Hush money trial: Courtroom drama unfolds as judge loses calm on Trump’s attorney

Former US president Donald Trump’s trial over alleged hush money payments resumed Tuesday (Apr 23) where prosecutors accused him of violating a gag order in several of his posts made on Truth Social media platform. Prosecutors urgedjudgeJuan Merchan to fine Trump $10,000 for violating the order which prohibits him from criticising witnesses and others involved in the case. "Defendant has violated this order repeatedly and hasn't stopped," New York prosecutor Christopher Conroy said in the New York courtroom.

Conroy also added that Trump’s attacks on social media forced a juror last week to withdraw over privacy concerns.

"He knows what he's not allowed to do and he does it anyway," Conroy said, adding, "His disobedience of the order is willful. It's intentional."

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The hush money trial is over the alleged $130,000 payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels by Trump ahead of the 2016 presidential elections.

Defence statement

Trump’s defence attorney, however, claimed there has been "no willful violation" of the gag order. Todd Blanche, Trump's defence attorney, said, "President Trump does in fact know what the gag order allows him to do and not allow him to do."

Courtroom drama

During the trial, Judge Juan Merchan got heated up and asked to clarify why exactly Trump made those controversial posts.

In response, Blanche said Cohen, Trump’s former personal attorney, and Daniels had repeatedly criticised Trump politically in the lead-up to the trial.

"Give me one, give me the most recent one that he is responding to," asked Merchan.

"I don't have a particular tweet that is dispositive," Blanche said, asking why the example had to be "recent."

Watch:Trump's hush money trial: Donald Trump accused of 'pure' election fraud

Merchan lost calm here and yelled, “I'm asking the questions, OK? I'm going to decide whether your client is in contempt or not, so please don't turn it around."

Todd Blanche added seven of the 10 alleged violations should not be taken into account as they’re just re-posts.

“It’s not making a mockery of the gag order, your honour – it’s a close call,” Blanche said, adding, "It’s just common sense."

Merchan also got frustrated with the slow pace of the hearing.

"I’m not getting an answer, it’s now almost 10:30, the jurors are going to be here at 11 o’clock. I don’t want to keep them waiting," he said.

"Mr Blanche you’re losing all credibility, I have to tell you right now … You’re losing all credibility with the court. Is there any other argument you want to make?"

Meanwhile, during a brief court break, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to go after the judge.

He wrote: "HIGHLY CONFLICTED, TO PUT IT MILDLY, JUDGE JUAN MERCHAN, HAS TAKEN AWAY MY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH. EVERYBODY IS ALLOWED TO TALK AND LIE ABOUT ME, BUT I AM NOT ALLOWED TO DEFEND MYSELF. THIS IS A KANGAROO COURT, AND THE JUDGE SHOULD RECUSE HIMSELF!"

(With inputs from agencies)