Expected to face 34 felony counts of falsifying business records
Judge Juan M. Merchan to instruct jury on law before deliberations begin
Prosecutors will present financial paperwork and witness testimonies during closing arguments
Trump actively fundraising for presidential campaign despite ongoing trial
Trump facing closing arguments in hush money trial starting May 28, 2024
In a major week for the Trump hush money trial, closing arguments and jury instructions are expected to begin on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. The trial, which has been ongoing for over four weeks in Manhattan criminal court, involves former President Donald Trump facing 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Prosecutors will remind jurors of the financial paperwork and witnesses they have seen and heard from during the trial. After prosecutors present their closing arguments, Judge Juan M. Merchan is expected to instruct the jury on the law governing the case before deliberations begin.
Meanwhile, Trump has been actively fundraising for his presidential campaign. During a meeting with wealthy Republican donors at a luxury hotel in New York, he asked for large contributions in exchange for meetings or policy promises. One businessman offered $1 million to Trump's campaign and was met with the response,
Donald Trump met with wealthy Republican donors at a luxury hotel in New York and asked for large campaign contributions in exchange for meetings or policy promises.
Trump requested $25 million or $50 million from one businessman instead of his usual $2 million to $3 million contributions.
Trump promised tax cuts and policies beneficial to oil companies during the meeting with donors.
Accuracy
Donald Trump met with wealthy Republican donors at a luxury hotel in New York
A businessman offered $1 million to Trump's presidential effort
Trump promised tax cuts and policies beneficial to oil companies during the meeting with donors
Deception
(30%)
Travis Gettys uses sensationalism by titling the article 'Make it $25 million: Trump shaking down wealthy donors in exchange for meetings'. He also engages in selective reporting by only mentioning instances where Trump asks for large sums of money and implying that this is a new development, while omitting context about the legal limits on campaign contributions. Gettys also uses emotional manipulation by describing Trump's requests as 'audacious' and 'shaking down', implying that there is something morally wrong with Trump asking for donations in exchange for meetings.
Four sources close to Trump say he’s keeping a close eye on who gives to his campaign and has told allies how much he expects them to raise, he has repeatedly pressured some of them, including oil magnate Harold Hamm, to raise more, saying they’re ‘behind’ and that he ‘needs the money.’
Trump has been promising donors tax cuts or other policies that would benefit them and then seconds later asking for more money than his campaign or the Republican Party can legally accept, such as his request for $1 billion from oil industry executives in exchange for enacting the policies they wanted.
During one meeting that stretched for hours, Trump promised to cut taxes for corporations and enact policies to benefit oil companies,
Trump then announced that he was seeking another term in office and officially launched his 2024 presidential campaign.
Fallacies
(75%)
Travis Gettys uses an appeal to authority fallacy when reporting that 'campaign finance lawyers say the Federal Election Commission, which has three Republicans and three Democrats, would not likely investigate Trump's fundraising during an election year.' This statement implies that the opinion of these campaign finance lawyers holds weight in determining whether or not an investigation is likely to occur.
][Travis Gettys] 'campaign finance lawyers say the Federal Election Commission, which has three Republicans and three Democrats, would not likely investigate Trump's fundraising during an election year.'[]
Bias
(80%)
Travis Gettys uses language that depicts Trump as extorting money from donors in exchange for policy promises and tax cuts. He also implies that Trump's requests for large sums of money are excessive.
He warned that he was being outraised by Democrats. Be generous, please. So give me some of your money. True, I'm begging for your money.
Former President Donald Trump appeared in Manhattan criminal court for closing arguments in his hush money trial on May 28, 2024.
The defense does not need to prove anything or convince jurors of Trump’s innocence, but must prevent a conviction by getting at least one juror to doubt the prosecution’s case.
Accuracy
Donald Trump met with top donors at a luxurious New York hotel
Trump requested $25 million or $50 million from one businessman instead of his usual $2 million to $3 million contributions.
Trump promised tax cuts and policies beneficial to oil companies during the meeting with donors.
