Trump braces for opening statements and the first bombshell witness in the hush money trial
Donald Trump left his Manhattan home Monday morning and headed to court to hear opening statements in the historic hush-money trial after attacking pro-Palestinian protesters.
The former president could also face prosecutors’ first witness, former National Enquirer publisher and friend David Pecker.
The 77-year-old waved and raised his fist at photographers and onlookers as he walked down the sidewalk of Trump Tower and climbed into his waiting SUV.
On Monday morning, he took to Truth Social to post a “witch hunt” and “election interference” and decry the Stormy Daniels case which he claims is a political persecution.
He also questioned why pro-Palestinian demonstrators were allowed to “wander through cities” and “block traffic” while his supporters were not allowed to protest outside the court.
He issued a rallying cry to his MAGA faithful, telling them to “march across the country.”
Donald Trump left his Manhattan home Monday morning and headed to court to hear opening statements in the historic hush money trial
An NYU law professor believes Pecker will provide “dynamite evidence” against Donald Trump when he takes the stand Monday morning.
Over the weekend, a New York Times report revealed that Pecker would be the first witness called against the ex-president during his historic trial in Manhattan over allegations that he participated in a hush-money scheme ahead of the 2016 election.
“Pecker could be a key witness – in ways more devastating than Michael Cohen. This also indicates that the DA is bringing unlawful election influence to the forefront of jurors,” tweeted Professor Ron Goodman.
“Pecker’s testimony should provide strong evidence of the core allegation that the hush money program was designed to influence the outcome of the presidential election,” he added.
A 12-person jury in Manhattan will hear opening statements from prosecutors and defense attorneys in the first of four criminal cases against the presumptive Republican nominee to go to trial.
The statements are expected to give jurors and the voting public the clearest picture yet of the allegations at the heart of the case, as well as insight into Trump’s expected defense.
The 77-year-old waved and raised his fist at photographers and onlookers as he walked down the sidewalk of Trump Tower and climbed into his waiting SUV.
The former president could also face the prosecution’s first witness, former National Enquirer publisher and friend David Pecker
Trump is charged with 34 felonies for falsifying company records and faces up to four years in prison if convicted, although it is not clear whether the judge will try to put him behind bars.
A conviction would not prevent Trump from running for president again, but because it is a matter of state, he would not be able to try to pardon himself if found guilty. He has repeatedly denied all allegations.
In 2018, the Wall Street Journal reported that Pecker attended a meeting at Trump Tower in August 2015, where Trump asked him, “What can you do to help my campaign?”
The indictment states that Pecker agreed to help the campaign by becoming “eyes and ears” and staying alert to any negative stories about Trump.