# Manhattan Prosecutors file criminal charges for Trump re Stormy Daniels case - ongoing discussion here (Guilty on all 34 counts, May 30, 2024) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [March 9, 2023, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953 "2023-03-09T22:53:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Aspenglow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspenglow/32/76_2.png) [@Aspenglow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspenglow)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/81 "2023-03-18T16:55:36Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > So trump’s declaration that he will be arrested on Tuesday is, not surprisingly, _incorrect_, just like every other statement that ever came out of his piehole. There ya go. Gee, what’s the chance that he’s deliberately using provocative language in an effort to galvanize his loony base to repeat a January 6th-style uprising? Except he’s no longer president and doesn’t control federal law enforcement anymore or the DOJ. Except lots of those who led the previous effort are currently entangled in charges resulting from January 6th and are not available for new treachery. Except he hasn’t told the mob where to show up. Florida? Manhattan? Where’s Waldo? I’d say he’s substantially increased the likelihood of a gag order when he comes before the court on these charges. I wonder how long it will take for him to violate it. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/82 "2023-03-18T16:58:05Z")
I can’t wait to see his mugshot. Will he do a Gotti style shiteating grin? ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/83 "2023-03-18T16:58:53Z")
> [@Aspenglow](#): > > Gee, what’s the chance that he’s deliberately using provocative language in an effort to galvanize his loony base to repeat a January 6th-style uprising? “Won’t someone rid me of this troublesome indictment?” ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/84 "2023-03-18T17:00:15Z")
Here’s a quote from a now-closed thread on mostly the same topic: > [@Trump says he's gonna be arrested on Tuesday](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-says-hes-gonna-be-arrested-on-tuesday/981328/2): > > I really hope security around Government buildings is heightened, especially in DC & NYC. With any luck, the FBI is embedded into a lot of the worst wanna-be Brown-Shirts by now. > … The opposing question is how much the wanna-be Brown Shirts are now / still embedded in the FBI, NYPD, US Capitol Police, etc. RW nuttery and the desire to work in law enforcement / security have a lot of personal psychology in common. ---
**Author:** ![MulderMuffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldermuffin/32/2862_2.png) [@MulderMuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MulderMuffin)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/85 "2023-03-18T18:24:05Z")
And the usual suspects are chiming in. > I’m directing relevant committees to immediately investigate if federal funds are being used to subvert our democracy by interfering in elections with politically motivated prosecutions, > – Speaker McCarthy on Twitter > We must bring in the Biden DOJ officials who have been coordinating with the Manhattan DA to testify. > And subpoena all of it. > We must end the weaponization of government power for politics. > – MTG on Twitter > If the Manhattan DA indicts President Trump, he will ultimately win even bigger than he is already going to win. > > And those Republicans that stand by and cheer for his persecution or do nothing to stop it will be exposed to the people and will be remembered, scorned, and punished by the base. > > President Trump did nothing wrong and has always fought for the American people, and we all know it, which is why we love him. > > And any Republican who thinks the Democrats will stop this madness once Trump is out of the way is fooling themselves. > > Weaponized Government and Political Persecution are new chapters in their playbook and they will use those methods against anyone who stands in their way. > > And we are absolutely fed up with the two-tiered justice system or rather INJUSTICE system in America. > > The base has had enough of Republicans that won’t stand up for the people and against the Democrats war against Trump, his admin, his supporters, and traditional values. > –MTG on Twitter > Of course as soon as our Oversight Committee comes out with REAL PROOF that the entire Biden family was getting paid by CHINA for influence and favors from Joe Biden, these communists thugs decide to arrest Trump. > > IMPEACH JOE BIDEN!!! > –MTG on Twitter > We have descended into third world fascist tyranny. > –Stephen Miller on Twitter > Alvin Bragg is why former leaders of lesser countries are forced into exile. > – Charlie Kirk on Twitter ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/86 "2023-03-18T18:30:35Z")
Man, MTG coming unhinged sure sounds desperate about something. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/87 "2023-03-18T18:52:32Z")
She’s always like that though. She’s so unhinged all the time she’s basically a beaded curtain. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/88 "2023-03-18T18:56:29Z")
> [@MulderMuffin](#): > > If the Manhattan DA indicts President Trump, he will ultimately win even bigger than he is already going to win. Crikey, she thinks Trump is Obi-Wan! ‘If you strike Him down, He shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine.’ ---
**Author:** ![Ann\_Hedonia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ann_hedonia/32/319_2.png) [@Ann\_Hedonia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ann_Hedonia)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/89 "2023-03-18T19:00:51Z")
And Trump dropped a new ALL CAPS turd a few hours ago. [[Album] imgur.com ![](https://i.imgur.com/l8zo3XB.png?fb "imgur.com") ](https://imgur.com/a/i9zom4m) But it looks like he might really be arrested soon, YAY….I guess. I suspect it won’t be as soon as Tuesday, although his lawyers may get a call then to looking arrange for his surrender. But of all the cases and investigations, I think this one might be the weakest. Especially if it ends up being for campaign finance violations. Because he’ll be able to argue that he made the payoff in order to keep his wife from finding out about Stormy, not because he thought the story might hurt his chances of getting elected. But we won’t know until we see the indictment. Another random thought………I’m not sure if the truth of Ms. Clifford’s accusations will come into play, they probably won’t be relevant. But if Trump wants to open that door…….maybe the prosecution will get to subpoena a dick pic so the jury can see if it really resembles the Mario Bros mushroom. ---
**Author:** ![MulderMuffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldermuffin/32/2862_2.png) [@MulderMuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MulderMuffin)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/90 "2023-03-18T19:36:27Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > But of all the cases and investigations, I think this one might be the weakest. Especially if it ends up being for campaign finance violations. > > Because he’ll be able to argue that he made the payoff in order to keep his wife from finding out about Stormy, not because he thought the story might hurt his chances of getting elected. I totally agree with you. It’s definitely the weakest of all of the pending actions against him. He’s already sending out fundraising emails on it, of course. “They’re persecuting your favorite president! Show them you won’t be stopped, send me money!” Which, I suspect, was the real reason he declared that he’s going to be arrested Tuesday. Neither his lawyers nor the prosecutors office is able to corroborate that timeline. It’s a win/win for him. If it happens, he was right all along and the rubes send him money and show up to protest. If it doesn’t happen, he scared them off with his enormous popularity and perfection and the rubes send him money and show up to protest. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/91 "2023-03-18T19:36:41Z")
> [@Ann\_Hedonia](#): > > But of all the cases and investigations, I think this one might be the weakest. Especially if it ends up being for campaign finance violations. > > Because he’ll be able to argue that he made the payoff in order to keep his wife from finding out about Stormy, not because he thought the story might hurt his chances of getting elected. But no matter why the payment was made, it’s not a legitimate election expense. Also there’s the coverup, that is, how the expense was accounted for in their records. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/92 "2023-03-18T19:52:53Z")
This article is from four years ago. Aside from the IANAL bit, I don’t know what – if anything – has changed in what’s known about the issues, applicable laws, or, obviously, what else (NY DA) Alvin Bragg’s office has uncovered in the interim: > **[Trump “Hush” Payment to Stormy Daniels Likely Does Not Violate Election Law](https://verdict.justia.com/2019/01/04/trump-hush-payment-to-stormy-daniels-likely-does-not-violate-election-law)** > > NYU law professor Samuel Estreicher and JD candidate David Moosmann argue that the $130,000 “hush” payment of adult film actress Stormy Daniels, paid through his personal lawyer Michael Cohen, likely... I think the article is pretty clear and well-written and gives us some idea of the obstacles to conviction that may lie ahead. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/93 "2023-03-18T20:17:11Z")
Maybe not. Post #85 indicates that a lot of long-term damage on this country has been done that will still be going on after the last insurrectionist goes to jail. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/94 "2023-03-18T20:27:53Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Man, MTG coming unhinged sure sounds desperate about something. Coming unhinged? Unhinged is her brand. She’s never not been unhinged since she’s been in the public eye. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/95 "2023-03-18T20:36:33Z")
Hey, if John Bolton thinks if Trump beats this indictment he’ll get to be President, who am I to disagree? ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/96 "2023-03-18T22:04:05Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > When did he start writing in the third person? Is that new or did I miss it? Usually when he does that, he adds (me) after it for the really, really stupid people who might be confused. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/97 "2023-03-18T22:31:46Z")
> [@dtilque](#): > > I forget which thread that was posted in. > [@A Perfectly Reasonable Amount of Schadenfreude about Things Happening to Trump & His Enablers (Part 1)](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-perfectly-reasonable-amount-of-schadenfreude-about-things-happening-to-trump-his-enablers/925537/9230): > > Maybe finally… [[BREAKING: Trump finally gets most DEVASTATING NEWS of his Entire Life] ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyPjezlZE5c) ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/98 "2023-03-18T22:33:05Z")
He’s also calling for people to protest on Tuesday. (Hmm, how did THAT work out last time?) I mean, TUESDAY? Don’t those people have, like, JOBS or anything? ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/99 "2023-03-18T22:57:51Z")
> [@MulderMuffin](#): > > It’s definitely the weakest of all of the pending actions against him. Maybe I’m too cynical, but I think it would be strong because the charges are being brought by the New York County (Manhattan) DA, and Trump only got 11 percent of the November 2020 Manhattan presidential vote. Am I wrong to think that the jury pool here would be limited to Manhattan residents – and that federal charges would lead to a jury pool including those from counties Trump won (Staten Island and Suffolk)? ---
**Author:** ![KidCharlemagne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@KidCharlemagne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KidCharlemagne)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2023, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/100 "2023-03-18T23:14:25Z")
If Bragg fucks this up and loses the first case against Trump for the weakest charge, I swear to god I’ll lose my shit. I already hate the guy for dropping the criminal tax evasion thing after running on it. I wonder if he’s just trying to get some credibility back. He better not fucking blow this. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953.md?page=6)