Former President Donald Trump’s frustrations reached a boiling point as the judge overseeing his hush money trial imposed restrictions on his public remarks, particularly concerning the forthcoming testimony of his former attorney Michael Cohen. The Hill reported on May 10, 2024, capturing Trump’s heated exchange in the courtroom where he criticized the judge’s actions as a “joke” and a “disgrace.”
Trump’s legal team has raised concerns about Cohen’s public statements against Trump, citing a gag order that limits the former president’s ability to respond. During the proceedings, Todd Blanche, representing Trump, advocated for a similar restriction on Cohen’s public commentary.
The judge, while not extending the gag order to Cohen, directed prosecutors to communicate to Cohen the request to refrain from further statements about the case.
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Cohen’s upcoming testimony is highly anticipated, as he is considered a crucial witness for the district attorney’s office. His involvement in hush money deals, including a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, has drawn significant attention.
The gag order on Trump prevents him from attacking trial participants but notably excludes criticism of the judge or Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whom Trump has frequently targeted in public statements.
This isn’t the first time Trump has clashed with the court over the gag order. Earlier in the week, he was fined $1,000 for disparaging jurors, marking the 10th violation. The judge cautioned that repeated violations could result in imprisonment, a warning Trump defiantly shrugged off, stating he would be “very proud to go to jail over violating my gag order.”
The tension in the courtroom reflects the high stakes of the trial and Trump’s determination to assert his First Amendment rights amid legal constraints, all while navigating his political ambitions as the presumptive Republican nominee for president.
