Donald Trump’s hush money trial: Day one recap from inside courtroom
Donald Trump’s hush money trial is now underway with prosecutors and the protection presenting opening arguments to a 12-person jury.
NEW YORK — The seventh day of Donald Trump’s New York hush money trial might convey a ruling over whether or not Trump can be held in prison contempt for allegedly violating a gag order, in addition to cross-examination of the prosecution’s first witness, David Pecker.
Judge Juan Merchan mentioned Tuesday that he would rule in a while whether or not Trump has violated Merchan’s gag order and must be fined or threatened with jail time. Wednesday was a break day within the trial.
The Tuesday testimony of Pecker, a former tabloid govt, centered on an alleged scheme involving Pecker, Trump, and former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen to catch after which kill tales that might hurt Trump forward of the 2016 presidential election.
Keep up with USA TODAY’s dwell updates from inside and out of doors the Manhattan courtroom:
[10:09 AM] Bagchi, Aysha
‘The boss will handle it’
Pecker testified a few dialogue with Michael Cohen about who would finally pay the $150,000 hush money to Karen McDougal to maintain her story of an affair with Trump quiet forward of the 2016 presidential election. Cohen allegedly advised Pecker to not fear, “the boss will handle it.” Pecker testified he understood that to imply he can be reimbursed both by the Trump Organization or Donald Trump.
– Aysha Bagchi
At open on April 25, Trump Media & Technology Group Corp shares rose to $37, up 3.73% from the earlier shut.
At shut on Tuesday, Trump Media met the requirement to concern 36 million extra shares to Trump in an earnout bonus, value $1.17 billion on the time.
‘Karen is a pleasant woman,’ Trump allegedly mentioned about girl who claims that they had affair
David Pecker is testifying about Karen McDougal’s story of getting an affair with Trump, and his communications with Trump and Michael Cohen about it. McDougal has claimed that they had an affair that overlapped with Melania Trump’s being pregnant. Trump denies the declare.
“I spoke to Michael. Karen is a pleasant woman,” Trump mentioned to Pecker throughout a telephone name, Pecker testified. Pecker mentioned that remark made him imagine Trump knew who McDougal was. Trump requested what Pecker thought he ought to do, in line with Pecker. Pecker really helpful Trump purchase McDougal’s story and take it off the market.
Asked by prosecutor Joshua Steinglass why Pecker thought Trump should purchase the story, Pecker testified he believed her story was true, and he thought it will have been very embarrassing for Trump personally in addition to for Trump’s marketing campaign.
– Aysha Bagchi
Prosecution argues Trump has violated gag order one other 4 instances
Judge Juan Merchan hasn’t but dominated on whether or not to carry Trump in prison contempt for allegedly violating a gag order. But prosecutor Christopher Conroy mentioned this morning, simply earlier than prosecution witness David Pecker re-took the stand, that Trump has once more been violating the order.
Conroy pointed to a number of feedback by Trump to the press, together with calling potential key witness Michael Cohen a “convicted liar” who “did some fairly unhealthy issues, I suppose.”
Conroy mentioned simply this morning Trump commented on Pecker as nicely. “David’s been very good,” Trump mentioned, in line with Conroy. “This is a message to Pecker: Be good,” Trump allegedly mentioned. “It’s a message to others. I’ve a platform and I can discuss you,” and I can say issues like this or the type of issues I mentioned about Cohen, Trump allegedly added.
– Aysha Bagchi
Judge Juan Merchan arrives in courtroom
Judge Juan Merchan entered the courtroom at 9:35 a.m. EST. As ordinary, after an lawyer for either side launched their authorized staff and Trump’s lawyer launched him, Merchan mentioned a basic “Good morning” in addition to a particular “Good morning, Mr. Trump.”
– Aysha Bagch
Trump arrives in courtroom for Day 7 of trial
Trump entered the courtroom at 9:29 a.m. EST. We are nonetheless ready for Judge Merchan.
– Aysha Bagchi
Prosecution staff arrives in courtroom
The prosecution staff entered the courtroom at about 9:17 a.m. ET. We’re nonetheless ready for former President Trump and his trial staff, in addition to for Judge Juan Merchan.
– Aysha Bagchi
Could Supreme Court presidential immunity arguments affect Trump’s New York case?
Early this month, Judge Juan Merchan rejected an argument from Trump to delay the New York prison trial till after the Supreme Court guidelines on the scope of presidential immunity in Trump’s federal election interference case. Merchan mentioned Trump raised the immunity protection in his New York case too late.
If Trump is discovered responsible within the New York prison trial, he might problem Merchan’s immunity ruling on enchantment, and probably level to a Supreme Court immunity ruling as a foundation for re-trying the New York case.
– Aysha Bagchi
Why is not Trump at Supreme Court arguments?
New York trial Judge Juan Merchan rejected a request from former President Donald Trump’s authorized staff final week to permit Trump to attend immediately’s Supreme Court arguments over whether or not he’s immune from prosecution in his federal election interference case. The excessive courtroom is reviewing whether or not a former president will be prosecuted for official presidential acts.
“Arguing earlier than the Supreme Court is a giant deal,” Merchan mentioned. He added that he understood Trump’s need to be at these arguments, however would not alter the prison trial plans for them.
– Aysha Bagchi
How old is Donald Trump?
Donald Trump is 77 years old. He will flip 78 on June 14, 2024.
Trump was 70 years old when he was inaugurated into workplace in 2017.
Joe Biden is 81 years old, the primary octogenarian president. Biden and Trump have been the 2 oldest folks elected president in U.S. historical past.
-Kinsey Crowley
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is prosecuting Trump on 34 felony counts of falsifying business information. Trump allegedly coated up the aim of checks to Michael Cohen with a view to conceal unlawfully interfering within the 2016 presidential election by means of a hush money fee to porn star Stormy Daniels.
Trump has pleaded not responsible. He additionally denies Daniels’ declare that the 2 of them had intercourse simply months after Melania Trump gave beginning to Barron Trump.
– Aysha Bagchi
At shut on April 24, Trump Media & Technology Group Corp shares rose to $35.67, up 9.52% from the earlier shut.
