In New York, during Donald Trump’s hush money trial, the judge, Justice Juan Merchan, imposed a $9,000 fine on the former president for breaking a gag order with his statements. The trial, resuming soon, will feature testimony from a banker familiar with accounts linked to Trump’s alleged effort to conceal a sex scandal during the 2016 election.
Trump, who ran as a Republican in the 2024 presidential election, faces charges of falsifying business records to hide a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels, a porn star, to keep quiet about an encounter she claims happened in 2006.
Trump denies the accusations and his involvement with Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. This trial is the first of its kind involving a former U.S. president and began on April 22.
Trump Hush Money Trial
The hush money trial involving Donald Trump resumes this Tuesday, featuring testimony from Gary Farro, a banker who helped Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen open accounts. Cohen used one of these accounts to pay off Stormy Daniels, a porn performer who claimed she had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006, an allegation Trump denies.
The trial’s first week provided context for the jurors: Prosecutors argued that there was an illegal effort to influence the 2016 presidential campaign by hiding negative stories about Trump. While Trump has been campaigning during his free time, he’s required to be in court four days a week when sessions are on.
The charges focus on $130,000 in payments made by Trump’s company to Cohen. Prosecutors claim Trump misrepresented these payments as legal expenses, concealing their true purpose.
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Trump Hush Money Trial Latest Updates
Here are the latest updates on trump hush money trial below:
Donald Trump Found Guilty of Violating Gag Order Nine Times
A recent ruling by Judge Juan M. Merchan found Donald Trump in violation of a gag order, which prohibited him from discussing witnesses and jurors in his hush money trial. The judge imposed a $9,000 fine on the former president for these breaches.
Initially, prosecutors accused Trump of breaching the order 10 times, with Merchan agreeing with them on all but one instance. Further, the judge plans to address four additional alleged violations during a hearing scheduled for Thursday.
During the reading of the ruling, Trump appeared somber, his gaze fixed on the table before him. Merchan’s statement warned Trump against further infractions, indicating potential jail time if such behavior persists.
Judge Grants Trump Permission to Attend Son’s Graduation
Judge Juan M. Merchan announced on Tuesday that Donald Trump’s Hush Money Trial charges will be rescheduled from May 17 to allow the former president to attend his son’s graduation. Merchan stated that May 17 is feasible for the trial, thus permitting Trump to be present at his son’s special day. Trump had formally asked for the day off to be present at Barron’s high school graduation.
Trump Appeared in Court
On Tuesday morning, Donald Trump’s convoy reached the courthouse in downtown Manhattan a little before 9 a.m., marking the beginning of the second week of witness testimonies in the trial concerning his payment of hush money.
About 60 Trump supporters were gathered on the opposite side of the street, holding up Trump and American flags on long poles.
Trump Leaves Trump Tower to Attend Court Proceedings
Donald Trump departed from his residence at Trump Tower and made his way to the courthouse in downtown Manhattan for the ongoing trial. This week’s session includes testimony from Gary Farro, a banker associated with Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen, who assisted in the setup of financial accounts.
One of these accounts was allegedly used by Cohen to silence Stormy Daniels, a porn performer who claimed to have had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006, an allegation he denies.
Judge May Impose Fines on Trump
Judge Juan M. Merchan is expected to make a decision this week regarding the prosecutors’ request to penalize Trump for allegedly violating a gag order. This order prohibits Trump from publicly discussing witnesses, jurors, and certain individuals linked to the case. Additionally, the judge plans to address further alleged breaches of the gag order during a hearing on Thursday.
Prosecutors Focus on Trial Specifics
During the hush money trial involving Trump, defense attorneys scrutinized the actions of the former publisher of the National Enquirer in protecting Trump from negative publicity during the 2016 election. Prosecutors aim to provide jurors with a detailed account of what they assert was an unlawful scheme to influence the presidential campaign.
Testimony from David Pecker shed light on the National Enquirer’s practice of buying rights to stories to prevent their publication. Trump’s executive assistant, Rhona Graff, also testified, recalling seeing Stormy Daniels at Trump Tower, though the visit’s date remains uncertain.
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Trump Hush Money Trial FAQs
Q.1. What is Donald Trump’s hush money trial about?
Ans. It involves allegations of concealing payments to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election.
Q.2. Why was Donald Trump fined during the trial?
Ans. He violated a gag order by discussing witnesses and jurors.
Q.3. Is Donald Trump allowed to attend his son’s graduation during the trial?
Ans. Yes, the judge granted permission for him to attend his son’s graduation.
Q.4. How often does Donald Trump have to appear in court during the trial?
Ans. He’s required to be in court four days a week when sessions are on.
Q.5. What details did the recent witness testimonies reveal in the trial?
Ans. Testimonies shed light on efforts to bury negative stories about Trump and the National Enquirer’s practices.
