NEW YORK — The tenth day of Donald Trump's New York hush money trial is scheduled to begin with a hearing regarding whether the former president has once again violated a gag order, followed by further testimony concerning the hush money deal involving porn star Stormy Daniels.
Judge Juan Merchan previously found Trump in criminal contempt, concluding that Trump had committed nine violations. The 9:30 a.m. EST hearing on Thursday will focus on four additional alleged violations, including Trump's comment during the testimony of former tabloid executive David Pecker: "He's been very nice. I mean, he's been — David's been very nice. A nice guy."
Keith Davidson, the former lawyer for both Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal in their hush money deals, is set to take the witness stand again at about 10 a.m. EST. Davidson represented Daniels and McDougal in deals to keep quiet about alleged affairs with Trump. He began testifying on Tuesday, before a day off in the trial on Wednesday, about the hush money deals he negotiated for the two women ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Davidson was questioned about text messages he sent during the negotiations that indicated he believed the hush money was aimed at benefiting Trump's campaign. "Throw in an ambassadorship for me. I'm thinking Isle of Mann," he texted a tabloid editor while negotiating McDougal's deal. Davidson stated on the stand that it was a joke, but also expressed his belief that the deal would assist Trump's candidacy.
The gag order prohibits Trump from publicly commenting on witness participation in the case, or on jurors. He is also prohibited from making public comments about court and prosecution staff, their family members, or the family members of the judge. In imposing the gag order on the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, Merchan cited a history of Trump making "inflammatory" statements that created fear in people connected to his legal cases and increased security needs.
The judge referenced 16 exhibits submitted by Bragg's office, including election worker Ruby Freeman describing death threats and harassment she faced after Trump accused her and her daughter – also an election worker – of tampering with the 2020 presidential election in Georgia.
Trump ally Rudy Giuliani is appealing a $148 million jury verdict against him for intentionally inflicting emotional distress on the mother-daughter pair and defaming them through his own attacks on their election work. – Aysha Bagchi
What is Trump on trial for? Trump is accused of falsifying business records to cover up unlawful interference in the 2016 election through a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. He has pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors say Trump falsified the purpose of checks to his former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, to conceal that he was reimbursing Cohen for paying the hush money and thereby violating federal campaign finance laws. He is facing 34 felony counts. – Aysha Bagchi The 34 felony counts could theoretically send Trump to prison for decades, but several legal experts told USA TODAY a realistic sentence – if Trump were convicted on all counts – ranges from just probation to up to four years in prison.