NEW YORK — Opening the hush money case on Monday, with jury selection, is Donald Trump, who will become the first former president to face criminal charges.

The case would require the presumed Republican presidential nominee to balance weeks of court appearances in Manhattan to defend himself against accusations of marital infidelity that surfaced during his 2016 first campaign for president.

It is the only one of the four criminal charges against Trump that might result in a decision before voters decide in November whether to return him to the White House, and it has significant political repercussions.

The following information pertains to the charges against Trump and the hush money case:

The former president is charged with fabricating internal Trump Organization documents as part of a plot to suppress negative news that he believed would harm his candidacy in 2016. This accusation is especially serious given that, at the time, Trump’s remarks about women were negatively impacting his reputation.

The allegations center on payments made to two women who claim to have had extramarital affairs with Trump years ago: porn star Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal. Another person who claims to have information regarding a kid he believes Trump may have fathered out of wedlock is a doorman at Trump Tower. Trump claims that none of these reported sex dates are real.

The National Enquirer supermarket tabloid’s publisher paid McDougal $150,000 and Daniels $130,000 thanks to Trump’s former fixer and lawyer, Michael Cohen. This is part of a dubious journalistic practice known as “catch-and-kill,” in which a publication pays for exclusive rights to someone’s story with no intention of publishing it, either as a favor to a celebrity subject or to gain leverage over the person.

Trump Will Be First Ex-President On Criminal Trial. Here’s What To Know About The Hush Money Case

Cohen was paid incentives and additional payments by Trump’s company, according to the prosecution, and all of these payments were fraudulently recorded in Trump Organization records as legal fees. Cohen has separately entered a guilty plea to breaking federal campaign finance law in relation to the payments.

Thirty-four felony counts of manipulating business records are brought against Trump. The charge carries a maximum four-year prison sentence; however, the judge will ultimately decide whether or not he serves time in prison if found guilty.

The counts are connected to many checks issued to Cohen as payment for his assistance in clearing Daniels’ debt. These payments, spread over a year, were noted in several internal business documents as legal costs.

Prosecutors must prove that Trump intended to commit or hide a second crime in addition to falsifying or causing business records to be filed falsely, which would be a misdemeanor, to prevail on the felony accusation.

Although the additional offense was not included in Trump’s indictment, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has subsequently stated that evidence indicates his activities were intended to hide tax and campaign finance violations on both a state and federal level. Some experts say it’s an unconventional legal tactic that can backfire.

Judge Juan M. Merchan will summon a large number of people into his courtroom to start the process of selecting 12 jurors plus 6 alternates. The goal is to exclude candidates who cannot serve due to suspected prejudices or other reasons. Before sending groups of the remaining jurors into the jury box to answer 42 questions, the judge stated that he would excuse anyone who showed by a show of hands that they could not serve or be fair and impartial. The only way potential jurors will be identified is by number since the judge has mandated that only prosecutors, Trump, and their legal teams will be aware of their identities.

Trump Will Be First Ex-President On Criminal Trial. Here’s What To Know About The Hush Money Case

Potential jurors will be questioned about a variety of topics, including whether they follow the former president on social media, whether they have ever worked for a Trump organization or attended a rally, and whether they support or follow far-right organizations or groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, whose members were part of the pro-Trump crowd that stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, or the far-left group known as Antifa, which stands up to fascists and neo-Nazis, especially during demonstrations.

Given that he was the one who oversaw the payoffs, Cohen—a former Trump supporter turned critic—is anticipated to be a crucial prosecution witness. Cohen stated that his objective was “to tell the truth” and that he is not seeking retribution, but he did state that Trump “needs to be held accountable for his dirty deeds” before testifying before the grand jury that delivered the indictment last year. After entering a guilty plea in 2018 to federal charges involving violations of campaign finance laws for orchestrating the payments to Daniels and McDougal, Cohen was sentenced to prison.

Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, is one of the other anticipated witnesses. Daniels claims that in 2006, she had an unwanted but consenting sexual encounter with Trump. Trump claims it never took place.

Trump has blasted the lawsuit as an attempt to harm his chances of winning the presidency in 2024 and denied any wrongdoing. Trump has admitted to paying Cohen back and stated that the purpose of the payment was to prevent Daniels from disclosing the alleged encounter to the public. However, Trump claimed in 2018 that it was unrelated to the campaign.

It is probable that the legal team representing Trump would attempt to discredit prosecution witnesses like Daniels and Cohen to attack the case. In an attempt to circumvent the judge’s gag order, Trump called the two of them liars. This aims to reduce the president’s divisive remarks regarding the case. To try to convince jurors that Cohen cannot be believed, Trump’s attorneys are anticipated to portray Cohen as a con man and bring up his conviction for several federal offenses in addition to his disbarment.

Recently, Trump shared a photo of Daniels’s 2018 written statement on social media, in which she denied having a sexual relationship with him. Daniels quickly denied making the claim and admitted to having a sexual encounter. She claimed that a non-disclosure agreement was the reason for her denials and that she felt compelled to sign the statement because the individuals concerned “made it seem like I had no choice.”

Trump Will Be First Ex-President On Criminal Trial. Here’s What To Know About The Hush Money Case

Due to court battles and appeals, Trump’s three other criminal matters will likely remain unsettled until after the November election.

Special Counsel Jack Smith’s 2020 election interference case is still pending, as President Trump continues to argue that his conduct inside the White House exempts him from prosecution. The US Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments on the case in late April.

In his other lawsuit, Smith is accused of illegally keeping secret documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence. Although the trial was supposed to start in May, the court still needs to set a new trial date after hearing arguments last month.

The Georgia lawsuit, which charges Trump and his associates of plotting to reverse their loss in the state’s 2020 election, has to schedule a trial. Lawyers are now asking an appeals court to examine whether Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis should be removed from the prosecution due to a romantic relationship she had with a former top prosecutor who withdrew from the case, despite the prosecution’s suggestion that the trial takes place in August.

Trump has entered a not guilty plea in all three cases and maintained his innocence.

SOURCE – (AP)

Kim Kardashian made a surprise cameo on Netflix’s The Greatest Roast of All Time: Tom Brady, which was met with loud boos at Kia Forum in Inglewood, California. She was introduced by comedian Kevin Hart to deliver a toast to which the audience booed.

“Alright, alright, alright,” Kardashian responded, as the boos became more intense.

Hart exclaimed, “Whoa! Whoa!”

When the booing faded, Kardashian resumed her roast, focusing on Brady.

“I am actually here tonight for Tom. I wasn’t planning to come tonight, but since I’m not here as Tom’s date, there’s a high possibility I will,” she laughed.

Kardashian made another joke, comparing Brady’s features to her stepfather, Caitlyn Jenner.

“I do know it would’ve never worked out,” Kardashian stated of a relationship with Brady. “The ex-athlete has high cheekbones and silky hair…” You remind me too much of my stepfather right now.”

A meme depicting “the evolution of Tom Brady” emerged on screen, depicting Brady’s physical transition into Jenner.

Kardashian went on, “Part of me believes you would trust me just to try on my clothing. I realize the move from the NFL must have been difficult, but I believe my stepfather is an excellent example for you.

She’s one of the world’s top athletes, and she proved that you can do anything in this next phase of your life. You can be a commentator, a far-right Republica, or a strong, confident lady.

Kardashian concluded her speech by referencing O.J. Simpson, stating, “Honestly, it’s painful for me to see people mock you. But I believe plenty of my family members have defended past football players.

Watch the footage of Kim Kardashian being booed.

 

They’re booing Kim Kardashian pic.twitter.com/bJyHRUAaNY

— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) May 6, 2024

Kim Kardashian is a reality TV personality, socialite, and businesswoman who catapulted to prominence with the release of her infamous sex tape with Ray J in 2007. She co-starred in the successful reality show “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” with her family, which showed their opulent lifestyles and personal struggles.

Kim’s popularity increased, resulting in multiple endorsement deals, product lines, and media appearances. She’s a fashion and beauty trendsetter, having founded successful brands such as her shapewear company SKIMS and KKW Beauty. Despite criticism for her “famous for being famous” status, Kim’s astute business decisions and ability to remain relevant have elevated her to the rank of multi-millionaire and cultural icon.

Kim Kardashian’s romances and personal life, which include marriages to Damon Thomas, Kris Humphries, and Kanye West, have made headlines. Kim’s daring style and voluptuous physique have stirred discussions about body image and cultural appropriation. Love her or hate her, Kim has built an empire and is still one of the world’s most famous superstars.

Source: CTN

 

Ethan Hawke and his daughter, Maya Hawke, have a running joke about their Flannery O’Connor film.

“Wildcat,” directed by Ethan and starring Maya as O’Connor, was created with genuine authenticity. It’s a deeply creative look at the Southern Catholic novelist and short story writer behind “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” weaving in and out of her imagination and actual life.

Lupus claimed O’Connor’s life in 1964, when she was 39. She won the National Book Award posthumously in 1972. Though she is well-known for her language and sharp social satire, she has recently faced criticism for racism in her private correspondence and her depiction of race in her work. It was a difficult but potentially rewarding region. However, the Hawkes can’t help but giggle as they imagine pitching to a major studio or streamer.

Ethan Hawke And Maya Hawke Have A Running Joke About ‘Wildcat,’ Their Flannery O’Connor Movie

Here’s how things could go:

Maya: “We want to make a film about an unfortunate-looking woman with lupus.” She struggles with her beliefs and does not have any lovers.

Ethan: “She’s a really brilliant writer but she’s completely unsuccessful.”

Maya: “Also, her minor success has recently been utterly disregarded, and people are mostly concerned in deleting her from the canon these days. “What do you think?”

Jonathan: “Sounds like the makings of a commercial, hit movie!”

If it isn’t clear, “Wildcat” (in select theaters Friday) was produced independently. To flesh out the cast, both Hawkes relied largely on friends with whom they had previously collaborated. The large ensemble includes Laura Linney, Liam Neeson, Steve Zahn, and Vincent D’Onofrio, to mention a few.

Maya had the concept for a movie about the day she decided to devote her life to acting. Despite having two successful actresses as parents, including mother Uma Thurman, she had hesitated due to her passion of reading. She was concerned that if she attended Juilliard, she would be forced to choose a decision. So, in a little act of defiance, Maya decided to audition not with a monologue from the theatrical canon, but with one she had revised from O’Connor’s “Prayer Journal” with her father during his breaks while filming “The Magnificent Seven.”

“If I showed them that I was really interested in literature, and if then they still wanted me, then it would probably be a place that would still allow me to explore language and writing and poetry the way that I wanted,” Maya said. “What a rebel.”

Ethan had also read O’Connor early on, at the suggestion of his mother, who encouraged him to read female authors in addition to Faulkner and Hemingway. They were both drawn to this prickly woman who wrote about faith without preaching, as well as about race and white Christian hypocrisy, in a way that few others had. She was also talented, self-deprecating, and suffering with the sickness that killed her father. At 24, she received her diagnosis and returned to Milledgeville, Georgia, to live with her mother (portrayed by Linney).

Ethan has little interest in biopics, particularly “in the age of Wikipedia.” However, upon deciding to direct and co-write the film, he was inspired by films such as Martin Scorsese’s “Raging Bull” and Jane Campion’s “An Angel At My Table.” They were about real people, Jake LaMotta and Janet Frame, but they did not require any prior knowledge of boxing or literature. They were only films about individuals.

Ethan Hawke And Maya Hawke Have A Running Joke About ‘Wildcat,’ Their Flannery O’Connor Movie

“(‘Wildcat’) is a kind of treatise on imagination, reality and faith and how those three things intersect with each other,” he remarked. “I’m not attempting to teach a college course on Flannery. We used her life experience as a starting point for a conversation.

Before delving too deeply into the process, they addressed themselves difficult questions about filming a film about someone who has made racist remarks.

“It begged the question: Do we want to make a film about someone who said some hurtful words at some point? What would it say about us if we did? And how do you become a decent anti-racist? Ethan said. “One of the things I realized was that you can’t create a story about America, past or present, without mentioning America’s wounds, crimes, and sins. One academic put it beautifully: Flannery O’Connor is a racist in rehabilitation, much like our society.

Maya pondered if depiction was always a celebration or if it could be an observation. She hopes it’s the latter, which she describes as a politeness that is frequently provided to films about complicated guys but may be less so when it comes to female characters.

Something remarked by novelist James McBride when Ethan was writing on “The Good Lord Bird” remained with him as well.

“He used to say how important it was that you don’t paint racists with horns on their head because people don’t have horns and racism is real,” Ethan added.

After much research and deliberation, they decided not to back down from the topic or defend her.

“I’m interested in this woman, and I’m interested in all the truths of her life,” he added.

“Wildcat” also served as inspiration for Maya’s upcoming album, “Chaos Angel” (due out May 31). The title and title track are based on a scene she shared with Philip Ettinger in which O’Connor discusses wrestling with her guardian angel.

Ethan Hawke And Maya Hawke Have A Running Joke About ‘Wildcat,’ Their Flannery O’Connor Movie

“That idea really hit me in my gut,” Maya remarked. “We resist our better selves… As soon as we finished shooting the film, I went to make this album.”

Maya is now 25, the same age her father was when he finished “Before Sunrise” and was performing on stage in Chicago in Sam Shepard’s “Buried Child.” They are close and like-minded, frequently finishing one other’s words. However, Hawke admits that he is little envious of Maya’s musical abilities.

“There’s a part of me that has joked my whole life that all I really am is a failed musician,” he remarked. “All art strives to be music. It’s the simplest emotional connection we may form with one another. So, to see her thrive in this art form? I’m a little jealous of her for that.”

SOURCE – (AP)