The podcast explores Trump's legal saga with David Pecker's testimony on a 'catch and kill' scheme. The Supreme Court debates presidential immunity in the federal January 6 case, impacting the trial timeline and public opinion. Analysis includes defense arguments on payments to McDougall and Daniels, violations of gag orders, and public influence on jurors.
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Quick takeaways
Witness testimonies like David Pecker's provide crucial context to the prosecution's narrative, linking Trump to a scheme involving payments for campaign advantage.
The Supreme Court's conservative majority leans towards supporting Trump's claims of immunity, potentially delaying any trial until after the November election.
Deep dives
Overview of Trump's Legal Liability
Trump's legal liability is under scrutiny with two key cases - the alleged business records falsification case in Manhattan and the case surrounding January 6th. The focus is on the Supreme Court's handling of Trump's claims of presidential immunity and the jury's assessment of falsifying business records. Witness testimonies, like David Pekker's detailing of Trump's involvement in concealing payments to further his campaign, are central to the case.
Implications of Witness Testimonies
Witness testimonies, such as David Pekker's, play a crucial role as they provide background and context to the prosecution's narrative. Pekker's testimony connects Trump to a scheme involving payments to suppress damaging stories close to the 2016 election. These accounts help establish Trump's involvement and shed light on the alleged falsification of records, pivotal to the case.
Challenges in Prosecution's Case
The defense's argument regarding the common practice of such payments among celebrities raises questions about the legality of Trump's alleged actions. The prosecution aims to differentiate these payments by highlighting their campaign-related purpose, involving special rules applicable to presidential campaigns. The defense's focus on Trump's reputation and past practices adds complexity to the case.
Supreme Court's Considerations and Public Opinion
The Supreme Court's recent oral arguments on Trump's alleged immunity from prosecution post-presidency indicate divided opinions among the justices. The potential delay of the trial until after the election is likely, influenced by the Supreme Court's upcoming ruling. Public opinion regarding the seriousness of the January 6 case and the court's decision-making process adds to the complexity and significance of the legal proceedings.
Former president Donald Trump’s legal saga reached two major milestones last week. In Manhattan, former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker testified about a “catch and kill” scheme that prosecutors say was meant to help Trump win the 2016 presidential election. Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on whether presidential immunity protected Trump from prosecution in the federal case related to Jan. 6. The court’s conservative majority appeared sympathetic to at least some of the Trump team’s claims, raising the likelihood that any trial will not begin until after the November election.
In this installment of the 538 Politics podcast, law professor Jessica Roth joins Galen to discuss the latest developments and preview what comes next.