In New York, Donald Trump incurred the displeasure of the court on Tuesday, facing a fine of $9,000 for recurrently breaching a gag order prohibiting him from publicly discussing witnesses, jurors, and certain others associated with his New York hush money lawsuit. The judge cautioned that repeated violations could lead to imprisonment.
The prosecution alleged ten infractions, but Judge Juan M Merchan of New York acknowledged only nine. This decision served as a sharp reprimand for the Republican ex-president, who had argued that he was exercising his freedom of speech. Merchan cautioned Trump against further willful disobedience of court orders, indicating the possibility of punitive incarceration if deemed appropriate.
Trump’s demeanor soured slightly as he listened to the judge’s pronouncement, his gaze fixed on the table before him. This ruling came at the onset of the trial’s second week, a pivotal moment in this historic legal saga. Manhattan prosecutors assert that Trump and his associates engaged in illicit activities to sway the 2016 presidential race by suppressing unfavorable stories. Trump maintains his innocence.
Merchan mandated that Trump settle the fine by close of business on Friday. Additionally, he instructed Trump to delete seven offending posts from his Truth Social account and two from his campaign website by 2:15 pm EDT on Tuesday. Merchan is also deliberating other alleged violations of the gag order by Trump, with a hearing scheduled for Thursday.
Proceedings resumed on Tuesday with the testimony of Gary Farro, a banker involved in assisting Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen in opening accounts, including one used to silence adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Daniels had claimed a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006, an allegation he denies.
Meanwhile, the former president, who is also the presumptive Republican nominee, has been active in his political campaigning during non-court hours but is required to attend court sessions four days a week. Outside the courtroom, Trump once again lambasted the prosecutors, asserting that the case should never have been brought against him.
Jurors have already heard from two other witnesses. Trump’s former long-serving executive assistant, Rhona Graff, recounted an instance of seeing Daniels at Trump’s office in Trump Tower, surmising that she might have been a candidate for one of Trump’s Apprentice-brand shows. Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker detailed his role in quashing unfavorable stories about Trump and women as per an agreement with the Trump campaign.
Through meticulous testimony encompassing email correspondence, financial transactions, and bank records, prosecutors are constructing their case, alleging Trump’s involvement in 34 counts of falsifying business records related to the hush money payments. Testimony from Cohen himself, who has previously pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations among other charges, is anticipated. Trump denies any wrongdoing.
The timing of Cohen’s testimony remains uncertain, with the trial expected to continue for another month or more. With each passing moment spent in court, Trump’s frustration mounts as the November election draws nearer.
In the midst of these legal battles, Trump expressed his frustration, declaring last week, “Our country’s going to hell and we sit here day after day after day,” insinuating a deliberate attempt to undermine his election chances. Additionally, Judge Juan M. Merchan is expected to rule on prosecutors’ motion to fine Trump for alleged violations of the gag order. Another hearing on additional purported breaches is scheduled for Thursday.
Pecker, a longtime friend of Trump’s, provided insight into a “catch and kill” arrangement whereby he acquired scandalous stories about the candidate, enabling their suppression by the National Enquirer or Trump’s associates. Pecker disclosed payments totaling $180,000 to acquire and suppress stories involving a doorman and former Playboy model Karen McDougal, although he denied involvement in the Daniels payment.
Trump maintains that all such stories are false. His legal team sought to portray his actions as protective rather than manipulative, aimed at safeguarding his reputation and family rather than swaying the election outcome. Farro, who testified last Friday, outlined the process of assisting Cohen in establishing accounts for two limited liability companies, indicating Cohen’s urgency in their creation.
Farro highlighted the bank’s policy of refraining from dealings with entities associated with adult entertainment, including pornography and strip clubs. Trump’s attorneys are yet to cross-examine Farro.