In a Manhattan courtroom, Judge Juan Merchan found former President Donald Trump in contempt on nine of 10 alleged violations of a gag order preventing him from making public statements about jurors, witnesses, prosecutors, court staff, and their families. Each violation carries a $1,000 fine, totaling $9,000. Merchan warned that further violations could result in jail time. Trump is charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to hide a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. The trial, expected to last six weeks, includes testimony from bank officials and individuals with knowledge of the payment.
On Tuesday, Gary Farro, a former senior managing director at First Republic Bank, detailed how he helped Michael Cohen set up an account to pay Daniels. He testified that Cohen urgently opened an account for Essential Consultants with a home equity line of credit, transferring $131,000 into it within minutes. Farro stated that had he known the purpose of the account, he may not have opened it, as they typically do not associate with the adult film industry. Cohen, convicted of tax fraud and lying to Congress, will also testify in the case.
During the trial, Trump was called out for violating the gag order, requiring him to remove several posts from his Truth Social account and campaign website. The judge warned of possible jail time if Trump persists in disobeying the order. However, Merchan allowed Trump to attend his son’s graduation on May 17, postponing the trial for that day. Trump’s defense attorney, Todd Blanche, cross-examined Farro and raised arguments in court to defend Trump’s actions.
As the trial progresses, Trump has been seen showing discontent with his defense attorney’s approach, desiring a more aggressive stance against witnesses, the jury, and Judge Merchan. Trump’s dissatisfaction with Blanche’s handling of the case has raised concerns about the attorney’s ability to balance Trump’s demands with legal strategies. The former president’s behavior and criticisms reflect a turbulent dynamic within the legal team representing him in the high-profile trial focused on financial misconduct.
In the courtroom, Trump and the jury largely avoid eye contact, a positive indication of the jurors’ impartiality and commitment to judging the case based solely on evidence. Outside the courtroom, Trump continues to express dissatisfaction with the trial, calling it a disgraceful case that should not have been brought against him. Despite his public statements, the trial proceeds as the prosecution presents more evidence related to the hush money payment and seeks Trump’s accountability for his alleged involvement in business record falsification.
The third week of Trump’s trial sees witnesses like Farro testifying about the financial aspects of the hush money payment and the orchestration of the scheme involving Cohen. Still, the focus remains on Trump’s conduct and adherence to the gag order, leading to potential fines and even jail time if he does not comply with court orders. As Judge Merchan deliberates on Trump’s violations of the gag order, the trial continues to unfold, shedding light on the intricacies of the case and the legal battles facing the former president in the Manhattan courtroom.
