DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Too busy for hush money? Trump debuts longshot 'multi-tasking' defense during testimony by longtime assistant Rhona Graff
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-27 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The now-retired assistant, Rhona Graff, told jurors that Trump was prone to "multi-tasking" and sometimes would be on the phone at the same time he signed checks. The testimony was elicited during Graff's cross-examination by Trump attorney Susan Necheles. Related storiesThe nine checks are the only records bearing Trump's signature out of 34 checks, invoices, and business-ledger records he allegedly falsified. After Trump signed each check, it would be FedExed back to the Trump Organization's Trump Tower headquarters, scanned into the company records, and then cut and mailed to Cohen. — respectful boss to me," Graff told jurors of working alongside Trump in the Trump Organization headquarters on the 25th-floor of Trump Tower.

Persons: —, Donald Trump, Rhona Graff, Trump, Trump's, Michael Cohen, Stormy Daniels, Susan Necheles, Necheles, Graff, Susan Hoffinger, Juan Merchan, Cohen, Alvin Bragg, Bragg, Daniels, Karen McDougal, McDougal, Playboy Bunny Organizations: Service, Business, GOP, Manhattan, Trump, Court, Trump Organization, White, Prosecutors, Trump Tower Locations: New York, Trump

CNN —Jurors will now have a three-day weekend to think about what they heard during the first full week of testimony in the historic Donald Trump hush money trial. In one instance, Bove pointed to FBI notes from a 2018 interview, where agents had written that Pecker testified Trump did not thank him or AMI during a January 6, 2017, meeting at Trump Tower. In that interview, Pecker testified that Trump had in fact thanked him during that 2017 Trump Tower meeting. Trump cracks a smile for his longtime assistantTrump’s longtime assistant Rhona Graff testified for less than an hour. He replied, “Of course I do.”Graff no longer works for Trump, but she spoke positively about her experience at the Trump Organization and having Trump as a boss.

Persons: Donald Trump, David Pecker, pummel, Stormy Daniels, Michael Cohen, Trump’s, Rhona Graff, Cohen, Trump, Karen McDougal’s, Banker Gary Farro, Daniels, Farro, He’s, Emil Bove, Pecker, Bove, McDougal, Prosecutors, Joshua Steinglass, Steinglass, Karen McDougal, ”, Graff, Susan Necheles, ” Graff, “, humanize Trump, ” Trump, Hope Hicks Organizations: CNN, American Media Inc, National Enquirer, Trump Organization, Trump, First Republic Bank, AMI, Trump Tower, Trump Org, ” Defense Locations: Delaware

☆ Who is Rhona Graff, Trump’s Former Assistant Who Is Testifying Against Him?
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Matthew Haag | More About Matthew Haag | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Now, Ms. Graff, his former personal assistant at the Trump Organization, has become the second person to testify against Mr. Trump in his criminal trial in Lower Manhattan. At Trump Tower, Ms. Graff served as Mr. Trump’s gatekeeper. The Queens native had an office right outside his door, placing her within earshot of Mr. Trump’s requests to get someone on the phone. And when someone wanted to reach Mr. Trump, they first had to go through Ms. Graff, often requiring a secret code to be put through. She acted as Mr. Trump’s media liaison, scheduler, sometimes spokeswoman, fund-raising planner, co-star on his realty show “The Apprentice” and as a Miss Teen USA judge.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Rhona Graff, Graff, ”, “, Ms, Lucius Joseph Riccio, David N, Dinkins Organizations: Trump Organization, Mr, Trump Tower, Queens, The New York Times, Miss Teen USA Locations: Lower Manhattan, The

☆ Trump feared for campaign, not family, as sex scandals were caught and killed, ex-Enquirer CEO tells hush-money jury
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

When a porn star and Playboy Bunny both came forward, Trump feared for voters, not family, Pecker told jurors. Then, in swift succession and with the 2016 election just months away, a Playboy Bunny and a porn star appeared with more sex scandals. But in the months before the 2016 election, all Trump worried about was his voters, Pecker testified on his third day on the stand. "I thought his concern was with the campaign," Pecker added. Pecker told jurors he had been investigated by California officials for just this sort of thing more than a decade before Trump's 2016 campaign.

Persons: David Pecker, Playboy Bunny, Trump, Pecker, —, Donald Trump, Dino Sajudin, Bunny Karen McDougal, Stormy Daniels, Joshua Steinglass, Steinglass, Daniels, Michael Cohen, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Bragg, Dylan Howard, Trump's, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Arnold, Howard, Howard texted, Cohen, Karen, McDougal, Michael, Jeff Sessions Organizations: National Enquirer, Service, Trump, Enquirer, Trump Organization, Attorney, American Media International, AMI, Prosecutors, McDougal's, Federal, Commission Locations: Manhattan, California, Australia

☆ Legal woes pile up for Trump allies: Giuliani, Meadows, and more indicted in Arizona election interference case
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-25 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | Erin Snodgrass | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Rudy Giuliani and Mark Meadows are among those indicted in an Arizona election interference case. Multiple Trump allies and Arizona GOPers were charged with felony counts, including conspiracy. The indictment also appeared to list former President Donald Trump as "Unindicted Coconspirator 1." AdvertisementProsecutors charged Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows, and a slate of Arizona Republicans with multiple felonies in a 58-page indictment made public on Wednesday. A representative for Trump and the Trump Organization did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI.

Persons: Rudy Giuliani, Mark Meadows, Donald Trump, —, Jenna Ellis, John Eastman, Christina Bobb, Trump, Mike Roman, Boris Epshteyn, Ted Goodman, Giuliani, Bobb, Charles Burnham, Eastman, George Terwilliger, Meadows, hadn't, Joe Biden Organizations: Trump, Service, Prosecutors, Arizona Republicans, The Washington, GOP, Eastman, Business, Post, United, Trump Organization Locations: Arizona, Maricopa County , Arizona, Ellis, United States, Georgia , Michigan , Wisconsin, Nevada, Georgia, Mar, New York

☆ Former National Enquirer boss reveals sleazy tactics the tabloid used to protect Donald Trump and smear his rivals
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Oliver Darcy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

But on Tuesday, former National Enquirer boss David Pecker lifted the curtain on the actual media collusion that took place in the 2016 election. Pecker revealed in granular detail how Trump worked hand-in-hand with the infamous national tabloid to boost his candidacy and, perhaps far more importantly, simultaneously smear his political opponents with shameful lies and innuendo. Meanwhile, Pecker worked with Cohen to smear Trump’s Republican rivals in the 2016 primary, including Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, and Marco Rubio. At times, Pecker said that Cohen went as far as to contact him and direct the Enquirer to attack Trump’s GOP rivals. When the Enquirer published negative stories about Bill and Hillary Clinton, Pecker said that Trump was elated.

Persons: Donald Trump, David Pecker, Pecker, Trump, “, ” Pecker, Michael Cohen, Karen McDougal’s, ”, Dino Sajudin, Cohen, Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, “ Michael Cohen, — Michael Cohen —, Hillary Clinton, Dylan Howard, we’re, Rupert Murdoch’s, Joe Biden, Biden Organizations: New York CNN, Democratic Party, National Enquirer, Trump Organization, Trump, GOP, Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News, MAGA Media, Fox, Fox News Locations: New York, Pecker, Manhattan

☆ Hush-money judge repeatedly bench-slaps Donald Trump's lawyer over gag violations: 'You're losing all credibility!'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

"You're losing all credibility," the judge railed when Blanche insisted Trump was "careful" online. "You're losing all credibility," New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan angrily told the lawyer, Todd Blanche. It was at this point that the judge accused Blanche of "losing all credibility." Blanche's arguments at Tuesday's hearing, in defense of Trump's posts, fell roughly into three categories. Blanche's third argument was that reposting attacks on trial witnesses that were originally made by others was somehow exempt.

Persons: Todd Blanche, Blanche, Trump, —, Donald Trump, Juan Merchan, Merchan, Christopher Conroy, Timothy A, Clary, Trump's, Michael Cohen, Stormy Daniels, I've, Atilgan, Daniels, Cohen, Conroy, Jesse Watters, David Pecker, Pecker, Hillary Clinton, Ted Cruz, Alvin Bragg's, reimbursing Cohen, Karen McDougal, McDougal Organizations: Service, GOP, Prosecutors, Reuters, Trump, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Fox, Merchan, National Enquirer, Mar, Manhattan, Trump Organization Locations: Manhattan, Florida, Washington, DC

☆ Trump thought hush money was risky because 'It always gets out,' National Enquirer exec testifies. In this case, Trump was right.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

"It always gets out," Pecker testified Trump told him. "It always gets out," Trump explained of his hesitancy, according to the trial's first witness, former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker. Advertisement"I think the story should be purchased and you should buy it," Pecker told jurors, describing what he told Trump about McDougal's accusations during a June, 2016 phone call. But Trump wanted nothing to do with the McDougal payoff, Pecker said Tuesday, his second day on the witness stand. But Trump is now on trial for a second hush-money payment that prosecutors say has Trump's fingerprints all over it — the payment to Daniels.

Persons: Donald Trump's Manhattan, David Pecker, Pecker, Trump, —, Donald Trump, Model Karen McDougal, Stormy Daniels, Alvin Bragg's, Daniels, Bragg, McDougal, Michael Cohen —, Cohen, Melania Trump, Barron, Pecker's Organizations: Service, National Enquirer, Trump Organization, Trump Org

☆ How a gag order showdown explains everything about Trump
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Stephen Collinson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

“He knows what he’s not allowed to do, and he does it anyway.”Conroy was referring to Trump’s incessant testing of a gag order protecting witnesses, court staff and the jury. “Michael Cohen is a convicted liar and he’s got no credibility whatsoever,” Trump said in an interview with WPVI Philadelphia. Trump could face a ladder of escalating sanctionsProsecutors now want Merchan to fine Trump $1,000 for each of 10 alleged violations of the gag order and to warn that imprisonment could be an option if he continues to flout restrictions. Trump claims the gag order stifles his right to free speech and to campaign as a presumptive party nominee. And while a dispute over one partial gag order might seem like a small wrinkle in an individual case, it conveys a wider truth about Trump’s impact on American life.

Persons: Chris Conroy, Donald Trump, “, he’s, ” Conroy, Michael Cohen, Stormy Daniels, Juan Merchan, Trump, “ Michael Cohen, ” Trump, CNN’s John Miller, “ Judge Merchan, ”, Jeffrey Swartz, Jim Sciutto, CNN Max, lacerating, Merchan, Elizabeth Williams, Todd Blanche, doesn’t, CNN’s Erin Burnett, —, Jack Smith’s, there’s, •, Joe Biden’s, Volodymyr Zelensky, Biden, mishandle, He’s, president’s, Trump’s, George Conway, ” Conway, CNN’s Burnett Organizations: CNN, GOP, The New, Trump, Philadelphia, Prosecutors, New York City Department of Corrections, Cooley Law, US, Trump Organization, Conservative Political, Conference, Biden Locations: The New York, Washington ,, Georgia

☆ Will Trump testify? What he says and why it’s a risky bet
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Zachary B. Wolf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Video Ad Feedback Smerconish: Will Trump testify? While he is under no obligation to testify, Trump has promised he will. And the truth is that there’s no case, they have no case,” Trump said. When juries and a judge have seen Trump testify, he lostThe first Carroll trial jury in 2023 was played a videotape of Trump’s deposition by lawyers. Not a hush money case, but an election interference caseOne other key thing to note out of the prosecution’s opening statement is that they want to portray this case as an election interference case rather than a hush money case.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Michael Cohen, National Enquirer David Pecker, Cohen, Pecker, Will Trump, I’m, ” Trump, Juan Merchan, Kara Scannell, Lauren del Valle, Jeremy Herb, E, Jean Carroll, ►, – Trump, Merchan, Hillary Clinton, Joey Jackson, Jackson, “, Jake Tapper, Will Scharf, Scharf, ”, ” Scharf, Carroll, Marla Maples, Read, Feedback Trump, Arthur Engoron, reimbursing Cohen, Stormy Daniels, Clifford, Daniels, … … …, CNN’s Paula Reid Organizations: CNN — Prosecutors, New, National Enquirer, Trump, CNN, Mar, Trump Organization, Prosecutors Locations: New York

☆ Opinion: Both sides brought their A-game for opening of Trump’s trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Opinion Norman Eisen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Opening statements, followed by a few minutes of testimony from the first witness, concluded Monday in the criminal trial of former President Donald Trump. Norm Eisen Courtesy Norm EisenMy takeaway: The prosecution has the upper hand based on the evidence and the law, and Trump knows it. As expected, prosecutor Matthew Colangelo hammered home his theory of the case: that it is all about election interference and its cover-up. Colangelo made the complex simple, going through the chronology of evidence that prosecutors will present to prove the election interference. ACT THREE: A payment to another person with a damaging story — Karen McDougal, who alleged she had an affair with Trump.

Persons: Norman Eisen, “, Donald Trump, Norm Eisen, Trump, Matthew Colangelo, ”, Colangelo, David Pecker, Pecker, Michael Cohen, Dino Sajudin, Karen McDougal, Hope Hicks, Trump’s, Stormy Daniels, Cohen, Daniels, Todd Blanche, Blanche, ” Blanche, Juan Merchan, –, “ Trump, couldn’t, Hicks Organizations: CNN, ACT ONE, Trump, American Media, National Enquirer, ACT FOUR, White House, ACT FIVE, Trump Organization, ” Locations: Trump

AdvertisementDonald Trump enters his first criminal trial every day flanked by lawyers, court officers, Secret Service members, and political advisors. AdvertisementFormer President Donald Trump speaks alongside his wife, former first lady Melania Trump, during a rare joint appearance as they arrived to vote in Florida's primary election. Bederow explained that Melania Trump's courtroom support could be "potentially very powerful" given the salacious nature of the hush-money case against Trump. Danilewitz said Trump's defense team may have a different strategy in mind when it comes to Melania Trump. If Trump's family does decide to show up Monday, they might want to wear sweaters.

Persons: Donald Trump's, —, Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Giorgio Viera, Mark Bederow, Bederow, Melania, I'm, Trump, Stormy Daniels, Daniels, Jill Huntley Taylor, Huntley Taylor, they're, he's, Julia Vitullo, Martin, Trump's, it's, Sam Bankman, Fried, Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein, Jane Rosenberg Melania Trump, Jean Carroll, Carroll, Justin Danilewitz, Brendan McDermid, Arthur Aidala, Rudy Giuliani, Harvey Weinstein, It's, That's, Aidala, Danilewitz, Todd Blanche, Susan Necheles, Emil Bove, Gedalia Stern —, Steven Cheung, Jason Miller, Margo Martin, Natalie Harp, Clifford Robert, Donald Trump ., Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr, Donald Jr Organizations: Service, Secret Service, Getty, Trump, Prosecutors, Vera Institute of Justice, REUTERS, AP, Former Brooklyn, New, Trump Organization, Melania Trump, New York Times Locations: Manhattan, New York

☆ Trump's hush-money trial is set to heat up
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

In today's newsletter, we're looking at the first week of former President Donald Trump's criminal trial and what's at stake. What's on deck:This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. AdvertisementFormer President Donald Trump's hush-money trial — the first-ever criminal trial of a former president — got underway this week with jury selection . We did get a preview of Trump's potential defense: " Some accountant " handled the paperwork he's on trial for, Trump told reporters. AdvertisementThe trial is focused on 34 felonies alleging the Trump Organization's business records were falsified to hide other crimes.

Persons: —, Donald Trump's, CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, Drew Angerer, Tyler Le, Trump, Stormy Daniels, Daniels, Zelei, Loretta Mester, John Williams, Rebecca Zisser, David Lieb, Sundar Pichai, Demis, Google's, BI's Ben Bergman, Eddie Mulholland, Alyssa Powell, Samsung execs, Taylor Swift's, Dan DeFrancesco, Jordan Parker Erb, Hallam Bullock, George Glover Organizations: Service, Business, Getty, Trump, Cleveland Fed, York Fed, …, Bank of America, Google, Android, Bankers, Jefferies, Investor Conference, Samsung, Korea Economic, Disney, Warner Bros, American Express, Procter, Gamble, Poets Department Locations: Israeli, Iran, Israel, Florida, Korea, New York, London

☆ Live Updates: Trump Trial Enters Fourth Day With Opening Arguments Next Week
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Jonah E. Bromwich | Ben Protess | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +10 min

Have you, a relative, or a close friend ever been employed in the accounting or finance field? Have you, a relative, or a close friend ever been accused or convicted of committing a crime? Do you, a relative, or a close friend have a pending criminal case? Are you signed up for or have you ever been signed up for, subscribed to, or followed any newsletter or email lists run by or on behalf of Mr. Trump or the Trump Organization? The United States Constitution provides that a defendant has no burden to introduce any evidence or to testify in a criminal case.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Donald Trump, Michael Cohen, Mark Pomerantz, Donald Trump ” Organizations: Prosecutors, New Yorker, Civil, New York Times, New York Daily, Huffington Post, CNN, MSNBC, Google, Street, The New, The New York Post, Newsday, Washington Post, Fox News, MSN, Yahoo, FBI, Attorney’s, Department of Correction, Trump, Mr, Trump Organization, Boogaloo, United, United States Constitution Locations: American, Manhattan, Side, Inwood, New, USA, The New York, New York, United States

☆ New York AG says $175 million Trump fraud bond isn't properly backed, should be voided
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Former President Donald Trump returns from a lunch break at Manhattan criminal court as jury selection continues in New York, NY on Thursday, April 18, 2024. The filing opposes a joint motion by Trump and KSIC to justify the insurer as the surety company holding the bond. Lawyers for AG Letitia James asked Judge Arthur Engoron to require Trump and other defendants to put up a replacement bond within seven days of ruling on the issue. Trump personally was ordered to pay $454 million in damages, an amount that is growing every day with interest. Trump was required under New York law to post a bond to guarantee the judgment as he appeals the decision.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, KSIC, AG Letitia James, Judge Arthur Engoron, Engoron Organizations: Manhattan, The New York Attorney, Knight Specialty Insurance, Trump, AG, Trump Organizations, New Locations: New York, NY, Manhattan

☆ Trump will face a grueling cross-examination about his lying, defaming, and books-cooking if the DA gets his way
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Laura Italiano | Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewIf former President Donald Trump keeps his promise to testify at his hush-money trial, cross-examination could get ugly. Prosecutors want to roast him on the stand for violating court orders, as the same fraud trial judge also found, in repeatedly citing Trump for gag-order violations. Related stories"We object to each," defense lawyer Emil Bove had said of all the acts prosecutors want to bring into the case. AdvertisementDuring the nearly two-hour Sandoval hearing, Bove complained of the DA's plans to the trial judge, state Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan. When defense lawyer Susan Necheles suggested that not knowing the name now might "delay the trial," the judge reacted sternly.

Persons: —, Donald Trump, Trump, E, Jean Carroll, what's, Sandoval, — scowling, Emil Bove, Bove, Juan Merchan, Carroll, Matthew Colangelo, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Merchan, Susan Necheles, Necheles Organizations: Service, Trump, Prosecutors, Business, Trump Organization, GOP, Attorney Locations: Manhattan

Asked for proof of his claim that Mr. Biden was personally directing the local cases against him, Mr. Trump pointed to purported ties between prosecutors and “Washington,” but provided no evidence that Mr. Biden had been involved in any of the hiring decisions, conversations or meetings that Mr. Trump cited. The writer E. Jean Carroll filed her first lawsuit against Mr. Trump in November 2019, accusing him of defamation. Faulty and irrelevant comparisonsWhat Mr. Trump Said“I got indicted more than Al Capone.”— in a rally in Ohio in MarchFalse. Mr. Hur described Mr. Biden as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory” who had “diminished faculties and faulty memory.” He did not declare Mr. Biden mentally incompetent to stand trial. Inaccurate attacks on judgesWhat Mr. Trump Said“Judge Juan Merchan is totally compromised, and should be removed from this TRUMP Non-Case immediately.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, President Biden, Trump’s, ”, Trump Said “ Biden, General Merrick B, Garland, Trump “, Biden, Mr, Doug Mills, Trump Said, Jack Smith, Merrick Garland’s, Fani Willis, Letitia James, Alvin L, Bragg, Matthew Colangelo, Colangelo, —, James’s, Colangelo’s, Bragg ramped, Willis, Willis — Nathan J, Wade, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Kamala Harris, Harris, Crooked Joe Biden, James, Jean Carroll, Smith, Brittainy Newman, Alexei Navalny, Navalny, Letitia James ’, Hunt, PolitiFact, Trump Said “, Al Capone, Capone, Brad Schwartz, Hillary, Bill, Bush, Reagan, Hillary Clinton, Clinton, Bill Clinton’s, Taylor Branch, Branch, “, Barack Obama, George W, Bill Clinton, George H.W, Ronald Reagan, Robert K, Hur, Biden’s, Juan Merchan, Loren, Loren Merchan, Merchan, Merchan’s, Justice Merchan, Ahmed Gaber, Arthur F, Justice Engoron, Engoron Organizations: New York, Democratic Party, Trump, Justice Department, The New York Times, The, White House, Trump . Credit, New York Times, American People, Biden Administration, Prosecutors, Mr, Manhattan, Washington, Fox News, New, Times, White, Counsel’s Office, Supreme, Black, Trump Organization, Democrat, Companies, Exxon Mobil, Trump Foundation, Trump University, Associated, National Archives, Records Administration, TRUMP, Twitter, Credit Locations: Manhattan, Georgia, Trump ., Washington, New York, “ Washington, Fulton County ,, Russian, New, Ohio, Fla, South Carolina, Trump’s Florida, Beach

☆ Opinion: Trump trial isn’t a hush money case, but an election interference one
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Opinion Norman Eisen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

We should call it an “election interference” trial going forward. Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass skillfully advanced the election interference theory by structuring his evidentiary points in chronological order within that frame. Trump’s alleged 2020 attempt to overthrow our government distorts perceptions of how serious the charges related to the 2016 election are. How can we call this an election interference trial, they ask, if the election was already over when the 34 alleged document falsification crimes occurred? It is an election interference one and we should say so.

Persons: Norman Eisen, “, Donald Trump, Juan Merchan, Trump, Stormy Daniels, Joshua Steinglass, Steinglass, Michael Cohen, David Pecker, Daniels, Cohen, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jack Smith, Fani Willis, Trump’s, Bragg Organizations: CNN, Trump, ”, American Media, National Enquirer, DA, Attorney, Fulton, Twitter Locations: Georgia, Fulton County, Manhattan

Jury selection continues Tuesday in Donald Trump's Manhattan hush-money trial. Trump gave reporters a preview of his potential defense before he entered the courtroom. Meanwhile, jury selection continued for a second day on Tuesday. AdvertisementNo jurors were selected during four hours of jury selection on Monday, a day that began with a half-day of arguments over pretrial motions. He has appeared to struggle to stay awake during the sometimes tedious jury selection process.

Persons: Donald Trump's Manhattan, Trump, —, Stormy Daniels, Defendant, Michael Cohen, Juan Merchan, District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Donald Trump Organizations: Service, Trump Organization, Trump, District Attorney Locations: Donald, Manhattan

☆ Opinion: Why there’s hope for an impartial jury in Trump trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Opinion Jeffrey Abramson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —On Monday, jury selection for the first-ever criminal trial of a former US president begins in Manhattan. The process may take longer than the usual jury selection and the pool of persons questioned will be larger. There is something to be said for Trump’s claim that he faces an uphill battle in jury selection. True, another New York jury found Trump liable of defaming and sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll in 2023 and again this year. There is a famous quip of unknown origin that goes: “In England, the trial starts when jury selection is over.

Persons: Jeffrey Abramson, “, Donald Trump, Austin Trump, Michael Cohen, Stephanie Clifford, Stormy Daniels, Trump, Trump’s, Juan Merchan, Merchan, ”, “ Get, Alvin Bragg, Daniels, Jean Carroll, Cohen Organizations: University of Texas, Democracy, CNN, Jeffrey Abramson University of Texas, Austin, Trump, Trump Organization, Biden, “, ”, New York Times Locations: Austin, Manhattan, New York, York, England

Donald Trump is in court for his first criminal trial. He stepped into Manhattan criminal court Monday morning, where jury selection will soon begin. It is the location of the first-ever criminal trial of a former US president. AdvertisementIn the hallway before walking into the courtroom, Trump criticized the case, telling journalists it was a "political persecution." Trump has been charged in three other criminal cases, none of which have firm trial dates yet.

Persons: Donald Trump, —, Trump, Todd Blanche, Juan Merchan, Stormy Daniels, Daniels, there's, Joe Biden, Merchan, Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, Jean Carroll, Lewis Kaplan, Jack Smith, Fani Willis Organizations: Service, Manhattan, Republican, Manhattan DA, US, New, Trump Organization, Justice Locations: Manhattan, York County, America, Merchan, New York, Mar, Fulton County, Georgia

Former U.S. President Donald Trump attends a campaign event on April 02, 2024, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Spencer Platt| Getty ImagesThe hush money trial of Donald Trump is set to kick off Monday in New York with jury selection, the first time a former U.S. president has ever faced a criminal trial. Trump's lawyers last week repeatedly sought to delay Monday's start date with last-ditch efforts in an appeals court, but those efforts all failed. Trump, who is the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, is charged with nearly three dozen counts of falsifying business records in Manhattan Supreme Court, where he will be required to be in the courtroom every day for the trial. Former attorney for former U.S. President Donald, Michael Cohen, leaves after attending the Trump Organization civil fraud trial, in New York State Supreme Court in the Manhattan borough of New York City, October 24, 2023.

Persons: Donald Trump, Spencer Platt, Trump, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Michael Cohen, Stormy Daniels, Cohen, Daniels, Donald Organizations: U.S, Getty, Manhattan, Attorney, Trump Organization, Court Locations: Grand Rapids , Michigan, New York, U.S, Manhattan, New York City

☆ Key players in Trump’s hush money trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Kaanita Iyer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Donald Trump’s criminal New York hush money trial begins Monday, more than a year after the former president was indicted in the case. Stormy DanielsAdult-film star Stephanie Clifford, better known as Stormy Daniels, received a $130,000 payment just days before the 2016 presidential election. Michael CohenThe $130,000 payment to Daniels was made by Cohen, then Trump’s personal attorney, who landed in federal prison over that transaction for breaking campaign finance laws. Cohen, now a critical witness, has said that Trump directed him to make the payment to Daniels. Judge Juan MerchanNew York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan, who is known for maintaining control of his courtroom even when his cases draw considerable attention, will preside over this case.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Donald Trump, Trump, ” Trump, Stephanie Clifford, Stormy Daniels, Daniels, Michael Cohen, Cohen, he’s, David Pecker, Pecker, Karen McDougal, Hope Hicks, Hicks, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Alvin Bragg, Bragg, Juan Merchan, Steve, Trump’s, Allen Weisselberg, Merchan, Sydney Kashiwagi, CNN’s Devan Cole, Kara Scannell, Lauren del Valle, Jeremy Herb, Marshall Cohen, Kaitlan Collins Organizations: CNN, Prosecutors, Trump, American Media Inc, National Inquirer, AMI, Manhattan, Attorney, Juan Merchan New, Trump Organization, Democratic Locations: York, Manhattan

☆ Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg to face his toughest trial yet as Trump criminal case begins
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Gregory Krieg | Kara Scannell | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

“I’ve done a lot of cases that are considered no-win,” Bragg told CNN at the time, in December 2021. Though Bragg’s ambitions are widely considered to be less lofty than some of his predecessors, the Trump trial will likely write both his political future and legacy. Two months into office, Bragg was confronted by two senior attorneys leading the Trump investigation. When Bragg refused to authorize them to seek an indictment they abruptly and noisily resigned, putting additional pressure on the new district attorney. Trump eventually paid $2 million of his own money to a group of charities, and the foundation was dissolved.

Persons: Alvin Bragg, Donald Trump, “, ” Bragg, you’re, ’, ”, Bragg, indicting Trump, Trump, –, craven, Jim Jordan, Cy Vance Jr, Robert Morgenthau, Morgenthau, Vance, Charles Seymour Whitman, Thomas Dewey, Dewey, Eric Garner, Garner, Trump’s, Michael Cohen –, Stormy Daniels, Cohen, blitzed Bragg, Alina Habba, that’s, ” Trump, “ Alvin, I’m, Eric Adams, Adams, Donald J, Barbara Underwood, Judge Juan Merchan, Daniels Organizations: CNN, Ohio, White, Harvard, of, New, New York Law, Racial, Trump, Republican, Prosecutors, New York, “, New York City, NYPD, Trump Organization, Democratic, Trump Foundation Locations: Harlem, American, New York City, Black, New York, Southern, of New York, America

☆ Who is Juan Merchan? What to know about the judge in Trump’s hush money case
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Devan Cole | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan is a seasoned jurist who is no stranger to Trump’s orbit. In the lead-up to the start of the trial, Trump fanned the flames on social media with his views on the judge. “Judge Merchan was always well-prepared, accessible, and – most importantly in the Weisselberg matter – a man of his word. Trump also claimed Judge Merchan has ruled against him in pretrial motions “because his daughter makes money by working to ‘Get Trump.’”Loren Merchan has not commented publicly on the case. David Paterson appointed him to the New York State Court of Claims in 2009, the same year he began serving as an acting New York Supreme Court judge.

Persons: Donald, Juan Merchan, Allen Weisselberg, Steve, Trump, Merchan, “ Judge Merchan, ” Nicholas Gravante, Weisselberg, ” Gravante, Judge Merchan, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Donald Trump, bode, ” Agnifilo, ” Merchan, ’ Trump, Loren Merchan, Joe Biden, didn’t, ‘ Get, ’ ” Loren Merchan, “, ” Trump, ”, Anna Gristina, Timothy Parlatore, “ I’ve, ” Parlatore, Brendan Tracy, ” Tracy, Earl Ward, it’s, ” Ward, Michael Bloomberg, David Paterson Organizations: CNN, The, New, Trump Organization, Trump, Republican, Attorney’s Office, Democratic, Super Liberal Democrat, ‘, ‘ Get Trump, Authentic, Bloomberg News, Manhattan Mental Health, Attorney’s, Bronx Defenders, Mental Health, New York, Court, Democratic Gov, New York Times, Baruch College, Times, Hofstra University Locations: York, Manhattan, “, Senegalese, Long Island, New, Bronx, Bogotá, Colombia, United States, New York City, Jackson Heights , Queens, New York

Search resuls for: "Trump Organization"

25 mentions found