Donald Trump's trial over payments to porn star Stormy Daniels opens in New York.
A historic event - no former American president has ever faced criminal proceedings and it is only the first of four for the tycoon - and destined to create a sensation not only because of Daniels' revelations about their affair but also because The Donald has announced that he will take the witness stand to tell "his truth".
The trial is an "attack on America" and a "political persecution," he said as he entered the courtroom: "Nothing like this has ever happened before." And again: «I know that I have the love of 200 million Americans behind me and that I will fight for the freedom of 325 million Americans!».
Trump is accused of 34 counts , in particular of falsifying business documents to hide a $130,000 payment to the hardcore actress and director in 2016 so that she would not reveal their relationship . In addition to Daniels, the other key testimony will be that of Michael Cohen , Trump's former personal lawyer and fixer who physically cut the checks for the porn star and Playboy bunny Karen McDougal and then, according to prosecutor Alvin Bragg, was reimbursed by company of the tycoon who passed off the installments as "legal expenses".
Unlike the other proceedings against the former president - the one for attempting to subvert the outcome of the elections won by Joe Biden in Georgia, having instigated the attack on Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021 and having inappropriately handled classified papers - this it is the only one that could close by November, i.e. before the elections, and is therefore considered the most significant for its future.
The tycoon's lawyers hope for a full acquittal but if he is found guilty each charge carries a maximum of four years in prison. Theoretically also in this case the tycoon could run for the White House: and if we really want to take every scenario into consideration, according to the American Constitution he could even lead the United States from prison.
(Unioneonline/D)
