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Judge Questions Trump’s Bid to Shift Hush Money Case

2/5/2026

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Trump's Court Challenge

A New York federal judge is reconsidering U.S. President Donald Trump's bid to move his hush money conviction to federal court.
Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein expressed skepticism about Trump's strategy and criticized his lawyers for delaying intervention.
Trump was found guilty of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels in 2016.
The 2nd Circuit ordered Hellerstein to review the case, and a ruling will follow.

Left

Trump Threatens Lawsuit

U.S. President Donald Trump threatens to sue Trevor Noah, the comedian, over a Grammy Awards joke linking him to Jeffrey Epstein.
Legal experts say such a suit would fail because jokes are typically protected under free speech.
Trump called the Grammys "virtually unwatchable" and labeled Trevor Noah a "total loser" in his response.
The move follows Trump's history of suing media figures, including pending actions against several news organizations.

History

Historical Context

In 2016, Donald Trump directed Michael Cohen to pay $130,000 to Stormy Daniels as hush money, a move that later led to his indictment for falsifying business records. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office, initially led by Cyrus Vance Jr. and later by Alvin Bragg, pursued this case, echoing past political scandals like Watergate in 1972 and raising questions about accountability in politics.

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Trump's Court Challenge

A New York federal judge is reconsidering U.S. President Donald Trump's bid to move his hush money conviction to federal court.
Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein expressed skepticism about Trump's strategy and criticized his lawyers for delaying intervention.
Trump was found guilty of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels in 2016.
The 2nd Circuit ordered Hellerstein to review the case, and a ruling will follow.

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