The second week of testimony in former President Trump’s New York trial began on Tuesday, and it was more eventful than expected. Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsification of business records, which could lead to imprisonment if convicted.
The case centers on a $130,000 payment made by Trump’s then-attorney Michael Cohen to porn actress Stormy Daniels in the final weeks of the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump denies having sex with Daniels or doing anything illegal regarding the payment.
Donald J Trump (Credits: Times of India)
Here are the main takeaways from Tuesday’s proceedings:
- Trump was found in contempt for violating a gag order imposed by Judge Juan Merchan, and was fined $9,000 for nine posts that violated the order. Merchan warned Trump that continued violations could lead to jail time.
- Testimony from lawyer Keith Davidson revealed details of a deal made between American Media Inc. and former Playboy model Karen McDougal, in which McDougal was paid $150,000 to suppress her story of an affair with Trump.
- Trump addressed college protests over Israel’s conduct in Gaza, comparing them to events in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, and implying that pro-Palestinian students would be treated more leniently than those jailed for their role in the Capitol riot of January 6, 2021.
- Judge Merchan stated that Trump would be allowed to attend his youngest son Barron’s high school graduation on May 17.
- Texts between Davidson and Dylan Howard, former editor-in-chief of the National Enquirer, seemed to mock Trump’s frugality, with Howard complaining that Trump was “tight” with money and delaying the payment to Daniels.
Ex President Donald Trump (Credits: The Independent)
Tuesday’s proceedings revealed new details about Trump’s alleged affairs and his attempts to suppress embarrassing stories, and highlighted the ongoing tensions between Trump and the court.
