Former President Donald Trump’s legal troubles continue as his former attorney, Michael Cohen, takes the stand in a hush money case. The judge presiding over the case has warned prosecutors to rein in Cohen’s taunting social media posts about Trump.
Prosecutors are meticulously building their case ahead of Cohen’s testimony regarding the $130,000 payout to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Defense attorneys, however, argue that Cohen, once a loyalist to Trump who has now turned critic, cannot be trusted and is simply out to get the former president.
Tensions are running high as Trump’s lawyers complain about Cohen’s social media attacks on their client. The judge has admonished prosecutors to ensure that Cohen refrains from making any further statements about the case or about Trump.
The trial is heavily focused on record-keeping and the alleged hush money payments made to influence the 2016 election. Jurors are being tested with dry and technical testimony as the trial progresses.
Former Trump White House aide Madeleine Westerhout has also taken the stand, shedding light on the process by which Trump received and signed checks related to the hush money payments. Westerhout testified that Trump was upset about the publicized hush money deal with Daniels as he knew it would be damaging to his family.
Stormy Daniels’ testimony is expected to be crucial in building the case against Trump and his allies for allegedly burying unflattering stories during the 2016 presidential election. Daniels has provided graphic details of an alleged sexual encounter with Trump during her testimony.
Trump has pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence, claiming victimhood in what has become a politically charged trial. The criminal case against Trump may be the only one to go to trial before the 2024 election, making it a highly significant legal battle for the former president.
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