Pivotal moment during former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial, a secret recording surfaced that prosecutors argue could severely impact his defense, according to a report by Newsweek on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
The recording, made by Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen without Trump’s knowledge, allegedly captures Trump discussing hush-money payments to Karen McDougal, a Playboy model.
On the recording, Trump can be heard discussing a $150,000 payment, providing crucial evidence that he was aware of the payment to silence McDougal about an alleged affair before the 2016 election.
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This development represents a significant turn in the case against Trump, who faces 34 counts of falsifying business records and has maintained his plea of not guilty, claiming the charges are politically motivated.
The recording, made just before Trump’s election victory, offers a firsthand account of his involvement in the hush-money scheme, corroborating Cohen’s testimony and serving as a cornerstone of the prosecution’s case.
Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani highlighted the importance of corroborating Cohen’s testimony with independent evidence like the secret recording, as it provides insight into Trump’s alleged illegal activities.
Despite past denials and attempts to discredit Cohen, the emergence of the recording adds weight to the prosecution’s argument and could sway the jury’s opinion in this historic trial.
