Former President Donald Trump’s attorney Todd Blanche is calling for a mistrial in his criminal hush money trial in New York, citing prejudicial testimony from Stormy Daniels. Blanche argued that Daniels could provide a different version of events in her anticipated testimony, but the judge rejected his first bid for a mistrial. Daniels offered explicit details about her alleged affair with Trump in 2006, including spanking him with a magazine, which Blanche called “almost defying belief.”
New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan has not yet ruled on Blanche’s request for a mistrial but denied a separate motion to alter the gag order imposed on Trump. The gag order prohibits Trump from making public comments about potential witnesses, counsel, jurors, and court staff. Blanche previously called for a mistrial on Tuesday over Daniels’ testimony about Trump not wearing a condom in 2006, which was also denied by Merchan.
Merchan issued Trump a $9,000 fine for nine violations of the gag order earlier this week, warning of potential jail time for future violations. Trump was fined an additional $1,000 for additional alleged violations, including comments about witness David Pecker and the jury. Blanche claimed Trump’s comments were responses to reporters’ questions and attacks from Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels, both critics of the former president connected to the hush money case.
The Manhattan trial began last month with jury selection despite efforts by Trump’s legal team to delay proceedings. Trump faces 34 felony charges of falsifying business records related to a reimbursement to Cohen for the hush money payment to Daniels. Prosecutors allege that Trump misidentified payments to Cohen as legal services, but Trump denies any wrongdoing. Cohen admitted to the hush money payment and pleaded guilty in 2018 to federal charges.
If Merchan finds Trump in contempt of court for further violations of the gag order, he could face fines and possible jail time. Legal experts suggest Trump may be sent to Rikers Island for over 30 days for violations, though some doubt he would receive such a sentence. Trump’s attorneys have appealed the gag order and asked to delay the trial, but those requests have been denied. The trial continues, with potential consequences for both Trump and his legal team.
