Former president Donald Trump’s hush money trial began Monday, marking the first time an ex-president has been tried on criminal charges.
The presumptive Republican presidential nominee is charged with 34 felony counts related to his alleged efforts to conceal $130,000 in hush money payments made in 2016 to silence claims he had an extramarital affair with adult film star Stormy Daniels. Prosecutors are expected to link the case to allegations of a “catch and kill” scheme to bury other negative stories about Trump before the election.
Trump is represented by Todd Blanche and Susan Necheles, two experienced New York attorneys hand-picked by the former president for this particular case.
Blanche left a career at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft to start a firm and represent Trump, while Necheles has experience representing the Trump Organization in the past, according to The Washington Post.
Across from Trump’s team are Susan Hoffinger and Joshua Steinglass, chosen by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to lead the prosecution. Steinglass has experience prosecuting high-profile murder cases and will question witnesses and give closing arguments.
Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen, who served jail time on campaign finance charges related to his role in facilitating the payments, is expected to testify, as is Daniels. Judge Juan Merchan is presiding.
On Thursday, Merchan announced that 12 jurors had been selected, and the case will move forward.
Follow along for live updates from the trial:
This Blog Has Closed. Come Follow Week 2 With Us.
Court Has Adjourned
Sandoval Hearing Concludes -- And Witness List Drama Continues
In a separate conversation, prosecutors said they'd provide on Sunday the name of the one witness expected to begin testifying Monday. But they cautioned that if Trump posts anything about it on social media, they will cease any similar future cooperation.
Judge Warns Trump Attorneys They Need To Accept His Decisions
“My rulings are what they are. I’ve entertained your motions, I’ve entertained your arguments in good faith,” he said.
“We’re going to have opening statements on Monday morning. This trial is starting.”
Day 4 Of Trump’s First Criminal Trial Is Over. Here’s What Happened Today.
- We have a jury! After a handful of setbacks and an exhaustive scrutinizing of prospective jurors’ past social media posts by defense attorneys, a jury of 12, plus 6 alternates, has been seated.
- Judge Merchan expects opening statements will begin Monday.
- Lawyers wrangled over what topics and questions will be fair game to mention during the trial in what’s known as a “Sandoval Hearing.” Prosecutors want to highlight the former president’s past legal battles, including his recent loss in a high-profile civil fraud trial, as a means to undermine the veracity of his claims.
Trump Attorneys: Jurors Shouldn't Learn About Lawsuits He Recently Lost
Regarding the civil fraud case, Bove used the fact that Trump’s bond amount was lowered from almost half a billion dollars to $175 million as reason to doubt the merits of the judgment against him, which a lawyer for the prosecution disputed. Bove also indirectly suggested the prosecution wants to turn the trial into an opportunity to accuse Trump of sexual misconduct.
“This is a case about documents,” Bove said. Getting into the details of the Carroll case in particular, Merchan said, “would be having another trial within a trial, and we’re not going to do that.” Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo said the facts would only be discussed to the extent needed to explain the verdict regarding Carroll.
"You'll have a decision by tomorrow," Merchan told the parties.
Sandoval Hearing Begins
Court Will Resume With A Sandoval Hearing After Lunch. Here’s What That Is.
The Manhattan DA’s office has previously hinted at focusing on the former president’s prior legal problems as a means to discredit his testimony in the trial.
Man Sets Himself On Fire Outside Courthouse
Commentators on Fox News could be heard shouting for a fire extinguisher.
"We deeply apologize for what has happened," the reporter said after footage of the man on fire aired live, noting people were putting jackets over the man to extinguish the flames.
HuffPost's Sara Boboltz, who is inside the courthouse, reported hearing sirens.
It's unclear if the incident is related to Trump's trial.
12 Jurors And 6 Alternates Have Been Chosen
They have all been sworn in.
2 Men Struck For ‘Anti-Trump’ Posts: ‘I Do Believe That He Actually Is The Devil'
Another prospect, a retired teacher with a strong New York accent, was also brought in individually to face questioning over past social media posts from around the time Trump entered the White House. He had posted photos of what he described at the time as an “anti-Trump” rally outside the United Nations building. “Great signs, I love New York,” the man wrote. In court, he said he considered it more of a rally for women’s rights and that he photographed it because it was right by his apartment.
Merchan said that the court has “worked too hard to get the case too far to jeopardize it now,” and granted the defense's request to strike him for cause.
All Alternate Jurors Selected For Trump Hush Money Trial
Another Alternate Juror Has Been Added
Trump Attorney Conflates Women’s March With Anti-Trump Rally, Gets Pushback
"There was a lot of anger at that march toward President Trump," said Necheles.
"I believe it was more about women's solidarity," the juror replied, adding, "This is a little embarrassing but I'm not exactly sure what Trump's policies are.”
Asked if she dislikes Trump’s rhetoric, the juror answered, “I don’t know what his rhetoric is.”
The juror clarified that she doesn’t have a bias against Trump, whom she doesn’t know much about, but said she’s wary of how he riles up his supporters.
“I think his rhetoric at times enables people to feel as if they have permission to discriminate or act on their negative impulses," she said, per a pool report. “I think that is an issue for me in the ballot box I will have to deal with, not within the courtroom.”
Another Potential Juror Excused For ‘Anxiety’
The woman was then excused. Necheles used part of her allotted time to recycle her veiled swipe at Michael Cohen, asking the group whether they could possibly trust someone who has “changed their story repeatedly.”
Prospective Juror Breaks Down Over Possibly Being On Trump’s Jury
During questioning, however, a young woman became emotional, telling the court, “I feel so nervous and anxious right now. I’m sorry. I thought I could do this.”
She suggested she would not want someone who felt as she did to judge her in court, and hoped that she was not wasting the court’s time.
“This is so much more stressful than I thought it was going to be,” she said through tears. Merchan excused her.
Trump Has No Comment On New Taylor Swift Album
19 Potential Jurors Answer Questionnaire Before Morning Break
They included a mother from Spain who said she doesn’t “believe in watching news;” a chef who said he has followed the White House Instagram account for years; a native New Yorker who works in accounting; a mother who takes her children to Rubik’s cube speed-solving competitions; a Midwest transplant who read “The Art of the Deal” when considering a real estate career; a Texas native working in fashion; and a woman who said she was fine with the time commitment “so long as we get to eat.”
A young lawyer said she used to practice boxing but had to stop because “black eyes are frowned upon in offices,” and now uses her spare time to watch TV on her couch.
“I do whatever my kids want me to do in my spare time,” said another potential juror, a divorcee who likes true crime podcasts.
Three other women were excused after realizing they could not be fair.
Merchan called the woman who had been to prison back to explain that she was not eligible for the jury due to a technicality, and praised her bravery for sharing such personal information.
“Good luck,” the woman told the judge as she exited.
Next up is voir dire, when the lawyers have a chance to ask direct questions of individual prospects.
Potential Juror's Emotional Story Gets Trump’s Attention
“It was over 10 years ago, but you guys keep calling me back for jury,” said the woman, a mother and grandmother. Merchan asked her to approach the bench to explain her situation privately but did not excuse her.
“I apologize for crying,” she said once back in the jury box. Later she stated that she does not watch the news, and is “a firm believer that when people do something they should be accountable for their actions.
“It’s probably due to what I went though,” she said.
Potential Jurors’ Odd Links To Trump Trial
Another potential juror, a man, said he had a friend who worked as a court officer for the New York State Supreme Court and who may be in the room for the Trump trial.
Third Person Excused After Deciding They Can't Be Fair
Judge Merchan Says They’re Working On The Temperature
"We're also still working on the temperature in the courtroom," he said. Merchan had been a bit more dismissive yesterday, fearing the courtroom might get too warm.
Biden's Schedule During Day 4 Of Trump's Trial
Trump Seated Inside The Courtroom For Day 4 Of His Trial
Trump Rests Eyes, Perks Up When He Hears Title Of His Book
However, when the woman said, "I might have read 'Art of the Deal' when I was younger,” Trump’s focus quickly snapped back to the proceedings, turning to look at the speaker.
Later, another potential juror was excused after she said she ultimately decided she could not be fair and impartial in the trial.
Potential Trump Juror Asks For Excusal, Citing Media Attention
“I have really bad anxiety … and I think I might not be able to be completely fair and impartial,” she told the judge. She said that she anticipated being distracted "the more days this goes on, and the more people in my life know that I’m here without me even telling them, just putting the pieces together."
Merchan granted her request.
Trump Calls For Presidential Immunity In Back-To-Back Posts
“If a President does not have Immunity, the Opposing Party, during his/her term in Office, can extort and blackmail the President by saying that, ‘if you don’t give us everything we want, we will Indict you for things you did while in Office,’ even if everything done was totally Legal and Appropriate,” Trump wrote. “That would be the end of the Presidency, and our Country, as we know it, and is just one of the many Traps there would be for a President without Presidential Immunity. Obama, Bush, and soon, Crooked Joe Biden, would all be in BIG TROUBLE.”
Next week, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in the case concerning whether Trump should have presidential immunity over his actions prior to and during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection.
Trump Is Seated In The Courtroom
He shuffled through a stack of papers on his table, and started speaking with Blanche.
Trump Enters Courthouse With The Same List Of Complaints
"I have to be released of the gag order. They’re taking away my constitutional rights to speak. And that includes speaking to you," Trump said to reporters. "I have a lot to say to you, and I'm not allowed to say it. And I'm the only one. Everyone else can say whatever they want about me. They can say anything they want." Merchan put Trump under a gag order so that his verbal attacks do not intimidate witnesses or taint the trial.
It is still quite chilly in the courthouse.
Donald Trump Laments He’s ‘Supposed’ To Be Elsewhere During Criminal Trial
He held out a stack of printed news stories, calling the charges “ridiculous” and saying “legal experts” in all of them had said there is no case against him.
“This country is devolving into a third world country, between having no borders, having no justice,” Trump said. “We have no justice and having a press that doesn't want to cover the facts."
Trump’s Social Media Posts About Witnesses Come Back To Bite Him
“Mr Trump has been tweeting about the witnesses. We’re not telling them who the witnesses are,” Steinglass told the court in response to Blanche’s request, according to a pool report.
Judge Merchan said he “can’t blame them.”
After Blanche then pledged that Trump will not post about any witnesses, the judge responded, “I don’t think you can make that representation.”
The interaction ended without any sharing of witness lists.
New Jurors Add To Cross-Section Of Manhattanites
Judge: ‘We Have Our Jury’
“We have our jury. Let’s pick our alternates,” Merchan announced, pushing the process forward. One alternate was then selected; five more are needed.
All of the chosen jurors have now been sworn in.
Juror Struck For ‘Vitriolic’ Anti-Trump Social Media Posts
“Oops, that sounds bad,” the woman joked when faced with the first of her posts, which she said she did not recall writing. She agreed they were strong sentiments, and understood the defense attorneys’ concerns.
“I do feel that I was in a disturbed frame of mind during that election cycle. I was very concerned. I do not hold those positions today,” she said. The woman said earlier that since the COVID-19 pandemic, her views on politics have tempered. “At my core believe that everybody is entitled a fair trial … we can all be accused of things,” she said.
Merchan agreed it would be best not to "take a chance" on her, although he said it was a "close call." Other jurors who have been struck so far include the lawyer who said she has discussed the case extensively with her colleagues, a woman with a child who works on Capitol Hill and a woman who said she once stayed at Necheles’ house around 15 years ago.
Today Is Day 4 Of Trump’s Hush Money Trial. Here’s What Happened Yesterday.
- The jury is set. A total of 12 people have been chosen to serve on Trump's jury. Several alternate jurors have been selected, and it appears likely that opening statements will begin Monday.
- Two empaneled jurors were removed from the jury: One who had doubts about her ability to be impartial, and another who was accused of lying on their questionnaire. An additional two were added to replace them.
- It’s cold in the courtroom. Nobody’s happy about it, including Trump — who audibly complained about “freezing” on Thursday. Trump’s lawyer requested it be adjusted “just one degree,” but an apologetic Merchan said the room is better slightly chilly than sweltering, so the thermostat remains untouched.
- Prosecutors accused Trump of violating a gag order 7 more times, bringing the total to 10. Merchan scheduled a hearing on the matter for next Tuesday.
- If there is time today after alternate juror selection, Merchan said he would hold what is known as a Sandoval hearing. It's a common process in which the prosecutors will ask permission to tell jurors about Trump's past legal troubles.
We’re Back To 7 Empaneled Jurors In Trump's Hush Money Trials
The two newbies are an investment banker who said he sometimes sees Trump’s Truth Social posts, and a transplant from California who works as a security engineer. Both are married men.
Trump Says He's ‘Freezing’ In The Courtroom
The complaint echoes that of his lawyer, who asked earlier today if the temperature could be adjusted. Merchan denied the request on account of it likely then becoming much too hot in the room.
Judge Swears In Third Batch Of Potential Jurors
A reporter observed one prospective juror turn to her seatmate with a wide-eyed look after sitting down.
Potential Juror On Trump: ‘I Don’t Like His Persona’
When asked to elaborate, she said, “He seems very selfish and self-serving and I don’t really appreciate that in any public servant.”
Others people expressed similar thoughts.
“Sometimes the way he may carry himself in public leaves something to be desired,” another female potential juror said. “At the same time, I see him speak to a lot of people in America, and I think there’s something to be said for that.” She added that her family members came from countries with “totalitarian” leaders, and appreciated the importance of a fair trial.
All of the potential jurors told Necheles they were capable of returning a not guilty verdict, pending the evidence. Trump wore a stern look with his arms folded over his chest during much of his attorney's questioning.
Potential Juror Recalls Seeing Trump Shop For ‘Baby Stuff’ With Marla Maples
“I’m born and raised in Brooklyn and New York, and I’ve kind of spent my whole life knowing about Donald Trump. I once saw him and Marla Maples shopping at ABC Homes, shopping for baby stuff. I had a cousin who lived in Trump Tower,” she said. Maples is the mother of Trump's younger daughter, Tiffany.
Another lifelong New Yorker said that while he did not have strong feelings on Trump, he appreciated one thing about him: “As a wannabe hockey player, I still thank him for fixing that Wollman Rink that nobody couldn’t fix." Trump's company formerly managed the rink in Central Park through a contract with the city.
Trump's Defense Attorney Takes Veiled Swipe At Michael Cohen
She then took a swipe at expected witness Michael Cohen, without using his name, suggesting that someone who wrote a book titled “Revenge” (as Cohen did in 2022) might not be trustworthy.
Potential Jurors Asked To Confirm They Can Find Trump Guilty
Prosecutor Recycles Hitman Analogy Over Trump Lawyer’s Objection
“Overruled,” Merchan said when an attorney from Trump’s team tried to object, allowing Steinglass to continue.
A woman who said she does not watch the news replied, "I fully believe that I can follow the judge’s instructions and I understand the examples, which was helpful, because I’m not very well-versed in the legal world."
Trump has been watching the potential jurors intently.
Potential Juror: ‘I Have Opinions’ But Can Put Them Aside
The group also includes a theater lover who has served on three other juries, a Las Vegas native who said his father “was raised with Harry Reid" (the late senator from Nevada), a young woman with an English accent and an Ohio native who doesn’t really “follow the news” (but will read The New York Times), among others.
Dismissed Juror Didn’t Agree With His Dismissal From Trump Hush Money Trial
The man, who declined to give a name, nodded affirmatively when a New York Times reporter asked if he thought he could be unbiased, and said “nope” when asked if he thought he should have been dismissed.
Prosecutors said earlier in the day that they believed the man’s wife had once been arrested in the 1990s — suggesting that the juror may have lied on question 19, about knowing anybody who had been arrested or charged with a crime.
Prospective Juror Dismissed After Comparing Trump To Another Problematic Figure
The juror, who said that he was born and raised in Italy, expressed he has “very strong associations between Mr. Trump and Silvio Berlusconi,” a comparison he added has been amplified by the Italian media. The man said such a comparison would make it difficult for him to be fair and impartial.
Berlusconi was a billionaire media mogul who used his status and wealth to launch his political career, becoming Italy’s longest-serving premier despite multiple scandals and allegations of corruption. Facing several criminal cases, only one led to a conviction: a tax fraud case. He died last year of complications from leukemia.
Trump’s Lawyer Is Cold
Merchan concedes that it is indeed cold in the room but doesn't want to adjust the thermostat, which is apparently not very precise and could overcorrect.
“It is cold, there’s no question it is cold, but I’d rather be a little cold than sweaty, and really those are the choices,” said the judge, according to a pool report. “I agree with you it’s chilly, no question.”
Another Juror Is Excused, Leaving Just 5
After a lengthy discussion with Merchan and attorneys for both sides, the juror whose questionnaire response was thought to be untruthful was dismissed. It is not clear whether the dismissal came as a result of the questionnaire or as a result of the man’s apparent annoyance at the media attention he has received, or for a different reason. A woman was dismissed in the morning after changing her mind about her ability to remain unbiased; she also cited the media attention she has received.
Lawyers Hear From Juror Who May Have Lied On Questionnaire
Prosecutors said earlier in the day that they believed the man’s wife had once been arrested in the 1990s — suggesting that the juror may have lied on question 19, about knowing anybody who had been arrested or charged with a crime.
He had arrived late to court so could not be questioned immediately. The man appeared animated as he spoke with attorneys for both sides in front of Merchan, who remained stern. Something the juror said prompted laughter. Merchan ordered the juror's responses be sealed, saying the information he shared was very personal and he was already surprised by how much information had been shared about him.
"I don't want to overstate it or understate it, but he expressed annoyance," Merchan said of the man.
Nine Potential Jurors Finish Questionnaire Without Immediate Excusal
One was a lawyer who said she has discussed the details of the hush money case “extensively” with her boss and colleagues, in addition to having read a book published by an attorney who worked on the case, Mark Pomerantz. She said somewhat reluctantly that she could still be fair and impartial.
A middle-aged native New Yorker said he liked seeing the Yankees and the Rangers play and that he only ever read the New York Daily News and the New York Post. He said he still uses a flip phone, “therefore I do not watch any podcasts.”
The others include a retired widow who likes to garden, a hedge fund manager, an investment banker, a woman in publishing and a retired man originally from Lebanon.
Dismissed Juror: Trump Looks 'Yellow,' 'Bored'
"You know, he looked less orange, definitely like more yellowish, like yellow,” said the juror, only identified as Kat.
She added that he didn’t look as “angry” as she thought he might be.
“I think he looks bored,” she said. “Like he wants this to finish and go do his stuff.”
Trump Uses Phone, Gets Busted By His Own Attorney
HuffPost’s Sara Boboltz, who’s in the courthouse, clarified that Trump appeared to take a call before Merchan entered the room.
Trump Met With Polish President Wednesday, Visited A Bodega Tuesday Night
Duda, a right-wing populist who once proposed renaming a military base in Poland “Fort Trump,” is the latest foreign leader to visit the former president in recent months. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, an autocrat who’s embraced Vladimir Putin, visited Trump in March.
After court Tuesday, Trump visited Sanaa Convenient Store, a small Harlem bodega where a man was stabbed to death in July 2022.
Trump seized on the murder to criticize Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who’s prosecuting him in the hush money trial. Bragg declined to bring charges in the bodega stabbing because the DA’s office couldn’t prove the murderer hadn’t acted in self-defense.
Trump Stares At Potential Jurors Who Are Excused From Consideration For Bias
In all, 48 people said they could not be fair. Another nine people were excused for other reasons, such as scheduling conflicts, health issues or the like.
Veracity Of Chosen Juror’s Statements Called Into Question
The parties agreed to wait for the juror to arrive so they could ask him to explain. He was late to court.
Day 3 Of Trump’s Hush Money Trial Is Underway. Here’s What You Need To Know.
- Trump did not answer reporters’ questions as he made his way into the courtroom.
- One of the jurors already selected to sit on the panel said she no longer wanted to take part in the proceeding, citing concerns over her personal information being made public.
- In response to the juror’s concerns, the judge ordered that jurors’ employment be redacted from the record and asked the press to not report that information.
- Prosecutors want Trump to be disciplined for repeatedly violating his gag order, but Merchan said he would speak to that next week.
Fresh Batch Of Potential Jurors Streams Into Courtroom
Prosecutors Implore Judge To Rule On Trump’s Alleged Gag Order Violations
Merchan said he would address the gag order issue on Tuesday at a previously scheduled hearing.
Trump Takes His Seat For Day 3 Of Trial
Female Juror Selected Earlier In Week Is Excused After Voicing Doubts
“I definitely have concerns now,” she told the court. “I don’t believe at this point that I can be fair and unbiased and not let outside influence affect my decision-making.”
Merchan then admonished the press for reporting information that made it “very, very easy for anyone to identify who the jurors are.”
“I’m directing that the press refrain from writing about anything that you observe with your eyes and hear with your ears that’s not on the record. We just lost what probably would have been a very good juror for this case and the first thing that she said was she was afraid and intimidated by the press,” the judge said.
He then ordered the potential jurors’ employers to be redacted from the record, although the potential jurors will be allowed to answer that part of the questionnaire.
Trump Arrives In Court For Day 3 Of Jury Selection
He took no questions on his way in.
Hush Money Trial Day Three Begins, Jury Selection Continues
So far seven jurors have been selected. There's five more to go, plus six alternates.
Since he was last in court Tuesday, Trump has railed against the jury selection process and the trial as a whole on his social media site Truth Social.
Prosecutors Want To Bring Up (Some Of) Trump’s Past Legal Problems
Among the cases prosecutors want to bring into the trial are Trump’s recent civil fraud case and the defamation cases brought by the writer E. Jean Carroll, which resulted in $464 million and $88 million judgments levied against him, respectively. They also want to bring up the case in which the Trump Organization was found to have dodged taxes by providing executives — like ex-CFO Allen Weisselberg — non-cash compensation, and a case where Trump's charity was found to have misused donations.
Merchan will decide whether these cases are too prejudicial to bring up in front of the jurors — meaning the request could be denied if it would unnecessarily tip the scales in the prosecution’s favor. Attorneys and judges regularly discuss what can be brought up in front of the jury panel during a criminal trial.
Trump Whines About Routine Part Of Jury Selection
“I thought STRIKES were supposed to be 'unlimited' when we were picking our jury? I was then told we only had 10, not nearly enough when we were purposely given the 2nd Worst Venue in the Country," Trump wrote. "Don’t worry, we have the First Worst also, as the Witch Hunt continues! ELECTION INTERFERENCE!”
While each side can object as much as they like, in theory, to a juror’s ability to be fair and impartial in the case and allow the judge to make the final call, they only have a set number of passes to wield without having to explain themselves. The prosecution team also has 10 preemptory strikes, and the same rules apply. If the attorneys were allowed unlimited strikes, jury selection might never end.
Day 2 Of Trump's Hush Money Trial Is Finished. Here's What Happened.
- Seven jurors have been seated with five more to go (and six alternates) in a process that’s become a bit of a slog. Trump’s attorneys combed through prospective jurors’ social media posts and those of their family members, at one point calling out a bad political joke from 2016.
- One such juror was dismissed for sharing a video of celebration in the streets after Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election.
- Another juror was dismissed for celebrating when Trump’s travel ban targeting Muslim-majority countries was deemed unlawful.
- Judge Merchan sternly admonished Trump for speaking under his breath and gesturing at a potential juror, telling the former president, “I won’t tolerate that. I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom. I want to make that crystal clear.”
- Court will not be in session Wednesday but will resume Thursday.
7th Juror Is Added, Judge Hopes To Begin Opening Arguments Monday
A seventh juror was also selected: A married civil litigator who likes spending time outside with his kids, and noted that he listens to the "Smartless" and "Car Talk" podcasts.
Prospective Juror Talks Of Personal Link To ‘Central Park Five’
When a prospective juror who said he grew up on the Upper West Side was asked what he thought of Trump as a native New Yorker, he replied, “Oh boy.”
"Here we go. Going back to Central Park, I knew some of the kids, their cousins,” said the juror, an older Black man who once held jobs in law enforcement. He said that he understood how a person could purchase space in a publication to run whatever they wanted, though, as Trump did.
The man also spoke admiringly of Trump at one point, saying, “I like the response that he gets from other people."
The Vetting Process Slogs Onward
“As I’m sitting here reflecting, deeply, I do have concerns, yes, your honor,” the teacher admitted.
A father of two teens who lives on the Upper East Side and works in real estate development said that, by virtue of his lifestyle, “There are people that I’ve known that know the [former] president.”
“It wouldn’t in any way influence my thinking, but I just wanted to state [it],” the man said in a faltering voice.
Jurors Chosen So Far Are A Cross-Section Of Manhattanites
The six include a soon-to-be-married native New Yorker who works as an oncology nurse; an Asian corporate lawyer from Oregon who likes to hike and run; a dark-haired young woman employed as a software engineer by the Walt Disney Company; and a married father originally from Puerto Rico who deadpanned that he had “no spare time” during questioning. Serving as the jury's foreperson will be an outdoorsy salesman originally from Ireland who now lives in Harlem with his wife.
A younger Black teacher from Harlem who was chosen had acknowledged the fact of political divisions earlier in the day, saying, "There was a divide in the country and I can’t ignore that ... however, I never equated that to one individual.”
With Six Jurors Seated, 96 Additional Potential Jurors Are Sworn In
They’ll first be asked to self-exclude themselves if they believe they cannot be fair and impartial in the case.
Half Of Trump’s Jury Has Now Been Selected And Sworn In
Merchan said he hopes to select six alternate jurors in addition to the 12 selected to be on the panel.
So far, Trump’s team has used six of his 10 preemptory strikes, including one for the juror who posted videos of New Yorkers celebrating Joe Biden’s win back in 2020. Prosecutors have used four of their 10 strikes.
We’re 1/4 Of The Way To A Jury (Not Counting Alternates)
Trump’s legal team has been meticulously combing through social media posts by potential jurors and their close family, seeking to have anyone with a whiff of anti-Trump sentiment disqualified.
Court Litigates Bad Political Humor
Merchan declined to strike the potential juror for her husband’s posts, saying that it was probably a good sign if this was the worst Trump’s team could dig up on her.
Potential Juror Struck For Anti-Trump Post
"Good news!! Trump lost his court battle on his unlawful travel ban!!! Get him out and lock him up,” the post read.
The man in question is a married creative director who likes to hike and cook, and said Monday that he had no strong feelings about Trump or how he was being treated in this case.
“This is a person who expressed at least at one time years ago the desire that Trump be locked up,” Merchan said before striking him.
Judge In Hush Money Trial Gives Trump A Stern Warning
“I won’t tolerate that. I will not have any jurors intimidated in this courtroom. I want to make that crystal clear,” Merchan said, raising his voice every so slightly. He told Blanche to make the point clear for his client.
Potential Juror Questioned Over Facebook Posts From 2020 Election
The woman posted about the cheers, celebratory honking and block parties that consumed parts of New York City once the call was made. Blanche described it as “extraordinarily hostile.” Steinglass called the problem with the juror’s social media posts “ridiculous.”
“I think I went to move the car to alternate side parking or something like that, and there were people dancing in the street and stuff,” the juror said when brought in for individual questioning. “It reminded me of the 7 p.m. cheer … which we did with my kids for a very long time out on the fire escape.”
She said it seemed like “part of history,” and affirmed for Merchan that she could remain fair and unbiased in the trial. The potential juror in question works in education and has lived in upper Manhattan for around seven years with her husband, two kids and a dog. She said she enjoys sewing and gets her news from a variety of sources including USA Today, HuffPost and CNN.
The judge declined to dismiss the juror for cause. “She provided what I believe were reasonable explanations for both [posts],” he said.
We’re Back
Blanche took particular umbrage at a video the juror posted on Election Day 2020, depicting the juror joining in a mass celebration after Biden won.
Merchan agrees that the video does appear to be “an anti-Trump event” and has called the juror in for questioning.
Potential Jurors Have Mixed, Mild Politics
One woman, a grandmother who has lived on the Lower East Side for over 50 years, said she probably agreed with “very little” of Trump’s politics, but has had “decent conversations” with people who support Trump.
“I didn’t sleep last night thinking, ‘could I really do this?’ It’s just so important,” she said.
One potential juror said that her social media accounts are centered around her love of sports rather than news and politics. Another, an oncology nurse, said she “didn’t really” have an opinion on Trump. “I’m here for my civic duty,” she said.
One man said that he had “a lot of friends in law enforcement that are fairly pro-Trump” but that he did not personally follow national politics very much. That perspective was echoed by another prospect, an attorney, who said he probably has more opinions on local politics than politics at the national level. Another man appeared to stump Blanche when he said he found Trump “fascinating and mysterious.”
"He walks into a room and he sets people off one way or another," the juror said. "I find that really interesting. Really, this one guy can do all of this? Wow, that’s what I think."
Dismissed Juror Has 1 Word To Describe What It’s Like Seeing Trump In Person
She estimated she was seated around 30 feet from the former president all day on Monday.
"I had never seen him in person before, you know," she said. "And you see someone blown up so larger than life on the media for so many years, to see them in person is very jarring."
She added: “You get the sense that this is just another guy. And also he sees me talking about him, which is bizarre.”
McGee said that when she received her summons, she had no idea it would be for the Trump hush-money trial.
“And then I get here yesterday and there’s a massive line and Trump protesters and counter-protesters … and our holding room had something like 250 people in it, so I assumed that was it.”
Watch the full interview here.
Trump Attorney Spars With Potential Juror Over His Political Views
One of them, a middle aged bookseller, went back and forth with him when asked whether he could judge Trump in a fair and impartial manner.
“What I think of President Trump outside of this room has nothing to do with what goes on inside this room,” the potential juror said.
“What is your view of Trump?” Blanche asked.
“That’s what I’m saying, is my view doesn’t matter,” the jury prospect responded.
“If we’re sitting at a bar?” Blanche asked.
“Then I’d be happy to tell you. But what I feel about President Trump is not important or imperative,” the man said.
He volunteered the fact that he is a Democrat — which the attorneys are not allowed to ask — and emphasized strongly that he believed he could “compartmentalize.”
Prosecutor’s Hitman Analogy Appears To Irritate Trump Attorneys
He asked them to consider the example of a man who hired a hitman to kill his wife. The man would still be responsible for his wife's death even if he weren’t anywhere near the scene of the crime, Steinglass said.
While he spoke, Trump turned to his attorneys, who looked annoyed. Trump appeared alert during this stage of questioning, often craning his neck to look at the individual jurors who were responding to questions.
Steinglass also told the prospects they would be asked to “determine the defendant’s intent.” He noted that while he knows it’s impossible to see inside someone’s head, juries are charged with determining intent “every day.” One way they do so, he said, is to “rely on commonsense clues to help you make this determination," such as "the surrounding circumstances" of the hush money payment and alleged cover-up.
Prosecutor To Potential Jurors: ‘We’re Not Trying To Pry Into Your Lives’
Trump Smiles And Nods When Potential Juror Says He’s Read His Books
The prospective juror, a father of an adult daughter, said he was originally from Boston and had run “sales and revenue for a software company” for around 25 years. Some of his current wife’s family members lobby on behalf of the Republican Party, he said, adding that he used to follow Trump on Twitter when he was president.
The man prompted follow-up questioning from Merchan, however, when he suggested he might talk about the proceedings when he got home.
“I would be lying if I said I would not discuss it to some degree with my wife."
The judge said he could talk about basics but nothing specific, and the man seemed reluctant to say he could comply, but he did believe he could be fair and impartial.
Trump Closes His Eyes While Jurors Read Off Questionnaire Responses
Yesterday, reporters watching Trump on a screen in the courthouse also saw him close his eyes, although it is not clear whether he is actually dozing off.
Welcome To Day 2 Of Trump's Hush Money Trial. Here's What We Know So Far.
- Prosecutors want to see Trump held in contempt for violating a gag order by posting about witnesses on social media. Trump faces a potential fine of $3,000 for the trio of posts. A hearing on the matter has been scheduled for next Tuesday.
- No jurors have been selected yet, but the pool has narrowed drastically. More than half of the potential jurors self-excused yesterday on the basis that they could not be fair and impartial in the case.
- Trump complained to reporters yesterday about having to attend court every day, just like every other criminal defendant. In (potentially) related news, the former president may have fallen asleep during yesterday’s proceedings.
Biden Set To Campaign In Scranton This Afternoon
Juror Excused After Admitting Republican Bias
"Growing up, a bunch of family and friends were Republicans and it's probably going to be tough to be impartial," the juror said before being excused.
Bragg Files Motion To Hold Trump In Criminal Contempt Over Gag Order Violations
"Defendant is not above the law, and he cannot simply disregard judicial orders that upset him," Bragg wrote. "And both the public and the participants in the criminal trial deserve reassurance that the judicial system stands ready to protect them and to preserve the rule of law in the face of defendant's extreme and deliberate provocations."
Trump over the last week has criticized Cohen and Daniels as "liars." In a Truth Social post on April 10, he wrote that they are "two sleaze bags who have, with their lies and misrepresentations, cost our Country dearly!"
Prospective Jurors Are Led Into The Courtroom
Trump Takes Seat Inside Courtroom
Judge Juan Merchan has also entered the courtroom, HuffPost's Sara Boboltz reports.
Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg Arrives At The Courthouse
Trump Is Seated With His Attorneys
Only around 30 potential jurors remained in the courtroom at the end of Monday, with nine having made it through the 42-item juror questionnaire. No one has been chosen for the 12-person panel yet, however, and the process could end up taking multiple days. Each side has 10 passes they can use to strike a juror for any reason; they may also voice an objection to any juror and allow the judge to mediate.
Trump Makes Statement To Media On His Way In
He again attacked Judge Merchan. "We have a Trump-hating judge. We have a judge who shouldn't be on this case. He's totally conflicted," Trump said, per pool reports.
"I was paying a lawyer and marked it down legal expense. An accountant I didn't know marked it down as a legal expense. That's exactly what it was. And you get indicted over that?" he said.
"I should be right now in Pennsylvania and Florida. In many other states, North Carolina, Georgia, campaigning. This is all coming from the Biden White House because the guy can't put two sentences together. He can't campaign."
He thanked reporters for being there.
Truth Social Parent Company Plans To Launch Streaming Platform
"The streaming content is expected to focus on live TV including news networks, religious channels, family-friendly content including films and documentaries; and other content that has been cancelled, is at risk of cancellation, or is being suppressed on other platforms and services," reads a press release previewing the launch.
Despite the announcement of its new venture, the Florida-based company has struggled to find its footing as filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission showed it lost over $58 million last year.
Trump Blasts Judge Over Gag Order
"I want to speak, or at least be able to respond. Election Interference! RIGGED, UNCONSTITUTIONAL TRIAL! Take off the Gag Order!!!" Trump wrote.
Trump Arrives At Courthouse For Day 2 Of His Trial
Trump Complains He Has To Miss SCOTUS Hearing Because Of Trial
“This shows such great disdain and disrespect for our Nation’s Highest Court, especially for a topic so important as Presidential Immunity, without which our Country would never be the same!” Trump posted.
Earlier in court, Merchan ruled that Trump could not miss court for the Supreme Court hearing.
“Arguing before the Supreme Court is a big deal, and I can certainly appreciate why your client would want to be there, but a trial in New York Supreme Court … is also a big deal,” Merchan told Trump’s lawyer.
After Court, Trump Complains About Having To Be In Court
Trump blamed “a very conflicted judge” for not allowing him “to escape this scam trial” by skipping court.
Court Is Adjourned
Before adjourning, Merchan denied a request from Trump's team about the former president wanting to be present for his Supreme Court immunity arguments next week.“Arguing before the Supreme Court is a big deal, and I can certainly appreciate why your client would want to be there, but a trial in New York Supreme Court … is also a big deal,” the judge said.He added: “I will see him here next week."
Prospective Juror: 'Nobody Is Above The Law'
Responding to a question about whether he had strong beliefs about whether a former president may be criminally charged, one man, an Upper West Side bookseller, said: "I feel that nobody is above the law, whether it be a former president or a sitting president or a janitor."
Key Moments In The Trial So Far
- Jury selection in Trump’s first criminal trial is ongoing, with more than half of the potential jurors self-excusing on the basis that they could not be fair and impartial in the case.
- No jurors were selected by the time court adjourned Monday. The process is set to resume Tuesday morning.
- Prosecutors want to see Trump fined $3,000 for a trio of social media posts they say violate a gag order, with subsequent violations potentially resulting in jail time. Judge Merchan scheduled a hearing on the matter for Tuesday, April 23.
- Trump cast the trial as a "witch hunt" and a "scam" as he exited the courtroom on Monday.
Jury Selection Inches Forward
Here’s How Attorneys Are Sorting Through Prospective Jurors
Read more about the process -- and the questionnaire -- here.
More Than Half Of Potential Jurors Self-Excuse As Trump Closes Eyes
Reporters in the courtroom observed Trump sitting back in his chair with his arms crossed and eyes closed during some of the proceedings.
Earlier, New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman said she saw Trump's "jaw fall open and his head fall onto his chest" as he apparently snoozed.
Judge Asks Batch Of Potential Jurors To Raise Hands If They Cannot Be Impartial
Going row by row, the judge then asked the group of nearly 100 Manhattanites to self-identify if they could not be fair and impartial in the case, thanking them as he went.
Judge Swears In Potential Jurors
Some potential jurors strained their necks to catch a glimpse of the former president. As he was introduced, Trump stood and glanced at the potential jurors with a slight smirk.
Jurors Now Filing Into Courtroom
Also: Merchan moved the hearing on Trump’s potential gag order violations to 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 23.
Trump Gestures In Conversation With Lawyer
Judge Warns Juror Names Not To Be Copied ‘In Any Way, Shape Or Form’
Did Trump Nod Off?
HuffPost’s Sara Boboltz is in the courthouse and confirmed Trump had his eyes closed at certain points, but couldn’t definitively say the former president had actually fallen asleep.
Hearing To Be Held On Request To Hold Trump In Contempt Of Court
Prosecutors argue that Trump violated Merchan's gag order by way of several social media posts about witnesses in the trial, despite being ordered to stay silent on the parties involved.
We’re Back
Prosecutors Want Trump Fined For Violating Gag Order
At a requested $1,000 fine per post, that would amount to $3,000, plus prosecutors are requesting Merchan warn Trump that further violations could lead to jail time.
Blanche countered that the content in the posts doesn’t actually violate the gag order.
"It’s not as if President Trump is going off and targeting individuals,” Blanche argued. “He’s responding to salacious repeated … attacks by these witnesses.”
Judge Warns Trump: You Will Be Jailed If You Disrupt This Trial
“If you disrupt the proceedings in any way, the law permits the court to exclude you from court, commit you to jail, and continue the trial in your absence,” the judge said. Failing to show up will similarly result in an arrest warrant to be issued.
Michael Avenatti Thinks Trump Will Be Convicted
“Trump will be convicted,” Avenatti said, speaking via phone from Terminal Island Prison in Los Angeles last week. “He’s a criminal defendant and in our society I don’t believe that criminal defendants generally get a fair shake … the percentage of convictions demonstrates that the deck is stacked decidedly against all criminal defendants.”
Avenatti is serving a 14-year prison sentence for tax and wire fraud, in addition to a consecutive five-year sentence for attempting to extort Nike for tens of millions of dollars and for defrauding Daniels.
Watch the full interview here.
Finally, Merchan Gives Details On How Jury Selection Will Work
First round questioning may last up to 30 minutes, and second round questioning may last up to 20 minutes. Selecting a jury is expected to take several days; Merchan said about 500 jurors are currently waiting in the courthouse.
Trump, meanwhile, is flipping through a document on his table. His laptop screen is dark.
Judge Says Attack Tweets Are Admissible
Prosecutors Want To Describe Trump’s Attacks On Witnesses Over The Years
Merchan said he would rule on the issue later.
Shares In Trump Media Are Tanking
Shares in the beleaguered social media company fell 16% on the news, which would dilute the value of current shares. The stock also traded down nearly 20% over the last week, and has lost more than 60% of its value from a late-March peak.
Truth Social generated $4.1 million in revenue in 2023 — and lost $58 million.
Judge Will Not Allow Other Allegations Of Trump Sexual Assault
Judge Will Not Allow 'Access Hollywood' Tape Itself To Be Played
The Washington Post’s October 2016 report on the tape meant that Trump’s presidential debate preparation was “interrupted and eclipsed by the need to do damage control” to emphasize that Trump was just engaging in “locker room talk,” Steinglass said.
He added that “Daniels was living proof that the defendant wasn’t all talk."
Merchan said he stood by his decision that the tape itself was not admissible because it “is just so prejudicial,” but the email exchange is relevant.
“What I didn’t want was for jurors to hear this in Trump’s voice,” Merchan said. Prosecutors can describe the tape and speak about Trump's specific language.
Trump Attorney Dismisses Proposed Evidence As 'Salacious With No Value'
From the pool just now:
[Prosecutor Joshua] Steinglass is asking to introduce evidence about Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model who has claimed to have an affair with Trump, specifically that Trump believed that her story would be damaging to his campaign and was involved in securing the rights to the story. But [Trump's attorney Todd] Blanche calls it "literally just salacious with no value." Steinglass angrily protests; Merchan says his previous ruling on McDougal stands but that he will not permit, at this point, that Trump's wife was pregnant with a child at the time.
Biden's Schedule
Later this afternoon, Biden will hold a bilateral meeting with Petr Fiala, the prime minister of the Czech Republic.
Judge Allows Evidence Of Trump's Collusion With David Pecker
Judge Denies Trump’s Latest Motion For Recusal
The judge also addressed Trump’s complaint about his daughter working for a firm whose clients include Democratic candidates, saying, "to say that these claims are attenuated is an understatement."
Judge Merchan Is Seated And Proceedings Begin
See The First Picture Of Trump Inside The Courtroom
Trump Huddles To Speak With Attorney As Alvin Bragg Enters
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has now entered the courtroom.
House Judiciary GOP Blasts Bragg For Prosecuting Trump
The GOP arm of the House Judiciary Committee shared a video on X, formerly Twitter, claiming Bragg is "spending all of his time attacking President Trump rather than cleaning up his own streets."
However, experts and city officials cited by The Associated Press note that crime across New York City is considerably down compared to the 1990s and while a small uptick was recorded in 2022, those numbers have since fallen back down.
Where's Melania? Not At The Trial
The former first lady has made very few public appearances since leaving the White House. Occasionally messages will appear on her social media accounts hawking NFTs or other items.
Former aide Stephanie Grisham said last week that the news of Trump's affair with Stormy Daniels was "humiliating" for Melania Trump, who did not take it "lightly."
"And I can guarantee you that she's not happy right now and that he's quite worried about that," Grisham said. She said the former first lady would likely push her husband to take the stand in the trial.
Trump Is Seated In The Courtroom
Trump: This Is 'Political Persecution'
"This is really an attack on a political opponent, that's all it is," he said. "So I'm very honored to be here."
'No One Is Above The Law'
Trump Waves At Supporters Upon Arrival
Trump Says 'Justice Will Be Done' On Election Day
"We will take back our country and we will make America great again," he said in the video, which featured clips of his journey to the courthouse.
Trump also claimed he is being wrongly prosecuted.
"They wanna silence me because I will never let them silence you," he said.
Trump Has Arrrived
Trump Supporters Gather Outside The Court
Donald Trump Is On The Way To The Courthouse
Trump waved his hand briefly before entering his car.
How Lawyers On Both Sides Will Eliminate Potential Jurors
Each side — attorneys for the defense and prosecution — will be allowed to challenge a juror “for cause” and allow Merchan to arbitrate, although party affiliation cannot be used as such a reason. Each side will also be allowed 10 juror strikes they can wield for any reason.
The 12 jurors will be anonymous in this case for reasons of security, but lawyers for each side will be given their names so they can search the internet and social media for potential conflicts.
Read the juror questionnaire (starting at Page 11) here.