The National Enquirer engaged in catching kill stories by paying individuals like Karen McDougal and Stormy Daniels for their stories of affairs with Trump but never publishing them. The Enquirer expected reimbursement for payments from the Trump camp which didn't happen in McDougal's case, leading to hesitation in further involvements. Michael Cohen, Trump's fixer, stepped in to pay Stormy Daniels, later reimbursed by Trump from the White House. Trump disguised these payments as legal services to Cohen, as indicated by prosecutors' records.
The prosecution and the defense both opened their cases on Monday in the first criminal trial of Donald Trump.
Jonah Bromwich, who watched from inside the courtroom, walks us through the arguments.
Guest: Jonah E. Bromwich, a reporter for The New York Times covering criminal justice in New York.
Background reading:
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.