Donald Trump

Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021. He was born and raised in the New York City borough of Queens and received an economics degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Trump took charge of his family's real-estate business in 1971, renamed it The Trump Organization, and expanded its operations from Queens and Brooklyn into Manhattan. The company built or renovated skyscrapers, hotels, casinos, and golf courses. Trump later started various side ventures, mostly by licensing his name. Trump and his businesses have been involved in more than 4,000 state and federal legal actions, including six bankruptcies. Trump entered the 2016 presidential race as a Republican and defeated 16 other candidates in the primaries. His political positions have been described as populist, protectionist, isolationist, and nationalist. He won the general election against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, despite losing the popular vote. Trump's presidency was marked by controversy, including his policies on immigration, trade, and foreign policy. He was impeached by the House of Representatives in 2019 for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, but was acquitted by the Senate. He was impeached again in 2021 for inciting the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, but was again acquitted by the Senate. Trump's presidency was also marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, which he downplayed and mismanaged. He lost the 2020 presidential election to Democratic nominee Joe Biden. Trump has continued to make false claims about the election being stolen from him and has hinted at a possible run for president in 2024. He is a controversial figure who has been accused of racism, sexism, and xenophobia. He is also known for his flamboyant personality and his use of social media.

Hush Money Case

The hush money case against Donald Trump refers to a series of payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election. The payments were made to silence the women from publicly disclosing alleged affairs they had with Trump. The case was investigated by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, which ultimately indicted Trump on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The indictment alleged that Trump and his lawyer, Michael Cohen, had falsified business records to conceal the payments to Daniels and McDougal, and that they had done so with the intent to influence the 2016 election. Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts in April 2023.

Falsifying Business Records

Falsifying business records is a crime that involves intentionally making false entries in business records or altering existing records to conceal or misrepresent the truth. This can include creating fake invoices, altering sales figures, or changing dates or amounts on financial statements. The specific elements of the crime vary by jurisdiction, but generally involve the intent to deceive or defraud. Falsifying business records can be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the severity of the offense and the amount of money involved. In the case of Donald Trump, he was convicted of falsifying business records in connection with the hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal. The prosecution argued that Trump and his lawyer, Michael Cohen, had falsified business records to conceal the payments and that they had done so with the intent to influence the 2016 election.

Presidential Election

The presidential election is a quadrennial event in the United States in which citizens elect the president and vice president. The election process involves a series of primaries and caucuses, followed by a general election in which the candidates from each major party compete for the presidency. The candidate who wins the majority of electoral votes is declared the winner. The presidential election is a highly contested event that often has significant implications for the country's future. The 2024 presidential election is expected to be a close race, with Donald Trump potentially running against incumbent Joe Biden. The outcome of the election will have a significant impact on the country's political landscape and its direction on issues such as the economy, healthcare, and foreign policy.

Swing Voters

Swing voters are voters who are not firmly committed to either major political party and are therefore considered to be up for grabs in an election. They are often considered to be the deciding factor in close elections, as their votes can determine the outcome. Swing voters are typically located in swing states, which are states that are not reliably Democratic or Republican and are therefore considered to be crucial in presidential elections. Swing voters are often influenced by a variety of factors, including the economy, social issues, and the candidates' personalities. The impact of Trump's conviction on swing voters is a key topic of discussion in this episode, as the hosts explore the potential for the verdict to sway voters in the upcoming election.