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Trump's Terms

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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.

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Episodes474

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  • Mar 2, 2024 · 22 min

    Supreme Court could end up delaying the Jan. 6 trial past the election

    This week on Trump's Trials, host Scott Detrow and Domenico Montanaro are joined by constitutional expert Kim Wehle. This week the Supreme Court announced they will consider former President Donald Trump's claim that he is immune from criminal prosecution. That decision has left the federal election interference case in limbo, complicating the chances that the case will go to trial before the November election. Topics include: - Timeline for federal election interference case - Why the Supreme Court is considering Trump's immunity claim - Justice Clarence Thomas and recusal - Update on classified documents case 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 at trumpstrials@npr.org See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • Mar 1, 2024 · 4 min

    Still unclear when classified documents case will go to trial

    For this episode of Trump's Trials, NPR's Alisa Chang speaks with correspondent Greg Allen. Judge Aileen Cannon held a pre-trial hearing in the Florida classified documents case where former President Donald Trump is facing 40 criminal charges. One of the top issues facing Judge Cannon is confirming the start date, but Friday's hearing ended with no clear answer to when this case might go to trial. Topics include: - Political calendar vs legal calendar - Timeline with other criminal trials - Trump in attendance 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 at trumpstrials@npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • Feb 29, 2024 · 4 min

    High stakes for the Supreme Court as it takes on Trump's immunity case

    For this episode of Trump's Trials, we hear from NPR legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg. There are lots of questions surrounding the Supreme Court's decision to hear arguments over whether former President Trump is immune from criminal prosecution. The court is notoriously secretive; Nina Totenberg tries to read between the lines for an explanation. Topics include: - Supreme Court's decision - Importance of the political calendar - History of the Supreme Court & the presidency 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 at trumpstrials@npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • Feb 28, 2024 · 4 min

    Supreme Court to consider Trump's immunity claims

    For this episode of Trump's Trials, NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg. The Supreme Court has decided to hear oral arguments over whether former President Trump is immune from federal prosecution. A three-judge panel previously ruled that Trump did not have broad immunity. The justices will hear arguments the week of April 22nd. Topics include: - Supreme Court's decision - January 6th trial timeline - How this affects the other cases 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 at trumpstrials@npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • Feb 24, 2024 · 16 min

    Trump owes about half a billion dollars in legal penalties — how will he pay for it?

    This week on Trump's Trials, host Scott Detrow and Domenico Montanaro are joined by a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist and author of three books about Trump David Cay Johnston. Over the course of four weeks former President Donald Trump was slapped with nearly half a billion dollars in legal penalties. First a jury ordered him to pay writer E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million. Then a judge ordered him to pay nearly $355 million, plus $100 million in interest, for fraudulent business practices. We look into how Trump could pay these penalties and how he's paying for his lawyers. Topics include: - Importance of wealth to Trump's image - Civil fraud and E. Jean Carroll decisions - How Trump could pay legal penalties - How Trump is paying his lawyers 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 at trumpstrials@npr.org See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • Feb 17, 2024 · 20 min

    A trial date set in New York and an indignant prosecutor in Georgia

    This week on Trump's Trials, host Miles Parks and Domenico Montanaro are joined by New York University law professor Melissa Murray. This week we saw developments in all four of the criminal cases facing former President Donald Trump. We also got decision in the New York civil fraud case, where a judge ordered Trump to pay $355 million and banned him from doing business in New York for three years. But we're focusing on two of these cases — the New York hush money case and the Georgia election interference case. First in New York, a judge ruled the case will go to trial on March 25th; making it the first time in American history a former president will be a defendant in a criminal case. In Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis surprised everyone when she took the stand in her own defense. Defendants in the Georgia election interference case are trying to have Willis removed for allegedly financially benefitting from a relationship she had with special prosecutor Nathan Wade. Topics include: - Trial date for New York hush money case - Importance of the hush money case - What jury selection may look like - Georgia election interference case - What happens if Willis is removed 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 at trumpstrials@npr.org See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • Feb 16, 2024 · 5 min

    Trump ordered to pay nearly $355 million in civil fraud case

    For this episode of Trump's Trials, NPR's Juana Summers speaks NPR's Andrea Bernstein. A New York judge has ordered former President Donald Trump and his companies to pay nearly $355 million in penalties for inflating the value of his properties and other assets. The verdict also banned Trump from operating his New York business and applying for loans in the state for three years. This follows a sometimes contentious three-month trial that was decided by a judge and not a jury. Topics include: - Civil fraud verdict - Money owed - Possible Trump appeal 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 at trumpstrials@npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • Feb 16, 2024 · 8 min

    Trial date set in New York hush money case, Fani Willis takes the stand in Georgia

    For this episode of Trump's Trials, NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks NPR's Andrea Bernstein and Georgia politics reporter Sam Gringlas. On March 25th the New York hush money case will go to trial, making it the first time a former president will be defendant in a criminal trial. Former President Donald Trump is facing 34 counts related to falsifying business records during the 2016 campaign in order to keep past affairs a secret. This will be the first of the four criminal cases to go to trial. In Georgia, an evidence hearing was held over whether Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis should be removed from the election interference case. Willis is accused of having an improper relationship with Nathan Wade, a prosecutor she hired to work on the case. They have acknowledge the relationship but denied Willis financially benefited from it. Willis and Wade both took the stand in defense of themselves. Topics include: - Trial schedule for New York hush money case - Evidence hearing for Georgia election interference case - Efforts to disqualify Willis - Willis and Wade testimony 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 at trumpstrials@npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • Feb 13, 2024 · 5 min

    It could be a consequential week in all four criminal cases against Trump

    For this episode of Trump's Trials, NPR's Juana Summers speaks with senior political correspondent Domenico Montanaro. Former President Donald Trump is facing a big week in all four of the criminal cases against him. Two of the biggest developments are set to come out of New York and Georgia. In the New York hush money case, a judge will determine this week if the case will begin as scheduled on March 25th. Meanwhile, in Georgia, a hearing is set this week to determine whether Fulton Country District Attorney Fani Willis should be disqualified from the state's election interference case over allegations she misused public funds. At the same time, the Supreme Court is considering whether to weigh in on a lower court's decision that Trump is not immune from prosecution in the Jan. 6 case. And in the classified documents case, the judge is considering Trump's lawyers' motion to postpone deadlines that could push the case back from its scheduled May 20th start date. Topics include: - Immunity appeal - Florida classified documents case - Trial schedule for New York hush money case - Georgia evidence hearing 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 at trumpstrials@npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • Feb 10, 2024 · 22 min

    Trump's mixed week: a possible boost from one court and a setback from another

    This week on Trump's Trials, host Scott Detrow and Domenico Montanaro are joined by former US attorney and deputy assistant attorney general Harry Litman. It was a big week in the Trump legal world. There was the decision on presidential immunity, spoiler alert - he doesn't have it. And then there were those Supreme Court oral arguments in the Colorado ballot case, where the justices seemed skeptical of an individual state being able to disqualify Trump from seeking office again. To cap off the week, President Biden was exonerated in a separate classified documents investigation, but the special prosecutor's report questioned the strength of Biden's memory. Topics include: - Immunity decision - Supreme Court oral arguments - How the immunity and Colorado cases intersect - Is Biden's document situation similar to Trump's - Predictions on future decisions and timeline 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 at trumpstrials@npr.org See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • Feb 8, 2024 · 18 min

    Justices push lawyers on question of Trump's eligibility to run for another term

    For this episode of Trump's Trials, NPR's Scott Detrow speaks to Chief Legal Affairs Correspondent Nina Totenberg, Washington Desk Senior Editor and Correspondent Ron Elving and UCLA law professor and election law expert Rick Hasen. On Thursday, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments over whether former President Donald Trump is disqualified from running for office on the basis of Section 3 of the 14th amendment. The justices sparred with attorneys from both sides, questioning their justification to remove or keep Trump on the ballot. The justices appeared skeptical of individual states having the power to decide who is able to run for president, at least without congressional action. Topics include: - Trump's legal argument - Colorado's legal argument - Justice's reactions - 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 at trumpstrials@npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • Feb 7, 2024 · 13 min

    The Supreme Court hears arguments on whether Trump should remain on the ballot

    For this episode of Trump's Trials, NPR's Scott Detrow speaks to Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson. On Thursday, the Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in the Colorado ballot case. This case centers on whether former President Donald Trump is disqualified from running for office on the basis of Section 3 of the 14th amendment. The once little-known clause bars anyone who swore an oath to support the Constitution and then "engaged in insurrection" against it from holding office. The Colorado Supreme Court determined that Trump had engaged in an insurrection and removed him from the state's primary ballot. Topics include: - Origins of the case - What to look for during the arguments - Trump's defense arguments 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 at trumpstrials@npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • Feb 6, 2024 · 5 min

    Trump does not have broad immunity, appeals court decides

    For this episode of Trump's Trials, NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks to Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson. Former President Donald Trump does not enjoy broad immunity from federal prosecution. That was the ruling from a three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals D.C. Circuit. The judges also gave Trump six days to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Topics include: - Details of the D.C. Appeals ruling - Political and legal calendar - 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 at trumpstrials@npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • Feb 4, 2024 · 19 min

    Georgia on our minds

    This week on Trump's Trials, guest host Miles Parks and Domenico Montanaro are joined by constitutional expert and lawyer Kim Wehle. Now that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has admitted to having a relationship with prosecutor Nathan Wade, there continues to be calls for her removal from the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump. Legally she may not be required to step aside. But politically, the relationship complicates the perception of the case in the public eye. We also preview oral arguments taking place on Thursday at the Supreme Court in the Colorado ballot case that could determine whether Trump is eligible to run for office. Topics include: - Fani Willis' motion - What's next in the Georgia election interference case - Preview of Supreme Court oral arguments - How section 3 of the 14th Amendment applies 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 at trumpstrials@npr.org See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • Feb 2, 2024 · 5 min

    Fani Willis admits relationship with prosecutor in Georgia case, denies wrongdoing

    For this episode of Trump's Trials, NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with political reporter Stephen Fowler. In a court filing on Friday, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis admitted to having a relationship with prosecutor Nathan Wade, but denied any misconduct. Willis hired Wade to prosecute the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump. In the 176-page brief, Willis said allegations that she and Wade financially benefit from prosecuting the case are "meritless" and asked the judge to deny the request to dismiss her and the case without an evidentiary hearing. Topics include: - Willis' defense - Effect on criminal case - What comes 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 at trumpstrials@npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • Jan 31, 2024 · 8 min

    Two historians argue that the 14th amendment disqualifies Trump from the ballot

    For this episode of Trump's Trials, NPR's Steve Inskeep speaks with historians Jill Lepore and David Blight. Lepore and Blight have submitted a friend of the court brief to the Supreme Court ahead of oral arguments on whether former President Donald Trump should remain on the Colorado ballot. Colorado's Supreme Court said Trump is not qualified for the presidency under the Constitution's 14th Amendment. Section 3 of that amendment says you can't serve in federal office if you once took an oath to support the United States and then engaged in an insurrection or rebellion. Both Lepore and Blight argue that Section three of the 14th amendment disqualifies Trump from serving again as president. Topics include: - Historical context of the 14th amendment - Historical intention of section three - What does it mean to have 'engaged in insurrection' - Interpreting the Constitution 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 at trumpstrials@npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • Jan 27, 2024 · 13 min

    Delays, delays, delays

    This week on Trump's Trials, host Scott Detrow is joined by NPR Justice Correspondent Carrie Johnson. In this episode we take a step back to look at where the four criminal cases former President Donald Trump is facing currently stand. There's the classified documents case in Florida, the hush money case involving Stormy Daniels in New York, the Georgia election interference case and the Jan. 6th federal election interference case. Topics include: - Updates on all of Trump's criminal cases - Trial date speculation - What comes 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 at trumpstrials@npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • Jan 26, 2024 · 5 min

    Jury orders Trump to pay E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million for defamation

    For this episode of Trump's Trials, NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks to NPR's Andrea Bernstein. A jury has awarded writer E. Jean Carroll $83.3 million in a civil defamation suit against former President Donald Trump. In a previous defamation trial Trump was found to have sexually abused and defamed Carroll. The jury in that case awarded her $5 million. Topics include: - How jury came up with $83.3 million figure - Trump's reaction - 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 at trumpstrials@npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • Jan 25, 2024 · 4 min

    Trump takes the stand in defamation trial

    For this episode of Trump's Trials, NPR's Juana Summers speaks to NPR's Andrea Bernstein. Former President Donald Trump was back in court on Thursday to testify in the second civil defamation damages trial brought by writer E. Jean Carroll. The jury in a separate civil trial last year awarded Carroll $5 million, finding Trump sexually abused and defamed her. Trump spoke briefly on the stand on Thursday, saying the allegations were false. Topics include: - Defense resting its case - Trump's testimony - Outcome predictions 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 at trumpstrials@npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy

  • Jan 24, 2024 · 9 min

    An argument for the lead prosecutor in Trump's Georgia election case to step down

    For this episode of Trump's Trials, host Scott Detrow speaks to lawyer and ethics expert Norman Eisen. We hear why Eisen is calling on special counsel Nathan Wade to resign from his post in the Georgia election interference case. Wade has come under fire for accusations of having an improper relationship with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who hired him to prosecute the case against Trump. Neither Willis nor Wade have made an official statement regarding the accusations. Topics include: - Legal requirements to remove a prosecutor - Ethical issues in the case - Distractions to the Georgia interference case 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 at trumpstrials@npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences. NPR Privacy Policy