Donald Trump left Trump Tower for the third day of his historic hush money trial Thursday in New York.
He could face the wrath of the judge after a social media post that could potentially violate a gag order.
Judge Juan Merchán ordered Trump not to attack potential jurors in the case, which is in the third day of jury selection.
In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday night, Trump quoted Fox News host Jesse Watters.
Watters was quoted as saying, “Undercover liberal activists are being caught lying to the judge so they can serve on Trump’s jury.”
Some legal analysts suggested that could violate the order.
The order prohibits Trump from “making or directing others to make public statements about any prospective juror or any juror.”
Former US President Donald Trump leaves Trump Tower for Manhattan Criminal Court to attend his trial for allegedly covering up hush payments related to extramarital affairs, in New York City on April 18, 2024.
Trump heads to court for third day of jury selection
Judge Juan M. Merchán has issued a gag order against Trump
CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin said the publication “was clearly prohibited by the gag order in this case.”
He added: ‘Criminal defendants have different and lesser rights than ordinary citizens. They are not allowed to interfere in the trial process, especially when there is a gag order that specifically addresses attempts to intimidate jurors. It’s just not allowed.”
Former President Donald Trump leaves Trump Tower on his way to Manhattan Criminal Court, Thursday, April 18, 2024.
Stormy Daniels appears at an event on May 23, 2018 in West Hollywood, California.
So far, seven jurors have been chosen to deliberate.
They include an oncology nurse, a software engineer, an information technology professional, a sales professional, an English teacher and two lawyers.
Judge Merchan has said he anticipates opening statements in the landmark case will be given next week.
The jury selection process has moved faster than expected and Trump has complained that Judge Merchan is “rushing” the trial.
The case centers on a $130,000 payment that Trump’s personal lawyer and intermediary, Michael Cohen, made shortly before the 2016 election to porn actress Stormy Daniels to prevent her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump from becoming public. .
Prosecutors say Trump concealed the true nature of the payments in internal records when his company reimbursed Cohen, who pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2018 and is expected to be a star witness for the prosecution.
Trump has denied having a sexual encounter with Daniels and his lawyers argue that the payments to Cohen were legitimate legal expenses.
Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records and has pleaded not guilty.
He could face up to four years in prison if convicted, although it is unclear whether the judge would choose to put him behind bars.
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