President Trump pays fine for violating gag order
A person with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed that President Trump paid the $9,000 fine on Thursday.
He used cashier’s checks to pay $2,000 and $7,000, which were paid to the court clerk.
Judge Machan said further offenses could result in a “custodial sentence” meaning a prison term. Mr Machan is expected to rule on four outstanding gag order violations next week.
Prosecutors and defense discuss possibility of cross-examination on contempt charge
After the jury had departed, Judge Marchan discussed with the prosecution and defense the possibility of Mr. Trump being cross-examined regarding his violation of the gag order.
Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, said he disagreed, but prosecutor Matthew Colangelo argued that the court held Trump in criminal contempt for violating the gag order.
President Trump slams Manhattan DA’s office for ‘perpetuating violent crime’
Speaking to reporters outside court, Trump slammed the Manhattan district attorney, saying the office is “increasing violent crime throughout our streets.”
He also accused Attorney Alvin Bragg of specifically attacking his company, lamenting, “They’ve been coming after us for years, just like they did to the people at my company.” .
He called the attorneys in the prosecutor’s office “far-left lunatics” and claimed they were backed by Democratic megadonor George Soros.
“In the meantime, we can’t do anything in this country. This country will go to hell,” Trump said.
Under the terms of President Trump’s gag order, he is allowed to criticize judges and prosecutors.
Hope Hicks testifies that Trump ‘really values’ Melania Trump’s opinion
Trump’s lawyer, Emile Bove, asked Hicks what was causing Trump’s stress after the release of the “Access Hollywood” tape.
“President Trump really values Mrs. Trump’s opinion,” Hicks said, adding that while Melania Trump doesn’t always value her opinion, when she does express it “it’s very meaningful.” ” he added.
“I don’t think he wanted anyone in his family to be hurt or embarrassed by what happened during the campaign. He wanted them to be proud of him,” Hicks said. Added later.
I hope Hicks gets off the witness stand.One week trial completed
Mr. Hicks finished his testimony. Due to scheduling conflicts, the court was scheduled to end at 3:45 p.m. today. The judge just dismissed the jury for the day.
Lawyers remain to discuss legal differences.
Hope Hicks on Michael Cohen: He liked to call himself ‘Mr. Fix-It’
President Trump’s lawyer, Emile Bove, asked Hicks whether Cohen was part of Trump’s 2016 campaign.
“No, he tried to insert himself at certain moments, but he was not supposed to participate in the campaign in an official capacity,” she said. “He even did it voluntarily because he was interested.”
Bove also asked Hicks if Cohen had cheated and she said yes.
Hicks went on to say that Cohen liked to call himself “The Fixer” or “Mr. Fix-It.”
“It’s just because he broke it first,” she said.
Hicks begins crying in the stands.
As Mr. Trump’s lawyer, Mr. Bove, began cross-examining Mr. Hicks, she began to cry.
Hicks looked to the side, not wanting anyone to see her tears. Mr. Bove asked if the court should be adjourned, to which Mr. Hicks replied, “Yes, please.”
When Bove brought up the fact that the Trumps had given her a job opportunity, she appeared to start crying.
Hope Hicks says she didn’t know Michael Cohen was a ‘philanthropist or selfless person’
The morning after Hope Hicks told the New York Times that Cohen had made the payments without Trump’s knowledge, she told Hicks that Cohen had made the payments to protect Trump from false allegations. , who said he hadn’t told anyone about it and said he did it out of good intentions. his own mind.
“I don’t think that’s appropriate for Michael. I’ve never known Michael to be a particularly philanthropic or selfless person. He’s the type of person who demands credit,” Hicks said. Told.
Hicks recalled speaking with Trump when McDougal filed suit to terminate his contract with AMI.
Hicks was Trump’s White House communications director when Karen McDougall sued to terminate her contract with AMI, which prohibited her from discussing her relationship with Trump.
She testified that President Trump’s chief of staff texted her that day: “Hey, the president wants to know if you called David Pecker again?”
“I don’t know if he called him [that day]Hicks testified, adding that when McDougal spoke to Trump after being interviewed by Anderson Cooper on CNN, “I don’t recall him mentioning Pecker in that conversation.”
Mr. Cooper was in court earlier today watching the trial.
Hicks is referring to Madeline Westerhout, who worked close to her in the White House.
Hope Hicks told how she and Madeline Westerhout, Trump’s chief of staff at the White House, worked in the “Outer Oval Office,” a small foyer.
Mr. Hicks is preparing potential testimony and evidence regarding Mr. Westerhout’s role in receiving and signing checks that Mr. Trump wrote to Michael Cohen.
