On Truth Social today, Trump posted a Newsmax article which contained an attack on Justice Merchan’s daughter. Trump also pinned the article to the top of his Truth Social page. The hearing on his gag order is coming up in a few days. meidastouch.com/news/trump-pos…

And given how few people outside Michael Cohen directly communicated with Trump about the scheme at issue, Pecker’s testimony could be critical in establishing Trump’s intent and knowledge. FIN.

But even more significant? Pecker can testify that Trump not only understood but heartily endorsed his publication’s offer to “catch and kill” negative stories about him, especially as they pertained to Trump’s alleged extramarital affairs.

That American Media made good on its promises is important, especially since it admitted to certain conduct through a non-prosecution agreement with DOJ in 2018 and this “conciliation agreement” with the Federal Election Commission in 2021:

I’ll be watching three legal stories unfold Monday: the real opening of the Manhattan DA’s trial; the hearing on whether to cancel Trump’s $175 million bond; & the public filing of witness statements in the MAL docs case.

Blanche: 'This business records violation, these 34 counts are really just 34 pieces of paper, the checks that were generated because of invoices and records notations …NONE OF THIS WAS A CRIME.'

Blanche: Each month, Cohen sent an invoice to Trump Tower for $35K and this invoice was for legal services rendered pursuant to a retainer agreement. The invoice was processed and a check was generated and signed. The record/ledger reflected the invoice.

Trump is the only

The Defense Opening (by Blanche):

'He's innocent. President Trump did not commit any crimes. The Manhattan DA's Office should never have brought this case.'

Blanche: 'Would a frugal businessman…Would a man who pinches pennies…repay a 130k debt to the tune of 420k? This was not a payback.”

Blanche: Entering into a non disclosure agreement is perfectly legal. People who are wealthy or famous enter into non disclosure agreements regularly and there is nothing illegal about it.

Blanche goes after Stormy Daniels by claiming she was trying to extort Trump. Prosecution objects and it is sustained.

Blanche: 'It's called democracy.'

Blanche: 'Spoiler alert. There's nothing wrong with trying to influence an election.'

And... we have our first sidebar of the morning during Opening Statements.

Why? B/c Blanche told the jury that the agreement was made with the involvement of lawyers. The prosecution immediately objected.

Why was this objectionable? B/c Judge Merchan previously ruled that

Blanche: 'Michael Cohen is obsessed with Donald Trump. Cohen has talked extensively about Trump going to prison.'

He wrote: “Mr. Cohen an attorney received a monthly retainer not from the campaign and having nothing to do with the campaign from which he entered into through reimbursement a private contract between two parties known as a non-disclosure agreement or NDA.” 3/

The only problem is that on May 3, 2018, Trump essentially admitted he repaid Cohen for the Daniels settlement via Tweet. 2/

NEW: At the beginning of his opening statement, Todd Blanche is arguing that Trump’s payments to Cohen, totaling $420,000, couldn’t possibly be payback for the Stormy Daniels settlement. He was actually paying for legal services, Blanche insists. 1/

Only in GOP America could a rich-born, draft-dodging, philandering, disability-mocking, pussy-grabbing con man successfully pose as a “poor victim” of life’s inequities. 🙄

#TrumpTrials #StormyDaniels

#MAGA are the biggest marks, dupes & suckers of all time.

White.
Who wore it better?
President Biden
#TrumpTrials