The prosecutor accuses Trump of “orchestrating a criminal plot to falsify” the 2016 elections | International

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The first trial of a former president of the United States is already underway, with Donald Trump facing accusations of criminal conspiracy and cover-up related to the 2016 presidential election. The trial began with an intense hearing, where Matthew Colangelo, the assistant district attorney, presented the case against Trump, alleging that he orchestrated a plot to tamper with the election and then covered it up by falsifying business records.

Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, refuted the accusations, claiming that the former president is innocent and that he committed no crime. The case revolves around payments made to hide scandals during the 2016 campaign, including a $130,000 payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels. The prosecution argues that these payments were made to influence the election and were disguised as legal expenses.

Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, is the prosecution’s star witness, and his credibility is being challenged by the defense. The defense has argued that Cohen is obsessed with Trump and holds a grudge against him, making his testimony unreliable. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges and maintains that the payments were valid legal expenses.

The trial is taking place in New York, with a jury of seven men and five women. Judge Juan Merchan has allowed a transcript of a video in which Trump made sexist comments to be shown in court, but not reproduced in the room. Trump has criticized the trial as a witch hunt and claimed that it is coordinated to favor President Joe Biden.

As the trial progresses, both the prosecution and the defense will present their arguments, and the jury will have to determine Trump’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The former president has denied the allegations and continues to assert his innocence. The trial is expected to be closely watched and will have significant implications for Trump’s political future.