Former President Donald Trump is currently on trial in New York City, where he is facing felony charges in connection with a hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels back in 2016. This trial is significant as it is the first time in history that a former U.S. president is being tried on criminal charges.
In April of last year, Trump entered a plea of not guilty to a 34-count indictment. The charges against him included falsifying business records. These charges were related to a hush money payment that his former attorney, Michael Cohen, made to Daniels. The purpose of the payment was to enhance Trump’s chances in the 2016 presidential election.
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After the conclusion of Day 12 in his hush money trial, Trump confidently expressed his satisfaction with his defense team, stating that they are performing exceptionally well.
When asked about the timeline of the trial, Trump responded to reporters by saying, “The government is requesting three more weeks, which means they want to keep me off the trail for two to three weeks now.”
“I was under the impression that they would complete their training today. However, they expressed their desire to continue practicing jujitsu for an additional three weeks, much to the satisfaction of the judges,” Trump expressed his disappointment.
Judge Merchan issued a stern warning to the former president this morning, cautioning him that any further violations of the limited gag order could lead to imprisonment. Despite this warning, the former president persistently expressed his disapproval of the gag order, which restricts him from directly targeting witnesses, jurors, and other individuals involved in the case.
“I have to be cautious with my words here. You asked me a straightforward question, and I would love to answer it. However, I am unable to discuss the matter due to a gag order imposed by the judge. Violating this order could potentially land me in jail,” Trump explained. “But let me emphasize that our Constitution holds far greater significance than any personal sacrifice I may have to make. It’s not even a close call. I would gladly prioritize the Constitution over my own well-being any day.”
“Mike Pappano from ABC News”
At the end of the day’s proceedings, Judge Merchan announced that the prosecutor, Joshua Steinglass, had indicated the intention of the DA’s office to call back a previous witness. This witness is Georgia Longstreet, a paralegal working for the Manhattan DA.
Steinglass revealed that Longstreet would provide testimony on additional social media posts made by Trump, as well as text messages exchanged between Dylan Howard, the editor of the National Enquirer, and Gina Rodriguez, Stormy Daniels’ agent.
Merchan agreed to the proposal, on the condition that defense attorneys are given a 24-hour heads-up before summoning Longstreet to the stand. According to Steinglass, she is expected to provide further testimony on either Thursday or Friday.
Steinglass also expressed concerns regarding defense attorneys’ complaints about the restricted notice regarding the upcoming witness and the exhibits related to the case.
Steinglass defended the practice of not disclosing their next witness, stating, “I don’t like the impression being left that we are somehow sandbagging the defense.” He emphasized the need for this approach, especially considering Trump’s recent violations of the case’s limited gag order.
According to Steinglass, the order restricting extrajudicial speech has been violated by the defendant, and they are concerned about the potential disclosure of the next witnesses’ names.
Merchan wrapped up the day by inquiring about our progress on scheduling.
During the court hearing, Steinglass informed Judge Juan Merchan that the state’s case is expected to wrap up within the next two weeks.
He estimated that it would take approximately two more weeks.
Next, the defense will present their case.
The jury has now been presented with People’s exhibit 34, which includes a check bearing Donald Trump’s signature. This marks the completion of Deborah Tarasoff’s direct testimony, during which all 34 purportedly fraudulent invoices, ledger entries, and checks were shown to the court.
During the cross-examination, defense attorney Todd Blanche engaged in a brief questioning session. Trump, in response, shifted in his chair, adjusting his position to obtain a clearer view of Tarasoff.
At the end of his cross-examination, Blanche asked Tarasoff if he had any reason to believe that President Trump was hiding something.
“Absolutely,” she responded.
After her testimony, Tarasoff calmly left the witness stand. Trump briefly glanced in her direction as she made her way out of the courtroom, but there was no interaction between the two.
Tarasoff flashed a smile at Eric Trump as she exited the courtroom, just as she had done before.
Judge Juan Merchan dismissed the jury for the day.
The jurors diligently inspected the exhibits, taking detailed notes throughout the process.
Trump, seated at the defense table, was actively involved in the testimony, frequently consulting with his lawyers and carefully examining the evidence.
During the trial, Deborah Tarasoff, the accounts payable supervisor at the Trump Organization, provided a detailed explanation of the invoice and check processing procedures carried out for Michael Cohen in 2017.
Jeffrey McConney, the controller, would typically initiate the process by granting approval for the expenses via email.
In an email from March 2017, McConney requested payment, instructing the recipient to post it to the same general ledger as the previous month.
In April, McConney sent an email to Tarasoff, requesting payment.
The jurors were then presented with the invoice that had been processed on the general ledger of the Trump Organization. The invoice was specifically labeled as “legal expenses.”
Prosecutor Christopher Conroy inquired, “From where did that originate?”
Tarasoff claimed that he included that information in the invoice.
Checks from the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust require the signatures of two individuals chosen from Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump, and Allen Weisselberg. On the other hand, checks from Donald Trump’s personal account necessitate Donald Trump’s own signature.
During the testimony, Tarasoff displayed exhibits on the screen in front of the jurors. While some jurors paid close attention, others remained passive, some even crossing their arms.
According to Deborah Tarasoff, the accounts payable supervisor at the Trump Organization, she handled Michael Cohen’s invoices just like any other invoice.
Tarasoff mentioned that she started processing the invoices as soon as she received an approval email, following the same procedure for all of them.
“Can you recall the sender of those emails?” inquired Conroy.
Tarasoff mentioned that they would send the documents to the White House for him to sign.
Conroy asked if anyone else had the authority to sign the checks even when he was in DC.
Tarasoff confirmed, “That’s correct.”
Prosecutors are seemingly attempting to utilize Deborah Tarasoff, the Trump Organization accounts payable supervisor, as evidence to suggest that Donald Trump played a more active role in the alleged scheme to conceal Michael Cohen’s repayments from authorities.
Tarasoff refuted the defense’s claim that Trump mindlessly signed stacks of checks while engaged in numerous other activities. According to Tarasoff, there were instances where Trump would actually decline to sign certain checks.
Tarasoff said that if he wasn’t willing to sign it, he simply chose not to sign it.
Chris Conroy, the prosecutor, asked if there had ever been a time when he didn’t sign a check.
Tarasoff revealed that when Trump received a document that he did not agree with, he would simply write “void” on it and send it back. She mentioned that he would use a black Sharpie to make this mark, which was a notable attribute of his signature. Tarasoff’s insight was based on her extensive 24-year tenure at the Trump Organization.
Tarasoff’s response, characterized by brevity, is consistent with her overall communication style. She tends to use as few words as possible to convey her thoughts and opinions.
“Can you estimate the number of entities that comprise the Trump Organization?” prosecutor Christopher Conroy inquired.
“There are a lot,” she exclaimed.
According to her explanation, the general ledger serves as a central repository where all transactions are recorded and organized. It is responsible for maintaining a comprehensive record of financial activities and ensuring accurate tracking of various items.
During the questioning, Conroy emphasized that she did not have frequent interaction with Donald Trump. However, she played a crucial role within the Trump Organization, especially in relation to the allegations brought up in this trial.
Conroy inquired, “Have you simply followed instructions?”
“Yes,” she replied.
During the trial, Tarasoff informed the jury that any expenditures exceeding $10,000 would require direct approval from either Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., or Eric Trump.
According to Tarasoff, during the time when the events occurred, Allen Weisselberg, the CFO of the Trump Organization, typically consulted Trump himself before making any decisions.
Tarasoff, who has been with the Trump Organization for a remarkable 24 years, continues to be an employee, unlike controller Jeffrey McConney, who provided his testimony earlier today.
The afternoon session begins with all parties reconvening in the courtroom. The prosecution is now ready to call Deborah Tarasoff, a long-time employee of the Trump Organization, as their next witness.
Defense attorney Todd Blanche contended in his opening statement that Tarasoff was merely carrying out instructions when she labeled the invoices.
Defense lawyers are raising objections to the evidence that prosecutors intend to present during Tarasoff’s testimony.
