Trump trial: 1st week of testimony ends with testimony from Cohen's former banker

Banker Gary Farro testified in Donald Trump's hush money trial in New York.

Last Updated: April 26, 2024, 5:13 PM EDT

Former President Donald Trump is on trial in New York City, where he is facing felony charges related to a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. It marks the first time in history that a former U.S. president has been tried on criminal charges.

Trump last April pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment charging him with falsifying business records to hide the reimbursement of a hush money payment his then-attorney Michael Cohen made to Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.

Apr 22, 5:51 am

What to know about the hush money case

Apr 26, 2024, 9:49 AM EDT

Defense resumes cross-examination of David Pecker

"Good morning, everyone," Judge Juan Merchan said at the start of the proceedings. "Good morning, Mr. Trump."

Trump did not audibly respond. The former president is sitting slightly slouched at the defense table between defense lawyers Emil Bove and Todd Blanche.

Merchan announced that the contempt hearing originally scheduled for next Wednesday -- related to the four new violations of the limited gag order alleged by prosecutors -- has been moved to Thursday at 9:30 a.m. ET.

Defense attorney Emil Bove has resumed his cross-examination of former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker.

Apr 26, 2024, 9:43 AM EDT

Trump bemoans cold conditions in courtroom

Before entering the courtroom for today's proceedings, former President Donald Trump spoke to reporters, repeating his claims that Judge Juan Merchan is a "highly conflicted judge" overseeing a "rigged trial."

Former President Donald Trump exits Trump Tower to attend his trial at Manhattan criminal court in New York City, April 26, 2024.
Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

Trump also expressed his annoyance about the ongoing cold conditions in the courtroom, on a day where it's a brisk 50 degrees in lower Manhattan.

"So we have another day of court in a freezing courthouse, it's very cold in there," he said. "On purpose, I believe. They don't seem to be able to get the temperature up. It shouldn't be that complicated. But we have a freezing courthouse, and that's fine."

-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh and Mike Pappano

Apr 26, 2024, 8:30 AM EDT

Cross-examination of David Pecker set to continue

Defense attorney Emil Bove is scheduled to continue his cross-examination of former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker this morning, on Day 8 of former President Donald Trump's hush money trial.

On Thursday, under direct examination, Pecker detailed his publication's "catch-and-kill" deal with Trump, explaining how his publication paid Playboy model Karen McDougal $150,000 for the exclusive rights to her story about an alleged year-long relationship she had with Trump, then kept it under wraps so it wouldn't "embarrass Mr. Trump or embarrass or hurt the campaign."

Under cross-examination from Bove, Pecker testified that there was "nothing wrong" with those kind of arrangements, and that they were "standard operating procedure" for publications like his, listing several politicians -- including Rep. Rahm Emanuel and Arnold Schwarzenegger -- for whom he had caught and killed stories.

Apr 25, 2024, 5:16 PM EDT

Trump calls day's court proceedings 'breathtaking'

Former President Trump, exiting the courtroom at the end of Day 7 of his trial, called the day's court proceedings "breathtaking."

Former President Donald Trump, standing with attorney Todd Blanche, speaks to the press as he leaves for the day during his trial at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City, Apr. 25, 2024.
Jefferson Siegel/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

He specifically remarked on the Supreme Court's hearing this morning on his bid for presidential immunity in his federal election interference case, which Trump was forced to miss due to his criminal trial.

"I heard the meeting was quite amazing. The justices were on their game," Trump said.

-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh and Mike Pappano

Related Topics