Trump Fights Back: Appeals Hush-Money Case

Former President Donald Trump has begun the appeals process for his hush-money conviction. This case, which involves an alleged scheme to hide a payment to adult film actor Stormy Daniels, is Trump's only criminal case that went to trial. The payment was made during his 2016 presidential campaign to keep Daniels quiet about an alleged affair. Trump's lawyers filed an appeal to the state's mid-level appeals court, aiming to overturn his conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records. Trump's legal team has been replaced by a new team from Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, led by the firm's co-chair Robert J. Giuffra Jr. They argue that the conviction sets a dangerous precedent and could harm New York's reputation as a business and legal center. The trial judge, Juan M. Merchan, had previously rejected Trump's attempts to dismiss the case based on presidential immunity. The case revolves around payments made to Trump's lawyer, Michael Cohen, which were mislabeled as legal fees to hide their true purpose: reimbursing Cohen for the $130, 000 he paid Daniels to keep her quiet. Trump maintains his innocence, claiming the payments were legal expenses. Despite his sentencing to an unconditional discharge, Trump can now formally challenge the verdict through the appeals process.