Trump Hush Money Trial Contemplations

By Melissa Kirk

In my post from March 17, 2023, I said I thought the expenditures by Michael Cohen and Donald Trump constituted in-kind contributions in excess of the allowed limits of campaign finance. I have since changed my mind to think the contributions were entirely illegal given that contributions may not be converted to cover expenses a person would have had if the person had not been a candidate. Trump would have had the expense of the payments to Stormy Daniels even if he had not been a candidate, because he would have nonetheless wanted to protect his reputation.

He should have a gag order to make him unable to incite his supporters to commit violence on his behalf, and make him unable to influence jurors and witnesses in the investigations into his activities. He should be barred from intimidating jurors, witnesses, judges, and prosecutors involved in these investigations, in his criminal trial in Manhattan, and in any future trials. He should also have a court ordered evaluation in order to determine his mental state and inform the court of possible next steps.