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Donald Trump’s criminal hush money trial is now truly underway with the prosecution and defence teams having presented their opening statements and tabloid mogul David Pecker, who owned The National Enquirer and was part of the “catch-and-kill” scheme at the hear of the case, having taken the stand
As the day began Judge Juan Merchan ruled that prosecutors can question Mr Trump about a blockbuster fraud ruling, gag order violations and defamation verdicts if he chooses to testify.
Court has now adjourned for the Passover holiday and will reconvene on Tuesday morning.
The defendant has been vociferously complaining about the case on Truth Social and angrily posting his presidential immunity claims — arguments about which the Supreme Court will hear on Thursday.
Elsewhere among the former president’s myriad legal issues, an agreement has been reached over Mr Trump’s $175m bond to appeal the civil fraud trial ruling and witness statements in the classified documents case have been made public.
Meanwhile, figures released by the Federal Election Commission revealed that legal fees had eaten up three-quarters of the cash from key fundraising pro-Trump Save America PAC.
Alex Woodward is providing live updates from the courthouse in Lower Manhattan
What is the Trump defence strategy?
A member of Donald Trump’s legal team divulged the defence’s plan to “focus on the facts” to show that the former president did nothing wrong, one day before the opening arguments are set to begin in the landmark hush money trial.
Oliver O’Connell22 April 2024 20:40
Watch: Trump again attacks key witness Cohen in defiance of gag order
With less than 24 hours before Judge Juan Merchan holds a contempt of court hearing and rules on gag order violations by Donald Trump, the former president was at it again in the hallway immediately outside the courtroom, attacking key witness Michael Cohen.
Oliver O’Connell22 April 2024 20:20
Trump attacks Biden with claim he is trying to ‘ban TikTok’ — which he repeatedly tried and failed to do
Donald Trump is trying to blame President Joe Biden for the bill passed by the House of Representatives on Saturday that wants the Chinese-owned parent of TikTok to sell the app.
The former president is attempting to use the false story as a pitch to young voters who he is hoping won’t remember that he tried to ban or force the sale of TikTok repeatedly when he was president – including announcing a ban to reporters on Air Force One in July 2020.
John Bresnahan of Punchbowl News notes that Mr Trump reversed his position on the app after a recent meeting with GOP mega-donor Jeff Yass, who owns a multi-billion dollar stake in the company.
Oliver O’Connell22 April 2024 20:10
New Pearl Jam song is about Donald Trump ‘playing the victim’
“Wreckage” appears on Dark Matter, the Seattle band’s twelfth album, which was released on Friday (19 April).
Singer-songwriter Vedder, 59, told The Times that the song represents an appeal for unity.
Kevin E G Perry has the story:
Oliver O’Connell22 April 2024 20:00
Watch: Biden campaign and White House ‘well-served by being hands-off’ on Trump trial
Oliver O’Connell22 April 2024 19:40
Melania Trump selling Mother’s Day necklace for $245
Ms Trump’s new necklace, named “Her Love & Gratitude”, retails for a pricey $245, is made from gold vermeil and features a flower pendant with heart-shaped petals and adjustable 16-18 inch chain and can be engraved with names, initials or meaningful dates, according to her website.
Joe Sommerlad has the details…
Oliver O’Connell22 April 2024 19:20
This morning in court – in sketches
No cameras in court, no problem… Here’s how courtroom sketch artists captured today’s historic trial of former president Donald Trump.
Oliver O’Connell22 April 2024 19:09
Civil fraud trial: Trump reaches deal with New York AG Letitia James over bond
The dispute centered around the underwriter: Knight Specialty Insurance Company (KSIC) a California-based company that gave Mr Trump an 11th-hour lifeline. The company is part of the Knight Insurance Group, chaired by billionaire Don Hankey.
Oliver O’Connell22 April 2024 19:00
‘It was election fraud. Pure and simple’: Trump trial hears 2016 scheme in opening statements
Alex Woodward reports from the courthouse in Lower Manhattan:
In their opening arguments to jurors, Manhattan prosecutors outlined Donald Trump’s alleged criminal conspiracy to influence the 2016 presidential election by paying off publishers to bury compromising stories.
“This case is about a criminal conspiracy and a cover up,” Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Matthew Colangelo told jurors on Monday.
Oliver O’Connell22 April 2024 18:40
Watch: Trump is ‘annoyed, resigned, maybe angry’ according to Rachel Maddow
Oliver O’Connell22 April 2024 18:31
