Trump trial live: Judge tells Michael Cohen to stop talking about Trump ahead of hotly-anticipated testimony

Former Trump ‘fixer’ set to testify on Monday following bombshell testimony from Stormy Daniels

Trump claims he would be ‘proud to go to jail’ for constitution

Donald Trump’s New York hush money trial has adjourned for the weekend after a week that included fiery testimony from porn star Stormy Daniels.

Ms Daniels sparred with defense attorney Susan Necheles over alleged inconsistencies in her various tellings of the sexual encounter she alleges she had with Mr Trump. The adult entertainer and director remained calm and unflappable giving her account to the court.

On Friday morning, Madeleine Westerhout, Mr Trump’s “gatekeeper” and former director of Oval Office operations during his administration, concluded her testimony. Earlier, during Thursday’s session, she cried on the stand about being fired after fondly recalling her time working for the then-president.

Meanwhile, Judge Juan Merchan has rejected another mistrial motion from the defense and denied a request that the gag order imposed on Mr Trump be lifted to allow him to respond to Ms Daniels, who mocked him on Twitter by saying “real men” testify.

Ex-Trump “fixer” Michael Cohen is set to appear on Monday for his highly anticipated testimony. Judge Merchan instructed him to stop talking about the defendant in advance of his testimony.

Alex Woodward is covering Mr Trump’s trial and will be providing regular updates on proceedings.

Key Points

• Hush money judge says Michael Cohen needs to stop talking about Trump
• Michael Cohen expected to begin testimony Monday in Trump hush money trial
• Stormy Daniels: 'Real men respond to testimony by being sworn in and taking the stand in court’
• Porn star shoots down Trump attorney’s claims she made up sex story
• Judge denies Trump’s attempt to lift gag order so he can ‘respond’ to explosive testimony
• Key takeaways from Thursday: Stormy, ‘Make America Horny Again’ and another failed mistrial motion

[9 May 2024 20:30 · Alex Woodward]

We see this text from Westerhout to Hope Hicks on March 20 (no year):

“Hey-the president wants to know if you called David Pecker again?”

We see this email from Westerhout to Graff on January 27 2017:

“Can you please send this to Alan Weisselberg [sic] from the President?

He sent his family and wanted Alan to see it as well. First time boarding Air Force One!”

The subject is “Photo” and the attachment is “NYT.pdf”

Trump often sent clippings. This one is Trump on the cover of the Times boarding AF1. This didn’t seem unusual, she says.