Trump seeks to overturn hush money conviction in New York appeals court

Trump was found guilty in May 2024 on all counts of falsifying business records related to a scheme to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. The jury determined he altered records to conceal a $130,000 payment made to adult film performer Stormy Daniels. Trump has publicly addressed the case on social media as recently as September.

In early January 2025, while Trump was president-elect for a second term, the judge in the case issued an unconditional discharge, meaning he remains a convicted felon without facing jail time, fines, or other penalties.

The case centers around a payment made to Daniels by Trump’s then-fixer and lawyer, Michael Cohen, shortly before the 2016 election. The payment was intended to silence Daniels regarding an alleged sexual encounter with Trump a decade prior, when he was married to Melania Trump and Barron was born. Trump denies any sexual contact occurred.

Following the payment, Trump’s company reimbursed Cohen, classifying the transactions as legal expenses. Prosecutors contend that these actions constituted a conspiracy to violate federal campaign finance laws.

Trump’s legal team maintains that there is insufficient evidence to prove he was aware of Cohen’s actions and that the payments were legitimate legal expenses intended to protect his family’s reputation.

The appeal involves complex legal arguments and carries significant political implications.

Simultaneously, Trump is attempting to move the case to federal court and have it dismissed based on immunity, following a Supreme Court ruling in 2024. A federal judge denied this request for the third time in August, and Trump’s lawyers are appealing that decision, with arguments scheduled for November 16.