Trump's lawyers appear before appeals court as he fights hush money conviction

Donald Trump’s lawyers appeared before a New York appeals court as they asked judges to overturn his hush money conviction. The case stems from a May 2024 ruling on 34 felony counts tied to falsifying business records to hide a $130,000 payment to adult film performer Stormy Daniels. Trump, who denies wrongdoing, did not attend Thursday’s hearing. The appeal argues prosecutors relied on “immense political pressure,” faulty legal theory, and “clearly insufficient” evidence, alongside problematic jury instructions. A central dispute is whether jurors heard improper testimony involving alleged White House conversations and Trump social media posts. Prosecutors counter that immunity claims don’t cover unofficial conduct.