Latest Updates on the Daily Donald Trump Trial – One America News Network
OAN’s Brooke Mallory
UPDATED 12:13 PM – Friday, April 26, 2024
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial in New York City on felony charges pertaining to an alleged 2016 hush money payment to former porno actress Stormy Daniels. It is the first time in history that a former president of the United States has faced criminal prosecution.
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In April of last year, Trump entered a not guilty plea to a 34-count indictment that accused him of allegedly fabricating business records to conceal the repayment of a hush money payment made to Daniels by his former attorney, Michael Cohen.
Thursday, April 25th ►
8:52 A.M.:
David Pecker testified before the court on Tuesday, claiming that he had allegedly promised to act as Trump’s “eyes and ears” in 2015, notifying Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen, of any stories that could harm the candidate’s chances of winning the presidency.
Cohen, who is now a fierce opponent of Trump, is anticipated to be the main witness used by the prosecution against him.
“I said, ‘I would be your eyes and ears,’” Pecker said to the court. “And then I said that anything that I hear in the marketplace, if I hear anything negative about yourself or if I hear anything about women selling stories, I would notify Michael Cohen.”
9:37 A.M.:
The former president stopped to address the cameras as he arrived at the courthouse before going into the courtroom.
He discussed President Biden’s campaign trip at a construction site and blasted the Democrat president while noting the weak economic growth figures that were revealed that morning. Trump also made a quick observation regarding the Supreme Court’s immunity arguments.
“I think that the Supreme Court has a very important argument before it today. I would have loved to have been there, but this judge would not allow that to happen,” Trump said to reporters. “I should be there, but he wouldn’t allow it to happen. I think he puts himself above the Supreme Court, which is unfortunate, isn’t it?”
He then reiterated his argument that previous presidents should be shielded from prosecution at the federal level. Presidents “aren’t going to take any risks, both good and bad,” if not, he stated.
9:51 A.M.:
Chris Conroy, an attorney with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office, informed the judge as the hearing began that Trump had “broken the gag order,” limiting his ability to speak about the parties to the case.
At the defense table, Trump sat impassive, facing forward, while Conroy read the alleged breaches.
Conroy highlighted a question posed to Trump at a campaign rally earlier in the morning about his thoughts on Pecker’s testimony. According to Trump, he was “very nice.”
“I think that the Supreme Court has a very important argument before it today. I would have loved to have been there, but this judge would not allow that to happen,” Trump said to reporters. “I should be there, but he wouldn’t allow it to happen. I think he puts himself above the Supreme Court, which is unfortunate, isn’t it?”
He then reiterated his argument that previous presidents should be shielded from prosecution at the federal level. Presidents “aren’t going to take any risks, both good and bad,” if not, he stated.
10:21 A.M.:
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass had resumed questioning on Tuesday after Pecker returned to the stand, focusing on the second instance of “catch and kill” used to suppress an unfavorable Trump article in 2016. Trump refutes the allegation made by Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model, that she had an affair with him.
Pecker said that McDougal’s lawyer, Keith Davidson, had initially told Dylan Howard, the editor of the National Enquirer, about the story.
