(NewsNation) — Activist and independent presidential candidate Cornel West says former President Donald Trump’s Stormy Daniels hush money trial is a reckoning moment with the “greedy” being held “accountable.”
West joined Chris Cuomo’s panel Friday night along with Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz to discuss the case in depth.
“I think we’re living in a Malcolm X moment … where the greedy and the wealthy and the powerful now have to be rendered in some way accountable and responsible and answerable,” West said on “CUOMO.” “That’s true not just for Trump, he deserves a fair trial. … But we know, he’s said and done so many things with no accountability at all.”
A full jury has been selected in the case, setting the stage for opening remarks to begin Monday. After nearly 200 prospective jurors were screened by the judge, Trump’s lawyers and Manhattan prosecutors, a total of 12 jurors and six alternates were selected Friday to hear the first criminal case of any former U.S. president.
“We’ve now completed jury selection for this case,” Judge Juan Merchan said.
Trump is accused of falsifying business records to conceal a hush money deal with an adult film actress ahead of the 2016 election. He has pleaded not guilty.
The jury is a melting pot of Manhattanites, with residents from Harlem to Chelsea, physical therapists to investment bankers and immigrants to lifelong New Yorkers.
Jury selection took four days, the process somewhat complicated by Trump’s controversial political reputation, deep ties to New York City and coverage in the media.
“The Hill” contributed to this report.