Key Events in the Case: A Timeline

Former President Donald Trump is facing a hush money case that dates back almost two decades, with new revelations coming to light as the trial unfolds in a Manhattan courtroom. The case involves key moments that shed light on Trump’s alleged affairs and efforts to cover them up.

In January 2005, Trump married his current wife, Melania. However, in September 2005, a recording surfaced of Trump bragging to “Access Hollywood” host Billy Bush about grabbing women’s genitals without consent. This footage did not become public until October 2016.

The timeline continues with allegations from former Playboy model Karen McDougal and porn actor Stormy Daniels about their encounters with Trump in 2006 and 2007. Both women claim to have had affairs with Trump, which he denies.

The case takes a legal turn in 2016 when Trump’s fixer, Michael Cohen, arranges hush money payments to both McDougal and Daniels to keep their stories quiet. Cohen is later convicted of campaign-finance violations related to these payments.

Fast forward to March 30, 2023, when a grand jury indicts Trump on state charges for allegedly falsifying internal records to conceal payments made to Cohen. This indictment makes Trump the first former president to be charged with a crime.

On April 4, 2023, Trump is arraigned and pleads not guilty, vowing to fight the charges. The trial begins on April 15, 2024, in Manhattan, marking a significant moment in the legal battle that has followed Trump since his presidency.

The case continues to captivate the public’s attention as the former president faces the consequences of his alleged actions.