Trump to Begin Second Presidency as Convicted Criminal After Losing Legal Battle in Stormy Daniels Case
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World
December 17, 2024 15:30
amsterdam - Former President Trump's conviction in the Stormy Daniels case is upheld, setting the stage for his second term as a convicted criminal.
A judge ruled on Monday to uphold the 34 convictions handed down by a jury in May of this year in the Stormy Daniels case. Trump was found guilty of falsifying business documents to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.
Daniels had threatened to reveal her affair with the then-presidential candidate just before the 2016 elections. Trump's personal 'fixer' Michael Cohen was sent to pay Daniels, with Trump later reimbursing the amount as president. The payment was the subject of the concealment.
Trump's lawyers hoped that a recent Supreme Court ruling granting the president immunity for actions taken in his official capacity would exonerate him in this case. The judge, however, ruled that the case pertained to Trump's personal actions and statements, not his official duties. The court's decision was a blow to Trump's legal team's arguments.
Trump's legal battles seem far from over, as his lawyers plan to appeal the ruling. The impending legal challenges could lead to a showdown in higher courts, potentially impacting his second term as president.
Despite these legal setbacks, Trump has managed to avoid prosecution in other cases related to his actions during and after his presidency. This has raised concerns about accountability and the rule of law in the United States.