I am a little irritated by a lot of the media coverage about Trump's trial in Manhattan, which is set to start in just a few days. It is commonly referred to as the "hush money to a porn star" case, making it seem as though it's not a very serious matter. But it is far more serious than that.
And Donald Trump knows it is a serious matter. That's why he has tried so hard to get it dismissed or delayed.
It started when Trump paid off a porn star (Stormy Daniels) to keep quiet about their sexual encounter. Paying her off would not be a crime. But he tried to hide the payoff by making numerous small payments to his attorney (to reimburse him for making the payoff). Hiding the payoff in this way was business fraud.Hiding the payoff in this way would normally be a misdemeanor, but it became a felony because the intent was to cover another crime (election fraud). Trying to cover election fraud made each of the payments a felony - 34 in all.
Each count could carry a 4 year prison sentence, and if made consecutive could total as much as 136 years in prison. It is doubtful he would get a long prison sentence. More like, he would get probation (because he has not been convicted of a previous criminal act, and he is a rich man running for president). But even a guilty verdict resulting in probation would make him a convicted criminal.
And being a convicted criminal could seriously affect his chances to be elected president.
This is a serious matter, and Trump knows it (even if many in the public don't).
