Internet weighs in as Judge Juan Merchan blocks Trump's subpoena to NBC over Stormy Daniels documentary

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: The attempt by former President Donald Trump to subpoena Comcast-owned NBC Universal for materials related to a recent documentary featuring adult actor Stormy Daniels, was blocked by Justice Juan Merchan, who is overseeing Trump's April 15 hush money criminal trial.

The former POTUS's claim that Daniels and NBC conspired to release the film close to the trial to damage him was deemed unsupported by the judge, Reuters reports.

Judge Juan M Merchan found that the subpoena issued by Trump's lawyer was "far too broad" and failed to meet the legal standard to compel NBC Universal to turn over documents and other items related to the documentary ‘Stormy.’

What did Judge Juan Merchan say regarding Trump’s subpoena?

Judge Merchan wrote in the Friday ruling, “In the instant matter, the Defendant seeks ‘all’ documents, including but not limited to vague and overbroad requests.”

"His subpoena and the demands therein are the very definition of a fishing expedition," the judge remarked in the court order. On March 18, the documentary 'Stormy' was released on Peacock, NBC's streaming service.

On Friday, Judge Merchan issued an order regarding a subpoena that had been served to NBC by former President Donald Trump on March 11. The subpoena requested documents related to the premiere date of the documentary and any compensation paid to Daniels.

On March 20, NBC requested Judge Merchan to block the subpoena and stated that Daniels did not have the right to approve the content of the documentary or its release timing, as per the order.

Merchan stated that he would have blocked it because it attempted to "rifle through privileged documents of a news organization," calling the assertions made by Trump's attorneys "purely speculative and unsupported," reports The Hill.

Former President Donald Trump is facing multiple criminal charges, including accusations of covering up his former lawyer Michael Cohen's $130,000 payment to Stephanie Clifford, also known as Stormy Daniels, for her silence before the 2016 election.

The payment was allegedly made to prevent Daniels from disclosing a sexual encounter she claims to have had with Trump in 2006. Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records and denies any such encounter with Daniels.

He also faces three other criminal indictments related to his efforts to reverse his 2020 election loss to Democratic President Joe Biden and his handling of sensitive government documents after leaving the White House in 2021.

While the other cases do not have firm trial dates, the hush money case in New York state court in Manhattan could be the only one to go to trial before Trump's expected rematch with Biden in the November 5 election.

On Wednesday, the judge rejected Trump's request to delay his April 15 trial until the Supreme Court issues a decision on the presidential immunity matter Trump claimed in his other cases.

Trump's legal team has attempted to block testimony from both Daniels and Cohen and subpoenaed NBC Universal on March 11 in hopes of obtaining documents related to a documentary about Daniels.

They claimed that the subpoena would demonstrate collusion between Daniels and NBC Universal, alleging coordination to release the documentary right before the beginning of the trial for their financial benefit.

However, the request was blocked on Friday, less than two weeks before Trump's hush-money criminal trial in New York, where Daniels is a key prosecution witness.

Internet divided as Trump's subpoena to NBC is struck down by Judge Merchan

People on X shared their reactions and opinions regarding the judge blocking former President Donald Trump’s attempt to gain access to NBC’s documentary related to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.

One X user wrote, "I can’t believe we are still spending US tax payer money why on this s**t."

Another user quipped, "It's only taken over 70 years, but the walls of justice are finally closing in around the Orange R***st @realDonaldTrump. Great days for #America!"

Another user remarked, "Why do yall hate this man so much? It's a shame."

One user tweeted, "To my fellow Americans (Democrat, Republican, or Independent), Those who DON'T stand AGAINST Donald Trump are just as responsible for what happens to America… as those who DO stand WITH him. Don’t Let Donald Trump Fracture America. Signed, A Disabled American Veteran"

Another X user claimed, "What has happened to the good people who used to run our courts and held offices. Now it’s all about hatred of a man who they know will do good for our country as he did for four years. We were all better under Trump and the Democrats can’t handle that so it’s all jealousy & hate"

Finally, this user asked, "Why does an innocent man continue to request delays in a trial that will ultimately prove his innocence?"

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.