Donald Trump is back at the Manhattan Criminal Court for the resumption of his New York hush money trial after using Wednesday’s recess to hit the campaign trail in the battleground states of Wisconsin and Michigan at which he largely played the hits, delivering the familiar slew of insults, grievances, half-truths and apocalyptic forecasts.
Judge Juan Merchan is considering four more alleged violations of Mr Trump’s gag order today after fining him $9,000 for nine breaches on Tuesday and warning the defendant he could face “incarceratory punishment” if he persists in bad-mouthing key participants.
This week the court has already heard key testimony from Gary Farro, the banker for former Trump fixer Michael Cohen, explaining how the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels to cover up the alleged extramarital affair with Mr Trump was funded.
It has also heard from Keith Davidson, the ex-lawyer for Ms Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal who negotiated the sale of their stories to guarantee their silence, which became urgent in October 2016 after the Access Hollywood tape was released.
Mr Davidson will continue giving evidence on Thursday.
The Independent’s Alex Woodward is covering the trial at Manhattan Criminal Court.
Keith Davidson returns to witness stand
Keith Davidson, former lawyer to Karen McDougal and Stormy Daniels, is back on the stand to talk further about the details of their respective hush money agreements.
Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass is questioning Davidson and asks about an email from 26 October 2016 from Dylan Howard, editor of The National Enquirer, which confirms an agreement concerning “Keith’s client”.
This email followed a meeting between the two men and Michael Cohen. Davidson had lost trust in Cohen and Howard was acting as a mediator.
Asked why he lost trust in Cohen, Davidson responds: “I believed he was not telling me the truth,” says Davidson, regarding “delays in funding.”
Further emails are shown in which it is confirmed to Cohen that a wire transfer has been received and that no funds will be dispersed until a final settlement is agreed.
When Howard texted “money wired I am told,” Davidson took that to mean Cohen.
Davidson: “Funds received”
Davidson: “Was never really sure…”
Oliver O’Connell2 May 2024 15:42
Potential Trump juror breaks silence on death threats since being recused from criminal trial
Yikes. This is disturbing from a New Yorker who was not even chosen to serve.
Potential Donald Trump juror breaks silence on death threats he’s received
A potential juror who was excused from Donald Trump’s criminal trial has revealed he received death threats, despite not being involved in the case. Mark DeMuro told Good Morning Britain how Trump supporters had contacted him saying they were going to “teach him a lesson” if the former USPresident did not receive a fair trial. Speaking on Thursday (2 May), Mr DeMuro told the ITV news programme about the content of the messages he received: “We know who you are, we know where you are, we are going to come and teach you a lesson.” Mr Trump was held in contempt of court this week and fined $9,000 for violating a gag order.
Joe Sommerlad2 May 2024 15:15
Blanche points to an April Politico interview, quoting Michael Cohen: “He’s lied so many times that he cannot keep track of the lies.”
His Mea Culpa podcasts are “over the top about his character” and “his candidacy,” with “interviews with folks in this room, reporters.”
He then mentions his TikTok, where he posts “nightly, literally making money” talking about Trump.
“This is not a man that needs protection from a gag order,” Blanche says.
Judge Merchan cuts him off and asks Blanche to get to his defence about the comments regarding the jury.
“We very much believe this is political persecution, this is a political trial,” Blanche says, pointing to the “jurisdiction.”
Judge Merchan cuts him off again: “Did he violate the gag order? That’s what I want to know.”
Blanche: “I’m not saying he didn’t–”
“He spoke about the jury, right?” Merchan fires back. “And he said the jury was 95 per cent Democrats and the jury had been rushed through, and the implication that this was not a fair jury?”
There is a brief break as the jury is brought in ahead of continued testimony.
Alex Woodward2 May 2024 15:13
Michael Cohen is “inviting and almost daring Trump to respond to everything he’s saying,” Blanche says.
He’s putting up posts and reposts from Michael Cohen from X, including a long Brooklyn Dad post that says of Trump: “F*** you, asshole.”
Another post from Cohen: “Keep messing me with me Donald and I won’t send any money to your commissary.”
And another post shows Trump in an orange superhero suit with the caption “Super Victim.”
Blanche is also quoting the “Von ShitzInPantz” post…
Members of the public in the overflow are doing their best not to laugh harder than they have been.
Alex Woodward2 May 2024 15:08
“It’s not just about Mr Pecker,” Judge Merchan says. “It’s about what all the other witnesses who come in here see. … That does go to the integrity of the proceedings.
Blanche argues there is “24-7 coverage of everything in this courtroom” and that “every whisper” from Trump is “live-streamed” all over [fact-check: it’s not].
“He can’t just say no comment repeatedly. He’s running for president. I appreciate the court’s concern, very much so … but it’s also appropriate to react to what’s happening in this trial,” he said.
Judge Merchan: “What’s happening in this trial is no surprise to anyone … He’s the leading candidate for the Republican Party. There’s no surprise press are here. … We all expected it. There’s no surprises here. I don’t see how it reflects on Mr Trump if 10 outlets are talking about Mr Pecker.”
The press are not subject to the gag order, Judge Merchan stresses.
“I don’t have authority over the press. I don’t have authority over most people who are saying things. I can’t possibly extend the gag order to them,” he says. “I don’t see the analogy in comparing your client … with 10 members of the press who wrote an article.”
He also notes that when Trump gives his little press conferences: “It wasn’t the press who went to him. He went to the press.”
“You’re telling me the scrutiny is outrageous. Nobody is telling your client where to stand that day,” Judge Merchan says.
“Judge,” Blanche says, briefly pausing. “I agree with that.”
Alex Woodward2 May 2024 15:01
Trump attorney Alina Habba offers a genuine insight into her client
I guess even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
Oliver O’Connell2 May 2024 14:55
Conroy notes that they’re not seeking jail, considering that these allegations came before the judge’s ruling on Tuesday. But the judge’s order will inform their approach to handling any further violations of the gag.
Todd Blanche is back arguing for Trump after blowing it during the first gag order hearing.
Since announcing the campaign, “there have been multiple and repeated attacks on him from among other people, Michael Cohen and folks Cohen has on his podcast regularly … to talk not only about these proceedings, and not only Cohen’s credibility, and not only attacking Trump’s credibility,” but attacks on his “qualities” and what would make him a good president, Blanche argues.
My concern is conduct that took place after the gag was implemented,” Merchan says.
Those 500 pages of evidence are probably “not going to weigh very heavily on my decision,” he says.
Blanche mentions Biden’s “stormy weather” joke, arguing that it’s unfair that Trump can’t respond.
Alex Woodward2 May 2024 14:51
Gag order hearing underway
Judge Merchan is considering four additional alleged gag order violations by Trump the prosecution has submitted for review. In response, the defence team submitted close to 500 pages of exhibits to defend Trump on the violations…
Alex Woodward reports from the courthouse:
Assistant District Attorney Christopher Conroy says prosecutors are taking aim at Trump’s “persistent” rhetoric aimed at undermining the case.
Trump has “already been found to violate the order nine times, and he’s done it again here,” he says before going through the four allegations.
His attorneys had argued a “contrived justification” of the statements about the jury, saying that they were speaking to the media anyway.
Trump’s statement “amplifies it and creates an air of menace that is substantially different from a media report,” he said.
Those remarks could put the trial in “jeopardy.”
“That is what the order forbids, and he did it anyway,” Conroy says.
Regarding Trump’s statement about David Pecker:
“The defendant knows what he’s doing. The defendant talks about the testifying witness, says nice things and does it in front of the camera,” Conroy says.
Trump ignored other questions and “selectively” responded to this one.
It’s “deliberate and calculated,” Conroy says. “Pecker, be nice. Anyone else hearing this, I have a platform. … [The statements are] deliberate shots across the bow to anyone who will come into this courtroom to talk about the defendant and talk about what he did.”
Trump’s eyes have been closed the whole time Conroy has been speaking.
Trump is “doing everything he can to make this case about politics, it’s not,” Conroy says.
His statements are “corrosive to this proceeding and to the fair administration of justice.”
Oliver O’Connell2 May 2024 14:43
Trump delivers daily hallway grievances
Per the court pool report:
Trump came into the 15th floor hallway at 9:14
Jason Miller gave your poolers a 5-minute heads-up, which was helpful and he should continue doing.
Trump bragged about yesterday’s rallies in Michigan and Wisconsin. Said interest rates would not go down before the election. Talked about Inflation.
Said case could have been brought 8 years ago. “They have no case” he said several times. Said judge is “conflicted.”
Commented on college campuses.
“I’m so proud of New York’s finest.” Praised police at Columbia and UCLA. Blamed “radical left lunatics.” “The right is not your problem,” he said.
He’s wearing a bright gold toe with his navy suit. Stood next to Todd Blanche in a wide-stance power pose.
Did not answer questions about plans for Gaza, what a fair election would look like.
Oliver O’Connell2 May 2024 14:30
Court gets underway
Alex Woodward is reporting for The Independent from the courthouse:
Trump defence lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove are both wearing identical dark navy suits and dark ties. Trump has on a gold tie and Susan Necheles is wearing a gold top. Everyone’s coordinated today.
Trump was leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed moments before the photo pool got to the defence table. When they turned the corner towards him he perked up and assumed his position — stern, leaning forward, hands folded in front of him.
Oliver O’Connell2 May 2024 14:28
Emily Foster is a globe-trotting journalist based in the UK. Her articles offer readers a global perspective on international events, exploring complex geopolitical issues and providing a nuanced view of the world’s most pressing challenges.
