Trump trial begins with a bang: See the DAโs damning case to bust Trump for jailable felony
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
- ๐ข The trial of Donald Trump, a former president, is unprecedented in American history and is expected to be a significant legal and historical event.
- ๐ 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.
- ๐ฐ 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.
- ๐๏ธ 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.
- ๐ค 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.
- ๐ 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.
- ๐ฅ 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.
- ๐ 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.
- ๐จ 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.
- ๐ 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.
- ๐ 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
๐ 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.
๐ค 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.
๐ 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.
๐ค 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.
๐๏ธ 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
๐กNew York versus Donald Trump
๐กIndictment
๐กHush-money payments
๐กFalsifying business records
๐กCriminal intent
๐กMichael Cohen
๐กStormy Daniels
๐กKaren McDougal
๐กDavid Pecker
๐กElection plot felony
๐กLegal reckoning
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
>>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO OUR NEW
>>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO OUR NEW
SPECIAL.
THE STATE OF NEW YORK VERSUS
DONALD TRUMP ON THIS FIRST TRIAL
OF AN EX-PRESIDENT IN AMERICAN
HISTORY AND WHAT WE CAN SAY IS
WE REPORT RIGHT NOW WHAT WILL BE
DONALD TRUMP'S ONLY CRIMINAL
CASE THAT IS DEFINITELY HEADED
TO TRIAL BEFORE THIS ELECTION.
TONIGHT WE'LL HEAR FROM LEGAL
EXPERTS MYIA WILEY AND MICHAEL
BESCHLOCH ON AN UNPRECEDENTED
TRIAL AND RECKONING FOR THE
NATION.
WE BEGIN WITH THE FACTS.
HOW WE GOT TO THIS MOMENTOUS
TRIAL AS JURY SELECTION IS SET
TO BEGIN MONDAY.
WE DON'T KNOW HOW IT WILL END,
BUT WE KNOW IT WILL BE MARKED IN
HISTORY AND IN LAW SCHOOLS AND
IN MANY OTHER CONVERSATIONS FOR
DECADES TO COME IN THIS NATION.
THE NEW YORK DA, ALVIN BRAG,
MADE LEGAL HISTORY, AS THE VERY
FIRST PROSECUTOR TO EVER INDICT
ANY FORMER PRESIDENT KNOW
DECADE, ANY CENTURY, ANY STATE.
THIS IS THE FIRST.
HE WAS THE FIRST TO INDICT TRUMP
AND THE CASE IS BASED ON WHAT IS
IN MANY WAYS A SET OF PROVEN
HUSH MONEY PAYMENTS THAT WE ALL
NOW KNOW OCCURRED IN 2016.
WHAT IS NEW, AND THE REASON THAT
DONALD TRUMP COULD BE FACING A
FELONY CONVICTION OR A JAIL
SENTENCE, IS THAT THIS D.A.
INDICTED THOSE NOW KNOWN
PAYMENTS AND SCANDALS AS
CRIMINAL LIES.
HE HAS CHARGED DONALD TRUMP FOR
FALSIFYING BUSINESS RECORDS IN
HOW HE HANDLED THOSE PAYMENTS
ORCHESTRATING A SCHEME TO
DISTORT THE ELECTION PURCHASING
NEGATIVE INFORMATION AND
INTENTIONALLY MISCHARACTERIZING
THOSE THEN RECORDED PAYMENTS.
LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING RIGHT
UP TOP HERE AS WE GET READY FOR
THIS TRIAL OF THE DECADE OR THE
CENTURY.
THIS IS ULTIMATELY ABOUT FACTS,
AND BY THE STANDARDS OF, SAY,
WHETHER YOU HAVE THE EVIDENCE TO
SHOW SOMETHING IS TRUE OR THE
STANDARDS OF JOURNALISM WHEN WE
SAY WE HAVE REPORTED OR
CONFIRMED SOMETHING AS A FACT,
THAT PART I JUST MENTIONED IS A
FACT.
IT IS ESTABLISHED.
THERE ARE DETAILED RECORDS OF
THOSE PURCHASES.
THERE ARE SEVERAL EYE WITNESSES
AND DIRECT PARTICIPANTS TO IT.
IT IS ESTABLISHED.
WE BEGIN RIGHT NOW WITH ANOTHER
HARD LEGAL ISSUE FOR THIS D.A.
WHAT I JUST SAID SOUNDS BAD FOR
TRUMP BUT IS NOT IN ITSELF A
FELONY UNDER THE LAW.
TO MAKE THIS A FELONY CASE THIS
D.A. USED A POWERFUL TOOL THAT,
TO BE CLEAR, MANY PROSECUTORS
USE ALL THE TIME.
HE TOOK ALL THIS DAMNING
EVIDENCE AGAINST HIS POTENTIAL
DEFENDANT, TRUMP, AND HE
COMBINED IT INTO A LEGAL
ARGUMENT FOR A LARGER CRIME.
IT'S THE SAME WAY WE'VE SEEN
FROM MOVIES TO REAL LIFE OTHER
PROSECUTORS USE RICO OR
FINANCIAL SCHEMES TO ARGUE THAT
A GROUP IS PART OF A LARGER
CONSPIRACY.
THAT IS THE KIND OF APPROACH
THIS D.A. TOOK.
TAKING WHAT I JUST REFERRED TO,
THE KIND OF ESTABLISHED LIES,
THE BUSINESS RECORDS LIES WHICH
ARE A MISDEMEANOR IN NEW YORK
STATE, A SMALLER INFRACTION, AND
USING A VALID LAW TO COMBINE IT
INTO AN ELECTION PLOT FELONY.
WHAT YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN IS
WHAT THE JURY WILL SEE, AND THIS
IS FROM THE D.A.'S OFFICE.
THIS IS NOT ONE OF THOSE
SUMMARIES WE'VE MADE HERE AS
JOURNALISTS, THIS IS BASICALLY
THE THEORY GOING DOWN THROUGH
THOSE ARROWS ABOUT HOW ALL OF
THESE LIES, SOME OF THEM PROVEN
BASICALLY, LIKE THE LIES ABOUT
THE RETAINER PAYMENTS, BECOMING
AN ELECTION CRIME.
IF YOU REMEMBER NOTHING ELSE,
KEEP THAT IN MIND.
IT IS THE CRUX OF THE CASE.
THE D.A. TELLING THE JURY, OKAY,
A LIA LONE IS A MISDEMEANOR, BUT
THIS WAS A LIE PLUS A GRAVE
CAMPAIGN CRIME.
TRUMP IS LEGALLY PRESUMED
INNOCENT AND HE WILL HAVE
DEFENSE LAWYERS WHO CAN ARGUE
THAT THE STATE BASICALLY TOOK A
BUNCH OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT
THEY ARGUE IS SMALL AND TAKE ALL
OF THE SMALL THINGS, THROW THEM
AGAINST THE WALL.
THEY'LL ARGUE THIS ISN'T REALLY
A TRUE BIG FELONY CASE AND IT
SHOULD BE RESOLVED THE WAY OTHER
FINANCIAL MISDEMEANORS ARE
RESOLVED.
THE JURY IS GOING TO HEAR MESSY
DETAILS ABOUT BACK ROOM DEALS,
SECRET PAYMENTS AND ALLEGED
TRYSTS.
THE D.A. WILL ARGUE THOSE TO
HIDE AND ILLEGALLY BUY STORIES
AS A BIG DEAL AND TO UNDERSTAND
ALL OF THIS, THE JURY, AND
ANYONE ELSE FOLLOWING, WHICH
MIGHT BE YOU AND A HECK OF A LOT
OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE
INTERESTED IN LAW, JUSTICE AND
POLITICS, TO GET INTO IT YOU
HAVE TO GO ALL THE WAY BACK TWO
ELECTION CYCLES AND THE INFAMOUS
TAPE THAT MANY THOUGHT INCLUDING
REPUBLICANS AND TRUMP INSIDERS
AT THE TIME WOULD BASICALLY BE
THE END OF DONALD TRUMP'S HOPES
FOR THE PRESIDENCY.
>> YA KNOW, I'M AUTOMATICALLY
ATTRACTED TO BEAUTIFUL WOMEN.
IT'S LIKE A MAGNET.
AND WHEN YOU'RE A STAR, THEY LET
YOU DO ANYTHING.
GRAM 'EM BY THE [ BLEEP ].
>> NOW YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THAT,
YOU TAKE IT ALL TOGETHER AND LET
ME SHOW YOU THE NEXT POINT HERE.
THAT WAS A BIG DEAL.
THE BLOWBACK WAS POWERFUL AND A
LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT THE RACE
WAS OVER.
>> DONALD TRUMP'S PRESIDENTIAL
CAMPAIGN IN TURMOIL TONIGHT
FACING WITHERING POLITICAL
FALLOUT.
>> WHEN THE TAPE COMES OUT HE
DROPS FROM 41 TO 38.
THEN ON THE WEEKEND AFTER
EVERYBODY'S SEEN THE TAPE HE
FALLS THROUGH THE FLOOR.
THAT'S WHY THEY ARE DRIVING THE
REPUBLICAN PARTY AND DONALD
TRUMP OFF A CLIFF AND INTO THE
POLITICAL ABYSS.
>> YOU DO NOT RECOVER FROM THIS.
THIS ELECTION ENDED.
ALL I CAN SAY IS I'M SORRY.
>> NOW THE ELECTION DID NOT END.
THOSE POLLS AND MUCH OF THE
CRITICISM DID PROBABLY CAPTURE
SOMETHING, AN INITIAL HORROR AND
REVULSION AWAY FROM TRUMP, AND
THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE REASONS
I'M GOING TO EXPLAIN NOW
LEGALLY.
THE POINT IS NOT THAT PUNDITS
OVERREACTED OR PEOPLE THOUGHT
AMERICA COULD NOT STOMACH THAT
GUY ON THAT TAPE BECOMING
PRESIDENT.
WE'VE HAD THOSE DEBATES FOR
YEARS.
WE CAN CONTINUE TO HAVE THEM.
TONIGHT WE'RE LOOKING AT HOW
THIS WILL MATTER ONLY IN THE
CONTEXT OF THIS IT CRIMINAL
TRIAL OF DEFENDANT TRUMP.
THE DEFENSE HEARD TRUMP AND HE
DID GET FEWER VOTES AND HE DID
LOSE WOMEN OVER 40 BUT HE WON
THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE.
THE LEGAL CASE ONLY CARES ABOUT
HOW THAT TAPE AND THE REACTION
MAY SHOW DONALD TRUMP'S
MOTIVATION AT THE TIME, WHAT
PROSECUTORS CALL CRIMINAL
INTENT.
THE D.A. IS ARGUING DONALD TRUMP
IS A CRIMINAL.
THIS ISN'T ABOUT SOME LATER
NOVEMBER QUARTERBACKING POST
ELECTION EVEN THOUGH THIS
RELATES TO AN ELECTION.
IT'S NOT ABOUT THAT.
THE CASE WILL INVOLVE POLITICS
ONLY TO GO BACK TO TRUMP'S
CRIMINAL INTENT.
AGAIN, HIS LAWYERS MAY HAVE
DEFENSES TO THIS, BUT THERE WILL
BE FASCINATING POLITICAL
OBSERVATIONS IN THE SERVICE OF
PROVING WHAT THE D.A. SAYS WAS
TRUMP'S CLEAR CRIMINAL INTENT
BECAUSE THEY HAD A CAMPAIGN
CRIMINAL MOTIVE.
SO WE'VE HEARD ABOUT THESE
REPORTS OF A TOTAL PANIC WITHIN
THE CAMPAIGN AS THE INDICTMENT
NOTES THERE WAS A CATALYST FROM
THAT PANIC TO THEN GET THE HUSH
MONEY PAYMENTS FIRST GOING
TOWARDS STORMY DANIELS.
THAT WAS ARRANGED BY NOW STAR
WITNESS MICHAEL COHEN.
130 K TO HIDE THE STORY WHICH
WAS FIN NUSHD UP THREE DAYS
AFTER THAT "ACCESS HOLLYWOOD"
TAPE BROKE.
INDICTMENT ALLEGES TRUMP WOULD
DRAG IT OUT SO HE NEVER HAD TO
PAY DANIELS AT ALL WHICH IS
MISLEADING OR DISINGENUOUS IS
NOT ANY TYPE OF CRIME.
AGAIN, IT GOES TO CRIMINAL
INTENT BECAUSE HE INSTRUCTED
COHEN TO DELAY MAKING THE
PAYMENT TO DANIELS UNTIL AFTER
THE ELECTION.
AT THAT POINT IT WOULD NOT
MATTER IF THE STORY BECAME
PUBLIC, QUOTE, UNQUOTE.
D.A. BRAGG CITES THAT AS THE
EXACT EVIDENCE OF WHY THIS WAS A
CAMPAIGN CRIME COVERUP RATHER
THAN A GENERALIZED DESIRE TO
MAKE THAT STORY GO AWAY.
TRUMP'S LAWYERS MAY ARGUE, NO,
THIS WAS AN EMBARRASSING THING.
HE MAY HAVE PAID FOR THESE KIND
OF THINGS BEFORE AND THEREFORE
THEY'RE GOING TO ARGUE IT WASN'T
WITH A CRIMINAL INTENT TO BREAK
CAMPAIGN LAWS.
MORE EVIDENCE BOLSTERS D.A.
BRAGG'S SIDE AND THE ALLEGATIONS
BECAUSE THERE WAS ANOTHER
SCENARIO YOU MAY REMEMBER, KAREN
McDOUGALL.
SHE WAS ALSO PAID 150 K JUST
FROM A DIFFERENT SOURCE.
INSTEAD OF COHEN TAKING THAT
MONEY ON BEHALF OF TRUMP, THE
TABLOID, THE ENQUIRER, USED
TRICKERY TO GET HER TO BE SILENT
ABOUT HER HISTORY WITH TRUMP.
THE PUBLISHER HAS ALREADY
CONFIRMED THIS TO FEDERAL
PROSECUTORS.
WHEN I SAID SOME OF THIS HAS
BEEN ESTABLISHED, WELL, ALL THE
WAY BACK IN 2018, DIFFERENT OFFICE THAN THE D.A., GOT THAT
OFFICE THAN THE D.A., GOT THAT
CONFIRMATION WITH RECEIPTS BY
GIVING THAT TAB BLOATLOID FIGURE
IMMUNITY.
WHEN I ASKED IF THEY WERE AWARE
OF THE INTENT WHEN GETTING THAT
STORY?
>> I'M NOT SO SURE IF IT WAS --
IF I WAS AWARE OF IT AT THE TIME
THAT IT WAS THEIR INTENT TO BURY
THE STORY, BUT I THINK THEY HAD
CLEARLY ANNOUNCED THEIR
EDITORIAL PREFERENTIAL
CANDIDATE.
>> WAS THE NATIONAL ENQUIRER
ACTING AS THE ARM OF DONALD
TRUMP AND MICHAEL COHEN?
AND IF THEY WERE, WAS THERE
SOMETHING WRONG WITH THAT?
>> WE STRONGLY SUSPECT THEY
WERE.
>> THOSE ARE LAWYERS SPEAKING
LIKE LAWYERS BUT SAYING THEY HAD
THE REASON TO BELIEVE THE
EVIDENCE, SUSPECTING MATERIAL
THAT THAT WAS THE PLOT.
NOW THAT WAS YEARS AGO BECAUSE
AS I TOLD YOU, WE ALWAYS TRY TO
GO AS CLOSE TO THE SOURCE AS WE
CAN.
IF THE SOURCE WON'T TALK, IF
THEY HAVE AN ALLY OR LAWYER, WE
TALK TO THEM.
THE D.A. SAID TRUMP WAS AWARE OF
THOSE AND COHEN WAS CONCERNED
ENOUGH TO SECRETLY TAPE TRUMP AT
THE TIME.
THIS IS BACK WHEN COHEN WORKED
FOR TRUMP, LONG BEFORE HE
FLIPPED.
NOW IT'S EVIDENCE SHOWING TRUMP
WAS APPARENTLY IN THE LOOP ABOUT
THE SORTED TABLOID VIEWS
INCLUDING WITH THE TABLOID
CHIEF, DAVID PECKER.
>> I NEED TO OPEN UP A COMPANY
FOR THE TRANSFER OF ALL OF THAT
INFO REGARDING OUR FRIEND DAVID.
I SPOKE WITH ALLEN ABOUT IT WHEN
IT COMES TO THE FINANCING.
>> WHAT FINANCING?
>> WE'LL HAVE TO PAY --
>> OH, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO.
>> PAY WITH CASH.
IF YOU'VE WATCHED THE BEAT I'VE
WATCHED THIS BEFORE.
I BET YOU THE JURY IS GOING TO
GET AN EARFUL ABOUT THIS BECAUSE
IT'S SO BAD WITH TRUMP.
IN THAT PRIVATE SECRET SETTING
HE MAY HAVE THOUGHT IT WOULD
NEVER COME OUT.
HE CLEARLY DIDN'T KNOW COHEN
WOULD --
>> HE SAID WE CAN PAY WITH CASH
TO CONTINUE TO HIDE IT.
HE DIDN'T PLAN TO TELL THE
TRUTH, TELL THE IRS, ANYTHING
LIKE THAT.
COHEN SAYS NO, NO, NO.
>>> NOW BACK TO OUR SPECIAL
>>> NOW BACK TO OUR SPECIAL
REPORT ON THIS FIRST CRIMINAL
TRIAL EVER OF A FORMER
PRESIDENT.
TRUMP ACCUSED OF THIS HUSH MONEY
COVERUP AND HERE'S WHERE THESE
FALSE RECORDS COME INTO PLAY.
AFTER TRUMP BECAME PRESIDENT HE
WORKED WITH A MAN WHO'S RIGHT
NOW AS I'M REPORTING THIS FOR
YOU BACK DOING HIS SECOND TERM
AT RIKERS ISLAND IN NEW YORK.
TRUMP CFO ALLEN WEISSELBERG.
HE WAS INVOLVED IN THE PAYMENTS
IN WHICH COHEN MADE.
THE IMAGES MAY LOOK FAMILIAR
BECAUSE OVER THE COURSE OF 2017
TRUMP SENT COHEN SEVERAL CHECKS
THAT THEY CALLED FOR RETAINER OR
TAX PURPOSES AND WHAT'S BAD FOR
DEFENDANT TRUMP IS WHILE HE
MIGHT BE A BUSY PRESIDENT AND HE
MIGHT BE A BUSY BUSINESS OWNER,
HE WAS PERSONALLY SIGNING ALL OF
THESE CHECKS HIMSELF.
THE D.A. ALLEGES THAT PUT THE
TRUMP ORGANIZATION ON THE HOOK
TO THEN FALSE PHI RECORDS AND
CALL WHAT WERE PAYMENTS TO AN
EXTERNAL PARTY, QUOTE, LEGAL
FEES.
NOW IN BUSINESS YOU CAN'T JUST
PAY A AND CALL IT SOMETHING FOR
B.
IF ANYONE COULD DO THAT ALL THE
TIME, WELL, YOU WOULDN'T HAVE
ANY TAXES PAID OR ACCURATE
RECORDS.
ALL OF THIS CAME OUT WHEN THE
WALL STREET JOURNAL BROKE THE
ORIGINAL STORY IN 2018.
DONALD TRUMP LIED.
IN HIS FIRST PUBLIC COMMENTS HE
FIRST CLAIMED HE DIDN'T KNOW
WHAT WAS GOING ON WHEN HE WAS
INTIMATELY INVOLVED IN THIS FOR
YEARS.
WE HAVE THE TAPE SHOWING THAT
THAT'S WHY I CAN ACCURATELY,
CAREFULLY AND CLEARLY CALL IT A
LIE AND THEN HE WENT ON TO BLAME
HIS LAWYER.
>> MR. PRESIDENT, DID YOU KNOW
ABOUT THE $130,000 PAYMENT TO
STORMY DANIELS?
>> NO.
WHAT ELSE?
>> THEN WHY DID MICHAEL COHEN
MAKE IT IF THERE WAS NO
ALLEGATION?
>> YOU'LL HAVE TO ASK MICHAEL
COHEN.
MICHAEL IS MY ATTORNEY AND
YOU'LL HAVE TO ASK MICHAEL.
>> NO, THE CLAIM THERE IS A BALD
FACED LIE AND THERE AREN'T A LOT
OF WAYS TO SPIN IT BECAUSE IT'S
SO CLEAR.
NO, HE SAYS HE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT
SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE HIM ON
TAPE STRATEGIZING ABOUT.
NO, HE SAYS ABOUT SOMETHING WE
HAVE HIM ON RECORD PAPER SIGNING
ABOUT AND HE DOES TEND TO KEEP
TRACK OF THE MONEY THAT GETS
PULLED OUT OF HIM.
AS I MENTIONED EARLIER IN THE
REPORT, IT WAS A LONG TIME
COMING TO EVEN GET THOSE BILLS
PAID.
NOW THIS WASN'T GOING TO HOLD
UP.
YOU HAD COHEN OUT THERE, YOU HAD
INVESTIGATORS OUT THERE AND A
LOT OF PAPER RECORDS, FINANCIAL
RECORDS OUT THERE, SO OTHER
LAWYERS WHO WERE INVOLVED FOR
DONALD TRUMP WHO HAVE ALSO
THEMSELVES GONE ON TO BE
INDICTED WERE THEN FIGURING OUT
THE STRATEGY.
SO WHILE IT MIGHT LOOK SLOPPY,
WE KNOW A LOT MORE NOW THAN WE
DID THEN.
WHAT WE KNOW NOW IS THAT LAWYERS
AROUND TRUMP FIGURED THIS IS
GOING TO COME OUT SO WE'VE GOT
TO START GETTING IT OUT.
SOMEONE WHO THEN WAS RELATIVELY
NEW TO THE LEGAL TEAM RUDY
GIULIANI DISCUSSED IT ON FOX.
TAKE A LOOK.
>> THEY FUNNELED IT THROUGH A
LAW FIRM.
>> FUNNELED THROUGH A LAW FIRM
AND THEN THE PRESIDENT REPAID
IT.
>> OH, I DIDN'T KNOW -- HE DID?
>> YUP.
>> THERE'S NO CAMPAIGN FINANCE
LAW?
>> ZERO.
>> YOU CAN HEAR SEAN HANNITY
LAW'S DISEMBODIED VOICE.
YOU HAVE TO CHANGE YOUR TALKING
POIRNLTS IF ALL YOU DO IS LISTEN
TO DONALD TRUMP.
RUDY GIULIANI WOULD GO ON FROM
THAT FAILED COVERUP TO THE BIG
LIE TO AS I MENTIONED BEING A
CO-DEFENDANT IN DONALD TRUMP IN
THE RICO CASE WHICH MAY NOT GO
TO TRIAL BEFORE NOVEMBER.
TRUMP WAS SAYING HE WAS NOT
INVOLVED IN THE PAYMENTS AND WE
KNOW THAT TO BE FALSE FOR THE
REASONS I STATED.
KNOWING IT WAS FALSE AND SOMEONE
WAS LYING DOESN'T MEAN THEY'VE
YET MET THE BURDEN OF A CRIMINAL
CONVICTION.
WE DO KNOW THEY WERE LYING.
STORMY DANIELS THEN ATTORNEY,
WHO ALSO HAS HAD HIS OWN
PROBLEMS, MICHAEL AVANATI, BACK
THEN WAS LEADING THIS CHARGE
AGAINST TRUMP AND COHEN AND
CALLED THE CLAIM LUDICROUS WHEN
HE APPEARED ON THIS VERY PROGRAM
"THE BEAT" IN 2018.
>> THIS SUGGESTION THAT SOMEHOW
MR. COHEN WAS OPERATING ON HIS
OWN VOLITION, NOT REPORTING TO
ANYONE, SPENDING ALL OF THIS
TIME -- I MEAN, THIS WAS NOT A
NEGOTIATION THAT TOOK 30
MINUTES.
THE FACT THAT MR. COHEN WANTS
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO BELIEVE
THAT HE WAS JUST OUT THERE DOING
ALL OF THIS ON HIS OWN AND NOT
REPORTING TO ANYBODY ABOUT IT?
IT'S NOT BELIEVABLE.
>> DANIELS THEN ATTORNEY SAYING
IT WASN'T BELIEVABLE.
IT WASN'T VERY BELIEVABLE AND
COHEN WOULD LATER RECANT.
COHEN FIRST TOOK THE FALL, PLED
GUILTY TO TAX FRAUD AND LYING
CHARGES IN CONNECTION WITH THIS
VERY PAYMENT AND HE DON'T A
FEDERAL CAMPAIGN FINANCE CRIME
WHICH, AGAIN, WAS NOT FOR HIS
OWN PERSONAL BENEFIT AT THE TIME
BUT WAS FOR DONALD TRUMP AND
WENT TO PRISON FOR ALL OF THAT.
IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE THE
SENTENCE HE ALSO DID SOMETHING
THAT WEISSELBERG WHO'S IN RIKERS
NOW DID NOT DO, WHO GIULIANI'S
NOT DONE.
COHEN DID FLIP ON HIS FORMER
BOSS AND HE REVEALED IN HIGH
STAKES, SIGNIFICANT TESTIMONY TO
THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS THAT
TRUMP WAS IN ON ALL OF THIS.
>> WHAT I DID EACH AND EVERY
TIME IS GO STRAIGHT INTO MR.
TRUMP'S OFFICE AND DISCUSS THE
ISSUE WITH HIM.
HE ACKNOWLEDGED TO ALAN THAT HE
WAS GOING TO PAY THE 130,000 AND
THAT ALAN AND I SHOULD GO BACK
TO HIS OFFICE AND FIGURE OUT HOW
TO DO IT.
>> THAT WAS ABOUT FIVE YEARS
AGO.
THE BLOW BY BLOW OF WHAT
EVERYONE THINKS OF THESE FIGURES
COULD BE AVANATI WENT TO PRISON,
COULD BE COHEN WHO WENT TO
PRISON, COULD BE WEISSELBERG.
THE QUESTION IS NOT ABOUT THE
FEELINGS OF THESE PEOPLE, NOT
SUPPOSED TO BE THE JURY'S
FEELINGS.
IN FACT, THERE COULD BE VERY
COMPELLING TESTIMONY FROM PEOPLE
THAT JURORS DON'T LIKE, THAT
THEY HATE, THAT THEY MIGHT FEAR,
CONVICTED MURDERERS, DRUG
DEALERS, GANG MEMBERS, SENIOR
MAFIA CAPITOLS.
THEY SOMETIMES MAKE THE MOST
DAMNING WITNESS BECAUSE IT AIN'T
A POPULARITY CONTEST, CERTAINLY
AIN'T SUPPOSED TO BE A POLITICAL
CAMPAIGN EVEN IF IT INVOLVES
DISCUSSIONS OF PAST CAMPAIGNS.
MUCH NARROWER QUESTION.
DOES THIS PERSON HAVE FIRSTHAND
KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT THEY'RE
TALKING ABOUT AND CAN ANY OF IT
BE CORROBORATED.
IN MR. COHEN'S CASE THE ANSWER
IS YES, WHICH IS BAD NEWS TO MR.
TRUMP.
THE NEW YORK D.A.'S OFFICE
CONTINUED TO INVESTIGATE ALL OF
THOSE SORTED SCHEMES AND
PAYMENTS TO SEE WHETHER IT ADDED
UP BEYOND WHAT HE SAID.
WHAT DID HE KNOW, WHAT DID HE DO
BUT WHAT ELSE ON PAPER
CORROBORATED ALL OF THIS?
AND AFTER A PRETTY LENGTHY
PROCESS, WE'VE PRESSED PEOPLE
INCLUDING PEOPLE CLOSE TO HIM,
THEY PRESSED TRUMP AND HEARD
TESTIMONY FROM THOSE WITNESSES
INCLUDING COHEN, DANIELS AND THE
RECLUSIVE BUT PIVOTAL FIGURE IN
ALL OF THIS, THE TABLOID
PUBLISHER, DAVID PECKER.
MANY OF THEM ARE EXPECTED TO
BRING THEIR TESTIMONY, THE
TESTIMONY WHICH HELPED CHARGE
DONALD TRUMP, THEY'RE GOING TO
BRING IT TO THIS TRIAL.
THEN THERE'S JOE TA ATACOPINA.
HE WAS A KEY DEFENSE LAWYER IN
NEW YORK FOR DONALD TRUMP ON
THIS HIGH STAKES CASE.
WE HAD HIM ON "THE BEAT" AND HE
VEHEMENTLY DEFENDED WERE THE
REASONS WHY HE SAID THIS
SHOULDN'T BE A CASE FOR HIS THEN
CLIENT DONALD TRUMP WHEN WE
DISCUSSED THIS ON "THE BEAT."
>> THESE PAYMENTS WERE MADE, AND
THEY WERE, ACCORDING TO FEDERAL
FILINGS, CLASSIFIED ON THE TRUMP
SIDE AS LEGAL SERVICES.
>> UH-HUH.
>> THAT WAS FALSE, WASN'T IT?
>> THE PAYMENTS WERE MADE TO A
LAWYER, NOT TO STORMY DANIELS.
THE PAYMENTS WERE MADE TO DONALD
TRUMP'S LAWYER, WHICH WOULD BE
CONSIDERED LEGAL FEES.
THIS WOULD EXIST IRRESPECTIVE OF
THE CAMPAIGN.
>> YOU'RE MAKING A POTENTIAL
DEFENSE HE WOULD HAVE PAID THIS
OUT REGARDLESS?
>> NOW THAT WAS INTERESTING.
ALL THESE YEARS LATER, AND THAT
WAS JUST ABOUT A YEAR AGO,
TACOPINA, WHO AT THE TIME WAS
REPRESENTING TRUMP, HE'S SINCE
LEFT THAT CASE, WAS MAKING THE
COHEN ARGUMENT.
COHEN FELL DOWN BUT TACOPINA IS
MAKING THE SAME ARGUMENT.
WHATEVER MONEY WENT TO THE
LAWYER, WHATEVER TRUMP SAID HE
WASN'T IN THE LOOP.
A COUPLE MINUTES BACK I SAID
CRIMINAL INTENT.
THAT'S WHAT MATTERS.
THE DEBATE'S NOT OVER THE MONEY.
WE KNOW THE MONEY WENT OVER
THERE.
THE DEBATE IS OVER WHETHER
DONALD TRUMP HAD THE CRIMINAL
INTENT AND KNEW WHAT WAS GOING
ON AS COHEN AND OTHERS SAY HE
DID OR WHETHER IT WAS JUST
SIGNING SOMETHING AND AS
TACOPINA ARGUES, JUST WENT OVER
THE LAWYER'S LEGAL FEES, THE
OTHER PEOPLE WERE FILLING IN THE
DETAILS.
THE D.A. ULTIMATELY WAS THE
FIRST PROSECUTOR TO INDICT A
PRESIDENT, OTHERS HAVE FOLLOWED
SINCE THEN AND AGAIN IN OUR
EFFORT TO GET THE FACTS WE
ACTUALLY HAD THE THEN SITTING
D.A. BRAGG, WHO'S NOW LEADING
THIS CASE AND NOT DOING ANY
INTERVIEWS LATELY, IT WAS MONTHS
BEFORE THAT HAPPENED WHEN HE
CAME ON "THE BEAT" AND I ASKED
HIM ABOUT INDICTING TRUMP BACK
THEN, HOW MUCH CONTROVERSY THERE
HAD BEEN ABOUT THE PROCESS,
THERE HAD BEEN OTHER THEORIES
AND OTHER POSSIBLE CRIMES PEOPLE
SAID HE SHOULD ACT ON.
HERE'S WHAT HE TOLD ME.
>> AS I SAID BACK IN APRIL IN A
STATEMENT, THE INVESTIGATION'S
ONGOING.
THIS IS ONE CHAPTER.
I CAUTION PEOPLE AGAINST READING
AHEAD.
THE WORK NEVER STOPPED AND WE'RE
GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT.
>> ONE CHAPTER AND WE'RE GOING
TO CONTINUE.
THAT'S WHAT THE D.A. TOLD US
FACE TO FACE WHILE SITTING IN
THE OFFICE.
NOW WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT
WAS IN HIS MIND AT THAT POINT.
WAS IT UP IN THE AIR?
WAS HE STILL GATHERING FACTS?
WAS HE CLOSING OUT ONE CASE TO
CONTINUE ON ANOTHER?
WAS HE THINKING THIS WAS WINDING
DOWN?
OR DID HE SAY ONE CHAPTER
BECAUSE HE KNEW THE BIGGEST
CHAPTER WAS ABOUT TO BEGIN AND
THAT HE WOULD DO SOMETHING THAT
NO ONE IN THE HISTORY OF
AMERICAN LAW AND EVERY
PROSECUTOR AROUND THE COUNTRY,
AND PROSECUTORS DO DREAM ABOUT
BIG CASES BUT THEY'RE SUPPOSED
TO FOLLOW THE FACTS, HE KNEW THE
CHAPTER COMING WOULD BE THE
BIGGEST CHAPTER OF ALL, THE
INDICTMENT OF A FORMER PRESIDENT
AND HE ACTED FIRST.
WHILE THERE'S BEEN MUCH
DISCUSSION ABOUT THE OTHER CASES
ARE LEGALLY MUCH MORE
POTENTIALLY SERIOUS, BY ACTING
FIRST HE GOT THE CASES GOING.
TRUMP AND HIS HIGH PRICED
LAWYERS AND THEY HAVE GOTTEN
OTHER CASES SLOWED DOWN,
DELAYED, FOULED UP.
NOT NEW YORK WHERE THERE'S AN
INDEPENDENT PROSECUTOR.
NOT NEW YORK WHERE A FUTURE
PRESIDENT WOULD HAVE NO ABILITY
TO PARDON ANY CRIME CONVICTED IN
NEW YORK.
THE D.A. DID WHAT SO MANY OTHERS
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)
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