On a robust day 11 of his ongoing battle in New York, former President Trump continued to face his ongoing allegations. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has charged him with 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records. The charges center around a $130,000 payment made to former adult film star Stormy Daniels, managed by Trump’s former adviser, Michael Cohen.
Cohen described the payments as legal expenses, but prosecutors argue these were actually reimbursements for the payment to Daniels. They claim this arrangement facilitated other violations, including breaches of federal campaign finance limits, state election laws, and tax regulations. Throughout the trial, Trump has consistently pleaded not guilty, challenging the accusations as part of a broader politically charged narrative.
During a moment in the courtroom on Friday, Hope Hicks, former press secretary for former President Trump’s 2016 campaign and later White House communications director, became visibly emotional. The scene unfolded as Trump’s defense attorney questioned her during cross-examination about her tenure with the Trump Organization. As Hicks recounted her experiences, she appeared to get choked up and struggled to hold back tears, prompting the court to take a brief recess.
Hicks is a public relations consultant and former political advisor who is best known for her work with Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign and subsequent administration. Hicks served as the White House Communications Director and had a close working relationship with the former president. She originally joined the Trump Organization in 2014 and became a part of Trump’s presidential campaign team in early 2015. Over the years, she held several roles, including press secretary and communications advisor.
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Hicks briefly left the White House in early 2018 but returned in early 2020 as a counselor to the president. She has been a central figure in several major news stories regarding her time in the Trump administration, particularly her involvement in various Congressional investigations into the administration’s activities.
“This isn’t a trial, it’s a political campaign, a witch hunt, just like the highly conflicted and biased judge, Juan Merchan, wanted it to be,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Friday morning. “I’m sure his political friends and allies, and Crooked Joe Biden, in particular, will be thrilled that they are getting away with this corrupt, ‘ancient,’ and highly political attack on his 2024 presidential opponent… Virtually every legal scholar and expert call it a sham and disgrace, election interference. It is an insult to American justice!”
This week, Trump promptly addressed the $9,000 in fines imposed on him after Judge Juan Merchan ruled that he had breached a gag order multiple times. According to a source speaking to Fox News Digital, the fines were settled on Thursday via cashier’s checks in two separate payments—one for $2,000 and another for $7,000.
The gag order, established in the lead-up to the trial last month, prohibits public discussion about witnesses and family members of court officials. Judge Merchan found that Trump had not adhered to this order on nine occasions, with each instance attracting a $1,000 fine.
In detailing the sanctions, Judge Merchan warned of more severe repercussions, including possible incarceration, should Trump continue to willfully violate the order. Nevertheless, Trump’s legal team contests that the gag order infringes upon his First Amendment rights. They argue against the claims of District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office, which alleges that Trump has breached the order more than a dozen times.
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