On Tuesday, Donald Trump faced a challenging day in court with significant developments unfolding. The day began with a hearing regarding potential violations of a gag order and progressed to testimony about 'catch-and-kill' deals aimed at suppressing negative stories about Trump during the 2016 election.
Gag Order Hearing:
Judge Juan Merchan had previously issued a gag order to restrict Trump from discussing certain aspects of the case publicly. The judge expressed dissatisfaction with Trump's attorney's explanations for alleged violations of the order, particularly in relation to posts concerning Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen.
Judge's Response:
Judge Merchan criticized Trump's legal team, stating that they were 'losing all credibility' during the hearing. The judge pressed for clarity on instances where Trump's social media posts were responses to attacks from Cohen and Daniels, highlighting growing tensions between the two sides.
Testimony by David Pecker:
Former tabloid publisher David Pecker testified about his involvement in 'catch-and-kill' deals during the 2016 campaign. He detailed how he collaborated with Cohen to suppress unfavorable stories about Trump, including arrangements with Karen McDougal and Trump's doorman. Pecker also mentioned a meeting in 2015 where he agreed to monitor negative stories on behalf of the campaign.
Michael Cohen's Role:
Pecker implicated Michael Cohen in the alleged conspiracy, stating that Cohen had been a key intermediary for handling media stories related to Trump since 2007. He described Cohen's involvement in managing negative stories and providing feedback on behalf of Trump during the 2015-2016 campaign period.
These revelations shed light on the intricate dynamics surrounding Trump's efforts to control negative publicity during his presidential campaign, underscoring the complexities of the legal proceedings he currently faces.
