From President to Convict

by James D. Zirin October 29, 2024October 29, 2024

Jonathan Alter takes us inside the hush money trial that made Donald Trump the first ex-president felon in American history.

Law and Justice

Trump’s Sordid Case Goes to the Jury

by James D. Zirin May 29, 2024May 29, 2024

By James D. Zirin It is the 21st day of trial in New York during the 22nd week of the year. It is a historic trial, perhaps the trial of the century—the first ever of a former president charged with criminal conduct. The prosecution’s case is that documents were falsified to make it appear that […]

Jonathan Alter's Trump Trial Diary

Trump Trial, Day 16: On Direct, Cohen Lands Some Big Blows

by Jonathan Alter May 15, 2024December 3, 2024

For the first two weeks of this trial, we’ve heard one constant theme: a play on Ray Romano’s old TV show Everybody Hates Michael. It wasn’t just Donald Trump’s defense team that trashed Michael Cohen at every opportunity. The prosecution encouraged a few witnesses to take shots at the former Trump Organization attorney and fixer […]

Main

Day 15: Trump Misfires in Bid For Mistrial

by Jonathan Alter May 13, 2024December 3, 2024

A compelling exchange when the jury was out of the room.

Law and Justice

Trump Trial Day 14: Stormy Daniels Flushes Trump on Cross

by Jonathan Alter May 13, 2024December 3, 2024

How the adult film actress beat the “Orange Turd” at his own game.

Jonathan Alter's Trump Trial Diary

Trump Trial Day 13: Stormy on the Stand

by Jonathan Alter May 11, 2024December 3, 2024

A full account of her dark, believable, and entertaining testimony.

Jonathan Alter's Trump Trial Diary

Day 12 of the Hush Money Trial: What Would Jail Be Like for Trump?

by Jonathan Alter May 8, 2024December 3, 2024

Plus, dull but extremely important testimony about business records

Politics

Hush Money to a Porn Star Might Be Okay With Some Voters

by David Atkins May 7, 2024May 6, 2024

But will they tolerate Trump deducting the payoff, shortchanging contractors, and a lifetime of ripping off others because he’s not actually that rich?