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Former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial has wrapped up its second week.
Trump, the first former president to be tried on criminal charges, is facing 34 counts connected to his alleged attempts to hide $130,000 in hush money payments made in 2016 to conceal claims of an extramarital affair with adult film actor Stormy Daniels.
The presumptive Republican presidential nominee is represented by Todd Blanche and Susan Necheles. The prosecution is led by Susan Hoffinger and Joshua Steinglass, who were selected by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to argue the case. Judge Juan Merchan is presiding.
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Also present during opening statements was Matthew Colangelo, a lawyer from Bragg’s office, who detailed a “catch and kill” scheme allegedly greenlighted by Trump. In one such scheme, he said, Trump attempted to cover up an alleged affair with Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal.
“When it came time to pay Michael Cohen back for the catch and kill deal, you’ll see he didn’t negotiate it down. He doubled it,” Colangelo said.
Trump’s former attorney, Michael Cohen — who served a jail sentence over his role in facilitating the payments — is expected to testify, as is Daniels.
Follow along with live updates below:
Prosecutors' Opening Statement Continues
Colangelo is outlining the broad strokes of the case, beginning with an alleged 2015 Trump Tower meeting between Trump, Cohen and AMI CEO David Pecker, who was publishing the National Enquirer tabloid at the time.
"Those three men formed a conspiracy at that meeting to influence the presidential election by concealing negative information about Trump in order to help him get elected,” Colangelo said.
The meeting allegedly resulted in three decisions: that Pecker would act as the “eyes and ears” for the Trump campaign, that he would use his publications to push flattering stories about Trump, and that he would also use them to attack Trump’s political enemies.
“As the man in charge of AMI, Pecker had the ultimate say over publication decisions,” Colangelo said, noting that Trump’s team was allowed to review stories before they were published and have a say in any accompanying illustrations. He also explained the concept of "catch and kill," wherein publishers buy damaging information from a source in order to prevent its release.
"Those three men formed a conspiracy at that meeting to influence the presidential election by concealing negative information about Trump in order to help him get elected,” Colangelo said.
The meeting allegedly resulted in three decisions: that Pecker would act as the “eyes and ears” for the Trump campaign, that he would use his publications to push flattering stories about Trump, and that he would also use them to attack Trump’s political enemies.
“As the man in charge of AMI, Pecker had the ultimate say over publication decisions,” Colangelo said, noting that Trump’s team was allowed to review stories before they were published and have a say in any accompanying illustrations. He also explained the concept of "catch and kill," wherein publishers buy damaging information from a source in order to prevent its release.
Opening Statements Begin
“The defendant, Donald Trump, orchestrated a criminal scheme to disrupt the 2016 presidential election,” prosecuting attorney Matthew Colangelo told the jurors, adding that Trump then lied about it “over and over and over again.”
Jurors Can Only Tell Family, Employers That They Are On The Jury
The jurors are not permitted to discuss anything relating to the case with their family, friends, employers or others. They can only reveal the basic fact that they are on the jury. Merchan told them to report directly to him if anyone tries to influence their opinion in the case.
Lawyers Can't Comment On Witnesses' Testimony, Judge Says
Judge Merchan said lawyers won't be allowed to comment on the testimony of witnesses during the trial, according to CNN.
"That happens on TV and in the movies, that does not happen in real trials," he said.
Meanwhile, HuffPost's Sara Boboltz reports the 12 jurors are giving Merchan their full attention, with some looking somber.
"That happens on TV and in the movies, that does not happen in real trials," he said.
Meanwhile, HuffPost's Sara Boboltz reports the 12 jurors are giving Merchan their full attention, with some looking somber.
Jury Takes Their Seats
The 12 members of the jury have taken their seats ahead of the start of opening arguments. Judge Merchan is providing them with instructions around the basic tenets of the criminal justice system, including explaining that the burden of proof lies with the prosecutors.
Judge Allows Some Of Trump's Past Legal Issues To Come Up In Trial
The judge said that, if Trump testifies in the trial, the prosecution will be allowed to tell the jury about four past legal entanglements that ended poorly for Trump in order to impeach his credibility.
They will be able to bring up the February verdict finding that Trump fraudulently stated the value of his assets for economic benefit, including two instances in that case in which Trump was fined a total of $15,000 for violating a court order by attacking the judge’s law clerk.
Prosecutors can also bring up the outcome of two defamation-related cases brought by the writer E. Jean Carroll, and a 2018 order dissolving the Donald J. Trump Foundation, the former president's charitable organization, over fraud claims.
They will be able to bring up the February verdict finding that Trump fraudulently stated the value of his assets for economic benefit, including two instances in that case in which Trump was fined a total of $15,000 for violating a court order by attacking the judge’s law clerk.
Prosecutors can also bring up the outcome of two defamation-related cases brought by the writer E. Jean Carroll, and a 2018 order dissolving the Donald J. Trump Foundation, the former president's charitable organization, over fraud claims.
Yuki Iwamura/Pool via Associated Press
See Trump Seated Inside The Courtroom
Trump posed for photographers after taking his seat inside the courtroom.
Brendan McDermid/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Trump Lashes Out At New York AG Letitia James Ahead Of Trial Start
Ahead of entering the courtroom, Trump spoke to the cameras, lashing out at New York Attorney General Letitia James, who has brought a separate civil trial against the former president. Trump deemed her responsible for what he described as business leaving the state.
"Nobody is gonna be listening or coming to New York anymore. Businesses are gonna be fleeing because people are treated so badly,” Trump said.
He continued: “It’s got to be the most unfriendly place to do business and that’s why businesses are leaving and people are leaving.”
Meanwhile, Trump ignored shouted questions from reporters on topics including his wife’s whereabouts, whether he plans to take the witness stand and whether he is stressed about the prospect of getting convicted in the case.
"Nobody is gonna be listening or coming to New York anymore. Businesses are gonna be fleeing because people are treated so badly,” Trump said.
He continued: “It’s got to be the most unfriendly place to do business and that’s why businesses are leaving and people are leaving.”
Meanwhile, Trump ignored shouted questions from reporters on topics including his wife’s whereabouts, whether he plans to take the witness stand and whether he is stressed about the prospect of getting convicted in the case.
Another Juror Voices Concerns About Media Attention
Merchan said that a juror contacted the court over the weekend to express concerns about the level of media attention the trial has elicited, echoing the concerns heard from certain prospective jurors during proceedings last week. The judge confirmed that she would continue serving.
Opening Statements Will Be Roughly 1 Hour Total
Prosecutors told Merchan they need about 40 minutes to make their opening statements. The defense said they need about 25 minutes.
Donald Trump Arrives For Opening Statements
The former president is now seated in the courtroom and chatting intermittently with his attorneys.
Stefan Jeremiah via Associated Press
Trump Claims His Supporters Aren't Allowed To Protest Outside Court
In a series of posts on his Truth Social account, the former president claimed it was "SO UNFAIR" his supporters couldn't gather outside the courthouse to protest his prosecution as students at Columbia University held pro-Palestinian protests over the weekend calling for a cease-fire in the Gaza war.
"But why aren’t Country Loving Republicans allowed to peacefully protest around the Courthouse, where I am right now. It’s like an armed camp. MAGA2024!" Trump wrote.
"But why aren’t Country Loving Republicans allowed to peacefully protest around the Courthouse, where I am right now. It’s like an armed camp. MAGA2024!" Trump wrote.
The First Witness Set To Testify In The Trial
David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, is the first witness the prosecution is planning to call to the stand, The New York Times reported.
Pecker oversaw the purchase of several potentially damaging stories on Trump in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election. Prosecutors will ask Pecker about conversations he had with Trump about hush money payments, according to the NYT.
Pecker oversaw the purchase of several potentially damaging stories on Trump in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election. Prosecutors will ask Pecker about conversations he had with Trump about hush money payments, according to the NYT.
Trump Forced To Cancel Weekend Rally Due To A Storm
The former president was forced to cancel his first planned rally since the start of his criminal trial over dangerous weather conditions in North Carolina.
As Bill Barrow of The Associated Press writes, "The cancellation denied Trump a fresh chance to amplify claims that his multiple pending indictments are an establishment conspiracy to take him down — and, by extension, squelch the voters who first elected him eight years ago."
You can read more from the story here.
As Bill Barrow of The Associated Press writes, "The cancellation denied Trump a fresh chance to amplify claims that his multiple pending indictments are an establishment conspiracy to take him down — and, by extension, squelch the voters who first elected him eight years ago."
You can read more from the story here.
MSNBC Analyst Claims Trump Was Asleep In Court
Courtroom observers will surely be watching Trump this week to see if he appears to be asleep, as some reported last week.
"I was in the courtroom. I saw him falling asleep," MSNBC analyst Jonathan Alter told the network’s Ayman Mohyeldin. "This is not 'reportedly.’ This actually happened."
HuffPost's reporter noticed that Trump's eyes were closed at certain points but couldn't confirm if he was actually asleep.
"I was in the courtroom. I saw him falling asleep," MSNBC analyst Jonathan Alter told the network’s Ayman Mohyeldin. "This is not 'reportedly.’ This actually happened."
HuffPost's reporter noticed that Trump's eyes were closed at certain points but couldn't confirm if he was actually asleep.
Melania Trump Resurfaces With Sales Pitch
Former first lady Melania Trump hasn't appeared with her husband during his legal proceedings.
But she did attend a political event over the weekend, and has emerged on social media trying to sell a $245 necklace for Mother's Day that features her signature.
But she did attend a political event over the weekend, and has emerged on social media trying to sell a $245 necklace for Mother's Day that features her signature.
Trump Heads To The Courthouse
CNN showed images of Trump departing his residence at Trump Tower for the courtroom.
Trump Takes To Truth Social Ahead Of Week 2
Trump finished off his weekend by complaining about Alvin Bragg on Truth Social, calling him a "Corrupt Soros Funded District Attorney" who "has totally lost control of Violent Crime in New York."
Early Monday morning, he appeared to encourage MAGA fans to protest "at the front steps of Courthouses, all over the Country." He claimed that "Palestinian protesters, and even rioters" are allowed to "basically do whatever they want."
Early Monday morning, he appeared to encourage MAGA fans to protest "at the front steps of Courthouses, all over the Country." He claimed that "Palestinian protesters, and even rioters" are allowed to "basically do whatever they want."
Stay Tuned For Updates From Week 2
We'll be blogging Trump's trial as soon as court is underway.
Catch up on last week's proceedings here:
Catch up on last week's proceedings here:
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