The courtroom drama surrounding former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial took a dramatic turn today as a state judge, Juan Merchan, issued a gag order against Trump for violating court rules. The decision came as Keith Davidson, a lawyer representing Stormy Daniels, the porn star involved in a hush-money scandal with Trump, provided gripping testimony.
The judge found Trump in contempt of court for making public statements about witnesses and jurors on his social media accounts. Trump was ordered to take down the offending posts and fined $9,000, with the threat of jail time if he continued to violate the order.
Davidson’s testimony shed light on the negotiations between McDougal and Dylan Howard, a top editor at The National Enquirer, regarding negative stories about Trump during the 2016 campaign. Text messages revealed the pressure applied by Davidson to secure a deal, with Howard eventually agreeing to pay for the story.
As the trial continues, Trump’s behavior in court has been described as muted, with the former president keeping his eyes closed during much of the testimony. Davidson is expected to continue his testimony, with Michael Cohen, Trump’s former fixer, also set to be a key witness for the prosecution.
The case against Trump involves charges of falsifying business records to cover up payments to Daniels, with the former president facing potential probation or prison if convicted. The trial is unprecedented as it marks the first prosecution of a former American president, adding to the high stakes and intense scrutiny surrounding the proceedings.
