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☆ Trump’s Trial Features Fierce Debate Over What He Can Say: 5 Takeaways
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Jesse Mckinley | Kate Christobek | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Tuesday’s session of Donald J. Trump’s criminal trial began with a heated clash between Justice Juan M. Merchan and Mr. Trump’s lead lawyer over a gag order. It ended with an insider’s look into a tabloid newspaper practice known as “catch and kill.”Prosecutors said that Mr. Trump had “willfully and blatantly” violated a gag order barring him from attacking jurors and witnesses, among others. They said he had done so in comments outside the courtroom and online and should be found in contempt of court. Mr. Trump’s top lawyer said in response that Mr. Trump was simply defending himself from political attacks. Justice Merchan did not rule, but he scolded the lawyer, Todd Blanche, saying, “you’re losing all credibility with the court.”A former ally of Mr. Trump, David Pecker, the ex-publisher of The National Enquirer, later testified to buying and burying unflattering stories about Mr. Trump during his 2016 run for president, an arrangement he called “highly, highly confidential.”

Persons: Donald J, Juan M, Merchan, Trump’s, ”, Trump, Justice Merchan, Todd Blanche, “ you’re, David Pecker Organizations: ” Prosecutors, National Enquirer

☆ Donald Trump on Trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( David Leonhardt | Ian Prasad Philbrick | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A criminal trial is often a contest between competing stories. In the trial of Donald Trump that’s just begun, prosecutors used their opening statement yesterday to tell a story about a man they say lied — and broke the law — to get elected president. The story that Trump’s lawyers offered in their own opening statements had two main features. Second, Trump’s lawyers argued that his attempts to affect the election were ordinary politics. “There’s nothing wrong with trying to influence an election,” Todd Blanche, one of Trump’s lawyers, said in his opening statement.

Persons: Donald Trump that’s, —, Trump, Michael Cohen, Trump’s, “, ” Todd Blanche, “ It’s, ”

Here are takeaways from Tuesday’s day in court:Gag order hearing goes badly for TrumpMerchan issued the gag order before the trial began, limiting Trump from publicly discussing witnesses, the jury or the district attorney’s staff. Merchan expanded the order, which Trump has appealed, to cover his own family after Trump attacked his daughter. “It’s your client’s position that when he reposts he did not believe he was violating the gag order. Judge says Trump lawyers are ‘losing all credibility’Tensions continued to grow between Trump’s legal team and the trial judge during the gag order hearing. Pecker places Michael Cohen deep in the conspiracyPecker placed Cohen in the heart of the alleged “catch and kill conspiracy” Tuesday.

Persons: Juan Merchan, Donald Trump, David Pecker, Karen McDougal, Trump’s, Michael Cohen, Trump, ”, Stormy Daniels, Merchan, Todd Blanche, Blanche, Cohen, Michael Avenatti, Daniels, ” Merchan, “, ” Blanche, reposts, “ You’ve, “ I’ve, You’ve, “ You’re, Josh Steinglass, Pecker, McDougal, Michael, ” Pecker, Stelter, wasn’t, “ Michael Cohen, Ted Cruz, ’ ” Pecker, Ben Carson, Marco Rubio Organizations: New, New York CNN, American Media Inc, Trump, Trump Merchan, Truth, AMI, CNN Locations: New York

☆ 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

☆ Trump trial: Hearing on gag order violations; David Pecker to resume testimony
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The New York hush money trial of Donald Trump is set to resume Tuesday with testimony from its first witness, former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker. Most either referenced, or linked to articles referencing, Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen, a key witness in the Manhattan Supreme Court trial. The posts "unquestionably relate to known witnesses and prospective jurors in this criminal trial" in violation of Trump's gag order, a state prosecutor wrote in a court filing Thursday. Defense lawyer Todd Blanche fired back, "I have a spoiler alert: There's nothing wrong with trying to influence an election. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg accuses Trump of carrying out the hush money scheme in order to influence the 2016 election, which he would go on to win.

Persons: Donald Trump, Stormy Daniels, David Pecker, Pecker, Trump's, Michael Cohen, Jesse Watters, Juan Merchan, Trump, Matthew Colangelo, Todd Blanche, It's, Cohen, Daniels, Attorney Alvin Bragg Organizations: National Enquirer, Manhattan Supreme, Fox News, Liberal, Trump, Manhattan, Attorney Locations: Manhattan, New York City, U.S, York

Ms. Daniels, who may testify, says that she and Mr. Trump had a sexual encounter in 2006, a claim the former president denies. Mr. Trump has also denied the 34 felony charges, calling them orchestrated by Democrats; if convicted, the former president could face probation or up to four years in prison. Pool photo by Mark PetersonMr. Blanche also attacked Mr. Cohen, a former lawyer and fixer for Mr. Trump. He called the heart of the prosecution case just “34 pieces of paper” that don’t involve Mr. Trump. During his own side’s opening statement, Mr. Trump sat largely motionless and expressionless watching his lawyer Mr. Blanche.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Stormy Daniels, Daniels, Trump’s, ” doesn’t, Matthew Colangelo, Mr, Todd Blanche, ”, It’s, Mark Peterson Mr, Blanche, Cohen, Letitia James, —, David Pecker, Prosecutors ’, ambled, ” Mr, Pecker, Marion Curtis, We’re, Juan M, Pecker —, Merchan Organizations: Trump, Mr, Trump Tower, New, Prosecutors, National Enquirer, Reuters Locations: Manhattan, Lower Manhattan

☆ Hearing over gag order comes amid Trump-Michael Cohen feud
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Jeremy Herb | Lauren Del Valle | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Judge Juan Merchan will consider whether to fine Donald Trump for repeatedly violating the gag order barring the former president from publicly discussing witnesses or jurors in the criminal hush money case. Trump nevertheless went after Cohen in remarks on camera after leaving court on Monday. Trump’s lawyers have argued that his social media posts do not actually violate the gag order. The jury will not hear the argument on the gag order violations. Merchan said if arguments over the gag order were not finished by 11 a.m., they would pick up the hearing later.

Persons: Juan Merchan, Donald Trump, Trump, Michael Cohen, ”, Chris Conroy, Michael Cohen Trump, Cohen, he’s, ” Trump, Hey Von ShitzInPantz, ” Cohen, Stormy Daniels, Emil Bove, Todd Blanche, Trump’s, ” Blanche, “, ’ Jesse Watters, ” Merchan, Merchan Organizations: CNN, Prosecutors, Trump, Twitter, Truth, New, Liberal Locations: Manhattan, Trump, 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

CNN —The first criminal trial of Donald Trump is officially underway. Prosecutors and Trump’s attorneys delivered opening statements and the first witness – a former National Enquirer publisher – was called Monday in the historic and unprecedented criminal trial of a former president. “The defendant Donald Trump orchestrated a criminal scheme to corrupt the 2016 presidential election,” said prosecutor Matthew Colangelo told jurors. At the hearing, Trump’s attorneys came to an agreement with the New York attorney general’s office on the terms of that $175 million bond. Trump’s attorneys representing him in the civil matter later stopped by the criminal trial and spoke to cameras in the hallway outside the courtroom where Trump sat at the defense table.

Persons: Donald Trump, –, Stormy Daniels, Trump, ” Trump, Judge Juan Merchan, ”, Matthew Colangelo, “, ” Colangelo, Cohen, David Pecker, Colangelo, it’s, Todd Blanche, “ Donald Trump, ” Blanche, he’s, Blanche didn’t, It’s, Blanche, Cohen’s, Trump ”, Trump’s, Michael Cohen, President Trump, He’s, Pecker, Karen McDougal –, Letitia James, James ’, ” Alina Habba, Merchan, Chris Conroy, Emil Bove Organizations: CNN, Prosecutors, National Enquirer, Trump, American Media Inc, Defense, AMI, Pecker’s AMI, New, Specialty Insurance Locations: New York

☆ Opinion: As Trump trial opens, attorneys have to make deft first moves
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-22 | by ( Opinion Norman Eisen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Editor’s Note: Norman Eisen is a CNN legal analyst and editor of “Trying Trump: A Guide to His First Election Interference Criminal Trial.” He served as counsel to the House Judiciary Committee for the first impeachment and trial of Trump. CNN —I will be joining the line Monday morning to witness opening statements in the first-ever criminal trial of a former American president. As a trial lawyer, I always would rather the jury hear about any problems with witnesses from me first, together with the solution. If the DA wants to build a bridge for the jury into what Trump was thinking, Blanche wants to preemptively destroy it. But before that I’ll be back to you with an evaluation of how both sides did for the next installment of my trial diary.

Persons: Norman Eisen, “, Trump, CNN —, Norm Eisen, Donald Trump –, Juan Merchan, Alvin Bragg’s, Matthew Colangelo, Susan Hoffinger, Joshua Steinglass, it’s, It’s, –, Michael Cohen, Stormy Daniels, David Pecker –, Todd Blanche, he’s, Blanche, Cohen, Daniels, I’ll Organizations: CNN, Norm Eisen Journalists, Justice Department, New York, American Media, National Enquirer Locations: American, Manhattan

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

☆ 12 jurors — including 3 finance guys and a woman whose friend is a convicted fraudster — have been chosen for Trump's Manhattan criminal trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewTwelve of Donald Trump's peers — 7 men, and 5 women — have been chosen to decide the first-ever criminal trial of a former US president. On Thursday afternoon, New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan selected the 12th juror in Trump's Manhattan criminal case. AdvertisementTwo men chosen in the afternoon filled seats that had been vacated earlier in the day. One out of six alternate jurors, a woman, was also chosen. AdvertisementThere's a man who says he knows "little" about Trump's criminal cases and gets his news from The New York Times, The Daily Mail, Fox News, and MSNBC.

Persons: —, Donald Trump's, Juan Merchan, Merchan, Trump, doesn't, Donald Trump, Todd Blanche, Christine Cornell, Stormy Daniels, Blanche, That's, Joshua Steinglass, I'm Organizations: Service, Business, The New York Times, The Daily Mail, Fox News, MSNBC, AP Pool Trump, Prosecutors Locations: Manhattan, New

Donald J. Trump is a creature of social media. And the lawyers representing him in his criminal trial in Manhattan showed themselves to be savvy at using it during jury selection this week to try to get some prospective jurors dismissed. Mr. Trump’s defense lawyers, Todd Blanche and Susan Necheles, managed to dig up old social media posts by a number of prospective jurors that attacked the former president, creating fascinating exchanges with people who had to explain, under oath, comments that were often years-old. While Mr. Trump’s team succeeded in getting some prospective jurors removed, Day 3 of jury selection ended on Thursday with a full panel of 12 jurors in the case, which could move to opening arguments on Monday. In one lengthy exchange on Thursday, Ms. Necheles highlighted a series of posts by a woman that were highly critical of Mr. Trump and the Republican Party, leading the woman to apologize in court in front of the former president.

Persons: Donald J, Trump, Todd Blanche, Susan Necheles, Trump’s, Necheles Organizations: Republican Party Locations: Manhattan

☆ Trump hush money trial judge scolds press after juror is dismissed over fears she had been identified
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Hadas Gold | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the trial, told news outlets to watch how they report on the jurors and forbade the press from reporting where jurors are employed. The ruling came after one juror was dismissed from the trial after expressing concerns that portions of her identity had been made public by the news media. The juror told the judge she had concerns that she could not be impartial after those close to her asked if she was a juror on the case. Christine Cornell“We just lost what probably would’ve been a very good juror,” Merchan added. Former federal prosecutor Jeffrey Toobin told CNN that Merchan could hold news outlets in contempt if they publish identifying information about a juror.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Juan Merchan, “ I’m, it’s, Donald Trump, — Emil Bove, Todd Blanche, Judge Juan Merchan, Christine Cornell “, ” Merchan, “, Merchan, “ It’s, Jeffrey Toobin, ” Toobin, ”, Toobin Organizations: CNN, New, Fox News, NBC, ABC, Politico, New York Post Locations: Manhattan

New York CNN —Jury selection in Donald Trump’s hush money business fraud case began Thursday looking like the task of finding 12 jurors had run aground. Juror 11 was seated on the jury after Merchan denied Trump’s challenge to the juror for cause. Trump’s lawyers argued she should be dismissed because she said she does not like Trump’s “persona.”“I don’t like his persona,” she said. The district attorney’s office refused. Trump’s attorneys and the district attorney’s office also will get additional peremptory challenges for the alternate jurors.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Juan Merchan’s, It’s, won’t, topsy turvy, Trump, Merchan, ”, “, “ It’s, Trump’s, it’s, Susan Necheles, she’d, Michael Cohen, he’s, Todd Blanche, Josh Steinglass, “ We’re, ” Merchan, Blanche, “ They’re, what’s, Sandoval, they’ll, Jean Carroll, that’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, Trump, CNN, Twitter Locations: New York, Manhattan, New Yorker

☆ Trump trial sketch artists catch the former president's many courtroom moods: sleepy, grumpy, and — less often — happy
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Natalie Musumeci | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Donald Trump's hush-money criminal trial opened April 15 in a Lower Manhattan courtroom. Courtroom sketch artists have captured the former president's many moods during the trial. AdvertisementFormer President Donald Trump's historic hush-money criminal trial officially got underway inside a Lower Manhattan courtroom on April 15. AdvertisementIt's the first-ever criminal trial of a former president — and the courtroom sketch artists have already captured many moods of Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, during the jury selection process. I will not tolerate that," Merchan told Trump's lead lawyer, Todd BlancheFormer President Donald Trump sat while his lawyer Todd Blanche spoke during the second day of jury selection in his hush-money criminal trial.

Persons: Donald Trump's, —, Trump, Stormy Daniels, Donald Trump, Jane Rosenberg, Juan Merchan, he's, Jane Rosenberg Trump, Merchan, Trump's, Todd Blanche, Christine Cornell Organizations: Trump, Service, Prosecutors, AP, REUTERS, New York Locations: Lower Manhattan, Manhattan, York, New York

☆ A beheading meme and 'Mark Ruffalo, naked' — how 'anti-Trump' posts got 5 New Yorkers booted from the hush-money trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-17 | by ( Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

She was the first of the prospective jurors who were challenged by Trump's defense team on Tuesday over their "anti-Trump" social media. AdvertisementThe prospective juror, identified only as "B-133," had clearly "attended an "anti-Trump rally," defense lawyer Susan Necheles protested. When it was released in 2016, the clip was shared on the Facebook account of the husband of prospective juror B-330. "I would have to say that politically, yes, I do," the prospective juror answered. "Boys request to return to cave"The final prospective juror questioned on their social media posts was a retired grandmother from Manhattan's Lower East Side.

Persons: —, Trump, Mark Ruffalo, Donald Trump's, Juan Merchan deadpanned, Todd Blanche, who'd, Joe Biden's, Susan Necheles, Joshua Steinglass, stammered, Blanche, he'd, DJT, Donald Trump, Robert Downey Jr, Neil Patrick Harris, Donald Trump …, sheepishly, Barack Obama, Trump's, Steinglass, Biden, Harris, Blanche complainingly, Blanche huffed Organizations: Service, Trump, Business, Yorkers, Facebook, Economic Development Corporation, Biden, Thai, White, Republicans Locations: New York City, Midtown, Manhattan's, Thailand, Trump

☆ Judge bench-slaps Trump lawyer 5 times on day 1 of hush money trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Laura Italiano | Jacob Shamsian | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Merchan didn't hit Blanche as hard as a federal judge in Manhattan has hit Trump lawyer Alina Habba for her lawyering. During the E. Jean Carroll defamation trial in January, Judge Lewis Kaplan bench-slapped Habba 14 times during a single day of testimony. "Please direct me to the portion of the original gag order, or the subsequent gag order, where it makes any exception if Mr. Trump feels he is under attack. The judge told Blanche to file a response, in writing, explaining why Trump should not be held in contempt for violating the gag order. The judge paused, then added, with some sarcasm, "I don't recall inserting that anywhere in either gag order."

Persons: —, Juan Merchan, Donald Trump's, — Trump's, Todd Blanche, Merchan didn't, Blanche, Alina Habba, Jean Carroll, Lewis Kaplan, Joshua Steinglass, blanch, I've, Merchan, Blanche's, Trump, Donald Trump, Susan Necheles, Timothy A, Clary, — Michael Cohen, Stormy Daniels, Daniels, Cohen, Chris Conroy, Conroy, Trump's, snarked, — Merchan, meekly, Emil Bove, Jabin, — Blanche, Jack Smith, didn't, Steinglass, incredulously Organizations: Service, Business, Reuters, Former U.S, Manhattan Criminal, Justice Locations: New, Manhattan, Trump's, balking, New York City, New York, New York County

☆ Trump is struggling to stay awake at his first criminal trial. It's going to be a long 6 weeks.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Donald Trump appears to be struggling to stay awake at his criminal trial. For the 2nd day, he's repeatedly closed his eyes for minutes at a time before jolting to attention. In Manhattan's criminal trial court, reporters aren't seated close enough to Donald Trump to hear if he's snoring. On Tuesday morning, Trump closed his eyes for more than a minute at a time on at least a half-dozen occasions. AdvertisementIf Trump finds criminal court proceedings a good time to nap, he will likely have more opportunities to catch some Zs in the near future.

Persons: Donald Trump, he's, —, recedes, aren't, Stormy Daniels, Trump, Todd Blanche, Maggie Haberman Organizations: Service, Prosecutors, New York Times, CNN, Trump, Mar Locations: Manhattan, Georgia, Washington, Florida

☆ Hush money judge angrily scolds Trump, suggesting he tried to intimidate prospective juror: 'I will not tolerate that'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

I will not tolerate that," New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan told Trump's lawyer, Todd Blanche, raising his voice. The warning came Tuesday afternoon, shortly after the questioning of a prospective juror over what Blanche called her "hostile" social media posts. AdvertisementBlanche suggested that the prospective juror had earlier Tuesday portrayed herself as able to be impartial. Jurors handed Trump a loss in that case, ordering him to pay Carroll more than $80 million in damages. Merchan has been keenly aware of the courtroom dynamics while interviewing prospective jurors, a process that is expected to last about two weeks.

Persons: —, Donald, Juan Merchan, Todd Blanche, Blanche, Joe Biden's, Merchan, Trump, gabbing, Jean Carroll's, Carroll, Lewis Kaplan, Stormy Daniels Organizations: Service, Business, Facebook, Trump Locations: New York City

☆ Hush-money judge angrily scolds Trump, suggesting he tried to intimidate prospective juror: 'I will not tolerate that'
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Jacob Shamsian | Laura Italiano | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

I will not tolerate that," New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan told Trump's lead lawyer, Todd Blanche, raising his voice. The warning came Tuesday afternoon, shortly after the questioning of a prospective juror over what Blanche called her "hostile" social-media posts. AdvertisementBlanche suggested the prospective juror had earlier on Tuesday portrayed herself as able to be impartial. Jurors handed Trump a loss in that case, ordering him to pay Carroll more than $80 million in damages. AdvertisementMerchan has been keenly aware of the courtroom dynamics while interviewing prospective jurors, a process that's expected to last about two weeks.

Persons: —, Donald, Juan Merchan, Trump's, Todd Blanche, Blanche, Joe Biden's, Merchan, Trump, gabbing, Jean Carroll's, Carroll, Lewis Kaplan, Stormy Daniels Organizations: Service, Business, Facebook, day's, Trump Locations: New York City

☆ Takeaways from the second day of jury selection in Trump’s hush money trial
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Jeremy Herb | Lauren Del Valle | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

That process prompted Judge Juan Merchan to sternly admonish Trump for his conduct toward the first juror questioned about her social media. That gave Trump’s team the chance to mine their public social media postings to be ready for their challenges to the judge. As for the three jurors Merchan did not strike: Trump’s side used its preemptory challenges to remove all of them anyway. The juror was later struck for cause by the judge on a challenge from Trump’s team over his social media posts. But the judge is hoping to wrap up jury selection this week.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Juan Merchan, admonish Trump, foreperson, Trump, Trump’s, Todd Blanche, Merchan, –, Joe Biden, “, ” Merchan, Blanche, Joshua Steinglass, Michael Cohen, Steinglass, it’s, meanwhile, that’s Organizations: CNN, Trump, Facebook, Prosecutors, Democrat Locations: New York, Ireland

☆ Inside Trump’s first day on trial in Manhattan criminal court
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Jeremy Herb | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Trump only spoke three times during Monday’s session, acknowledging to the judge he understood his rights as a criminal defendant. Throughout the day Trump often engaged with his attorneys, whispering to them and sharing notes as they debated motions with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Trump looked toward Merchan as the judge addressed the prospective jurors to explain the case and their instructions as potential jurors. Entering and exiting the courtroom, Trump had to walk right past Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who brought this case against Trump and was seated in the fourth row behind his prosecutors. Trump will be back at the defendant’s table on Tuesday, when Merchan will continue questioning the prospective jurors who could ultimately decide whether to convict Trump in the first criminal trial of a former president.

Persons: Donald Trump, –, Trump, Juan Merchan slogged, ” Trump, Merchan, Todd Blanche, Emil Bove, Blanche, Jean Carroll, Michael Cohen, Attorney Alvin Bragg, Bragg, Trump Organizations: CNN, Republican, Manhattan, Attorney’s, Trump, Attorney Locations: Manhattan, Merchan

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

CNN —The first criminal trial of former President Donald Trump is here. Trump has complained that he cannot get a fair jury in Manhattan, where the jurors must live. He was fined twice for violating a gag order imposed by New York Judge Arthur Engoron in his civil fraud trial. This payment is not part of the charges against Trump, but prosecutors have said that the testimony would help establish a pattern of payments. Merchan also denied prosecutors’ request to show E. Jean Carroll’s deposition from her defamation case against Trump because it would be “building in a trial into a trial.”

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Judge Juan Merchan, Merchan, ” Merchan, “, Michael Cohen, they’d, CNN’s Paula Reid, Todd Blanche, Blanche, Chris Conroy, ” Conroy, Daniels, Michael Avenatti, Cohen, ”, Arthur Engoron, Karen McDougal, McDougal, Prosecutors, Jean Carroll’s Organizations: CNN, Republican, Manhattan, Attorney’s, Judge, New York, Trump . Defense, Monday Trump, Trump, Prosecutors, Social, New, National, American Media Inc Locations: Manhattan, New, New York

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