Although the case occurred prior to Trump presidency, the judge did use federal election as part of the crime.
“Although the case occurred prior to Trump presidency, the judge did use federal election as part of the crime.”
And that creates a cause for appeal, but has nothing to do with this decision. This only involves actions taken in his official capacity as president, not as candidate. Since the payments in the Stormy Daniel’s case were paid from the Trump Revocable Trust, there is no way to argue that making them was an official act.