Following testimony from adult film actress Stormy Daniels, former President Trump's legal team requested a mistrial. The request was denied by Judge Juan Merchan.
© Anna B. Mitchell + © Brendan McDermid/Pool via USA TODAY NETWORK
(New York, NY) – As former President Trump’s trial for alleged falsifying of business records continues, the woman at the center of the case testified Tuesday. Adult film actress Stormy Daniels took the witness stand and described how she met Trump years ago at a celebrity golf tournament. That allegedly led to the pair meeting in a hotel room for sex. Trump has denied the two ever got together in that fashion.
Daniels testified that her motivation in originally coming forward with claims of an affair was not “money” but rather to get “her story out.” Manhattan prosecutors say Trump arranged for Daniels to receive a $130,000 payment in 2016 so that she would not discuss any affair. They further claim Trump did not properly classify the expense, leading to charges.
After Daniels completed her testimony, Trump’s defense team requested a mistrial. They based that on the argument her comments were highly prejudicial. Judge Juan Merchan denied the request. He has held Trump in contempt of court ten times, fined him, and threatened him with jail. That’s because of a government gag order placed on Trump — which the judge says prohibits the former president from making public comments about witnesses — including Daniels, for example.
On Monday, Trump said prosecutors told the judge they need several more weeks to complete their case. He’s called that election interference, given it keeps him off the campaign trail.
