Former President Donald Trump has been facing questions from reporters regarding the jury and witnesses in his business records trial in Manhattan. However, answering these questions would violate Judge Juan Merchan’s strict gag order and could potentially result in jail time.
Judge Merchan’s gag order prohibits Trump from commenting on prosecutors, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, their staff and family members, Merchan’s family members, as well as trial witnesses and jurors. Despite this, Trump was found in contempt of court for allegedly violating the gag order multiple times and was warned of potential jail time if he continues to do so.
During a recent media interaction, Trump was asked about various witnesses, including Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels, but he chose to ignore the questions. Instead, he criticized the gag order, stating that his constitutional right to free speech is more important than avoiding jail.
Trump also expressed his disdain for Judge Merchan and other New York judges involved in his cases. He called the situation a disgrace and urged the appellate court to intervene. Despite his frustrations, he emphasized the importance of accurate reporting and highlighted the threat to the Constitution posed by the ongoing trial.
In response to additional probing questions from reporters, Trump continued to criticize the gag order as unconstitutional and attacked the trial as unfair. He attributed the situation to political motivations and expressed confidence in the lack of substantial evidence against him.
Furthermore, Stormy Daniels’ testimony in the trial reportedly contained explicit details that drew criticism from Judge Merchan and prompted Trump’s defense team to request a mistrial. However, jurors seemed unaffected by her testimony, with many maintaining straight faces and showing little reaction to the content.
Overall, Trump’s interactions with the media and his comments on the trial highlight his frustrations with the legal proceedings and the limitations imposed by the gag order. Despite facing scrutiny and challenges, he remains steadfast in defending his constitutional rights and expressing his views on the situation.
