POLITICS
Will Donald Trump’s hush-money trial be televised?
The former US president faces 34 felony charges for “falsifying business records” following a payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
On Monday (15 April), Donald Trump’s trial gets underway, with the 77-year-old becoming the first former president of the United States to stand trial after his alleged hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. While the world will be waiting to hear news about the case, only a select few will be able to witness what goes in a Manhattan courthouse, with the event not televised.
Why is Trump’s hush-money trial not on TV?
Trump had pushed for cameras to be allowed into the courtroom, which does happen in a number of US states. However, New York State has some of the strictest rules regarding in-court recording, which meant his plea fell on deaf ears.
Photographers will be present at the start of each day of the trial but will be made to leave before the real action begins, with court sketches the only visuals which will be publicised.
How many jurors have been called for Trump’s trial?
The only members of the public who will follow the trial with their own eyes are therefore members of the jury. The selection process will begin on Monday and is expected to take one to two weeks, with 6,000 jurors to be whittled down to 12, with six alternates.
What has former president Trump been charged with?
Trump faces 34 felony charges for falsifying business records in the first degree after allegedly using campaign funds to pay adult film actress Stormy Daniels $130,000 to cover up an affair, in an attempt to ensure his presidential bid in 2016 wasn’t damaged.
Following his arraignment in April 2023, Trump was arrested but pleaded not guilty and has denied having an affair with Daniels. The Republican will attempt to prove his innocence during the trial, starting on Monday.
What sanctions could Trump face? Could he go to prison?
If found guilty, the law states Trump could be ordered to spend a maximum of four years in prison, although he could equally avoid jail time and be made to pay a fine.
The former president has made several moves in an effort to gain a perceived advantage ahead of the trial, as well as trying to have television cameras inside the courtroom.
He also moved to block Ms. Daniels and Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, from testifying in the case, as well delaying the beginning of the trial due to “pre-trial publicity”. Like his desire for the broadcast media to be involved, neither wish was granted.