous, involving multiple legal entities and individuals.

Q & A

  • What is the significance of the trial mentioned in the transcript?

    -The trial mentioned in the transcript is significant because it marks the first time in American history that an ex-President, Donald Trump, is facing a criminal case.

  • What is the basis of the case against Donald Trump?

    -The case against Donald Trump is based on a set of proven hush money payments that occurred in 2016, which the New York DA, Alvin Bragg, has indicted as criminal lies and falsification of business records.

  • What is the role of Michael Cohen in this case?

    -Michael Cohen, who was once Donald Trump's personal attorney, played a crucial role in the hush money payments and has provided evidence against Trump, including secret recordings and testimonies.

  • What was the public reaction to the infamous 'Access Hollywood' tape involving Donald Trump?

    -The public reaction to the 'Access Hollywood' tape was strong blowback, with many people believing it would end Trump's presidential campaign. However, despite the initial horror and revulsion, Trump eventually won the electoral college.

  • How does the prosecution plan to argue the case?

    -The prosecution plans to argue that the established lies and business record falsifications were part of a larger election plot felony, using the legal argument that a series of smaller infractions can be combined into a larger conspiracy case.

  • What is the role of the National Enquirer in this case?

    -The National Enquirer, along with Michael Cohen, was involved in the payments to Karen McDougall to keep her silent about her history with Trump, which is part of the alleged campaign crime coverup.

  • What is the significance of the checks signed by Trump?

    -The checks signed by Trump for retainer or tax purposes are significant because they allegedly implicate the Trump Organization in false business records and mischaracterizing payments as legal fees.

  • How does the defense argue against the charges?

    -The defense may argue that the payments were made for personal reasons and not with criminal intent to break campaign laws, and that the transactions were classified as legal fees, irrespective of the campaign.

  • What is the role of Allen Weisselberg in this case?

    -Allen Weisselberg, the Trump Organization's CFO, was involved in the payments made by Cohen and received checks from Trump that were part of the alleged false records.

  • What was the outcome of Michael Cohen's cooperation with the prosecution?

    -Michael Cohen cooperated with the prosecution by providing significant testimonies and evidence against Trump, which led to his own conviction and imprisonment for tax fraud and lying charges, but also put pressure on Trump.

  • What is the potential impact of this trial on legal history and future cases?

    -This trial has the potential to set a precedent in legal history as it involves the indictment of a former President, and it may influence how future cases involving high-profile individuals or political figures are handled.

Outlines

00:00

📝 The Unprecedented Trial of an Ex-President

This paragraph introduces the historic trial of Donald Trump, the former president of the United States, in New York. It highlights the significance of the case as the first criminal case against an ex-president in American history. The paragraph outlines the charges against Trump, which revolve around alleged hush-money payments made in 2016 and falsifying business records related to these payments. It emphasizes the legal strategy of the New York District Attorney (DA), Alvin Bragg, who has indicted Trump for a felony based on these payments, framing them as part of a larger election plot. The narrative stresses the importance of evidence and the DA's approach to combining various pieces of evidence into a cohesive legal argument. It also touches on the potential impact of the trial on legal history, public memory, and future conversations about justice and politics.

05:01

🎤 The Fallout and Political Implications

This paragraph delves into the political repercussions of the infamous 'Access Hollywood' tape, which contained lewd comments by Trump, and its potential influence on the trial. It discusses the initial public and political backlash against Trump following the tape's release, suggesting that it might have led to his electoral defeat. However, it clarifies that the legal case in question is focused on Trump's criminal intent at the time of the hush-money payments, not the content of the tape itself. The paragraph also explores the defense's strategy, which may argue that the payments were not made with criminal intent to violate campaign laws but were rather to avoid personal embarrassment. It highlights the importance of understanding the political context and the DA's task of proving a clear criminal motive.

10:02

🔍 Evidence and the Role of Michael Cohen

This paragraph examines the role of Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer, in the case. It describes how Cohen secretly recorded Trump while they were discussing the hush-money payments, which later became crucial evidence. The paragraph also details the involvement of Trump's former CFO, Allen Weisselberg, in the payments and how Trump's personal signatures on checks linked him to the transactions. It further discusses the allegations that Trump lied about his knowledge of the payments, both in public statements and on paper records, and how these lies were contradicted by the evidence. The paragraph underscores the significance of the financial records and the testimonies of key figures like Cohen and the tabloid publisher David Pecker in establishing the facts of the case.

15:03

🤝 The Flip of Michael Cohen and Legal Testimony

This paragraph focuses on Michael Cohen's decision to cooperate with investigators, which significantly impacted the case against Trump. It recounts Cohen's initial defense of Trump, his later recantation, and his eventual guilty plea for tax fraud and lying charges related to the hush-money payments. The paragraph highlights Cohen's high-stakes testimony to the U.S. Congress, where he implicated Trump in the payment scheme. It also discusses the potential impact of Cohen's testimony on the jury and the case's outcome. Furthermore, it touches on the legal strategies of other key figures, such as Rudy Giuliani and Joe Tacopina, who defended Trump at different stages of the case, and how their arguments might be challenged by the evidence and testimonies presented by the prosecution.

20:04

🏛️ The Indictment of a President and the DA's Role

This paragraph discusses the historic nature of the indictment against Trump and the role of the DA, Alvin Bragg, in leading the case. It reflects on the DA's previous statements about the ongoing investigation and the anticipation of significant developments. The paragraph suggests that Bragg's decision to indict Trump was a groundbreaking move that set the stage for other prosecutors to follow suit. It also highlights the unique legal landscape of New York, where an independent prosecutor has the power to pursue cases against even the highest-profile figures without fear of pardons. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the DA's commitment to following the facts, regardless of political implications or public opinion, and the potential for this case to become a landmark in American legal history.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡New York versus Donald Trump

This key phrase refers to the legal case brought against former President Donald Trump by the state of New York. It signifies a significant event in American legal history, as it involves the first indictment of a former president. The case is centered around alleged hush-money payments and falsification of business records in connection with the 2016 election.

💡Indictment

An indictment is a formal legal accusation that brings a person into court to stand trial for a crime. In the context of the video, it refers to the charges brought against Donald Trump by the New York District Attorney's office, marking a pivotal moment in legal and political history.

💡Hush-money payments

Hush-money payments are financial transactions made to keep certain information confidential, often to prevent the disclosure of potentially damaging or embarrassing details. In the video, these payments are central to the case against Trump, alleged to have been made to silence individuals during the 2016 election campaign.

💡Falsifying business records

Falsifying business records involves altering or providing false information on official documents that are used in business transactions or for legal purposes. In the context of the video, this refers to the charges against Trump for allegedly misrepresenting the nature of hush-money payments in his company's financial records.

💡Criminal intent

Criminal intent refers to the mental state required for a person to be held guilty of a crime, indicating they had the intention to commit the illegal act. In the video, proving Trump's criminal intent is crucial to establishing that his actions were not mere financial misdeeds but part of a larger campaign crime.

💡Michael Cohen

Michael Cohen is a former attorney for Donald Trump who played a central role in the hush-money payments case. His cooperation with investigators, including providing evidence against Trump, has been significant in the development of the legal case against the former president.

💡Stormy Daniels

Stormy Daniels is an adult film actress who was involved in a high-profile case with Donald Trump, alleging an affair and subsequent hush-money payment. Her involvement is significant as it relates to the charges against Trump for campaign finance violations and falsification of business records.

💡Karen McDougal

Karen McDougal is a former Playboy model who, like Stormy Daniels, received a payment for her silence about an alleged affair with Donald Trump. Her case is relevant to the legal proceedings as it provides additional evidence of a pattern of hush-money payments.

💡David Pecker

David Pecker is the former publisher of the National Enquirer, a tabloid involved in the suppression of stories about Donald Trump's alleged affairs. His actions and those of his publication are under scrutiny in the legal case against Trump for their role in the alleged campaign finance violations.

💡Election plot felony

An election plot felony refers to a criminal scheme designed to influence the outcome of an election through illegal means. In the context of the video, this term is used to describe the alleged crimes Trump is charged with, including making hush-money payments to influence the 2016 election.

💡Legal reckoning

Legal reckoning refers to the process of holding individuals or entities accountable for their actions under the law. In the video, it signifies the upcoming trial and potential consequences for Trump in relation to the criminal charges against him.

Highlights

The trial of Donald Trump, the former president, is unprecedented in American history.

This is the first time a former president is facing a criminal case related to his actions during the election.

The New York District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, made legal history by indicting a former president.

The case is based on hush money payments made in 2016, which are now proven and well-documented.

Donald Trump is charged with falsifying business records and orchestrating a scheme to distort the election.

The trial will be marked in history and discussed in law schools for decades to come.

The prosecution's case is built on the argument that a series of lies constituted a larger felony related to the election plot.

The defense will argue that the actions were not part of a felony case but rather financial misdemeanors.

The jury will hear details about backroom deals, secret payments, and alleged affairs.

The infamous "Access Hollywood" tape and the subsequent drop in Trump's polling numbers are relevant to the case.

The prosecution will argue that the negative reaction to the tape shows Trump's criminal intent in making hush money payments.

Michael Cohen, who has since become a key witness, arranged hush money payments on behalf of Trump.

The National Enquirer and its publisher, David Pecker, played a role in silencing women related to Trump.

Cohen secretly taped Trump discussing the payments, providing evidence of his involvement.

Trump's CFO, Allen Weisselberg, was involved in the payments and is now serving a prison sentence.

Trump personally signed checks related to the hush money payments, implicating the Trump Organization.

The Wall Street Journal broke the story of the hush money payments in 2018, leading to further investigations.

Cohen eventually pled guilty and went to prison, but not before testifying against Trump.

The New York D.A.'s office continued to investigate beyond the hush money payments, looking for additional evidence.

Key figures, including Cohen, Daniels, and Pecker, are expected to testify in the trial.

Joe Tacopina, a former Trump defense lawyer, argued that the payments were legal fees and unrelated to the campaign.

The crux of the case is whether Trump had the criminal intent and knowledge of the hush money payments.

Transcripts

00:04

>>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO OUR NEW

00:07

>>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO OUR NEW

00:08

SPECIAL.

00:09

THE STATE OF NEW YORK VERSUS

00:10

DONALD TRUMP ON THIS FIRST TRIAL

00:13

OF AN EX-PRESIDENT IN AMERICAN

00:16

HISTORY AND WHAT WE CAN SAY IS

00:18

WE REPORT RIGHT NOW WHAT WILL BE

00:20

DONALD TRUMP'S ONLY CRIMINAL

00:21

CASE THAT IS DEFINITELY HEADED

00:23

TO TRIAL BEFORE THIS ELECTION.

00:27

TONIGHT WE'LL HEAR FROM LEGAL

00:32

EXPERTS MYIA WILEY AND MICHAEL

00:36

BESCHLOCH ON AN UNPRECEDENTED

00:38

TRIAL AND RECKONING FOR THE

00:39

NATION.

00:39

WE BEGIN WITH THE FACTS.

00:42

HOW WE GOT TO THIS MOMENTOUS

00:43

TRIAL AS JURY SELECTION IS SET

00:45

TO BEGIN MONDAY.

00:46

WE DON'T KNOW HOW IT WILL END,

00:48

BUT WE KNOW IT WILL BE MARKED IN

00:50

HISTORY AND IN LAW SCHOOLS AND

00:52

IN MANY OTHER CONVERSATIONS FOR

00:54

DECADES TO COME IN THIS NATION.

00:57

THE NEW YORK DA, ALVIN BRAG,

01:00

MADE LEGAL HISTORY, AS THE VERY

01:03

FIRST PROSECUTOR TO EVER INDICT

01:05

ANY FORMER PRESIDENT KNOW

01:07

DECADE, ANY CENTURY, ANY STATE.

01:08

THIS IS THE FIRST.

01:09

HE WAS THE FIRST TO INDICT TRUMP

01:11

AND THE CASE IS BASED ON WHAT IS

01:14

IN MANY WAYS A SET OF PROVEN

01:16

HUSH MONEY PAYMENTS THAT WE ALL

01:19

NOW KNOW OCCURRED IN 2016.

01:20

WHAT IS NEW, AND THE REASON THAT

01:22

DONALD TRUMP COULD BE FACING A

01:23

FELONY CONVICTION OR A JAIL

01:26

SENTENCE, IS THAT THIS D.A.

01:28

INDICTED THOSE NOW KNOWN

01:30

PAYMENTS AND SCANDALS AS

01:31

CRIMINAL LIES.

01:32

HE HAS CHARGED DONALD TRUMP FOR

01:35

FALSIFYING BUSINESS RECORDS IN

01:37

HOW HE HANDLED THOSE PAYMENTS

01:38

ORCHESTRATING A SCHEME TO

01:41

DISTORT THE ELECTION PURCHASING

01:43

NEGATIVE INFORMATION AND

01:45

INTENTIONALLY MISCHARACTERIZING

01:46

THOSE THEN RECORDED PAYMENTS.

01:47

LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING RIGHT

01:49

UP TOP HERE AS WE GET READY FOR

01:51

THIS TRIAL OF THE DECADE OR THE

01:52

CENTURY.

01:53

THIS IS ULTIMATELY ABOUT FACTS,

01:54

AND BY THE STANDARDS OF, SAY,

01:56

WHETHER YOU HAVE THE EVIDENCE TO

01:58

SHOW SOMETHING IS TRUE OR THE

02:00

STANDARDS OF JOURNALISM WHEN WE

02:01

SAY WE HAVE REPORTED OR

02:02

CONFIRMED SOMETHING AS A FACT,

02:05

THAT PART I JUST MENTIONED IS A

02:06

FACT.

02:07

IT IS ESTABLISHED.

02:09

THERE ARE DETAILED RECORDS OF

02:11

THOSE PURCHASES.

02:12

THERE ARE SEVERAL EYE WITNESSES

02:16

AND DIRECT PARTICIPANTS TO IT.

02:17

IT IS ESTABLISHED.

02:19

WE BEGIN RIGHT NOW WITH ANOTHER

02:23

HARD LEGAL ISSUE FOR THIS D.A.

02:26

WHAT I JUST SAID SOUNDS BAD FOR

02:28

TRUMP BUT IS NOT IN ITSELF A

02:30

FELONY UNDER THE LAW.

02:32

TO MAKE THIS A FELONY CASE THIS

02:35

D.A. USED A POWERFUL TOOL THAT,

02:37

TO BE CLEAR, MANY PROSECUTORS

02:38

USE ALL THE TIME.

02:40

HE TOOK ALL THIS DAMNING

02:42

EVIDENCE AGAINST HIS POTENTIAL

02:43

DEFENDANT, TRUMP, AND HE

02:44

COMBINED IT INTO A LEGAL

02:46

ARGUMENT FOR A LARGER CRIME.

02:48

IT'S THE SAME WAY WE'VE SEEN

02:51

FROM MOVIES TO REAL LIFE OTHER

02:53

PROSECUTORS USE RICO OR

02:54

FINANCIAL SCHEMES TO ARGUE THAT

02:56

A GROUP IS PART OF A LARGER

02:58

CONSPIRACY.

02:58

THAT IS THE KIND OF APPROACH

03:00

THIS D.A. TOOK.

03:01

TAKING WHAT I JUST REFERRED TO,

03:04

THE KIND OF ESTABLISHED LIES,

03:05

THE BUSINESS RECORDS LIES WHICH

03:07

ARE A MISDEMEANOR IN NEW YORK

03:10

STATE, A SMALLER INFRACTION, AND

03:12

USING A VALID LAW TO COMBINE IT

03:16

INTO AN ELECTION PLOT FELONY.

03:17

WHAT YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN IS

03:19

WHAT THE JURY WILL SEE, AND THIS

03:21

IS FROM THE D.A.'S OFFICE.

03:22

THIS IS NOT ONE OF THOSE

03:24

SUMMARIES WE'VE MADE HERE AS

03:26

JOURNALISTS, THIS IS BASICALLY

03:28

THE THEORY GOING DOWN THROUGH

03:29

THOSE ARROWS ABOUT HOW ALL OF

03:32

THESE LIES, SOME OF THEM PROVEN

03:34

BASICALLY, LIKE THE LIES ABOUT

03:37

THE RETAINER PAYMENTS, BECOMING

03:38

AN ELECTION CRIME.

03:40

IF YOU REMEMBER NOTHING ELSE,

03:41

KEEP THAT IN MIND.

03:43

IT IS THE CRUX OF THE CASE.

03:45

THE D.A. TELLING THE JURY, OKAY,

03:47

A LIA LONE IS A MISDEMEANOR, BUT

03:50

THIS WAS A LIE PLUS A GRAVE

03:52

CAMPAIGN CRIME.

03:53

TRUMP IS LEGALLY PRESUMED

03:55

INNOCENT AND HE WILL HAVE

03:56

DEFENSE LAWYERS WHO CAN ARGUE

03:58

THAT THE STATE BASICALLY TOOK A

04:00

BUNCH OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT

04:01

THEY ARGUE IS SMALL AND TAKE ALL

04:03

OF THE SMALL THINGS, THROW THEM

04:04

AGAINST THE WALL.

04:06

THEY'LL ARGUE THIS ISN'T REALLY

04:08

A TRUE BIG FELONY CASE AND IT

04:10

SHOULD BE RESOLVED THE WAY OTHER

04:12

FINANCIAL MISDEMEANORS ARE

04:13

RESOLVED.

04:14

THE JURY IS GOING TO HEAR MESSY

04:16

DETAILS ABOUT BACK ROOM DEALS,

04:20

SECRET PAYMENTS AND ALLEGED

04:21

TRYSTS.

04:22

THE D.A. WILL ARGUE THOSE TO

04:25

HIDE AND ILLEGALLY BUY STORIES

04:27

AS A BIG DEAL AND TO UNDERSTAND

04:31

ALL OF THIS, THE JURY, AND

04:32

ANYONE ELSE FOLLOWING, WHICH

04:33

MIGHT BE YOU AND A HECK OF A LOT

04:35

OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE

04:36

INTERESTED IN LAW, JUSTICE AND

04:38

POLITICS, TO GET INTO IT YOU

04:41

HAVE TO GO ALL THE WAY BACK TWO

04:43

ELECTION CYCLES AND THE INFAMOUS

04:45

TAPE THAT MANY THOUGHT INCLUDING

04:46

REPUBLICANS AND TRUMP INSIDERS

04:48

AT THE TIME WOULD BASICALLY BE

04:51

THE END OF DONALD TRUMP'S HOPES

04:54

FOR THE PRESIDENCY.

04:56

>> YA KNOW, I'M AUTOMATICALLY

04:58

ATTRACTED TO BEAUTIFUL WOMEN.

05:00

IT'S LIKE A MAGNET.

05:02

AND WHEN YOU'RE A STAR, THEY LET

05:04

YOU DO ANYTHING.

05:05

GRAM 'EM BY THE [ BLEEP ].

05:08

>> NOW YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THAT,

05:11

YOU TAKE IT ALL TOGETHER AND LET

05:15

ME SHOW YOU THE NEXT POINT HERE.

05:18

THAT WAS A BIG DEAL.

05:20

THE BLOWBACK WAS POWERFUL AND A

05:21

LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT THE RACE

05:22

WAS OVER.

05:23

>> DONALD TRUMP'S PRESIDENTIAL

05:24

CAMPAIGN IN TURMOIL TONIGHT

05:27

FACING WITHERING POLITICAL

05:27

FALLOUT.

05:28

>> WHEN THE TAPE COMES OUT HE

05:30

DROPS FROM 41 TO 38.

05:32

THEN ON THE WEEKEND AFTER

05:33

EVERYBODY'S SEEN THE TAPE HE

05:34

FALLS THROUGH THE FLOOR.

05:36

THAT'S WHY THEY ARE DRIVING THE

05:37

REPUBLICAN PARTY AND DONALD

05:38

TRUMP OFF A CLIFF AND INTO THE

05:39

POLITICAL ABYSS.

05:40

>> YOU DO NOT RECOVER FROM THIS.

05:43

THIS ELECTION ENDED.

05:45

ALL I CAN SAY IS I'M SORRY.

05:48

>> NOW THE ELECTION DID NOT END.

05:51

THOSE POLLS AND MUCH OF THE

05:53

CRITICISM DID PROBABLY CAPTURE

05:55

SOMETHING, AN INITIAL HORROR AND

05:58

REVULSION AWAY FROM TRUMP, AND

06:00

THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE REASONS

06:02

I'M GOING TO EXPLAIN NOW

06:03

LEGALLY.

06:04

THE POINT IS NOT THAT PUNDITS

06:06

OVERREACTED OR PEOPLE THOUGHT

06:07

AMERICA COULD NOT STOMACH THAT

06:09

GUY ON THAT TAPE BECOMING

06:10

PRESIDENT.

06:11

WE'VE HAD THOSE DEBATES FOR

06:12

YEARS.

06:13

WE CAN CONTINUE TO HAVE THEM.

06:15

TONIGHT WE'RE LOOKING AT HOW

06:16

THIS WILL MATTER ONLY IN THE

06:18

CONTEXT OF THIS IT CRIMINAL

06:20

TRIAL OF DEFENDANT TRUMP.

06:21

THE DEFENSE HEARD TRUMP AND HE

06:23

DID GET FEWER VOTES AND HE DID

06:25

LOSE WOMEN OVER 40 BUT HE WON

06:27

THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE.

06:28

THE LEGAL CASE ONLY CARES ABOUT

06:31

HOW THAT TAPE AND THE REACTION

06:33

MAY SHOW DONALD TRUMP'S

06:35

MOTIVATION AT THE TIME, WHAT

06:38

PROSECUTORS CALL CRIMINAL

06:38

INTENT.

06:39

THE D.A. IS ARGUING DONALD TRUMP

06:41

IS A CRIMINAL.

06:43

THIS ISN'T ABOUT SOME LATER

06:45

NOVEMBER QUARTERBACKING POST

06:46

ELECTION EVEN THOUGH THIS

06:47

RELATES TO AN ELECTION.

06:49

IT'S NOT ABOUT THAT.

06:51

THE CASE WILL INVOLVE POLITICS

06:52

ONLY TO GO BACK TO TRUMP'S

06:54

CRIMINAL INTENT.

06:55

AGAIN, HIS LAWYERS MAY HAVE

06:57

DEFENSES TO THIS, BUT THERE WILL

07:00

BE FASCINATING POLITICAL

07:02

OBSERVATIONS IN THE SERVICE OF

07:03

PROVING WHAT THE D.A. SAYS WAS

07:05

TRUMP'S CLEAR CRIMINAL INTENT

07:06

BECAUSE THEY HAD A CAMPAIGN

07:08

CRIMINAL MOTIVE.

07:09

SO WE'VE HEARD ABOUT THESE

07:11

REPORTS OF A TOTAL PANIC WITHIN

07:14

THE CAMPAIGN AS THE INDICTMENT

07:16

NOTES THERE WAS A CATALYST FROM

07:20

THAT PANIC TO THEN GET THE HUSH

07:22

MONEY PAYMENTS FIRST GOING

07:23

TOWARDS STORMY DANIELS.

07:24

THAT WAS ARRANGED BY NOW STAR

07:26

WITNESS MICHAEL COHEN.

07:28

130 K TO HIDE THE STORY WHICH

07:30

WAS FIN NUSHD UP THREE DAYS

07:33

AFTER THAT "ACCESS HOLLYWOOD"

07:35

TAPE BROKE.

07:37

INDICTMENT ALLEGES TRUMP WOULD

07:39

DRAG IT OUT SO HE NEVER HAD TO

07:42

PAY DANIELS AT ALL WHICH IS

07:44

MISLEADING OR DISINGENUOUS IS

07:45

NOT ANY TYPE OF CRIME.

07:47

AGAIN, IT GOES TO CRIMINAL

07:49

INTENT BECAUSE HE INSTRUCTED

07:51

COHEN TO DELAY MAKING THE

07:53

PAYMENT TO DANIELS UNTIL AFTER

07:54

THE ELECTION.

07:55

AT THAT POINT IT WOULD NOT

07:57

MATTER IF THE STORY BECAME

08:00

PUBLIC, QUOTE, UNQUOTE.

08:02

D.A. BRAGG CITES THAT AS THE

08:05

EXACT EVIDENCE OF WHY THIS WAS A

08:07

CAMPAIGN CRIME COVERUP RATHER

08:08

THAN A GENERALIZED DESIRE TO

08:10

MAKE THAT STORY GO AWAY.

08:12

TRUMP'S LAWYERS MAY ARGUE, NO,

08:14

THIS WAS AN EMBARRASSING THING.

08:16

HE MAY HAVE PAID FOR THESE KIND

08:17

OF THINGS BEFORE AND THEREFORE

08:19

THEY'RE GOING TO ARGUE IT WASN'T

08:21

WITH A CRIMINAL INTENT TO BREAK

08:22

CAMPAIGN LAWS.

08:24

MORE EVIDENCE BOLSTERS D.A.

08:26

BRAGG'S SIDE AND THE ALLEGATIONS

08:29

BECAUSE THERE WAS ANOTHER

08:32

SCENARIO YOU MAY REMEMBER, KAREN

08:33

McDOUGALL.

08:34

SHE WAS ALSO PAID 150 K JUST

08:37

FROM A DIFFERENT SOURCE.

08:38

INSTEAD OF COHEN TAKING THAT

08:41

MONEY ON BEHALF OF TRUMP, THE

08:44

TABLOID, THE ENQUIRER, USED

08:46

TRICKERY TO GET HER TO BE SILENT

08:48

ABOUT HER HISTORY WITH TRUMP.

08:50

THE PUBLISHER HAS ALREADY

08:52

CONFIRMED THIS TO FEDERAL

08:53

PROSECUTORS.

08:53

WHEN I SAID SOME OF THIS HAS

08:55

BEEN ESTABLISHED, WELL, ALL THE

08:57

WAY BACK IN 2018, DIFFERENT OFFICE THAN THE D.A., GOT THAT

09:03

OFFICE THAN THE D.A., GOT THAT

09:07

CONFIRMATION WITH RECEIPTS BY

09:12

GIVING THAT TAB BLOATLOID FIGURE

09:15

IMMUNITY.

09:15

WHEN I ASKED IF THEY WERE AWARE

09:18

OF THE INTENT WHEN GETTING THAT

09:19

STORY?

09:20

>> I'M NOT SO SURE IF IT WAS --

09:23

IF I WAS AWARE OF IT AT THE TIME

09:26

THAT IT WAS THEIR INTENT TO BURY

09:28

THE STORY, BUT I THINK THEY HAD

09:32

CLEARLY ANNOUNCED THEIR

09:33

EDITORIAL PREFERENTIAL

09:34

CANDIDATE.

09:35

>> WAS THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER

09:37

ACTING AS THE ARM OF DONALD

09:39

TRUMP AND MICHAEL COHEN?

09:41

AND IF THEY WERE, WAS THERE

09:42

SOMETHING WRONG WITH THAT?

09:44

>> WE STRONGLY SUSPECT THEY

09:44

WERE.

09:45

>> THOSE ARE LAWYERS SPEAKING

09:47

LIKE LAWYERS BUT SAYING THEY HAD

09:48

THE REASON TO BELIEVE THE

09:50

EVIDENCE, SUSPECTING MATERIAL

09:51

THAT THAT WAS THE PLOT.

09:52

NOW THAT WAS YEARS AGO BECAUSE

09:54

AS I TOLD YOU, WE ALWAYS TRY TO

09:56

GO AS CLOSE TO THE SOURCE AS WE

09:57

CAN.

09:58

IF THE SOURCE WON'T TALK, IF

10:00

THEY HAVE AN ALLY OR LAWYER, WE

10:02

TALK TO THEM.

10:03

THE D.A. SAID TRUMP WAS AWARE OF

10:05

THOSE AND COHEN WAS CONCERNED

10:07

ENOUGH TO SECRETLY TAPE TRUMP AT

10:08

THE TIME.

10:09

THIS IS BACK WHEN COHEN WORKED

10:11

FOR TRUMP, LONG BEFORE HE

10:12

FLIPPED.

10:13

NOW IT'S EVIDENCE SHOWING TRUMP

10:15

WAS APPARENTLY IN THE LOOP ABOUT

10:18

THE SORTED TABLOID VIEWS

10:19

INCLUDING WITH THE TABLOID

10:21

CHIEF, DAVID PECKER.

10:23

>> I NEED TO OPEN UP A COMPANY

10:25

FOR THE TRANSFER OF ALL OF THAT

10:28

INFO REGARDING OUR FRIEND DAVID.

10:29

I SPOKE WITH ALLEN ABOUT IT WHEN

10:31

IT COMES TO THE FINANCING.

10:32

>> WHAT FINANCING?

10:34

>> WE'LL HAVE TO PAY --

10:37

>> OH, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO.

10:40

>> PAY WITH CASH.

10:42

IF YOU'VE WATCHED THE BEAT I'VE

10:44

WATCHED THIS BEFORE.

10:45

I BET YOU THE JURY IS GOING TO

10:48

GET AN EARFUL ABOUT THIS BECAUSE

10:49

IT'S SO BAD WITH TRUMP.

10:51

IN THAT PRIVATE SECRET SETTING

10:52

HE MAY HAVE THOUGHT IT WOULD

10:53

NEVER COME OUT.

10:55

HE CLEARLY DIDN'T KNOW COHEN

10:57

WOULD --

10:58

>> HE SAID WE CAN PAY WITH CASH

11:00

TO CONTINUE TO HIDE IT.

11:01

HE DIDN'T PLAN TO TELL THE

11:03

TRUTH, TELL THE IRS, ANYTHING

11:04

LIKE THAT.

11:05

COHEN SAYS NO, NO, NO.

11:08

>>> NOW BACK TO OUR SPECIAL

11:09

>>> NOW BACK TO OUR SPECIAL

11:10

REPORT ON THIS FIRST CRIMINAL

11:12

TRIAL EVER OF A FORMER

11:13

PRESIDENT.

11:14

TRUMP ACCUSED OF THIS HUSH MONEY

11:16

COVERUP AND HERE'S WHERE THESE

11:18

FALSE RECORDS COME INTO PLAY.

11:20

AFTER TRUMP BECAME PRESIDENT HE

11:22

WORKED WITH A MAN WHO'S RIGHT

11:24

NOW AS I'M REPORTING THIS FOR

11:26

YOU BACK DOING HIS SECOND TERM

11:28

AT RIKERS ISLAND IN NEW YORK.

11:31

TRUMP CFO ALLEN WEISSELBERG.

11:33

HE WAS INVOLVED IN THE PAYMENTS

11:35

IN WHICH COHEN MADE.

11:36

THE IMAGES MAY LOOK FAMILIAR

11:38

BECAUSE OVER THE COURSE OF 2017

11:41

TRUMP SENT COHEN SEVERAL CHECKS

11:43

THAT THEY CALLED FOR RETAINER OR

11:45

TAX PURPOSES AND WHAT'S BAD FOR

11:47

DEFENDANT TRUMP IS WHILE HE

11:49

MIGHT BE A BUSY PRESIDENT AND HE

11:51

MIGHT BE A BUSY BUSINESS OWNER,

11:52

HE WAS PERSONALLY SIGNING ALL OF

11:54

THESE CHECKS HIMSELF.

11:55

THE D.A. ALLEGES THAT PUT THE

11:57

TRUMP ORGANIZATION ON THE HOOK

12:00

TO THEN FALSE PHI RECORDS AND

12:02

CALL WHAT WERE PAYMENTS TO AN

12:04

EXTERNAL PARTY, QUOTE, LEGAL

12:04

FEES.

12:05

NOW IN BUSINESS YOU CAN'T JUST

12:08

PAY A AND CALL IT SOMETHING FOR

12:09

B.

12:10

IF ANYONE COULD DO THAT ALL THE

12:12

TIME, WELL, YOU WOULDN'T HAVE

12:14

ANY TAXES PAID OR ACCURATE

12:15

RECORDS.

12:16

ALL OF THIS CAME OUT WHEN THE

12:21

WALL STREET JOURNAL BROKE THE

12:24

ORIGINAL STORY IN 2018.

12:25

DONALD TRUMP LIED.

12:27

IN HIS FIRST PUBLIC COMMENTS HE

12:29

FIRST CLAIMED HE DIDN'T KNOW

12:30

WHAT WAS GOING ON WHEN HE WAS

12:32

INTIMATELY INVOLVED IN THIS FOR

12:32

YEARS.

12:33

WE HAVE THE TAPE SHOWING THAT

12:35

THAT'S WHY I CAN ACCURATELY,

12:36

CAREFULLY AND CLEARLY CALL IT A

12:39

LIE AND THEN HE WENT ON TO BLAME

12:41

HIS LAWYER.

12:42

>> MR. PRESIDENT, DID YOU KNOW