Former President Donald Trump is back in court facing the possibility of jail time for additional violations of a gag order in his hush money trial. Prosecutors are preparing to call prominent witnesses, including Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen, in the upcoming weeks.
During Monday's proceedings, the jury heard from witnesses, including a former Trump Organization controller who detailed how the company reimbursed payments meant to silence potentially damaging stories. The testimony focused on a $130,000 payment from Cohen to Daniels and subsequent reimbursements from Trump's personal account.
While prosecutors presented documentary evidence of the reimbursements, witnesses did not testify that Trump directed the payments to be logged as legal expenses. Both witnesses confirmed that they did not receive instructions from Trump regarding the payments.
Judge Juan M. Merchan issued a stern warning to Trump about violating the gag order, imposing a $1,000 fine for the second time. The judge emphasized that further violations could result in jail time, citing Trump's comments criticizing the jury selection process in an interview.
Despite the threat of jail time, Judge Merchan expressed reluctance about resorting to incarceration, acknowledging Trump's status as a former president and potential future candidate. Prosecutors are building their case towards Cohen, a key witness who pleaded guilty to charges related to the hush money payments.
The trial continues as Trump faces escalating legal challenges and the prospect of significant consequences for his actions during the 2016 presidential campaign.
