Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker returned to the stand in the New York hush money trial of Donald Trump. Before continuing his testimony, the judge held a hearing to consider holding Trump in contempt for allegedly violating his gag order multiple times, including during last week’s jury selection process. The alleged violations involved online posts that referenced or linked to articles about Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen, a key witness in the trial. State prosecutors accused Trump of violating the gag order again on Monday by speaking about Cohen outside the courtroom.
During the hearing, assistant District Attorney Chris Conroy argued that Trump’s disobedience of the gag order was intentional and willful. Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, countered that there was no willful violation as Trump’s posts were in response to political comments and not focused on witness testimony. The prosecution is seeking to have Trump held in contempt of court, with potential punishments ranging from a small fine to 30 days in county jail. While the state is not seeking incarceration, they want the judge to remind Trump that it is an option if necessary.
On Monday, the jury heard opening statements from both the prosecution and defense in the trial. The prosecution alleged that Trump led a criminal hush money scheme to influence the 2016 presidential election, while the defense denied any criminal activity on Trump’s part. Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo described the scheme as election fraud, while defense lawyer Todd Blanche argued that trying to influence an election is a normal part of democracy. Trump is charged with falsifying business records to reimburse Cohen for his payment to porn star Stormy Daniels to keep silent about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg accuses Trump of carrying out the hush money scheme to influence the 2016 election, which was ultimately won by Trump. The trial has drawn significant attention due to the involvement of prominent figures like Trump and Cohen. The drama in the courtroom continues as the judge considers whether to hold Trump in contempt for alleged violations of his gag order. The prosecution and defense have presented contrasting narratives about the hush money scheme, setting the stage for a contentious legal battle. The trial is ongoing, and new developments are expected as the proceedings move forward.
