Trump trial: Judge rebukes Michael Cohen ahead of expected testimony Monday
Former President Trump was in court on Day 15 of his criminal trial in New York.
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 in connection with a hush money payment his then-attorney Michael Cohen made to Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.
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State argues that Daniels' testimony corroborated her account
Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass heavily pushed back on defense attorney Todd Blanche's motion for a mistrial based on Stormy Daniels' detailed and explicit testimony.
"It has always been the people's contention that the details in this case -- details of the two-hour conversation that Ms. Daniels had with the defendant in the living room and the dinner room of his hotel room in Harrah's -- corroborate her account," Steinglass said.
"They corroborate that the sex happened, which is motivation to silence her," he said.
Steinglass argued that defense lawyers cannot attack Daniels' credibility in their opening statement, then move for a mistrial after the state thoroughly questioned Daniels to develop her credibility with the jury.
"They're trying to have their cake and eat it too," Steinglass said.
Steinglass also argued that the condom testimony was permissible because Trump, according to Daniels, asked her a series of questions about protection and STDs in the adult film industry during their conversation in Trump's suite.
"Mr. Trump asked a lot of questions about the testing in the adult film industry," Steinglass said. "The reason that is relevant is because it explains his decision not to wear a condom."
"You know who knew what happened in that room? Mr. Trump knew," Steinglass said. "That was Mr. Trump's motive to silence this woman in 2016."
Trump has been sitting with his arms crossed, staring at Merchan, during the hearing.
Defense, seeking mistrial, says, 'This is not a case about sex'
In the defense's motion for a mistrial, defense attorney Todd Blanche argued that prosecutors went too far with their questions during Stormy Daniels' direct examination.
"What proceeded to happen was a whole host of questions that went way beyond the mere fact that it happened," Blanche said.
"It almost defies belief we are here about a records case," Blanche said. "This is not a case about sex."
"The nondisclosure agreement was entered. Whether it happened or not has nothing to do with the charges in this case," he argued.
Blanche specifically argued that Daniels' testimony about Trump not using a condom during the alleged encounter was prejudicial to the jury.
"It's a dog whistle for rape," Blanche said.
Judge, quoting Trump himself, declines to modify gag order
Judge Merchan, after hearing arguments from the defense, declined to modify the limited gag order so Trump could respond publicly to Stormy Daniels' testimony.
"I don't see what you're referring to as a new set of facts," the judge told the defense.
"My concern is not just with protecting Ms. Daniels or a witness who just testified," the judge said. "My concern is protecting these proceedings as a whole."
In making his ruling, Merchan quoted Trump's words from an excerpt of Trump's book that the jury saw today: "When you are wronged, go after those people because it is a good feeling and because other people will see you doing it."
The judge said that other witnesses would see how Trump treats Daniels if he modifies the gag order.
Defense seeks gag order exception so Trump can reply to Daniels
Judge Juan Merchand, preparing to hear the defense's request to limit the expected testimony of Karen McDougle, who was paid by the National Enquirer to suppress her claim of a year-long affair with Trump, was told that the motion is no longer necessary.
"The people informed me they no longer intend to call Ms. McDougal," defense attorney Tood Blanche said.
Blanche then argued to Judge Merchan that Trump should be able to respond to Stormy Daniels' testimony, seeking to an exception to the limited gag order that prohibits Trump from targeting witnesses and jurors.
Blanche asked that Trump be "allowed to respond publicly to what happened in court the past day and a half."
"He needs an opportunity to respond to the American people," Blanche said.
Because Daniels is off the witness stand, Blanche argued that Trump's comments about her testimony would not impact the proceedings.
Assistant District Attorney Chris Conroy opposed the request to loosen the gag order.
"It seems as if the other side lives in an almost alternate reality. There is a proceeding here that this order is designed to protect," Conroy said, adding that the appropriate place to respond to testimony is in the courtroom.
"We have seen the fear in some of these witnesses," Conroy added, citing Westerhout's reaction when her personal information appeared on some exhibits. He added that a recent custodial witness had concerns for their safety.
According to Conroy, the fear was Trump's "doing."
Conroy argued that the gag order should protect witnesses before, during, and after their testimony.
'It hasn't changed,' Daniels says of her story
Defense attorney Susan Necheles is continuing to try to find inconsistencies in the stories Daniels has previously told about her alleged sexual encounter with Trump, but Daniels, on the stand, has remained steadfast.
"Your story has completely changed, hasn't it?" Necheles asked her at one point.
"No!" Daniels shouted into the microphone. "Not at all. You are trying to make me say that it changed, but it hasn't changed."
Several jurors, watching the exchange, looked like they were watching a tennis match, with their heads and eyes shifting back and forth.
The judge subsequently called for the mid-morning break.
As Necheles returned to the defense table, Trump gave her a pat on the waist, seemingly in approval. She nodded back to him.
Daniels smiled at prosecutors as she left the stand.