Judge Juan Merchan has restarted court for the afternoon proceedings following the lunch break.

Both Donald Trump and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg are in attendance.

Trump made no remarks to reporters before entering the courtroom after the break.

Trump attorney Todd Blanche, responding to prosecutors' request for Judge Merchan to fine Trump for three social media posts they say violated the judge's limited gag order, characterized the posts as "limited responses to this barrage of attacks" against him by Stormy Daniels and Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen.

"It's not as if President Trump is going out and targeting individuals. He's responding to … attacks from these witnesses," Blanche said.

The three posts by Trump -- two on April 10 and a third on April 13 -- came just days before the trial.

In one of those posts, Trump thanked Daniels' former attorney, Michael Avenatti for "revealing the truth about two sleaze bags" -- a statement prosecutors say clearly "attacks" Daniels and Cohen and their participation in the trial.

Judge Merchan said Blanche would have an opportunity to respond in a paper filing.

"I'll take this upstairs with me over the lunch recess," Merchan said.

The judge then recessed court until 1:30 p.m. ET.

Prosecutors with the Manhattan district attorney's office asked Judge Merchan's permission to seek to hold former President Trump in contempt for alleged violations of the judge's order against attacking witnesses.

"We're seeking permission to file a proposed order to show cause to show why the defendant should not be held in contempt based on extrajudicial statements," assistant district attorney Chris Conroy said.

He said the order would seek a $1,000 fine for each of three social media posts that prosecutors said violated the judge's limited gag order.

The three allegedly offending posts occurred this month when Trump reposted a social media post from Stormy Daniels' former attorney Michael Avenatti that was disparaging of Daniels and former Trump attorney Michael Cohen, plus a second post about Daniels and a third post about a member of the prosecution team.

"It is important for the court to remind President Trump he is a criminal defendant," Conroy said. "The defendant has expressed a willingness to flout the order" Merchan imposed.

Defense attorney Todd Blanche said the three posts do not violate the gag order. He sought permission to formally respond in writing.

Former President Donald Trump "wants to be present at everything" during trial, his attorney told the court, including side conferences during the jury selection process.

Judge Merchan suggested that could create "logistical" issues, citing the the presence of Secret Service agents, but suggested he would do his best to accommodate Trump.

The judge then directed a series of questions to Trump himself, asking him whether he understands that his failure to attend the trial or appear for sentencing could merit penalties from the court.

After each question, Trump nodded his head and appeared to answer verbally, "Yes," or "I do."

Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker testified that he was twice summoned to Trump Tower in the period following the 2016 election: the first time for a meeting with Michael Cohen, and the second with Donald Trump.

The first meeting began in Cohen's office, where Cohen divulged for the first time to Pecker that he personally covered the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels, and that he was concerned that he would not receive a bonus from the Trump Organization, Pecker testified.

"He (Cohen) asked me to talk to the boss on his behalf to try to help him get his bonus," Pecker said, referring to Trump.

When Trump himself came into the room, Pecker asked to walk him back to his office -- and at that time, Pecker told Trump that "Michael Cohen is very concerned about his bonus for this year, and I want you to know that he's very loyal."

Trump replied that Cohen had several apartments and taxi medallions, and added, "Don't worry about it, I'll take care of it," Pecker said.

On Jan. 6, 2017, Pecker arrived at Trump Tower for a meeting with Trump and was escorted to his residence by Jared Kushner, he testified.

Pecker said he was ushered into the room, where Trump was surrounded by administration officials James Comey, Sean Spicer, Reince Priebus, and Mike Pompeo -- they were "updating Mr. Trump on the Ft. Lauderdale shooting" that had occurred at the airport there.

Pecker testified that when Trump introduced him to Trump's inner circle of advisers, Trump said of the National Enquirer publisher, "He knows more than anyone else in this room."

"It was a joke. Unfortunately, they didn't laugh," Pecker testified, which brought some laughs from reporters in the gallery. A few jurors smiled at the moment.

Pecker testified that after Trump's advisers left the room, Trump turned to him.

"He (Trump) asked me how Karen [McDougal] was doing -- how's 'our girl' doing. I said, she's writing her articles, she's quiet, things are going fine."

Trump then said, "I want to thank you for handling the McDougal situation." And then he said, "I want to thank you for the doorman situation," Pecker testified.

Pecker testified that he took this to mean that Trump was thanking him "for not publishing any of the stories and helping the way I did."