Internet weighs in as judge denies Trump's block on Cohen, Daniels and McDougal testimonies in hush-money trial

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: In a legal setback for former President Donald Trump, Justice Juan Merchan ruled on Monday, March 18, against Trump's bid to block testimony from his ex-lawyer Michael Cohen, adult film actress Stormy Daniels and ex-Playboy model Karen McDougal in his upcoming trial in his upcoming trial.

The trial pertains to charges related to hush money payments made to Daniels before the 2016 election by Trump's former fixer Cohen.

Trump's legal team had argued that Cohen, who has a history of lying, lacked credibility and would likely commit perjury again. Additionally, they claimed that Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, would exploit the trial to profit from her story.

“Michael Cohen is a liar,” the judge quoted Trump as saying. “He recently committed perjury, on the stand and under oath, at a civil trial involving President Trump. If his public statements are any indication, he plans to do so again at this criminal trial.”

Trump's claims dismissed by judge

However, Justice Merchan pointed out that Trump failed to provide any evidence to support these claims.

In response to Trump's arguments, Justice Merchan stated, "This Court has been unable to locate any treatise, statute, or holding from courts in this jurisdiction, or others, that supports Defendant’s rationale that a prosecution witness should be kept off the witness stand because his credibility has been previously called into question."

Merchan on Monday also rejected Trump's plea to exclude testimony or evidence related to three individuals who received hush money payments. These individuals consist of Stormy Daniels, a doorman, and Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model, all of whom claim to have had involvement with Trump - allegations he strongly refutes.

Trump, who has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records, maintains his innocence regarding allegations of reimbursing Cohen for the payment to Daniels. He vehemently denies any encounter with Daniels in 2006.

Originally scheduled for March 25, the trial was postponed for at least a month due to a dispute over evidence disclosure. Justice Merchan is expected to set a new trial date following a court hearing on March 25. Representatives for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and Trump's legal team declined to comment on the ruling.

This case is one of four criminal indictments Trump faces as he gears up for a potential presidential bid against Democratic incumbent Joe Biden in the upcoming November election.

The charges against Trump also involve his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and his handling of government documents post-presidency.

"The evidence and testimony surrounding these individuals is inextricably intertwined with the narrative of events and is necessary background for the jury," Merchan wrote.

Prosecutors contend that the payment to Daniels was a component of a larger scheme devised by Trump and Cohen to silence individuals possessing detrimental information about the candidate.

Cohen had previously pleaded guilty to violating federal campaign finance laws in relation to this scheme.

In a partial victory for Trump, Justice Merchan ruled that prosecutors could discuss the infamous 'Access Hollywood' tape, where Trump made lewd comments about women. However, the prosecution's request to play the clip in court was denied by citing potential prejudice against Trump, NBC News reported.

Social media celebrates the judge's decision to allow Cohen and Daniels to testify

However, despite this minor win, critics of Trump on social media celebrated Justice Merchan's decision to allow Cohen and Daniels to testify.

"He. Just. Keeps. Losing," one posted on X.

"He is having a tough day," another wrote.

"Trump wants to censor the truth. Good job, Judge Merchan!" someone else gushed.

"Cohen is gonna annihilate Trump. I hope it's televised," a comment read.

"He’s getting the sledgehammer [treatment] that he deserves," another chimed in.

 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.