The 3rd week of the Donald Trump's first criminal trial (of four) ended with a roller coaster of news.
First up, we got confirmation from multiple sources, including the witness themself, that the next bombshell witness is the man in the center of this entire case: Michael Cohen, Trump's former "fixer" and current nemesis. it is expected that he will be on the stand for days, as he is questioned by the prosecution on the hush money/election interference plot, how much Trump knew and directed and what Cohen did to further this plot. The defense will obviously drag him through the mud, painting him as a liar, a felon and disgruntled ex-employee who is out to get his former boss - ie, REVENGE, which is ironically the title of Michael Cohen's book.
We also got confirmation that Judge Merchan has quashed Trump's effort to subpoena Mark Pomerantz, one of the former prosecutors in Bragg's office.
Defendant Orange Turd woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning, apparently.
Reports are that no family members are in court. No Senators either. Just Boris Epshtyn and some staffers.
Ok, this is weird, and we will need to see the transcript after.
Back to Madeline Westerhout, Trump's former assistant in the WH. Arguments about admitting travel schedules ensues.
Cross tried to paint him as a loving family man. It didn't land.
Next witness for the prosecution: Daniel Dixon, a custodial witness who works as a compliance analyst AT&T. He is talking about phone records.
Defense tries to paint calls as a POCKET DIAL. Lol. Stop.
Next witness: Jennie Tomalin from Verizon. More phone records. Nothing new to add.
BREAK!
And we are back!
Returning witness: Paralegal from the prosecutors office to talk about social media posts. Entered into evidence: Trump's tweets denigrating Maggie Haberman and Michael Cohen.
A final witness: Jarden Jarmel-Schneider, a paralegal for the DA's office. He is going to show crucial evidence about what the phone evidence shows.
And with that, witnesses are done and the jury excused! Before 1pm!
Big news in the housekeeping area, though. Assistant DA Steinglass informs the court that the prosecution plans to call two more witnesses, stating "I think it's entirely possible that we will rest by the end of next week."
We know one witness is Michael Cohen. Then a closer, the identity of which we do not know yet.
Before the court recesses for the day, there was actually a pretty serious issue to discuss. Michael Cohen can't stop blabbing on tiktok and social media about Donald Trump. And honestly, as much as I hate Donald Trump, I agree with his lawyers on this. Cohen needs to keep his commentary for the courtroom - at least until he is done testifying.
Steinglass says he's "repeatedly, repeatedly" asked Cohen not to do this, saying "The fact is, the witnesses are not subject to the gag order," and prosecutors cannot control them.
Judge Merchan makes a plea from the bench: "I would direct the People to inform Mr. Cohen that the judge is asking him" to refrain from making public statements about Trump — and that "comes from the bench."
Have a great weekend! See everyone back for the explosive first day of testimony from disgraced former fixer, Michael Cohen. Anticipate him being on the stand for multiple days and there will be fireworks from both the witness stand, the defense table and the hallway during all breaks. I doubt Trump will be able to control himself. Trump also has a campaign rally this weekend and it will be interesting to see if he attacks Stormy Daniels and/or Michael Cohen.
