Trump's Trials

NPR

Reporting and analysis on the inquiries, trials, and criminal probes facing former President Donald Trump. From the Jan. 6 insurrection and Georgia election interference, to the ongoing question of classified documents - and beyond - host Scott Detrow, political editor Domenico Montanaro and legal experts dive deep every week to explore the news inside the courtrooms and the stakes for American democracy.

Support NPR's reporting by subscribing to Trump's Trials+ and unlock sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials read less

Our Editor's Take

The Trump's Trials podcast's mission is to make sense of the legal cases against former President Donald Trump. Host Scott Detrow wants to change legal jargon into simple updates. Detrow talks with cohost Domenico Montanaro and other legal experts. At the time of recording, Trump faces 91 felony counts in four criminal cases. He's also charged in civil cases. Amid these trials, he's campaigning for the presidency again. How should Americans process these unprecedented facts? Should Trump be able to run? Some states are working to prevent it.

The podcast host has reported on presidential campaigns for NPR for years. He hosts All Things Considered on weekends and cohosts Consider This. Montanaro is NPR's senior political editor and correspondent. Each Saturday, they analyze the week's proceedings with knowledgeable guests.

The inaugural episode of Trump's Trials describes the cases against him. Charges include his attempt to overturn the 2020 election. Other cases involve his removal of classified documents from the White House. He's charged with paying Stormy Daniels to stay quiet. Trump's New York civil case asserts that he inflated his property values. The charge carries a $370 million fine and could prevent him from doing business in New York.

The podcast discloses that Trump has remained composed during certain depositions. In the New York case, though, Detrow calls him campaign Trump." Montanaro deemed him defensive, combative, and dishonest. Trump avoids answering a simple question about his apartment's square footage.

A court ordered Trump to pay E. Jean Carroll $5 million for sexual assault and defamation. Due to his comments afterward, Carroll filed another suit against him. Trump must now pay her $83.3 million. That fee includes $18.3 million for compensatory and $65 million for punitive damages. Trump walked out of the courtroom before the ruling. NPR's Andrea Bernstein was there. On the podcast, she reveals how the judge responded to Trump's walkout. Trump announced plans to appeal.

The Trump's Trials podcast plans to follow every case. Each episode begins with a one-minute synopsis followed by engaging explanations. Most episodes are under 20 minutes, making it easy to stay informed.

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Welcome to Trump's Trials

Welcome to Trump's Trials

NPR's Scott Detrow hosts a weekly discussion about the latest courtroom drama, testimony, and legal maneuvering in the criminal and civil cases facing former President Donald Trump — and what it all means for American democracy — with analysis from NPR political editor/correspondent Domenico Montanaro.Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org. Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Episodes

Week one of testimony in hush money trial, plus Supreme Court weighs immunity

Week one of testimony in hush money trial, plus Supreme Court weighs immunity

This week on Trump's Trials, host Scott Detrow and Domenico Montanaro are joined by law professor Kim Wehle. This was the first week of witness testimony in former President Donald Trump's New York hush money trial. The prosecution used their witnesses to establish Trump's knowledge and involvement in hush money payments for his alleged electoral benefit. Trump's defense team cross-examined witnesses countering that framing with the idea that this is politics as usual. Meanwhile, at the Supreme Court, justices heard oral arguments over whether Trump is immune from criminal prosecution. Although the justices seemed skeptical of granting Trump absolute immunity, it appeared the majority of the conservatives justices seemed opened to granting some sort of immunity for presidents. Topics include:- Week one of testimony in hush money trial- David Pecker testimony - Supreme court and immunity Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday.Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials.Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Witness cross-examined in hush money trial, plus new indictments in Arizona

Witness cross-examined in hush money trial, plus new indictments in Arizona

For this episode of Trump's Trials host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR's Andrea Bernstein about the latest in the New York hush money trial. Later, election law professor Edward Foley explains the fake elector indictments out of Arizona. In a New York courtroom, former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker took the stand for his third day of testimony. In his testimony Pecker said Trump had intimate knowledge of hush money payments from the very beginning. Pecker was then questioned by Trump's defense team, who tried to poke holes in his story. In Arizona, 18 people have been indicted for their alleged efforts to overturn the state's 2020 election. They include some of former President Donald Trump's closet allies — former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani. Trump himself was listed as an unindicted co-conspirator. Arizona becomes the fourth state to criminally charge people related to the fake electors scheme. Topics include:- Hush money trial testimony - Cross examination begins- Fake electors scheme Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday.Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials.Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Supreme Court likely to deny blanket immunity but could limit scope of prosecution

Supreme Court likely to deny blanket immunity but could limit scope of prosecution

For this episode of Trump's Trials, NPR's Michel Martin speaks to Chief Legal Affairs Correspondent Nina Totenberg, Washington Desk Senior Editor and Correspondent Ron Elving, National Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson and former White House Counsel Neil Eggleston. On Thursday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments over whether former President Donald Trump is immune from criminal prosecution. A majority of the justices appeared skeptical of blanket immunity. But some of the conservative justices hinted at the need for some immunity for certain actions taken while in office. The speed at which the court releases an opinion could determine whether the federal election interference case goes to trial before the November election. Topics include:- Justices' questions- Scope of immunity - Private vs official acts - Impact on federal election interference case Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday.Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials.Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Supreme Court to hear oral arguments on presidential immunity

Supreme Court to hear oral arguments on presidential immunity

For this episode of Trump's Trials host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson. On Thursday the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on whether former President Donald Trump is immune from criminal prosecution. Trump is charged with four counts related to alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election. But he is claiming since he was president at the time he cannot face prosecution. If the Supreme Court sides with Trump, the federal election interference case is dead. If they side against him, the case moves forward, but the likelihood of it going to trial before the November election is slim. Topics include:- Immunity arguments - Why did the Supreme Court take this case- Potential trial timeline Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday.Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials.Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Witness describes 'catch and kill' scheme to help Trump's 2016 campaign

Witness describes 'catch and kill' scheme to help Trump's 2016 campaign

For this episode of Trump's Trials, All Things Considered host Mary Louise Kelly speaks with political reporter Ximena Bustillo.David Pecker, former publisher for the National Enquirer, took the stand for a second day of testimony. Pecker explained that starting in 2015 he, Michael Cohen and Donald Trump had a deal that involved the National Enquirer buying negative stories about Trump and never publishing them – an arrangement also known as 'catch and kill.' Pecker said this was done to help Trump with his 2016 campaign. In addition, he described planting negative stories about Trump's 2016 rivals, such as the Clintons, then presidential candidate Ted Cruz and other Republican front runners. The prosecution also argued that Trump violated the gag order placed on him at least 11 times in recent weeks. They cited posts on Truth Social and comments Trump made outside the courtroom about potential witness Michael Cohen and the jury. The judge has yet to make a ruling. Topics include:- Gag order - Catch and kill deal - What's next Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday.Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials.Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Prosecutors argue "election fraud, pure and simple" in Trump hush money case

Prosecutors argue "election fraud, pure and simple" in Trump hush money case

For this episode of Trump's Trials, we hand the mic over to Consider This. Host Juana Summers speaks with defense lawyer Daniel Horwitz. As the first criminal trial for a former U.S. president got under way in New York, Donald Trump looked on as prosecution and defense teams presented their opening statements to the jury. The former president is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records, a felony in New York if done to cover up another crime. The prosecution argued hush money payments made by former Trump fixer Michael Cohen to adult film star Stormy Daniels were to buy her silence about an alleged affair with Trump. And were made at the former president's direction with the intention of influencing the 2016 election. The defense countered it was not illegal to affect the outcome of an election and that Cohen had handled the specifics of the hush money payments. Topics include:- Why the prosecution is arguing election fraud - The role Michael Cohen's credibility as a witness will play- What to look out for as the trial continuesFollow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday.Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials.Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Here's what you need to know about the first week of Trump's hush money trial

Here's what you need to know about the first week of Trump's hush money trial

For this episode of Trump's Trials, NPR senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro speaks with NPR political reporter Ximena Bustillo and University of Baltimore law professor Kim Wehle.The first week of former President Donald Trump's hush money trial is in the books and a jury has now been seated. Each potential juror had to answer dozens of questions and prove they could remain fair and impartial when weighing the fate of the former president, who watched the selection process from his seat in the courtroom. Now seated, the jury will hear opening arguments in the trial beginning on Monday.Topics include:- What we know and can safely say about the jurors selected- Safety concerns and security measures for jurors' protection- Predictions for each side's case in Monday's opening argumentsFollow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday.Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials.Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

With a jury seated, safety is now a top concern in hush money trial

With a jury seated, safety is now a top concern in hush money trial

For this episode of Trump's Trials, All Things Considered host Ailsa Chang speaks with NPR political reporter Ximena Bustillo and domestic extremism correspondent Odette Yousef.Twelve jurors and six alternates have been selected in former President Donald Trump's hush money trial. The jury is comprised of seven men and five women, all of whom will remain anonymous for security reasons. On Thursday one juror who had been seated for the trial voiced concern that identifying information about her had been in the media. She was dismissed from duty. That brought to light a very real concern — keeping jurors safe and protecting their identities. Topics include:- Jury selection process - Juror privacy - Security measures Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday.Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials.Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

12 jurors have been seated in Trump's hush money trial

12 jurors have been seated in Trump's hush money trial

For this episode of Trump's Trials, All Things Considered host Mary Louise Kelly speaks with NPR political reporter Ximena Bustillo.After just three days of jury selection, 12 New Yorkers have been seated in former President Donald Trump's hush money trial. Trump is charged with 34 felony counts for allegedly falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The 12 are made up of seven men and five women, all of whom said they could be fair and impartial to Trump. Judge Juan Merchan hopes to select five alternates on Friday. Opening statements could begin as early as Monday.Topics include:- Jury selection process - Trump in the courtroomFollow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday.Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials.Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Day one of jury selection in hush money case

Day one of jury selection in hush money case

For this episode of Trump's Trials, All Things Considered host Ailsa Chang speaks with NPR's Andrea Bernstein. Today marks the start of former President Donald Trump's first criminal trial. He is charged with 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records. Trump was in the courtroom for the day's events. The morning was filled with pre-trial rulings by Judge Juan Merchan related to evidence and testimony. In the afternoon, 96 potential jurors entered the courtroom where they were asked a series of questions about subjects like their ability to be fair, their occupation and where they get their news. Some were excused while others advanced into the next round of questioning. Jury selection is expected to take two weeks. Topics include:- Trump in the courtroom- Decisions on evidence and testimony - Potential jurors questioned Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday.Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials.Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Consider This: How do you select an impartial jury when your client is famous?

Consider This: How do you select an impartial jury when your client is famous?

For this episode of Trump's Trials, we hand the mic over to Consider This.On Monday, former President Donald Trump will enter a Manhattan courtroom for his first criminal trial. But before a verdict can be rendered a jury must be selected. And for Trump's legal team that is going to be a challenge. A small number of attorneys have faced a similar challenge — how do you select an impartial jury when your client is famous? Host Scott Detrow speaks with attorney Camille Vasquez for insight into the art of jury selection in such a case. She represented Johnny Depp in his defamation suit against his ex-wife Amber Heard. Topics include: - Jury selection- Jury questionnaire- Questioning potential jurors- What to look for in a juror Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday.Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials.Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

The first criminal trial of a former president begins on Monday

The first criminal trial of a former president begins on Monday

This week on Trump's Trials, host Scott Detrow and Domenico Montanaro are joined by lawyer and former ambassador Norm Eisen.On Monday, former President Donald Trump will enter a Manhattan courtroom as a defendant in a criminal trial. This will be the first time in American history a former president has faced criminal prosecution. Trump is charged with 34 counts related to falsifying businesses records. The prosecutor intends to connect alleged hush money payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to interference in the 2016 election. Topics include: - Election connection to hush money case - Jury questionnaire - Key players Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday.Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials.Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Judge's handling of classified documents case invites scrutiny from legal experts

Judge's handling of classified documents case invites scrutiny from legal experts

This week on Trump's Trials, host Scott Detrow is joined by NPR Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson and NYU law professor Melissa Murray.This week Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed one of former President Donald Trump's motions to dismiss the Florida classified documents case. Trump argued that when he left the White House he designated the highly sensitive documents as "personal" under the Presidential Records Act. But Cannon has not prevented Trump from using that same argument as part of his defense — something Special Counsel Jack Smith pushed back against in a recent brief. Topics include: - Presidential Records Act- Jury instructions - Gag order in hush money case- Civil fraud bondFollow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday.Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials.Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Threats against judges in Trump-related cases soar

Threats against judges in Trump-related cases soar

For this episode of Trump's Trials, All Things Considered host Ari Shapiro speaks with Reuters reporter Ned Parker.On Monday Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the New York hush money case, expanded a gag order to protect his own family. That's after former President Donald Trump repeatedly attacked the judge's daughter on Truth Social. In his ruling Judge Merchan wrote, "the threat is very real."This follows a recent report out from Reuters that found threats against federal judges, prosecutors, judicial staff and court buildings has tripled since 2015. Judges in federal Trump-related cases often receive death threats, credible enough to warrant protection from the U.S. Marshals Service.Topics include:- Increase in threats - Connection to Trump- Judges and U.S. Marshals' response Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday.Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials.Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Former Supreme Court Justice Breyer on the dangers of constitutional 'textualism'

Former Supreme Court Justice Breyer on the dangers of constitutional 'textualism'

This week on Trump's Trials, host Scott Detrow is joined by retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer. In Breyer's new book Reading the Constitution: Why I Chose Pragmatism, Not Textualism, Breyer explains why he finds textualism's popularity troublesome. Textualism is the legal theory that argues the correct way to interpret the Constitution and statutes is to read the text as it was understood at the time the documents were written. Pragmatism, the legal theory Breyer favors, takes current social and political context into consideration when formulating a legal opinion. In Breyer's view, textualism can weaken the public's faith in the rule of law and poses risks for the health of nation. However, Breyer was reluctant to comment on cases pending before the court, like former President Donald Trump's claim he is immune from criminal prosecution because of presidential immunity. Topics include: - Pragmatism vs. textualism- Public opinion of the court - Trump and immunity Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday.Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials.Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

NPR Politics Podcast: Trump's civil fraud judgement dropped to $175 million

NPR Politics Podcast: Trump's civil fraud judgement dropped to $175 million

For this episode of Trump's Trials, we hand the mic over to the NPR Politics Podcast Former President Donald Trump got a brief reprieve in his New York civil case, as the amount he owes to secure a $454 million bond has been temporarily reduced on appeal. In another New York courtroom the judge overseeing the criminal hush money case set a new trial date — April 15th. The case was originally set to go to trial on March 25th but was delayed due to prosecution and defense receiving new documents from the U.S. attorney's office. NPR Politics Podcast host and White House correspondent Deepa Shivaram is joined by justice correspondent Carrie Johnson and national political correspondent Mara Liasson.Topics include:- Civil fraud judgment lowered- Impact on Trump campaign - Next stepsFollow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday.Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials.Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Trial for Donald Trump's hush money case will begin on April 15

Trial for Donald Trump's hush money case will begin on April 15

For this episode of Trump's Trials, host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR's Andrea Bernstein. An appeals court has cut the bond former President Donald Trump has to post from $454 million to $175 million in his civil fraud trial. The news came the same day as the deadline before the New York Attorney General could start seizing Trump properties to pay off the massive judgement. And in a separate New York court, a judge sharply rebuked Trump's lawyers in his hush money criminal case and set a trial date for April 15. Topics include:- How Trump bargained his way to a lower bond- Trump's response to the criminal case against him going forward- Next stepsFollow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday.Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials.Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Here's what you need to know about the New York hush money case

Here's what you need to know about the New York hush money case

This week on Trump's Trials, host Scott Detrow and Domenico Montanaro are joined law professor Kim Wehle.On the eve of what should have been the start of the New York hush money trial we dive into the details of the case:Former President Donald Trump is facing 34 counts related to payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels over an alleged affair she had with Trump. The payments were made in the fall of 2016, just months before the election. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is claiming those payments are a form of election interference, with the theory being by paying off Daniels, Trump prevented information about the alleged affair from reaching voters. The case has been delayed to give the Trump team time to sort through hundreds of thousands of documents.Meanwhile, Trump's $454 million civil fraud judement is due in less than 48 hours. His lawyers are claiming they are unable to come up with the bond to pay the judgment. We look into what could happen if Trump does not pay the state of New York.Topics include: - New York hush money case - Southern District of New York documents - Civil fraud judgement due- What happens if Trump can't post the moneyFollow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday.Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials.Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

What happens if Trump can't pay his $454 million civil fraud penalty?

What happens if Trump can't pay his $454 million civil fraud penalty?

For this episode of Trump's Trials, NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with NPR's Andrea Bernstein. Former President Donald Trump is claiming he cannot secure a bond for roughly half a billion dollars to cover the judgment from his New York civil fraud trial. Lawyers for Trump claim they approached 30 companies and four brokers and none were willing to give Trump the $454 million bond. Trump has until March 25th to file the bond or risk having some of his assets seized.Topics include:- Bond deadline - Possible appeal- Possible asset seizer Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday.Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials.Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

In Georgia a resignation, in New York a delay

In Georgia a resignation, in New York a delay

This week on Trump's Trials, host Scott Detrow is joined by Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson and Georgia politics reporter Sam Gringlas.Judge Scott McAfee ruled Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis can stay on the Georgia election interference case but only if she removes special prosecutor Nathan Wade. Wade later resigned in a letter to the district attorney.Willis and Wade had come under fire for having a relationship that Trump and his co-defendants argued was a conflict of interest. Judge McAfee said in his ruling that the defendants did not meet the burden of proving the relationship was a conflict of interest but found "a significant appearance of impropriety" in the prosecution team. And in New York, the judge overseeing the hush money case officially delayed the start of that trial to mid-April. Jury selection was originally set to begin on March 25. Topics include: - Nathan Wade resigns - What decision means for the case and Willis- Delay in New York hush money caseFollow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify for new episodes each Saturday.Sign up for sponsor-free episodes and support NPR's political journalism at plus.npr.org/trumpstrials.Email the show at trumpstrials@npr.orgLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy