NEW YORK — The tenth day of the New York trial regarding hush money payments linked to former President Donald Trump is poised to begin with a hearing on whether Trump violated a gag order. The session will then proceed with further testimony on the hush money deal involving porn star Stormy Daniels.
Judge Juan Merchan previously found Trump in criminal contempt, citing nine violations. The upcoming hearing, scheduled for 9:30 a.m. EST on Thursday, will address four additional alleged violations, including Trump's recent comment during former tabloid executive David Pecker's testimony: "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 agreements, is set to return to the witness stand at approximately 10 a.m. EST. Davidson represented both women in their agreements to remain silent about alleged affairs with Trump. He began testifying on Tuesday, with Wednesday serving as an off day in the trial. Davidson's testimony has focused on the hush money deals he negotiated for the two women prior to the 2016 presidential election.
During his testimony, Davidson was questioned about text messages he sent during the negotiations that suggested he believed the hush money was intended to benefit Trump's campaign. For example, he texted a tabloid editor negotiating McDougal's deal, jokingly suggesting, "Throw in an ambassadorship for me. I'm thinking Isle of Mann." Davidson stated on the stand that it was a jest, but he also expressed his belief that the deal would support Trump's candidacy.
The gag order prohibits Trump from publicly discussing witness participation in the case or jurors. He is also prohibited from publicly commenting on court and prosecution staff, their families, or the judge's family members. Merchan imposed the gag order on the presumptive Republican presidential nominee due to a history of making "inflammatory" statements that instilled fear in individuals associated with his legal cases and heightened security needs.
The judge cited 16 exhibits submitted by the district attorney's office, including election worker Ruby Freeman's account of receiving death threats and harassment after Trump accused her and her daughter, also an election worker, of tampering with the 2020 presidential election in Georgia.
Trump faces allegations of falsifying business records to conceal unlawful interference in the 2016 election through a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. He has pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors argue that Trump falsified the purpose of checks to his former lawyer and fixer, Michael Cohen, to hide that he was reimbursing Cohen for the hush money, thereby violating federal campaign finance laws. He is facing 34 felony counts, which, if he were convicted on all counts, could theoretically result in decades in prison. However, legal experts suggest that a realistic sentence could range from probation to up to four years in prison.
The incident in Charlotte, where a heavily armed man engaged in a gunfight with police, underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in an environment where gun ownership and violence are increasing. The incident also highlights the broader national debate on policing, gun violence, and public safety.