Pecker testified today that he, Cohen, and Trump all discussed killing bad stories that might emerge about Trump’s reported infidelities, and promote favorable stories as a priority. None of that would matter at all if Cohen and Pecker had not claimed the “scheme” was to be paid as a “business expense” from the campaign. That’s what the DA pounced on.
I have no idea if it will ultimately succeed, but it’s a problem that won’t just go away. That’s simply reality.
Trump didn’t pay it out of campaign funds and he didn’t claim it as campaign-related. What Trump did was inwardly consistent and lawful, which paying from the campaign wouldn’t have been. If Cohen was suggesting they pay for it out of campaign funds then he gave bad advice and it’s a good thing Trump never went with that plan.
Making or contemplating stupid suggestions doesn’t mean you planned to commit a crime.
Seems to me that Bragg is upset because Trump DIDN’T commit the crime of using campaign funds for personal expenses. He used his own personal money for personal expenses.
Which is probably why Trump didn’t list it as a campaign expense.He listed it as what it really was. No election law broken. No filings fabricated.
RE: None of that would matter at all if Cohen and Pecker had not claimed the “scheme” was to be paid as a “business expense” from the campaign.
Why didn’t the FEC pounce on this when they had the chance? It’s their jurisdiction.