Former US President Donald Trump has been indicted on 34 felony charges, according to the unsealed indictment. The charges relate to a hush money payment he made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016, just days before his inauguration.
According to the statement of facts, which accompanies the indictment, the alleged crime involved Trump paying $130,000 to Daniels' lawyer Michael Cohen in October 2016, just ahead of the presidential election. The payment was reportedly an attempt by Trump to silence Daniels over claims that she had had a one-night stand with him in 2006.
The document alleges that the hush money payment was made through Cohen's account at Loomis Sayles Trust Company, a private bank that offers off-shore banking services. In return for making the payment, the statement of facts asserts that Trump agreed to provide financial support to the Republican Party and to keep quiet about the alleged affair.
Cohen, who has been cooperating with federal prosecutors as part of his own guilty plea in connection with other crimes related to campaign finance law, has already pleaded guilty to making a false statement on his tax return. This case marks one of several high-profile investigations into Trump's business dealings and potential financial wrongdoing during the presidency.
As Trump prepares for what could be the most significant trial of his life, questions about how he managed his finances and who else may have been involved in the hush money scheme remain unanswered.
According to the statement of facts, which accompanies the indictment, the alleged crime involved Trump paying $130,000 to Daniels' lawyer Michael Cohen in October 2016, just ahead of the presidential election. The payment was reportedly an attempt by Trump to silence Daniels over claims that she had had a one-night stand with him in 2006.
The document alleges that the hush money payment was made through Cohen's account at Loomis Sayles Trust Company, a private bank that offers off-shore banking services. In return for making the payment, the statement of facts asserts that Trump agreed to provide financial support to the Republican Party and to keep quiet about the alleged affair.
Cohen, who has been cooperating with federal prosecutors as part of his own guilty plea in connection with other crimes related to campaign finance law, has already pleaded guilty to making a false statement on his tax return. This case marks one of several high-profile investigations into Trump's business dealings and potential financial wrongdoing during the presidency.
As Trump prepares for what could be the most significant trial of his life, questions about how he managed his finances and who else may have been involved in the hush money scheme remain unanswered.
I'm kinda surprised Trump got indicted on these charges, feels like it's been a long time coming. I remember when this whole Stormy Daniels thing first came out, it was like everyone was talking about it, but nothing really changed for Trump. He just kept on truckin' and now he's facing some serious consequences. The fact that the payment was made through Cohen's account at Loomis Sayles Trust Company is pretty shady if you ask me... 
! I mean, 34 felony charges? That's a whole lotta trouble, dude. Trump's always been a master of spinning stuff, but this might be too much for him to handle. The fact that Cohen was his go-to guy for all this shady stuff is wild 
. And the Republicans, they're gonna have to decide whether they're still with him or not... it's gonna be an interesting ride. I just hope Trump gets a fair trial and whatever justice comes out of this will bring some closure to the American people 
This is just so stressful to think about... Donald Trump's whole legacy is being torn apart by these felony charges. 34 counts? That's a lot of weight on one person. I can only imagine how scared and overwhelmed he must be feeling right now 
. And poor Michael Cohen, who's already been through so much with his guilty plea... it's like the whole system is just spiraling out of control 
. Meanwhile, we're left wondering what really went down with Stormy Daniels and all those shady deals behind closed doors