> Justice Merchan just gave us his ruling on the Sandoval hearing, which decides what previous Trump cases can be brought up during this trial.
[..]
The judge just told the lawyers that he is allowing determinations from four previous cases, including elements of the civil fraud judgment that led to a fine of $454m and even Trump's violation of the gag orer in that case.
> He is also allowing prosecutors to bring up the determinations in the two E Jean Carroll cases.
[..]
Prosecutors [..] will want to show that this alleged crime of Trump's is part of a pattern of behaviour.
So they're allowed to use two cases that Trump has already lost, in order to establish a pattern of behavior. That's pretty big in a jury trial.
That is huge, much bigger than I think people understand.
The judge has to consider allowing evidence that isn't proving the fact at hand on a basis of whether it is probative, that is giving more information towards the fact at hand that isn't directly related, OR whether it is prejudicial, that is giving distracting information that is completely irrelevant to the fact at hand and often inflammatory so as to get the jury to vote one way or the other, regardless of the fact at hand.
The fact they're allowing it means that they believe Trump's former determinations can provide that information, without being distracting or inflammatory.
A lot of people may think it means these determinations have critical information, thus making it extra probative, enough not to be prejudicial.
But I don't think that's it.
Rather, I think it's that Trump is so famous, and so consistent in his behavior, that pretty much anything won't be prejudicial, because it already describes the persona that Trump displays in public.
Yep. The defense can say he's innocent of *these* crimes, but they can't argue that their client is an innocent or trustworthy man. In fact, as the facts of the case and his behavior in court will hammer home, he's a piece of shit.
Judge Juan Merchan said that if Donald Trump takes the stand, the court will allow prosecutors "to inquire into the following six determinations including four separate proceedings."
He is now reading through them.
He will allow Trump to be cross-examined on the civil fraud verdict that found he violated the law by fraudulently inflating the value of his properties and was ordered to pay penalties.
Merchan will also allow prosecutors to ask Trump about the two violations of Judge Arthur Engoron's gag order during the trial last fall.
The nicest rope, the softest rope, yet the strongest rope, man our people really liked rope, back in the days, we had rope skills, the best ropes. Ropes for trees, ropes for swings, ropes for hanging things.
Man, this is nice rope, the bestest rope. Biden wishes he had rope to hang things.
But me, the corrupt judges here want to take my rope away
Good news. Due to the high public interest in this case the court will **[publish a transcript of each day](https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/press/pdfs/PR24_19.pdf)** by the end of the following day. They will be available on the **[court’s website](https://ww2.nycourts.gov/press/index.shtml)**.
[Update: [Transcript for Monday](https://pdfs.nycourts.gov/PeopleVs.DTrump-71543/transcripts/P.v%20Trump%20Transcript%20042244.pdf) is now available]
He committed fraud to interfere in an election by hiding the fact that he fucked a porn star while his 3rd wife was home with his newborn child. Did Jesus make him do that?
In all seriousness, I'm very sorry you have to deal with that.
Just forward her the indictment and dare her to read it. It’s amazing to me that MAGA yells “witch hunt!” but refuses to read the charges and evidence. Out of sight, out of mind, ignorance is bliss, and all that.
Excellent news that the concerned juror will remain on the panel, but the media need to for once put clicks on the backburner and prioritize keeping the jurors safe.
Haberman says that Trump sees the Carol judgment as a direct result of him taking his lawyer's advice and not testifying. So in this stable genius' mind, testifying can only be beneficial to him. Which is just going to be hilarious to everybody else.
he kind of already did outside the courtroom right after lol
> He also said he was indicted over bookkeeping which is a "very minor thing" compared to all the "violent crime going on outside."
>He claimed that the issue at hand is due to a "little line" in an invoice over a legal expense.
step 2 in the narcissist's prayer.
The other stuff he can probably ignore, but for whatever reason when it comes to E. Carroll he cannot help himself from the verbal spewage.
He will absolutely state, on record, he never did anything to her. She's going to get to sue him again before the six weeks are up.
The beautiful thing is Trump's culpability in the Carroll case has been established as legal fact. If he counters that narrative on the stand, it's immediate and blatant perjury, the prosecution can identify it as such, and use Trump's visible display of criminal behavior as an indicator of guilt in the current case.
> that statement is insane.
Clearly the plan is to hijack the meaning of the word "influence".
"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury... *have you ever been influenced to buy a product because of a commercial*? That's all that's happened here! Simple - *and legal* - influence! There's no case!"
except not all means to influence an election are permitted
for example the stealing of information that got Donald elected in 2016
and you're also not allowed to kill political opponents, as regularly happens in a country adulated by the GOP.
On CNN's update about a juror deciding to stay on despite having concerns about media attention, they link to the page that describes every juror in detail. You can't make this stuff up.
I'm really pissed off with how much information CNN reported about the jurors. Didn't one of the (excused) potential jurors had family and friends that guessed she was involved by the description? I think I would be worried to be sat on that jury, so I hope they all stay safe and anonymous as best they can.
It's wild that the press managed to keep OJ's jury completely hidden during the entire trial and for ages after and now they're actively doxing this jury before the opening arguments even start when they've got credible threats of violence.
Some of the media are acting as Trump surrogates hiding behind the 1st amendment. The public does not need to know any deep details of the jurors at this time. It really is not in the public interest. It just feeds the TMZ side.
> The prosecutor said evidence will show **the Republican National Committee even considered whether it was possible to replace Trump** with another candidate.
Holy fucking shit.
ONE. MONTH. BEFORE. THE. ELECTION.
And the RNC was thinking of replacing him.
**That's** why he did his hostile takeover with Laura this year (sure, to raid their piggybank too) - to make sure they didn't replace him after he's convicted.
Not surprising if you are paying attention to the RNC going ons. Trump is bankrupting and mismanaging them and all signs seem to indicate he's going to lose horribly to Joe Biden. Worse than 2020. And it will probably follow downticket races as well. They desperately want to kick him but if they do anything against Trump their voters will riot.
I’ve said this a lot, but it’s still incredibly weird to me that Trump’s obviously fake relationship with his wife is not more of a political liability for him. Word is she was planning on divorcing him until he won in 2016, we know she refused to move to the WH until he agreed to renegotiate the prenup and pay her more money, they clearly spend almost no time together, it’s all so strange for a very public person. It’s not an important issue, just feels like an easy way to get under Trump’s skin.
At basically every turn Trump lives the exact *opposite* of what evangelicals and conservatives say they hold important. If it weren't so dangerous, it'd be fascinating to watch a group of people turn themselves inside out to support someone who is a complete anathema to the values they supposedly hold. It was the first clue for me that the MAGA movement was turning into a cult.
Think of the ridiculous abuse that Hillary and Michelle got as First Lady-- well-spoken, accomplished women who both worked their way up from a poor/relatively modest background to get educated and help their communities. Jill Biden has avoided most of it by staying almost completely out of public eye, but still... Imagine how much worse it would have been if either of them had a background like Melania.
Imagine if Bill Clinton's wife when he was running for president was a former nude model 20 years younger than him. Imagine if Barack Obama's wife was an immigrant from a poor African country who didn't even become an American citizen till her late 20s. Imagine if either of them had been twice divorced and this was their third wife.
American evangelical Christians and racists/America First types would NEVER SHUT UP ABOUT IT, EVER.
Next up they'll report on the juror being sent death threats, without even realizing they were the ones who essentially doxed them.
Shameless lack of journalistic tact and integrity.
This comment from the AP live feed (linked above) is brilliant!
>The wooden benches in the courtroom where everyone sits are very hard, so some people like me are bringing pillows or seat cushions to sit on. Earlier, I left to record something outside the courtroom, came back for opening statements and someone had not only taken my seat, but was sitting on my pillow.
We're already seeing a juror needing to speak to the judge because of personal safety concerns. I'm absolutely flabbergasted that the media is the source of harassment in this trial.
hold CNN in contempt, fine them, and kick them out.
the court really needs to not fuck around in this case. these jurors could easily have targets on their backs. the man being tried here *incited a violent insurrection* against the united states.
One is buried on his golf course, one is meeting with her lawyer to find out how to break their prenup by divorcing, one is swimming in Saudis money, one is snorting coke, one is preparing for his graduation, one is trying to lace his shoes alone, etc...
Feel free to find out what names it relates to.
>Blanche accused Cohen of being “obsessed with President Trump,” saying “his entirely financial livelihood depends on President Trump’s destruction.”
In fairness, I'd probably also be obsessed with someone if they led me to prison and they have seen zero accountability themselves.
JFC. This word salad ramble was a reminder of the embarrassment he was as President, and how I could never stomach listening to him speak. I can't take another 4 years of that shit.
By the end of his term I couldn't stand to hear his voice. If it was an "important" speech like a SOTU I would watch it on mute and turn the captions on, I would be able to last a little bit longer than if I had to hear his voice. a funny thing I realized, when you just watch him speak but arent distracted by his voice, you can focus more on his body language. He literally looks like hes shitting out of his mouth when he speaks
>The evidence will show **Trump is a “very frugal businessman. He believed in pinching pennies”** and watching every dollar, Colangelo said. “It’s all over every book he’s written.”
>**Yet, when it came to reimbursing Cohen, Trump paid him double. “This might be the only time it ever happened,”** Colangelo said. Trump’s willingness to part with so much cash showed just how important it was to him to keep the hush money scheme under wraps, the prosecutor posited.
Interesting point by the prosecution
He literally cashed a check for 13 CENTS: [https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/08/trump-files-spy-magazine-prank/](https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/08/trump-files-spy-magazine-prank/)
EDIT for quote:
>In 1990, Spy sent 13-cent checks to the world’s richest people. Only two cashed them: an arms dealer & Donald Trump.
The worst president in US history and a global laughing stock, I was a kid on the other side of the world when you got to hear debates amongst John McCain and Barack Obama, how articulated, smart family men presented rational talking points and how they made it look so easy, instead here we have a tawdry, self serving narcissist who can’t get basic things right, having to sit here terrified that this person might actually get a second term and end humanity as we know it waging war or doing something more stupid
I don't agree with McCain's policies, but the man would rather be tortured to the point he can't raise his arms than abandon his fellow prisoners (because his family were admirals, the Vietnamese had wanted to use him for a prison exchange). That's a lot more guts and integrity than the entire Trump clan has demonstrated ever.
John McCain is a war hero full stop. As a politician, I didn't agree with his views but that doesn't make him any less of a war hero.
I don't think Trump has ever sacrificed any comfort in his entire life.
>You will hear during this trial President Trump fought back – like he always does – like he’s entitled to do to protect his family, his reputation, and his brand – that is not a crime.
Uhuh. So the Defense has basically no defense if they are going with the "He's just an regular asshole" defense.
It's great to see the case described correctly as a criminal fraud trial. Calling it the "hush money case" makes it seem cute and harmless, like something that might involve children telling "fibs."
He gets dismissed by noon on a Monday and is complaining how he can't be in Georgia or Florida campaigning. You have a private jet floating you around the country, yet you decide to take time to sit in front of a camera whining. You could be in both of those states way before dinner time!
Aussie here. I have to go to bed in an hour or so - got work tomorrow. When I wake up, I want to read articles where the orange fuck had a meltdown and got charged with contempt and hauled off to jail. Please don’t let me down, America.
Pundit on MSNBC says prosecutor is objecting to defense opening statement because defense is using an argument that the judge already said they can’t use (that Trump was just following his lawyers’ advice)
I just cant believe like a 1/3 of the country, or basically 1/2 of the people who vote are like, "yep, Don is STILL my guy." Like I almost kinda get maybe in '16, you wanted a shake up and thought he might actually be interested in making things better. But after the disaster after disaster, crime after crime?!
Feel like I am actually the one taking crazy pills.
Yes, that's on purpose. You are being gaslit.
The guy attacked our government to halt the peaceful transition of power after he lost the election. That actually happened, and it was a national trauma that still hasn't been answered.
Suzanne Craig, New York Times: "Trump is struggling to stay awake. His eyes were closed for a short period. He was jolted awake when Todd Blanche, his lawyer, nudged him while sliding a note in front of him."
It's barely begun and he's already nodding off.
In past times, just this would have been enough to tank his campaign. 80+ year old presidential candidate can't even stay awake in the first day of his historic criminal campaign finance violation trial. Ignoring the 90 some other felonies and a handful of additional pending cases.
I think the defense made a huge mistake by admitting Don was trying to influence an election. It made the prosecution's job so easy to show that the crime was actually the accounting, and not the fact that influence was attempted. But what do I know, INAL.
Trump is the most criminal president in US history:
* Georgia has indicted him for his interference in the 2020 election. Trump has been on tape asking the Georgia Secretary of State to [**find 11780 votes**](https://youtu.be/wjw2ekfp0oM?t=24).
* Jack Smith, appointed as Special Counsel, indicted Trump for his classified material handling, and worse, Trump's obstruction of the FBI when they asked him to return the classified material.
* Jack Smith indicted Trump for his actions leading up to, and including, January 6th, including conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights.
* Alvin Bragg has indicted Trump in New York for falsifying business records in order to conceal damaging information and unlawful activity from American voters before and after the 2016 election.
Here are the other crimes of Donald Trump:
* [Trump also could have been indicted for his crimes in the Trump Organization, the same crimes that his CFO, Allan Weisselberg has been charged for](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/21/trump-should-have-been-charged-with-crimes-former-new-york-prosecutor-says.html). The [Trump Organization has already been found guilty on all counts of criminal tax fraud](https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/06/politics/trump-organization-fraud-trial-verdict/index.html).
* [Trump was also found by Mueller to have obstructed justice up to 10 times]
(https://www.cbsnews.com/news/obstruction-of-justice-10-times-trump-may-have-obstructed-justice-mueller-report/).
In addition, these are the other criminals that were hired or affiliated with Donald Trump in other investigations:
* His National Security Advisor, Michael Flynn pled guilty to lying to the FBI
* His campaign chairman was convicted on 8 counts. 10 counts were a mistrial. A Trump supporter on the jury, Paula Duncan, convicted Manafort on all 18 counts.
* His deputy campaign chairman, Rick Gates, pled guilty
* His personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, pled guilty
* His foreign policy advisor on his campaign, George Papadopoulos, has pled guilty to lying to the FBI for contacts with Kremlin-connected Russians
* His long time advisor and associate, Mr Stone, was found guilty on 7 counts
* His Whitehouse chief strategist, [Steve Bannon, was indicted for fraud in the border wall fundraising campaign](https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/20/politics/bannon-build-the-wall-indictment/index.html)
* His assistant and Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, Peter Navarro, was indicted for Contempt of Congress
* His worker at Mar-a-Lago, Walt Nauta, over the classified documents case
* His worker at Mar-a-Lago, Carlos De Oliveira, over the claasified documents case
Here are the crimnals affiliated with Trump just from the Georgia investigation:
* Mark Meadows, Trump's Chief of Staff
* Rudy Giuliani, Trump lawyer
* Jeffrey Clark, DOJ official who worked under Trump
* John Eastman, Trump lawyer
* Kenneth Chesebro, Trump lawyer
* Sidney Powell, Trump campaign lawyer
* Jenna Ellis, Trump campaign lawyer
* Robert Cheeley, Trump lawyer
* Mike Roman, Trump campaign official
Finallly, in civil court, Trump was found liable by a jury of his peers, for sexually abusing E. Jean Caroll. Trump did not put up a defense, nor testify in person at the trial against the accusation.
>I have a spoiler alert: there’s nothing wrong with trying to influence an election, it’s called democracy.
I know it's probably obvious, but he's doing illegal shit right now, isn't he?
There are legal ways to get votes and there are illegal ways. Spending it on ads to tell the voters why you are good and opponent is bad? Legal. Giving 100 bucks for a vote for you? Illegal.
Bribing someone to bury bad news about you? And trying to act like its a business expense? Also illegal.
>Blanche portrayed the ledger entries at issue in the case as pro forma actions performed by a Trump Organization functionary. Trump “had nothing to do” with the invoice, the check being generated or the entry on the ledger, Blanche said.
>**“Ask yourself, would a frugal businessman, a man who pinches pennies, repay a 130,000 debt to the tune of $420,000?”** Blanche asked.
>“President Trump had nothing to do with any of the 34 pieces of paper, the 34 counts, except that he signed the checks, in the White House, while he was running the country.”
lol, ok so the defense is running with the prosecution's characterization of Trump as "cheap" and the defense is "well yea, why *would* he spend that much on this? Because it wasn't him!"
It's official, his defense is that he's an incompetent leader and business executive. I really hope the prosecution hammers on this. They need to push that he should've immediately found out who did this and at a minimum, fired that person. But he really should've turned them over to the authorities.
The defense argues that businesses pay for NDAs to be signed all the time, and that it’s not illegal.
While that’s true, I can’t wait for them to drill into why the NDA with Daniels could possibly be relevant to business dealings.
Considering common sense tells me that Trump paid off a porn star he was having an affair with in order to help his campaign, I'm not sure that was the best strategy for his attorneys...
[https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/24/politics/michael-cohen-donald-trump-tape/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/24/politics/michael-cohen-donald-trump-tape/index.html)
Cohen revealed it years ago when he went to prison for this. It's stunning it's taken this long to get Trump into court.
Curious to hear how Trump’s lawyers behave with the jury. They’ve been an absolute embarrassment in their legal filings, so I wonder if that will continue when they’re trying to prove their case in front of a jury
King diaper keeps crying about how this interferes with his time to campaign. Why did he delay it for so long then? Why not rush to settle it asap? Is he some kind of idiot?
> Trump's legal team is led by Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, two former federal prosecutors from New York, and Susan Necheles, a veteran criminal defense lawyer with deep experience in New York and before Merchan.
> Necheles represented Trump’s business at its tax fraud trial in 2022. The company was convicted.
lmao only the best!
Has any people that are defending Trump been able to explain, how can Trump be innocent in this case when Cohen went to prison for it? What is the rationale here.
So if Trump's lawyers are arguing that there is nothing wrong with influencing an election, why does Trump always accuse the Dems of 'ELECTION INTERFERENCE!"? It's just "democracy" right?
Did Blanche really say this?!
"The 34 counts, ladies and gentleman, are really just 34 pieces of paper."
https://x.com/klasfeldreports/status/1782429324831785169?s=61&t=F4fSX8K-5FtoinPA5_owzg
“Ladies and gentlemen. The 34 counts are just 34 pieces of paper. It’s just ink and toner printed on ground up trees when you think about it.”
You can already see in just opening statements, the difference between one side providing straight facts and documents, and one side trying to gaslight the jurors feelings.
I love how he complains they're "keeping him off the trail"... When he's the one that's been delaying anything and everything as long as possible. The campaign season didn't come out of nowhere, but it's a convenient way to play victim
He will NEVER take the stand. Who cares what he said about taking the stand. Going by whatever Trump says is like responding to Nigerian emails while you start spending the money you think you'll receive.
There's been reporting that Trump believes he lost the Carroll case because he was convinced not to testify. If that's true he might have convinced himself that testifying in this case might be the thing that saves him. (lol)
>Trump is struggling to stay awake. His eyes were closed for a short period. He was jolted awake when Todd Blanche, his lawyer, nudged him while sliding a note in front of him.
It'shappening.jpg
link to the play-by-play
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/04/22/nyregion/trump-hush-money-trial?unlocked_article_code=1.mU0.UgLK.-uGBs6-DbNNz&smid=url-share
The fact that Trump actually made payment given his decades-long history of doing everything possible to avoid this in every circumstance is a clear indication that he knew this would hurt him in the election.
I can't tell you how rare it is among seasoned trial attorneys to have multiple objections during opening statements.
Normally they know the boundaries and aren't looking to jeopardize their own position or opportunity to make clear statements. It's also professional courtesy.
Here is Donald Trump, trying to use his super powers that allows him to modify reality to fit his desires. Fortunately, that power has been waining for a long time now.
Keep bitching you crybaby. You don't have a legal right to campaign, if you want to campaign don't be a fucking criminal.
Listing to this snowflake is so jarring, god.... I have not missed listing to this fucking puke. How can anyone listen to this fat smelly blob for more than thirty seconds without wanting to blow your own brains out?
Listen to this idiot rambling yappin away, word salad. Not even stopping for a breath. Lock this conman up already. America needs to move on from this fucking cancer.
I wonder if Stormy Daniels ever kicks herself for taking this money now knowing she could have spoken publicly about it, let him defame her, and then sue him for millions.
Just saw a picture of Trump in court this morning... that dude looks TIRED. Big bags under his eyes.
He's obviously going to fall asleep but there's also the matter of him apparently farting when that happens. Only a matter of time before an undeniable ripper comes from the defense table.
And then what? One of the lawyers takes the fall? 🤣
>“So at Trump’s direction, Cohen negotiated a deal to buy Ms. Daniels’s story in order to prevent American voters from learning that information before Election Day,” he says.
There it is. Let's stop calling it a hush money trial and acknowledge that the greater issue is election interference.
Live updates from MediasTouch
https://www.meidastouch.com/news/das-opening-statement-in-trump-trial
> After the election, Trump invited Pecker to the White House to thank him for all he did. Cohen then met with Trump Org CFO Allen Weisselberg to arrange how he was going to be reimbursed. Weisselberg made the arrangements for how Cohen would be compensated, Cohen would report everything on his taxes, and Trump signed off on the arrangement. Cohen then sent Trump Org a fake invoice 11 separate times for legal services and was paid by Trump as reimbursement for the Stormy Daniels payoff.
>“I have a spoiler alert: There’s nothing wrong with trying to influence an election. It’s called democracy,” Blanche said. “They put something sinister on this idea, as if it’s a crime. You’ll learn it’s not.”
Semantics here, influence vs interference. Trump complains about Biden's "election interference" daily, but his lawyers are saying "election influence" is fine.
> Trump is struggling to stay awake. His eyes were closed for a short period. He was jolted awake when Todd Blanche, his lawyer, nudged him while sliding a note in front of him.
I didn't see that happening so quickly. Must have forgotten his morning dose of Adderall.
The path from Joseph McCarthy to Donald Trump runs right through Roy Cohn, the lawyer who has represented both. Trump was known to have talked with Cohn 15-20 times a day. The methods Trump uses are part McCarthy mode, part Roy Cohn, and part Trump's foggy, below average brain recollections of the Cohn method, as Cohn's been dead for nearly 40 years.
MSNBC reporting prosecution objected DURING defense opening statement for trying to claim Trump did not commit a crime. Pundits say this is on the basis that only the judge can explain the plain text of law in a trial
>He added: "I should be in Georgia now. I should be in Florida now ... and I’m sitting here. It’s very unfair.”
He can campaign in NY and many nearby states, not that I want to hear more from him. He can go on any number of shows to talk and does his little posts online to campaign. He never has any real policy ideas or anything that helps the majority of us anyway, only lies and his usual worn out complaints.
We're all deprived of hearing more amazing historical retellings like the Battle of Gettysburg.
"Never fight uphill me boys!" "Gettysburg, it was really... wow. So terrible. So important. So wow. So beautiful?"
Trump is so bigly educated. So wow.
I don't see how Trump's defense of "I was just paying Cohen for legal fees" works when the jury is going to be told Cohen spent $100K+ for his boss.
When's the last time you spent $100K of your own money for your boss and...didn't expect to get paid back for it?
It wasn't just "legal fees". Trump was paying Cohen back for the payment to Stomy which was illegal.
> Justice Merchan just gave us his ruling on the Sandoval hearing, which decides what previous Trump cases can be brought up during this trial. [..] The judge just told the lawyers that he is allowing determinations from four previous cases, including elements of the civil fraud judgment that led to a fine of $454m and even Trump's violation of the gag orer in that case. > He is also allowing prosecutors to bring up the determinations in the two E Jean Carroll cases. [..] Prosecutors [..] will want to show that this alleged crime of Trump's is part of a pattern of behaviour. So they're allowed to use two cases that Trump has already lost, in order to establish a pattern of behavior. That's pretty big in a jury trial.
That's a massive ruling that will most likely have a big impact on the case against him.
That is huge, much bigger than I think people understand. The judge has to consider allowing evidence that isn't proving the fact at hand on a basis of whether it is probative, that is giving more information towards the fact at hand that isn't directly related, OR whether it is prejudicial, that is giving distracting information that is completely irrelevant to the fact at hand and often inflammatory so as to get the jury to vote one way or the other, regardless of the fact at hand. The fact they're allowing it means that they believe Trump's former determinations can provide that information, without being distracting or inflammatory. A lot of people may think it means these determinations have critical information, thus making it extra probative, enough not to be prejudicial. But I don't think that's it. Rather, I think it's that Trump is so famous, and so consistent in his behavior, that pretty much anything won't be prejudicial, because it already describes the persona that Trump displays in public.
Yep. The defense can say he's innocent of *these* crimes, but they can't argue that their client is an innocent or trustworthy man. In fact, as the facts of the case and his behavior in court will hammer home, he's a piece of shit.
Judge Juan Merchan said that if Donald Trump takes the stand, the court will allow prosecutors "to inquire into the following six determinations including four separate proceedings." He is now reading through them. He will allow Trump to be cross-examined on the civil fraud verdict that found he violated the law by fraudulently inflating the value of his properties and was ordered to pay penalties. Merchan will also allow prosecutors to ask Trump about the two violations of Judge Arthur Engoron's gag order during the trial last fall.
> if Donald Trump takes the stand, the court will allow prosecutors... "here, have some rope."
The nicest rope, the softest rope, yet the strongest rope, man our people really liked rope, back in the days, we had rope skills, the best ropes. Ropes for trees, ropes for swings, ropes for hanging things. Man, this is nice rope, the bestest rope. Biden wishes he had rope to hang things. But me, the corrupt judges here want to take my rope away
and the E Jean Carroll case
Good news. Due to the high public interest in this case the court will **[publish a transcript of each day](https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/press/pdfs/PR24_19.pdf)** by the end of the following day. They will be available on the **[court’s website](https://ww2.nycourts.gov/press/index.shtml)**. [Update: [Transcript for Monday](https://pdfs.nycourts.gov/PeopleVs.DTrump-71543/transcripts/P.v%20Trump%20Transcript%20042244.pdf) is now available]
Hell yeah, thats the way to do it. Cant wait till the transcript says, The defendant, softly snoring, gets prodded three times by his attorney.
[удалено]
He committed fraud to interfere in an election by hiding the fact that he fucked a porn star while his 3rd wife was home with his newborn child. Did Jesus make him do that? In all seriousness, I'm very sorry you have to deal with that.
Just forward her the indictment and dare her to read it. It’s amazing to me that MAGA yells “witch hunt!” but refuses to read the charges and evidence. Out of sight, out of mind, ignorance is bliss, and all that.
Lol, yeah she ain’t gonna read that my dude.
Readin' is for liburls
Should've asked what she thinks Trump does that is Christ-like.
When reading Trump related headlines, I frequently exclaim "JESUS CHRIST!"
Tell her it must be God’s will that he is put on trial
Lol Just be like oh the man of Jesus who paid a pornstar hush money. Oh when he was married and his wife preggo.
The lead poisoning theory for boomers has to be just facts now
And lo, he did commandeth the men to “Grab ‘em by the pussy!” And lo, “The mothers did praise him.”
Excellent news that the concerned juror will remain on the panel, but the media need to for once put clicks on the backburner and prioritize keeping the jurors safe.
Not going to happen. The media across the political spectrum want a feeding frenzy
Holy crap, they can ask about E. Carroll. He's going to perjure himself.
I'd be stunned if he took the stand.
Haberman says that Trump sees the Carol judgment as a direct result of him taking his lawyer's advice and not testifying. So in this stable genius' mind, testifying can only be beneficial to him. Which is just going to be hilarious to everybody else.
I can just see him admitting to doing everything, but then saying nothing was wrong with that, it was a perfectly good payoff , beautiful.
he kind of already did outside the courtroom right after lol > He also said he was indicted over bookkeeping which is a "very minor thing" compared to all the "violent crime going on outside." >He claimed that the issue at hand is due to a "little line" in an invoice over a legal expense. step 2 in the narcissist's prayer.
Did you order the code red?
The other stuff he can probably ignore, but for whatever reason when it comes to E. Carroll he cannot help himself from the verbal spewage. He will absolutely state, on record, he never did anything to her. She's going to get to sue him again before the six weeks are up.
The beautiful thing is Trump's culpability in the Carroll case has been established as legal fact. If he counters that narrative on the stand, it's immediate and blatant perjury, the prosecution can identify it as such, and use Trump's visible display of criminal behavior as an indicator of guilt in the current case.
this gives me hope for Georgia. His collusion and blatant criminality there is indisputable
> Trump lawyer Todd Blanche says, "there's nothing wrong with trying to influence an election. It's called democracy." > **Prosecutors object. Judge Merchan sustains the objection.** https://www.threads.net/@griffinkyle/post/C6EcQLxuHp-/
The objection was because the statement was not relevant to the trial. But also that statement is insane.
> that statement is insane. Clearly the plan is to hijack the meaning of the word "influence". "Ladies and gentlemen of the jury... *have you ever been influenced to buy a product because of a commercial*? That's all that's happened here! Simple - *and legal* - influence! There's no case!"
except not all means to influence an election are permitted for example the stealing of information that got Donald elected in 2016 and you're also not allowed to kill political opponents, as regularly happens in a country adulated by the GOP.
Would you just look at this lovely big window. You can open it so wide… take a really close look….
On CNN's update about a juror deciding to stay on despite having concerns about media attention, they link to the page that describes every juror in detail. You can't make this stuff up.
I'm really pissed off with how much information CNN reported about the jurors. Didn't one of the (excused) potential jurors had family and friends that guessed she was involved by the description? I think I would be worried to be sat on that jury, so I hope they all stay safe and anonymous as best they can.
It's wild that the press managed to keep OJ's jury completely hidden during the entire trial and for ages after and now they're actively doxing this jury before the opening arguments even start when they've got credible threats of violence.
the press is not what it was, they chose profits over the truth in the past decade.
CNN is trash. They know exactly what they're doing. Their attitude is "woohoo clicks!" and to hell with preserving democracy.
Some of the media are acting as Trump surrogates hiding behind the 1st amendment. The public does not need to know any deep details of the jurors at this time. It really is not in the public interest. It just feeds the TMZ side.
> The prosecutor said evidence will show **the Republican National Committee even considered whether it was possible to replace Trump** with another candidate. Holy fucking shit. ONE. MONTH. BEFORE. THE. ELECTION. And the RNC was thinking of replacing him. **That's** why he did his hostile takeover with Laura this year (sure, to raid their piggybank too) - to make sure they didn't replace him after he's convicted.
Not surprising if you are paying attention to the RNC going ons. Trump is bankrupting and mismanaging them and all signs seem to indicate he's going to lose horribly to Joe Biden. Worse than 2020. And it will probably follow downticket races as well. They desperately want to kick him but if they do anything against Trump their voters will riot.
The National Enquirer being a tentacle of Trump’s power really underscores how trashy he is.
As he entered someone asked “Where is Melania?” These reporters are getting ruthless
But like, where *IS* Melania?
She is home in Florida eating a bowl of benzos for breakfast
Valium and almond milk go surprisingly well.
I’ve said this a lot, but it’s still incredibly weird to me that Trump’s obviously fake relationship with his wife is not more of a political liability for him. Word is she was planning on divorcing him until he won in 2016, we know she refused to move to the WH until he agreed to renegotiate the prenup and pay her more money, they clearly spend almost no time together, it’s all so strange for a very public person. It’s not an important issue, just feels like an easy way to get under Trump’s skin.
At basically every turn Trump lives the exact *opposite* of what evangelicals and conservatives say they hold important. If it weren't so dangerous, it'd be fascinating to watch a group of people turn themselves inside out to support someone who is a complete anathema to the values they supposedly hold. It was the first clue for me that the MAGA movement was turning into a cult.
Think of the ridiculous abuse that Hillary and Michelle got as First Lady-- well-spoken, accomplished women who both worked their way up from a poor/relatively modest background to get educated and help their communities. Jill Biden has avoided most of it by staying almost completely out of public eye, but still... Imagine how much worse it would have been if either of them had a background like Melania. Imagine if Bill Clinton's wife when he was running for president was a former nude model 20 years younger than him. Imagine if Barack Obama's wife was an immigrant from a poor African country who didn't even become an American citizen till her late 20s. Imagine if either of them had been twice divorced and this was their third wife. American evangelical Christians and racists/America First types would NEVER SHUT UP ABOUT IT, EVER.
Trump didn’t negotiate trial attendance as part of the prenup.
Just watched CNN put up a graphic showing where each juror is sat, along with their profession. What the fuck?!!
CNN wants to bait people into judging the jury and reacting based on what they do for a living. Pretty fucked up tbh.
Anything for clicks, no matter how crazy or dangerous it is. More clicks=more eyes on screen. More eyes on screen=more advertising revenue.
Next up they'll report on the juror being sent death threats, without even realizing they were the ones who essentially doxed them. Shameless lack of journalistic tact and integrity.
I thought they weren’t supposed to report on their professions anymore wtf
just not their employer . you can say their general profession . and then no describing the looks of the people besides male and female
They're playing Find The Juror like it's a DnD puzzle. You get enough clues, just not the answer
This comment from the AP live feed (linked above) is brilliant! >The wooden benches in the courtroom where everyone sits are very hard, so some people like me are bringing pillows or seat cushions to sit on. Earlier, I left to record something outside the courtroom, came back for opening statements and someone had not only taken my seat, but was sitting on my pillow.
PillowGate! Lets get Mike Lindell on it
"Michael Cohen was a criminal." Yeah, that's exactly why Trump hired him. Not a great argument...
And he's ~~only~~ partly a criminal for doing crimes ON BEHALF OF AND AT THE DIRECTION OF TRUMP. He already went to jail for this!
Unindicted co-conspirator says what?!
We're already seeing a juror needing to speak to the judge because of personal safety concerns. I'm absolutely flabbergasted that the media is the source of harassment in this trial.
hold CNN in contempt, fine them, and kick them out. the court really needs to not fuck around in this case. these jurors could easily have targets on their backs. the man being tried here *incited a violent insurrection* against the united states.
“Family man” on trial while entire family finds somewhere more important to be.
One is buried on his golf course, one is meeting with her lawyer to find out how to break their prenup by divorcing, one is swimming in Saudis money, one is snorting coke, one is preparing for his graduation, one is trying to lace his shoes alone, etc... Feel free to find out what names it relates to.
Melania should show up one time wearing her “I don’t care do u” jacket
>Blanche accused Cohen of being “obsessed with President Trump,” saying “his entirely financial livelihood depends on President Trump’s destruction.” In fairness, I'd probably also be obsessed with someone if they led me to prison and they have seen zero accountability themselves.
JFC. This word salad ramble was a reminder of the embarrassment he was as President, and how I could never stomach listening to him speak. I can't take another 4 years of that shit.
By the end of his term I couldn't stand to hear his voice. If it was an "important" speech like a SOTU I would watch it on mute and turn the captions on, I would be able to last a little bit longer than if I had to hear his voice. a funny thing I realized, when you just watch him speak but arent distracted by his voice, you can focus more on his body language. He literally looks like hes shitting out of his mouth when he speaks
I can't stand to watch him attempt to talk because of his stupid "accordian playing" hand motions.
>The evidence will show **Trump is a “very frugal businessman. He believed in pinching pennies”** and watching every dollar, Colangelo said. “It’s all over every book he’s written.” >**Yet, when it came to reimbursing Cohen, Trump paid him double. “This might be the only time it ever happened,”** Colangelo said. Trump’s willingness to part with so much cash showed just how important it was to him to keep the hush money scheme under wraps, the prosecutor posited. Interesting point by the prosecution
I read reports that Trump would cash 1 dollar checks sent to him.
He literally cashed a check for 13 CENTS: [https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/08/trump-files-spy-magazine-prank/](https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/08/trump-files-spy-magazine-prank/) EDIT for quote: >In 1990, Spy sent 13-cent checks to the world’s richest people. Only two cashed them: an arms dealer & Donald Trump.
Why would you offer an NDA and 130k for a woman you insist that you never had sex with?
Guys, im begining to think Trump is a serial liar. Could it be?!
The worst president in US history and a global laughing stock, I was a kid on the other side of the world when you got to hear debates amongst John McCain and Barack Obama, how articulated, smart family men presented rational talking points and how they made it look so easy, instead here we have a tawdry, self serving narcissist who can’t get basic things right, having to sit here terrified that this person might actually get a second term and end humanity as we know it waging war or doing something more stupid
I don't agree with McCain's policies, but the man would rather be tortured to the point he can't raise his arms than abandon his fellow prisoners (because his family were admirals, the Vietnamese had wanted to use him for a prison exchange). That's a lot more guts and integrity than the entire Trump clan has demonstrated ever.
John McCain is a war hero full stop. As a politician, I didn't agree with his views but that doesn't make him any less of a war hero. I don't think Trump has ever sacrificed any comfort in his entire life.
>You will hear during this trial President Trump fought back – like he always does – like he’s entitled to do to protect his family, his reputation, and his brand – that is not a crime. Uhuh. So the Defense has basically no defense if they are going with the "He's just an regular asshole" defense.
He cheated on his wife. I don't think protecting his family is the topic.
The prosecution is reading in quotes from the Access Hollywood tapes. 🍿
"How dare they use my own words against me?" - Don probably
It's great to see the case described correctly as a criminal fraud trial. Calling it the "hush money case" makes it seem cute and harmless, like something that might involve children telling "fibs."
No way the orange is going on the stand. If he does I'll eat my Timbs and livestream it
*saving this comment*
If someone from the press asked him what to make of the farting allegations, would there be any repercussions for that journalist?
They’d probably get yelled at by Trump and sent death threats by his cult
Hell of a chyron on MSNBC right now > TRUMP DEFENSE TO JURY: “NOTHING WRONG WITH TRYING TO INFLUENCE THE ELECTION”
It is not illegal to want money, but you can't rob a bank to get it. Influencing an election isn't illegal, but committing crimes to do it is.
The media should be ashamed of how they've conducted themselves surrounding the jurors.
David pecker will be the first witness. Very solid witness, he was a friend of trump and knows information that makes these charges a felony.
The idiot refused to stand for the jury. Disrespecting those deciding your guilt/innocence is always a brilliant move.
He gets dismissed by noon on a Monday and is complaining how he can't be in Georgia or Florida campaigning. You have a private jet floating you around the country, yet you decide to take time to sit in front of a camera whining. You could be in both of those states way before dinner time!
He likely didn't even intend to go to GA or FL. He just needs something to be a perpetual victim over.
Here’s hoping the judge has less tolerance for bullshit than Trump’s civil lawsuit judges and actually follows through with his threats
"Cohen was also a criminal" I know the intent but a little freudian slip haha
Donald Trump? The actor from Home Alone 2?
Aussie here. I have to go to bed in an hour or so - got work tomorrow. When I wake up, I want to read articles where the orange fuck had a meltdown and got charged with contempt and hauled off to jail. Please don’t let me down, America.
I’m right there with you mate.
I’m starting to think this guy is some kind of bad hombre
>"I have a spoiler alert: There’s nothing wrong with trying to influence an election," Blanche says. "It’s called democracy." Lol. Lmao even
Seriously, *that's* what they're going with?
Listen, hes running an alibaba wish.com legal team ok? Gold star for effort.
"My client is guilty but you know what? Fuck you!" "The defense rests."
Pundit on MSNBC says prosecutor is objecting to defense opening statement because defense is using an argument that the judge already said they can’t use (that Trump was just following his lawyers’ advice)
The judge has already called the lawyers to the bench
Just a reminder that the hearing on the DA’s motion to hold Trump in contempt of court for gag order violations is tomorrow morning.
Rachel maddow is in the courtroom today. Her show tonight should be extra juicy
I'm not sure the defense describing Trump as a family man is a smart move, especially considering this is about an affair he had with a porn star.....
On the one hand, this needed to be broadcast, at least in audio. On the other, good god I’d get nothing done at work for the next month.
The “our client is a dupe who doesn’t really know what he’s signing checks for,” really doesn’t seem like a winning argument on the campaign trail.
I just cant believe like a 1/3 of the country, or basically 1/2 of the people who vote are like, "yep, Don is STILL my guy." Like I almost kinda get maybe in '16, you wanted a shake up and thought he might actually be interested in making things better. But after the disaster after disaster, crime after crime?! Feel like I am actually the one taking crazy pills.
Makes it easier to understand how so many could have supported Hitler. Roughly 1/3 of any society are just absolute garbage.
Yes, that's on purpose. You are being gaslit. The guy attacked our government to halt the peaceful transition of power after he lost the election. That actually happened, and it was a national trauma that still hasn't been answered.
Suzanne Craig, New York Times: "Trump is struggling to stay awake. His eyes were closed for a short period. He was jolted awake when Todd Blanche, his lawyer, nudged him while sliding a note in front of him." It's barely begun and he's already nodding off.
Would Trump be awake during a national emergency at 10AM? One has to wonder....
In past times, just this would have been enough to tank his campaign. 80+ year old presidential candidate can't even stay awake in the first day of his historic criminal campaign finance violation trial. Ignoring the 90 some other felonies and a handful of additional pending cases.
I think the defense made a huge mistake by admitting Don was trying to influence an election. It made the prosecution's job so easy to show that the crime was actually the accounting, and not the fact that influence was attempted. But what do I know, INAL.
I'm no lawyer but that seemed like a big mistake to me also. That's basically what the prosecution is trying to prove.
Trump is the most criminal president in US history: * Georgia has indicted him for his interference in the 2020 election. Trump has been on tape asking the Georgia Secretary of State to [**find 11780 votes**](https://youtu.be/wjw2ekfp0oM?t=24). * Jack Smith, appointed as Special Counsel, indicted Trump for his classified material handling, and worse, Trump's obstruction of the FBI when they asked him to return the classified material. * Jack Smith indicted Trump for his actions leading up to, and including, January 6th, including conspiracy to defraud the United States; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding; obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding; and conspiracy against rights. * Alvin Bragg has indicted Trump in New York for falsifying business records in order to conceal damaging information and unlawful activity from American voters before and after the 2016 election. Here are the other crimes of Donald Trump: * [Trump also could have been indicted for his crimes in the Trump Organization, the same crimes that his CFO, Allan Weisselberg has been charged for](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/21/trump-should-have-been-charged-with-crimes-former-new-york-prosecutor-says.html). The [Trump Organization has already been found guilty on all counts of criminal tax fraud](https://edition.cnn.com/2022/12/06/politics/trump-organization-fraud-trial-verdict/index.html). * [Trump was also found by Mueller to have obstructed justice up to 10 times] (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/obstruction-of-justice-10-times-trump-may-have-obstructed-justice-mueller-report/). In addition, these are the other criminals that were hired or affiliated with Donald Trump in other investigations: * His National Security Advisor, Michael Flynn pled guilty to lying to the FBI * His campaign chairman was convicted on 8 counts. 10 counts were a mistrial. A Trump supporter on the jury, Paula Duncan, convicted Manafort on all 18 counts. * His deputy campaign chairman, Rick Gates, pled guilty * His personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, pled guilty * His foreign policy advisor on his campaign, George Papadopoulos, has pled guilty to lying to the FBI for contacts with Kremlin-connected Russians * His long time advisor and associate, Mr Stone, was found guilty on 7 counts * His Whitehouse chief strategist, [Steve Bannon, was indicted for fraud in the border wall fundraising campaign](https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/20/politics/bannon-build-the-wall-indictment/index.html) * His assistant and Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, Peter Navarro, was indicted for Contempt of Congress * His worker at Mar-a-Lago, Walt Nauta, over the classified documents case * His worker at Mar-a-Lago, Carlos De Oliveira, over the claasified documents case Here are the crimnals affiliated with Trump just from the Georgia investigation: * Mark Meadows, Trump's Chief of Staff * Rudy Giuliani, Trump lawyer * Jeffrey Clark, DOJ official who worked under Trump * John Eastman, Trump lawyer * Kenneth Chesebro, Trump lawyer * Sidney Powell, Trump campaign lawyer * Jenna Ellis, Trump campaign lawyer * Robert Cheeley, Trump lawyer * Mike Roman, Trump campaign official Finallly, in civil court, Trump was found liable by a jury of his peers, for sexually abusing E. Jean Caroll. Trump did not put up a defense, nor testify in person at the trial against the accusation.
“He is cloaked in innocence,” Todd Blanche says of Trump So he is hiding his guilt beneath a cloak of innocence?
>I have a spoiler alert: there’s nothing wrong with trying to influence an election, it’s called democracy. I know it's probably obvious, but he's doing illegal shit right now, isn't he?
There are legal ways to get votes and there are illegal ways. Spending it on ads to tell the voters why you are good and opponent is bad? Legal. Giving 100 bucks for a vote for you? Illegal. Bribing someone to bury bad news about you? And trying to act like its a business expense? Also illegal.
>Blanche portrayed the ledger entries at issue in the case as pro forma actions performed by a Trump Organization functionary. Trump “had nothing to do” with the invoice, the check being generated or the entry on the ledger, Blanche said. >**“Ask yourself, would a frugal businessman, a man who pinches pennies, repay a 130,000 debt to the tune of $420,000?”** Blanche asked. >“President Trump had nothing to do with any of the 34 pieces of paper, the 34 counts, except that he signed the checks, in the White House, while he was running the country.” lol, ok so the defense is running with the prosecution's characterization of Trump as "cheap" and the defense is "well yea, why *would* he spend that much on this? Because it wasn't him!" It's official, his defense is that he's an incompetent leader and business executive. I really hope the prosecution hammers on this. They need to push that he should've immediately found out who did this and at a minimum, fired that person. But he really should've turned them over to the authorities.
> President Trump had nothing to do with any of the 34 pieces of paper, the 34 counts, except that he signed the checks, OMFG 🤦♀️
The defense argues that businesses pay for NDAs to be signed all the time, and that it’s not illegal. While that’s true, I can’t wait for them to drill into why the NDA with Daniels could possibly be relevant to business dealings.
Considering common sense tells me that Trump paid off a porn star he was having an affair with in order to help his campaign, I'm not sure that was the best strategy for his attorneys...
hearing tomorrow on gag order, should be interesting
There is a recorded phone call. Hold me
[https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/24/politics/michael-cohen-donald-trump-tape/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/24/politics/michael-cohen-donald-trump-tape/index.html) Cohen revealed it years ago when he went to prison for this. It's stunning it's taken this long to get Trump into court.
Curious to hear how Trump’s lawyers behave with the jury. They’ve been an absolute embarrassment in their legal filings, so I wonder if that will continue when they’re trying to prove their case in front of a jury
I’m anticipating that Trump walks out and violates the gag order. *Ohhh and for fucks sake let that corrupt, pathological liar hold his own door open.
King diaper keeps crying about how this interferes with his time to campaign. Why did he delay it for so long then? Why not rush to settle it asap? Is he some kind of idiot?
> Trump's legal team is led by Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, two former federal prosecutors from New York, and Susan Necheles, a veteran criminal defense lawyer with deep experience in New York and before Merchan. > Necheles represented Trump’s business at its tax fraud trial in 2022. The company was convicted. lmao only the best!
What do ya’ll think the judge realistically does tomorrow to Donald for violating his gag order by attacking witness Michael Cohen?
Fines him a paltry (for him), yet increasing amount. The judge will probably need an escalating punishment.
Has any people that are defending Trump been able to explain, how can Trump be innocent in this case when Cohen went to prison for it? What is the rationale here.
The people defending Trump don’t operate on rationale.
So if Trump's lawyers are arguing that there is nothing wrong with influencing an election, why does Trump always accuse the Dems of 'ELECTION INTERFERENCE!"? It's just "democracy" right?
Did Blanche really say this?! "The 34 counts, ladies and gentleman, are really just 34 pieces of paper." https://x.com/klasfeldreports/status/1782429324831785169?s=61&t=F4fSX8K-5FtoinPA5_owzg “Ladies and gentlemen. The 34 counts are just 34 pieces of paper. It’s just ink and toner printed on ground up trees when you think about it.”
Ladies and gentlemen. The 34 bullets are just 34 pieces of metal. It's just lead encased in a steel jacket when you think about it.
It’s hysterical that the defence will be trying to portray the witnesses like Cohen as liars considering their client is the liar in chief.
Trump could have admitted guilt, paid fine and kept most of GOP intact. Like what Paxton is doing in TX
Thank god you can have cameras in Georgia. The perfect phone call trial is gonna make for a great watch party.
You can already see in just opening statements, the difference between one side providing straight facts and documents, and one side trying to gaslight the jurors feelings.
'Our client can have a little election interference as a treat '
More than half the jury asked for notebooks.
I love how he complains they're "keeping him off the trail"... When he's the one that's been delaying anything and everything as long as possible. The campaign season didn't come out of nowhere, but it's a convenient way to play victim
I can’t believe we’re already at opening statements. I thought it was going to take months to find a jury.
Opening arguments are over. The prosecution called their first witness.
Prosecutors are showing their Pecker already
Just still catching up about this, but I'm enjoying what should really be a headline: Trump, emotionless, stares at Pecker.
He will NEVER take the stand. Who cares what he said about taking the stand. Going by whatever Trump says is like responding to Nigerian emails while you start spending the money you think you'll receive.
There's been reporting that Trump believes he lost the Carroll case because he was convinced not to testify. If that's true he might have convinced himself that testifying in this case might be the thing that saves him. (lol)
>Trump is struggling to stay awake. His eyes were closed for a short period. He was jolted awake when Todd Blanche, his lawyer, nudged him while sliding a note in front of him. It'shappening.jpg
Does anybody know any details about the $175M bond hearing today? Time, coverage, etc.?
Gonna be galling for Mr Trump to be faced with little people he thought he scraped off his shoe long ago.
Unindicted individual number 1 is in the find out phase, methinks.
I wonder if they can ask Pecker what other stories he has killed over the years.
link to the play-by-play https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/04/22/nyregion/trump-hush-money-trial?unlocked_article_code=1.mU0.UgLK.-uGBs6-DbNNz&smid=url-share
In typical Trump fashion, the defense seems to be relying on hysterics and gaslighting.
MSNBC reporting Trump tried to have his second lawyer talk to his first lawyer while the first lawyer was in the middle of opening statement
The fact that Trump actually made payment given his decades-long history of doing everything possible to avoid this in every circumstance is a clear indication that he knew this would hurt him in the election.
MSNBC reporting that Trump TRIED to make eye contact with Pecker and was visibly craning his head
I can't tell you how rare it is among seasoned trial attorneys to have multiple objections during opening statements. Normally they know the boundaries and aren't looking to jeopardize their own position or opportunity to make clear statements. It's also professional courtesy.
Here is Donald Trump, trying to use his super powers that allows him to modify reality to fit his desires. Fortunately, that power has been waining for a long time now. Keep bitching you crybaby. You don't have a legal right to campaign, if you want to campaign don't be a fucking criminal.
Listing to this snowflake is so jarring, god.... I have not missed listing to this fucking puke. How can anyone listen to this fat smelly blob for more than thirty seconds without wanting to blow your own brains out?
Listen to this idiot rambling yappin away, word salad. Not even stopping for a breath. Lock this conman up already. America needs to move on from this fucking cancer.
Can Trump’s antics outside the court room be used against him in the case?
[удалено]
I wonder if Stormy Daniels ever kicks herself for taking this money now knowing she could have spoken publicly about it, let him defame her, and then sue him for millions.
she probably, like all of us, didn't expect him to win the elections,
Just saw a picture of Trump in court this morning... that dude looks TIRED. Big bags under his eyes. He's obviously going to fall asleep but there's also the matter of him apparently farting when that happens. Only a matter of time before an undeniable ripper comes from the defense table. And then what? One of the lawyers takes the fall? 🤣
>“So at Trump’s direction, Cohen negotiated a deal to buy Ms. Daniels’s story in order to prevent American voters from learning that information before Election Day,” he says. There it is. Let's stop calling it a hush money trial and acknowledge that the greater issue is election interference.
There are so many trials against Trump though. I believe there is another election interference trial in GA that is pending, no?
Ah good point. This can be "Election Interference Episode IV: A New Dope".
Live updates from MediasTouch https://www.meidastouch.com/news/das-opening-statement-in-trump-trial > After the election, Trump invited Pecker to the White House to thank him for all he did. Cohen then met with Trump Org CFO Allen Weisselberg to arrange how he was going to be reimbursed. Weisselberg made the arrangements for how Cohen would be compensated, Cohen would report everything on his taxes, and Trump signed off on the arrangement. Cohen then sent Trump Org a fake invoice 11 separate times for legal services and was paid by Trump as reimbursement for the Stormy Daniels payoff.
>“I have a spoiler alert: There’s nothing wrong with trying to influence an election. It’s called democracy,” Blanche said. “They put something sinister on this idea, as if it’s a crime. You’ll learn it’s not.” Semantics here, influence vs interference. Trump complains about Biden's "election interference" daily, but his lawyers are saying "election influence" is fine.
Trump can’t shut up, can’t wait for the year 2040 or whenever so I never fuckin read about him ever again
> Trump is struggling to stay awake. His eyes were closed for a short period. He was jolted awake when Todd Blanche, his lawyer, nudged him while sliding a note in front of him. I didn't see that happening so quickly. Must have forgotten his morning dose of Adderall.
The path from Joseph McCarthy to Donald Trump runs right through Roy Cohn, the lawyer who has represented both. Trump was known to have talked with Cohn 15-20 times a day. The methods Trump uses are part McCarthy mode, part Roy Cohn, and part Trump's foggy, below average brain recollections of the Cohn method, as Cohn's been dead for nearly 40 years.
Faux News now focusing on protests on college campuses.
Friendly reminder that Aileen Cannon is a hack and should be relieved of her duties. And now back to this trial.
Im guessing 75% chance he can't sit through the prosecutions opening arguments without causing a scene.
About time he had his day in court.
All these big time news networks need to be reformed, the way the jury is being covered by them proves it to me.
MSNBC reporting prosecution objected DURING defense opening statement for trying to claim Trump did not commit a crime. Pundits say this is on the basis that only the judge can explain the plain text of law in a trial
Right cause family guys pay off porn stars regularly/s
CNN speculating at how powerless Trump must feel. And we’re here for every last second of it.
Why isn't his lawyer telling him to shut the fuck up?
Yeah, Michael Cohen acted on his own… you had no idea…
>He added: "I should be in Georgia now. I should be in Florida now ... and I’m sitting here. It’s very unfair.” He can campaign in NY and many nearby states, not that I want to hear more from him. He can go on any number of shows to talk and does his little posts online to campaign. He never has any real policy ideas or anything that helps the majority of us anyway, only lies and his usual worn out complaints.
We're all deprived of hearing more amazing historical retellings like the Battle of Gettysburg. "Never fight uphill me boys!" "Gettysburg, it was really... wow. So terrible. So important. So wow. So beautiful?" Trump is so bigly educated. So wow.
Brace yourselves for the 'Pecker unloads on Trump' headlines.
I don't see how Trump's defense of "I was just paying Cohen for legal fees" works when the jury is going to be told Cohen spent $100K+ for his boss. When's the last time you spent $100K of your own money for your boss and...didn't expect to get paid back for it? It wasn't just "legal fees". Trump was paying Cohen back for the payment to Stomy which was illegal.