Trump's Terms

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Episodes

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Trump's Terms

Host Scott Detrow curates NPR's reporting, analysis and updates on the 47th President, focusing on actions and policies that challenge precedent and upend political norms, raising questions about what a President can do — and whether his efforts will benefit the voters who returned him to power.

Support NPR's reporting by subscribing to Trump's Terms+ and unlock sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

Episodes

Trump is a convicted felon — what comes next?

Now that former President Donald Trump has been convicted on 34 felony counts, many Americans are wondering what comes next? Will he file an appeal? Will he be sentenced to jail? And how will his conviction affect the presidential race? Trump's Trials , host Scott Detrow gets into all these questions and more with NPR Senior Political Editor and Correspondent Domenico Montanaro and Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson . Topics include: - Possible sentencing - How conviction plays out in the camp...

May 31, 2024•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Trump guilty on all counts — first president convicted in a felony criminal trial

Never before has a former or sitting U.S. president been convicted of felony crimes. Until now. A jury of 12 New Yorkers found former President Donald Trump guilty of 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Hosts Scott Detrow and Juana Summers are joined by an NPR roundtable — Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson , Senior Editor and Correspondent Domenico Montanaro , White House Correspon...

May 30, 2024•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Consider This: Who made the most compelling case to jurors in Trump's trial?

For this episode of Trump's Trials , we hand the mic over to Consider This. Host Juana Summers speaks with Fordham law professor Adam Shlahet. Jurors heard closing arguments on Tuesday in the criminal trial of former President Donald Trump. It's now up to them to decide whether Trump falsified business records to cover up an alleged affair with adult film star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Topics include: - The prosecution and defense's tactics in their closing argument...

May 28, 2024•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Here are three possible outcomes in the Trump hush money trial

For this episode of Trump's Trials , host Scott Detrow speaks with legal expert Harry Litman . Closing arguments in former President Donald Trump's hush money trial are expected to begin on Tuesday. And if all goes according to plan, the jury will begin deliberations on Wednesday. That means there's a chance a verdict is reached as soon as next week. We break down three possible outcomes the jury could reach — guilty, not guilty, or a hung jury. Topics include: - Prosecution and defense rest - J...

May 25, 2024•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast

In Florida a motion to dismiss, in Georgia an election

For this episode of Trump's Trials, All Things Considered host Ailsa Chang speaks with NPR correspondent Greg Allen . In Florida, Federal Judge Aileen Cannon held a pre-trial hearing on Wednesday to dismiss the classified documents case against former President Donald Trump and two co-defendants. And in Georgia, both the prosecutor and judge in Trump's election interference case have won elections. Prosecutor Fani Willis won her Democratic primary and will face a Republican who interned in the T...

May 22, 2024•8 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Testimony in hush money trial concludes; Trump did not testify in his defense

For this episode of Trump's Trials, All Things Considered host Ailsa Chang speaks with NPR's Andrea Bernstein . Testimony in Former President Donald Trump's criminal trial in New York is now in the books. The prosecution and the defense have rested, and Trump did not testify. Topics include: - Testimony from the defense's witnesses - 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...

May 21, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Cohen's testimony concludes and the prosecution rests its case

For this episode of Trump's Trials, All Things Considered host Ailsa Chang speaks with NPR's Andrea Bernstein . The prosecution has rested its case with the conclusion of its star witness Michael Cohen in former President Donald Trump's hush money trial. Topics include: - Cohen's testimony - 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...

May 20, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Has the prosecution proved its case against Trump?

For this episode of Trump's Trials , host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR political reporter Ximena Bustillo and Boston University law professor Jed Shugerman . The prosecution's star witness, Michael Cohen was on the stand for three days this week. He testified about the alleged scheme to pay off adult film star Stormy Daniels and the alleged business fraud that followed. Cohen placed former President Trump at the scene saying he was aware and involved in the alleged cover up. But Cohen is an admi...

May 18, 2024•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Trump's defense tries to cast doubt on Michael Cohen's credibility

For this episode of Trump's Trials , All Things Considered host Juana Summers speaks with NPR political reporter Ximena Bustillo . The prosecution's star witness Michael Cohen was back on the stand today in former President Donald Trump's hush money trial. Trump's defense team took direct aim at Cohen's credibility, asking him about his criminal history, times he's lied and questioned his memory of events. Topics include: - Cross-examination of Cohen - What's next Follow the show on Apple Podcas...

May 16, 2024•4 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Trump's defense team grills Michael Cohen in cross-examination

For this episode of Trump's Trials , All Things Considered host Juana Summers speaks with NPR's Andrea Bernstein and attorney Kim Wehle . Donald Trump's former fixer Michael Cohen spent a second day on the witness stand testifying against his one time boss. Cohen mostly testified about purposefully mislabeling checks, false receipts and his previous loyalty to Trump. Cohen was aggressively cross-examined by Trump's defense team over social media statements he's made about Trump and whether he wa...

May 14, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Former fixer Michael Cohen takes the stand in Trump's criminal trial

For this episode of Trump's Trials , All Things Considered host Ailsa Chang speaks with NPR's Andrea Bernstein and attorney Andrew Weissmann . Donald Trump's former personal attorney and "fixer" Michael Cohen gave an extended, first-hand account of what happened in the turbulent months at the end of the 2016 campaign. At the New York criminal courthouse, Cohen said that then-presidential candidate Trump directed him to negotiate an agreement with adult film actor Stormy Daniels. Topics include: ...

May 13, 2024•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Stormy moments in Trump's hush money trial

For this episode of Trump's Trials , host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR senior political editor and correspondent Domenico Montanaro and Boston University law professor Jed Shugerman . This week adult film actress Stormy Daniels testified about her alleged sexual encounter with former president Donald Trump in 2006. Daniels described the encounter, which Trump denies took place, in great detail. Although whether or not Trump and Daniels had sex is not what the jury will rule on, it is the alleged...

May 11, 2024•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Day two of Stormy Daniels testimony in hush money trial

For this episode of Trump's Trials , All Things Considered host Ari Shapiro speaks with NPR's Andrea Bernstein . Adult film actress Stormy Daniels took the stand for the second time in the New York hush money case. The defense continued their cross-examination of Daniels attempting to highlight inconsistencies in her story about meeting Trump in 2006. Defense attorneys questioned whether Daniels was out to make money, asking her about a book deal and documentary she was in. Topics include: - Sto...

May 09, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast

An indefinite delay in Florida, an appeal granted in Georgia

For this episode of Trump's Trials, host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson . In Florida, Judge Aileen Cannon delayed a trial over Trump's alleged mishandling of classified documents indefinitely, citing the backlog of pre-trial motions that must be handled before a trial date can even be set. This all but ensures that the trial will not happen before the November election. In Georgia, an appeals court has agreed to hear Trump's challenge to the decision that allow...

May 08, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Tensions flare as Stormy Daniels testifies about Trump and hush money scheme

For this episode of Trump's Trials, All Things Considered host Juana Summers speaks with NPR's Andrea Bernstein and later, former White House special counsel Ty Cobb. Adult film actress Stormy Daniels testified about her alleged sexual encounter with Donald Trump in 2006 and hush money payment in 2016. Tensions were high as Daniels detailed her experience with Trump, sometimes in a level of detail that drew multiple objections from the defense and a mistrial request that was denied by the judge....

May 07, 2024•9 min•Transcript available on Metacast

After 10th gag order violation, judge threatens Trump with jail

For this episode of Trump's Trials , All Things Considered host Ari Shapiro speaks with NPR's Andrea Bernstein . Judge Juan Merchan says former President Donald Trump has violated a gag order in his New York criminal trial for a 10th time. Merchan threatened the next violation could land the presidential candidate in jail. Topics include: - Judge Merchan's reaction to Trump's latest violation - How this admonishment differs from other times Trump has tussled with judges - Highlights from Monday'...

May 06, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Tearful testimony and a contempt of court ruling

For this episode of Trump's Trials, host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR's Ximena Bustillo and former New York Prosecutor Tristan Snell. He's a former New York prosecutor who led the state's case against Trump University, and author of the book Taking Down Trump . The third week of former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial ended with a high-profile witness: former Trump aide Hope Hicks. She testified about the Trump campaign's damage control efforts in the 2016 election and even too...

May 04, 2024•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Jurors hear secret recording of Trump discussing payment to former Playboy model

For this episode of Trump's Trials, All Things Considered host Juana Summers speaks with NPR's Andrea Bernstein . Stormy Daniels' former attorney Keith Davidson wrapped up his testimony on Thursday in the criminal trial of former President Donald Trump. The jury heard some dramatic audio of Trump and his former lawyer Michael Cohen talking about payments to former Playboy model Karen McDougal and Daniels. But the defense became combative in cross-examining Davison. Topics include: - Davidson's t...

May 02, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast

Trump fined $9,000 for violating gag order in hush money trial

For this episode of Trump's Trials , All Things Considered host Juana Summers speaks with political reporter Ximena Bustillo . Judge Juan Merchan fined former President Donald Trump $9,000 for violating a gag order that prohibited him from speaking out about potential witnesses and others involved in his hush money trial. Jurors also heard from four witnesses as testimony continues in the trial. Topics include: - The gag order against Trump - Testimonies of Gary Farro, Robert Browning, Phillip T...

Apr 30, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast

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 Suprem...

Apr 27, 2024•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast

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 ...

Apr 25, 2024•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast

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...

Apr 25, 2024•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast

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...

Apr 24, 2024•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast

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...

Apr 23, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast

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 paym...

Apr 22, 2024•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast

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 pro...

Apr 20, 2024•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast

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 he...

Apr 19, 2024•7 min•Transcript available on Metacast

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 impa...

Apr 18, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast

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 aske...

Apr 15, 2024•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast

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 ...

Apr 14, 2024•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast