Democracy in Action or Election Fraud? Trump Trial Lawyers Paint Hush-Money Payment Two Ways

Donald Trump orchestrated a criminal conspiracy to influence the 2016 election, then sought to cover up a hush-money payment to a porn star by lying in his New York business records over and over again, a prosecutor alleged as the former president’s first trial began.

“It was election fraud, pure and simple,” prosecutor Matthew Colangelo said in his opening statement, as the jurors watched intently.

Trump’s lawyer painted a different picture. “I have a spoiler alert,” Todd Blanche said. “There is nothing wrong with trying to influence an election. It’s called democracy.”

The historic proceeding—the first ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president—came just over a year after Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, unveiled an indictment charging Trump with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Trump has pleaded not guilty.