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."

"Do you know someone by the same of Stephanie Clifford?"

The question, by assistant district attorney Josh Steinglass, was the jury's introduction during the evidentiary phase of the trial to the woman whose long-denied claim of a sexual tryst with Donald Trump set in motion the alleged falsification of business records.

"Stormy Daniels is, or was, a porn star," former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker replied, using Clifford's stage name.

Pecker was having dinner with his wife on a Saturday night in early October 2016 when he said he received an urgent call from National Enquirer editor Dylan Howard.

"He said that she, she being Stormy Daniels, is trying to sell a story that she had a sexual relationship with Donald Trump, and Dylan can acquire the story for $120,000 from Keith Davidson if we made a decision right now," Pecker recalled.

In a series of text messages the jury saw, Howard told Pecker, "I know denials were made in the past but this story is true."

Pecker replied to Howard, "We can't pay 120k." The company had already paid $30,000 for the Dino Sajudin story and $150,000 for the Karen McDougal story, and Pecker recalled thinking, "I am not a bank."

In the text exchange, Howard responded, "Perhaps I call Michael and advise him and he can take it from there, and handle."

Pecker texted back, "Yes a good idea."

Pecker recalled having "a number of conversations" with Michael Cohen about Stormy Daniels. Cohen wanted Pecker to catch and kill the story.

"I said, 'I am not purchasing this story, I am not going to get involved with a porn star,'" Pecker testified he told Cohen. "He was upset and said the boss would be furious with me."