Ronan Farrow explains what he thinks is ‘a pivotal moment’ in Trump’s criminal case
Summary
TLDRIn this transcript, Ronan Farrow discusses the significance of allowing certain stories and testimonies, including that of Karen McDougal, in a trial involving alleged hush payments during an election campaign. Farrow emphasizes the pivotal role of these narratives in establishing a conspiracy between Donald Trump, The National Enquirer, and others to influence the election. He also highlights the potential impact of this case on the ongoing legal proceedings against Trump and its possible effects on the upcoming election cycle.
Takeaways
- 📚 Ronan Farrow, a contributing writer for The New Yorker, authored the book 'Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators', which is highly relevant to the ongoing trial.
- 🔍 Several stories uncovered by Tyrone, including those involving Karen McDougal, will be admissible as evidence, highlighting the importance of these narratives in the trial.
- 👩 Karen McDougal's story is considered pivotal as it contributes to the narrative of a scheme between Donald Trump, The National Enquirer, and alleged payments with electoral intent.
- 💰 The existence of multiple payments, not only to Stormy Daniels but also to Karen McDougal and potentially others, forms the core of the case against the alleged conspiracy.
- 🏛️ Judge Mershon deems the mentioned stories as essential material for establishing the case, indicating their significance in the trial's outcome.
- 🗣️ McDougal's potential testimony is significant, though the judge considers its probative value against any potential prejudicial effect.
- 🤝 McDougal has expressed a sense of guilt and willingness to assist the prosecution, indicating her potential role as a whistleblower in the case.
- 🔎 David Pecker, associated with the National Enquirer's parent company, has been cooperating with prosecutors, suggesting a broader network of individuals who can testify to the conspiracy.
- 🏦 While the charges in this case are considered less severe by most legal experts, the case is consequential due to its potential impact on the media and the upcoming election.
- 👨⚖️ The judge's firm stance against the defense's tactics and Trump's social media attacks indicates a strong and impartial position in the proceedings.
- ⏳ The trial's outcome may have a significant influence on the election, especially if resolved before the voting takes place.
Q & A
Who is the author of the book 'Catch and Kill'?
-Ronan Farrow is the author of the book 'Catch and Kill'.
What is the central theme of Ronan Farrow's book?
-The central theme of the book is the exposure of a conspiracy involving lies, spies, and the protection of predators, with a focus on practices related to a high-profile trial.
What role does Karen McDougal's story play in the trial?
-Karen McDougal's story is pivotal to the trial as it provides evidence of a scheme between Donald Trump and The National Enquirer, suggesting payments with an electoral intent.
What other individuals besides Stormy Daniels were involved in similar payment situations?
-In addition to Stormy Daniels, Karen McDougal and potentially the doorman at Trump Tower were involved in similar payment situations to silence them regarding alleged affairs and other rumors.
What was the significance of the doorman's payment from the National Enquirer?
-The doorman's payment was significant as it was part of a series of payments to silence individuals and suppress stories that could have influenced the election.
How did Karen McDougal feel about her involvement in the scheme?
-Karen McDougal expressed a sense of guilt about her involvement, as she was dragged into a scheme with electoral implications that was not her initial intention.
What is the current status of Karen McDougal's testimony in the trial?
-While Karen McDougal's testimony was allowed theoretically, the judge also mentioned that its admissibility would depend on whether its probative value outweighs any potential prejudicial effect.
Which company is implicated in the case due to its connection with the National Enquirer?
-Amy, the then parent company of the National Enquirer, is implicated in the case due to its involvement in the alleged scheme.
What is the role of David Pecker in this case?
-David Pecker, associated with Amy, has met with prosecutors to assist in inquiries into Trump and the hush payments, indicating a willingness to help uncover the truth behind the alleged scheme.
What is the potential legal outcome for Trump in this case?
-While the case is considered one of the thinner ones, any sentence could be served concurrently with other sentences. It's possible that Trump may not face jail time for this case, but other ongoing cases could be more severe.
How might this case impact the upcoming election?
-The case could have a significant effect on the media cycle and the election, especially if it reaches resolution before the election takes place.
What is the judge's approach to the case so far?
-The judge has shown a strong stance by pushing back against efforts to delay the case and refusing to recuse himself, despite attacks from Trump on social media.
Outlines
📚 Catch and Kill: The Role of Karen McDougal's Testimony
This paragraph discusses the significance of Karen McDougal's story and its admissibility in the trial. It highlights the pivotal role of her testimony in establishing a narrative of a scheme between Donald Trump and The National Enquirer, suggesting these payments had an electoral intent. The discussion includes the possibility of other payments beyond those to Stormy Daniels, such as those to a doorman at Trump Tower, and the legal implications of these transactions. Ronan Farrow, the author of 'Catch and Kill,' emphasizes the importance of McDougal's willingness to be a whistleblower and the potential support from figures like David Pecker, who met with prosecutors regarding the Trump hush payments. The paragraph also touches on the broader context of Trump's legal challenges and the unique nature of these charges, noting that while they may not result in jail time, they could have a significant impact on the media and the upcoming election due to their potential to be resolved before the voting takes place.
🔍 Judge's Firm Stance Amidst Trump's Defense Tactics
The second paragraph focuses on the judge's handling of the trial amidst the defense's tactics. It mentions a forthcoming hearing regarding the defense's efforts and the judge's clear intention not to yield under pressure. The paragraph underscores the judge's determination to maintain the trial's progress, as evidenced by his resistance to Trump's defense attempts to delay proceedings and to force the judge to recuse himself. The judge's evenhandedness is highlighted, despite facing criticism from Trump on social media, which might constitute a violation of a gag order. This section of the script underlines the judge's role as a key figure in ensuring a fair and rigorous trial process.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Catch and Kill
💡Tyrone
💡Karen McDougal
💡Stormy Daniels
💡National Enquirer
💡Donald Trump
💡Electoral Intent
💡Hush Payments
💡David Pecker
💡Concurrent Sentences
💡Media Cycle
Highlights
Ronan Farrow, a New York-based contributing writer, has authored a book titled 'Catch and Kill Lie Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators', which is central to the ongoing trial.
Several stories uncovered by Tyrone, including those involving Karen McDougal, will be used as evidence in the trial.
Judge Mershon deems the stories, including McDougal's, as essential material to establish a narrative of a scheme between Donald Trump and The National Enquirer.
The narrative suggests that payments were made with an electoral intent, not only to Stormy Daniels but also to Karen McDougal and potentially others.
A doorman at Trump Tower was allegedly paid off by the National Enquirer for exclusive rights to a rumor about Trump having an affair and fathering a child with an employee.
McDougal was interviewed by Ronan Farrow in 2018, where she expressed guilt for being involved in a scheme with electoral implications.
McDougal believes that the deal with Amy, the National Enquirer's then parent company, would not have been made if Trump wasn't running for president.
The potential testimony of Karen McDougal is considered, but its admissibility is weighed against possible prejudicial effects.
David Pecker, associated with the National Enquirer, has met with prosecutors regarding inquiries into Trump and the hush payments.
Multiple individuals could testify that the payments were part of a scheme to influence the election, a claim denied by Trump's team.
Despite the case being regarded as one of the thinner ones, it could have a significant impact on the media cycle and the election.
Judge's determination to push back against Trump's defense indicates a strong stance and unwillingness to fold under pressure.
Trump's social media attacks on the judge could potentially violate a gag order, with a hearing on this matter scheduled in several weeks.
The trial is one of four ongoing cases against Trump, with most legal experts considering this case less severe but potentially influential due to its timing.
Even though sentences from these charges could be served concurrently, there is a possibility that Trump may not face jail time for this case.
Other ongoing cases against Trump could be more severe, but this case's resolution may come first before the election, impacting public perception and the election's outcome.
The judge's evenhandedness in the face of broadsides from Trump's team demonstrates a commitment to fairness and integrity in the judicial process.
Transcripts
Joining us now is New York
New Yorker
contributing writer
Ronan Farrow
has written
the definitive book on the practice
at the center of this trial, The title
Catch and Kill Lie Spies
and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators.
Tyrone,
you know,
we learned today that several stories
that you helped uncover
will be allowed
to be taken into evidence in the trial,
including allowing Karen
McDougal to testify.
How important
do you think her story
is to this trial, to the larger picture?
It's pivotal and it's a pivotal moment
in this case
that Judge Mershon is saying,
look, this is essential material
to establishing the narrative,
the narrative being
that there was indeed
a scheme between Donald Trump
and The National Enquirer
and that these payments
had an electoral intent
and the evidence of a series of payments
not just to Stormy Daniels,
which is the central transaction
at issue,
but also to Karen McDougal,
who you mentioned
potentially to the doorman at Trump Tower
who was paid off for exclusive
rights to a rumor he'd heard about
that Trump had an affair
and fathered a child with an employee.
We don't know
whether that rumor is accurate,
but we do know that there was a payment
from the National Enquirer
in order to lock up that doorman
and silence.
All of that has figured
in legal documents around this case
and the fact
that it's now going to figure in
front of jurors is significant.
It's the crux of it.
I spoke to McDougal in 2018,
and I want to play
some of what she had to say
once Donald Trump won
the Republican nomination.
KURTZ
You're saying
Amy suddenly came back to you
with interest?
Well, to Keith, yes, to us for the story.
Why do you think it was that it was after
Donald Trump
was the Republican nominee,
that they came back,
they wanted to squash the story.
You're saying they wanted to protect
Donald Trump?
I'm assuming so you.
If Donald Trump
hadn't been running for president,
do you believe this
deal would have been made with Amy?
Knowing what you know now? Probably not.
No, probably not.
You're pretty.
You're convinced now
this was an effort to do a favor
for Donald
Trump in the last few months
of the presidential race.
Unfortunate. Yes.
Pivotal.
Do you think
her actual testimony would be?
Well, we don't yet know
whether that testimony
will be a part of this trial.
It was let in theoretically,
but the judge also made
a hedging comment saying
we don't know
whether the probative value of
that would outweigh
the potential prejudicial effect of it.
So we'll see what we do know
from both of our interactions
with Karen McDougal
and the way she's behaved
with other journalists
as she's been willing
to turn whistleblower on this matter.
She expressed to me
multiple times in our interviews
that she felt a sense of guilt
about having been dragged into a scheme
with electoral implications,
which wasn't her intention
in the first place.
So we have a sense
that she's going to be willing
to help the prosecution in this case.
We also have a strong sense
that figure is at Amy,
the then parent company
of the National Enquirer,
are going to be willing to help.
David Pecker, for instance, has gone
in and met with prosecutors
around the inquiries into Trump
and the hush payments
from basically square one.
So there's a roster of individuals
who can speak to the fact
that this was a scheme
to influence the election,
something that the Trump folks
denied to me from the beginning
of this reporting.
And then gradually, I've had to admit to
we last time you and I
spoke, you said that you weren't sure
whether there's a strong case yet,
given where things stand after today.
What do you think, given the
you know, you'd said that
given sort
of the unique nature of these charges,
Trump is obviously facing a variety
of criminal proceedings
around the country.
There is four ongoing cases.
It is true that most legal experts
regard this as one of the thinner ones.
You know,
theoretically, each of these charges
in this case
could carry a multi-year sentence,
but more likely,
any sentence would be served
concurrently with any other sentence
in this case.
And it's very possible that Trump won't
get any jail time
for something of this severity.
There are other cases ongoing
that could be more severe.
However,
this case is consequential, in part
because it's the one
that we may see resolution
on first before the election.
So this is something
that is going to have a big effect
on the media cycle.
A big effect on the election.
And I will say that from what we've seen
in the early proceedings,
this judge pushing back
very hard
against efforts by Trump's
defense to delay things,
efforts to force the judge
to recuse himself.
All of that does suggest
that you have someone in that position
who is not a pushover
and who is going to go hard on this.
He did grant
at least one motion
that the defense brought forward today.
He's really making a great show
of being evenhanded in the face
of a lot of broadsides from Trump,
who's been attacking this judge
on social media,
potentially in violation of a gag order.
There'll be a hearing about that
in several weeks.
But he's also making it clear that he's
not going to fold.
関連動画をさらに表示
'Gentleman's Big Lie': Hayes rips MAGA attempt to sanitize stolen election lies
Trump throws tantrum on Day 1 after judge denies him from attending SCOTUS arguments next week
Bloomberg Poll Shows Trump Keeps Lead in Swing States | Balance of Power
Trump LOSES HIS MIND after FIRST DAY at Trial
Supreme Court issues GREATLY CONSEQUENTIAL decision on Trump's immunity claim
美國2024年總統選舉, 誰對台灣比較有利?川普還是拜登?Who is better for Taiwan in the 2024 U.S. presidential election?
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)