Hush-money trial to resume after Stormy Daniels’ detailed testimonyGood morning,Donald Trump is set to return to the Manhattan courthouse today as the fourth week of his hush money criminal trial comes to an end.This week, jurors saw adult film star Stormy Daniels take the stand as she divulged details on her sexual affair with Trump. In response, Trump’s lawyers attempted to discredit her over her motivations of agreeing to a hush money payment. On Thursday, Trump’s lawyer Susan Necheles pointedly asked Daniels, “You wanted money, right?” In response, Daniels said, “I wanted the truth to come out.”Trump’s former personal assistant, Madeleine Westerhout, was also called to the witness stand. Westerhout, who was Trump’s personal secretary from 2017 to 2019, testified that the Republican National Committee was rattled by the Access Hollywood tape and that there were “conversations” about replacing Trump as a presidential candidate.Other developments in court this week include judge Juan Merchan’s denial on Thursday of Trump’s request to modify a gag order to allow the former president to respond to Daniels. “My concern is not just with protecting Ms Daniels or a witness who has already testified. My concern is with protecting the integrity of these proceedings as a whole,” Merchan said.Stay tuned as we bring you today’s latest updates.ShareKey eventsShow key events onlyPlease turn on JavaScript to use this featureWith Donald Trump’s historic criminal trial underway, New York City mayor Eric Adams remains reassured that Rikers Island jail stands “ready” to receive the former president, if he is found guilty.Speaking to reporters earlier this week, Adams, a moderate Democrat, said:
“You know, in this business, particularly around law enforcement, we have to adjust whatever comes our way, but you know, we don’t want to deal with a hypothetical…
But they’re professionals. They’ll be ready.”
For Adams’ full remarks, click here:ShareHere is a reminder of the key players by the Guardian’s Sam Levine:
Donald Trump, defendant: The Republican nominee for president is the defendant in the case. Prosecutors allege that he orchestrated a $130,000 payment to the adult film star Stormy Daniels when she threatened to go public with allegations of an affair on the eve of the 2016 election, and then conspired with others to cover up the payment.
David Pecker, key witness: Pecker was a key Trump ally who served as the CEO of American Media Inc (AMI), the publisher of the National Enquirer. Pecker helped Trump by purchasing the rights to potentially damaging stories and then never publishing them, a practice known as “catch and kill”.
Stormy Daniels, key witness: Daniels, an adult film star, says she met Trump in 2006 at a celebrity golf tournament. Daniels was 27 at the time and Trump was 60 and Daniels has always said the sex was consensual. Just before the 2016 election, Daniels said she was approached by Michael Cohen, Trump’s lawyer at the time, and offered $130,000 not to disclose the alleged affair.
Michael Cohen, key witness: Cohen was once a lawyer for Trump and one of the former president’s most loyal lieutenants and enforcers. He facilitated the payment to Daniels, funnelling the $130,000 to her through a shell company called Essential Consultants LLC. Trump later arranged to pay him back in monthly payment installments of $35,000.
For other key figures, click here:ShareHush-money trial to resume after Stormy Daniels’ detailed testimonyGood morning,Donald Trump is set to return to the Manhattan courthouse today as the fourth week of his hush money criminal trial comes to an end.This week, jurors saw adult film star Stormy Daniels take the stand as she divulged details on her sexual affair with Trump. In response, Trump’s lawyers attempted to discredit her over her motivations of agreeing to a hush money payment. On Thursday, Trump’s lawyer Susan Necheles pointedly asked Daniels, “You wanted money, right?” In response, Daniels said, “I wanted the truth to come out.”Trump’s former personal assistant, Madeleine Westerhout, was also called to the witness stand. Westerhout, who was Trump’s personal secretary from 2017 to 2019, testified that the Republican National Committee was rattled by the Access Hollywood tape and that there were “conversations” about replacing Trump as a presidential candidate.Other developments in court this week include judge Juan Merchan’s denial on Thursday of Trump’s request to modify a gag order to allow the former president to respond to Daniels. “My concern is not just with protecting Ms Daniels or a witness who has already testified. My concern is with protecting the integrity of these proceedings as a whole,” Merchan said.Stay tuned as we bring you today’s latest updates.Share



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