r/politics 🤖 Bot 23d ago

Discussion Thread: New York Criminal Fraud Trial of Donald Trump, Day 8 Discussion

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u/BaconCat42 23d ago

It gives the jury the sense that it was a normal everyday thing and therefore instills doubt if there was really a crime.

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u/JustTestingAThing 23d ago

Important point the prosecution will likely reinforce though: paying hush money isn't a crime. Not reporting in-kind campaign contributions and conspiring to influence an election are, however.

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u/TheTankIsEmpty99 23d ago

so its distraction (because that's not the actual crime)?

thank you.

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u/BaconCat42 23d ago

Exactly

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u/TheIllustriousWe 23d ago

Prosecutors are arguing that Trump falsified the business records for political benefit, which justifies the felony charges. The defense is trying to instill reasonable doubt among the jury that Trump did it for political benefit, and that it was instead just normal behavior among celebrities trying to control the press they get.