Key Witnesses Named in Trump’s Hush Money Trial

Former President Donald Trump’s upcoming hush money trial in Manhattan is poised to feature a high-profile array of potential witnesses, including his former attorneys Michael Cohen and Rudy Giuliani, along with former White House strategist Steve Bannon, ex-aide Hope Hicks, and the central figure in the case, former adult film star Stormy Daniels.

New York Judge Juan Merchan disclosed a list of over 40 potential witnesses for the trial, where Trump faces 34 felony charges for allegedly falsifying business records linked to hush money payments made to Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. This list notably includes several members of Trump’s family, such as his adult children Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka Trump, and Eric Trump, as well as his wife Melania Trump and Ivanka’s husband Jared Kushner.

Also among the potential witnesses are former Trump Organization executives Jeff McConney and Allen Weisselberg, as well as model Karen McDougal, who claimed to have received a hush money payment for an alleged affair with Trump. Additionally, former American Media CEO David Pecker is listed as a potential witness in the trial.

Judge Merchan’s Warning and Background of the Case

Judge Merchan cautioned Trump that he could face imprisonment if he disrupts or refuses to attend the trial without a valid reason. This warning comes as prosecutors in the case seek to hold Trump in contempt for violating a gag order. The order was breached when Trump criticized potential witnesses on his social media platform, Truth Social.

The case against Trump, which has been ongoing since last March, centers on allegations that he falsified business records to facilitate hush money payments to Daniels, aimed at silencing her about an alleged affair before the 2016 election. Prosecutors assert that Trump reimbursed Cohen, his former attorney, $420,000 for the $130,000 payment to Daniels, falsely labeling it as a legal fee. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges, consistently maintaining his innocence.

Trump’s Response and Public Opinion

Despite his legal troubles, Trump has continued to publicly criticize the case, referring to it as “the Biden Manhattan Witch Hunt Case” in a recent post on his social media platform. The case’s impact on public opinion remains uncertain. A recent New York Times/Siena poll revealed that 57% of registered voters view the charges against Trump as serious, with 46% indicating that he should be found guilty.

Potential Ramifications and Watch Points

One key unknown is whether a potential conviction in the hush money case could impact Trump’s electoral prospects. A Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated that 13% of respondents, including 24% of registered Republicans, would not vote for Trump in November if he is convicted of a felony.

Moving forward, all eyes will be on the jury selection process, which is expected to involve around 500 potential jurors. These individuals will face detailed questioning, including inquiries about their attendance at Trump rallies and their affiliations with fringe groups like Antifa or QAnon. The trial promises to be a closely watched event, with its outcome potentially shaping the future trajectory of Trump’s political career.