Seven jurors were selected and sworn in as former President Donald Trump's historic criminal hush money case continued Tuesday in Manhattan.
Day 2: Seven jurors selected
Day two of Donald Trump's criminal hush money case has wrapped up in Manhattan. Today, seven jurors were selected and sworn in. Here's what we know about them. In total, 12 jurors will be chosen, along with six alternates.
Court is off every Wednesday, and will resume Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m. At that time, jury selection will continue with a second group of 96 prospective jurors.
Trump: Judge Merchan is "totally conflicted"
Former President Donald Trump made brief remarks to the media following a long second day in court.
"We are going to continue our fight against this judge, we think he's totally conflicted," he said to reporters, referring to Judge Juan Merchan.
"He's [Merchan] doing as much as he can for the Democrats. This is a Biden-inspired witch hunt. And it should end. And it should end very quickly," Trump said.
The former president added that they're having a hard time with the New York state system.
Trump's campaign events as Biden visits Pennsylvania
Former President Donald Trump slammed his hush money trial, saying it's all coming from the "Biden White House."
Trump addressed the media as he walked into the Manhattan courthouse for Day 2 of his criminal trial, saying he should instead be on the campaign trail. Trump has to physically be in court for the duration of this trial because it is a criminal case.
Meanwhile, President Biden kicked off his three day campaign blitz across Pennsylvania with a visit this morning in his hometown of Scranton.
However, Trump said he would still campaign outside of the long hours in court. He will meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda for a dinner at Trump Tower in New York tomorrow, Bloomberg reports. Court will not be in session on Wednesdays for the duration of the hush money trial.
Tonight, Trump is also expected to visit a Hamilton Heights bodega after court wraps up– which is going later than scheduled today. In 2022, a bodega worker stabbed a man, in what officials called self-defense. The incident, however, sparked backlash against Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg as he dismissed the murder charge.
Trump is expected to meet at the bodega with the owner, the president of the New York Young Republican Club, among others, according to WPIX.
Two more prospective jurors dismissed
The six remaining jurors from the first group are being questioned.
Two have been dismissed. One said they cannot be fair and impartial. The other is a medical director who was concerned the trial would conflict with work as she performs surgeries.
Another prospective juror discloses that he does work in real estate and knows people who know Trump. He says, however, it wouldn't influence his thinking. He also answered that he did read Trump's book, The Art of the Deal. He was not dismissed at this point.
What we know about the jurors sworn in so far
Who has been sworn in as jurors so far in Trump's hush money case?
This afternoon, seven people were sworn in as jurors. Here's what we know about them:
Seat 1: West Harlem resident, from Ireland. This juror works in sales, previously served as a waiter and has some college education. He is married and has no children. Some of his news sources include the New York Times, the Daily Mail, Fox News and MSNBC.
Seat 2: Upper East Side resident, native New Yorker. She is an oncology nurse at a large hospital, is not married and has no children. Her news sources include the New York Times (NYT), CNN and Google.
Seat 3: Chelsea resident, grew up in Oregon. This juror has been an attorney for five years in corporate law. She is not married, has no children. Some news sources include: NYT, WSJ, Google.
Seat 4: Upper East Side resident, born in Puerto Rico. This juror has worked in IT training and consulting for 10 years and has been married a "long time." He has a child and two grandchildren. He participates in nonprofits; doesn't remember if he reached a verdict in the civil trial he was a juror for a long time ago. Some news sources include: Daily News, NYT, Google, X.
Seat 5: Harlem resident. This juror has been a teacher for 8 years, previously served as a case worker in juvenile delinquency. Never married, no children. News sources include: TikTok, Google, pop culture related podcasts. Mother and godfather are retired from police.
Seat 6: Chelsea resident, native New Yorker. This juror is a software engineer, and is not married and does not have children.
Seat 7: Upper East Side resident, from North Carolina. This juror is an attorney and civil litigator. He has a wife and children. News sources include: NYT, WSJ, New York Post and Washington Post.
Now: First six jurors being sworn in
Six people who have been selected to serve as jurors are now being sworn in.
The selected jurors include: an IT worker, an English teacher, an oncology nurse, a sales professional, a software engineer and a corporate lawyer, according to the Associated Press.
This group was asked to return to court Monday morning and instructed to not discuss the case.
Six additional jurors are still needed, along with six alternates.
Another panel of 96 potential jurors will now be brought in. The judge expects court to go past 4:30 p.m. today.
Potential juror not denied for cause over posts
The potential juror confirms it's her account.
She says the post could be from Instagram, but does not remember posting it as it was several years ago. She says she no longer posts on social media, saying politics became too "vitriol."
She explains that she can be impartial and base her decision in this case on facts, even though she disagrees with Trump politically.
She's left the room.
The defense's challenge for cause was denied.
Another potential juror's post is being questioned
Three jurors have been seated.
Trump attorney Todd Blanche is now challenging a potential juror over a post that reads "Trump invites the Thai boys to the White House, and the boys request to return to their cave."
This juror is now being brought into the room.
Judge strikes second juror for cause
The judge is striking a second potential juror for cause.
The potential juror confirmed it was his Facebook page, saying he sells buttons to raise money for PACs and grassroots organizations that bring out the vote, but says it's not to benefit a specific party.
He also said he doesn't remember if he watched the video in question, just thought it was from a "funny" account. He reiterates his opinion of Trump does not impact his ability in the courtroom.
Merchan said he doesn't have a problem with the posts themselves, but combined with some of the answers given, the judge has a hard time "crediting" some of the juror's responses.
A fourth potential juror is now being brought in for questioning about several posts that the defense raised as anti-Trump.
One reads, "Want to beat Trump in 2024? Help fund local groups."
There is also a posting of an article about the jurors yesterday, in which he told friends, "I have to return tomorrow" after being asked if he got picked, saying he couldn't talk about the case.
Blanche said this juror refused to tell the court his views.
Posts associated with a third potential juror's husband were also examined but that person was not excused. The judge determined it was ultimately a joke, though not very good humor, but believes the person could be impartial and fair.
Judge strikes potential juror for "lock him up" posts
Judge Merchan is striking the second potential juror for cause.
This potential juror shared posts that read "get him out" and "lock him up."
Juror #2 was brought into the courtroom. He confirmed it is his social media account but says he does not recall posting it, saying it was years ago.
However, the judge says the posts show this person clearly expressed they want Trump to be locked up.
Potential juror not denied for cause
Judge Juan Merchan denied to excuse the potential juror in question for cause.
Merchan says he doesn't want a juror that speaks out against Trump, saying he believes the potential juror in question can be fair and impartial, as she claims.
The prosecution also argued the Facebook video doesn't mean the potential juror cannot be fair. Our team in court was not able to see the video being played.
"Juror number one is denied," Merchan told Blanche. The defense has now moved on to another prospective juror.
Judge says Trump was gesturing to juror
The potential juror, who's social media posts are in question, was brought into the courtroom.
Merchan said Trump was clearly audible at this time and gesturing to the juror. The judge said he will not tolerate such behavior, allowing witnesses to be intimidated.
Trump's attorney Todd Blanche whispered something to his client.
The potential juror confirmed that is her Facebook post and acknowledges a "bias exists," but does not think it affects her ability to be fair and impartial.
She said the video was "just a New York City celebratory moment."
She confirms that is her Facebook post and acknowledges a "bias exists," but does not think it affects her ability to be fair and impartial.
— Katherine Fung (@katherinekfung) April 16, 2024
Defense questions potential juror over video "celebrating" 2020 election
Judge Merchan responds to the "hostile" posts in question, saying "show me the bias."
The judge asked Trump's attorney Todd Blanche to play the social media video so he can see it in context. Merchan is asking how to confirm that this account belongs to the juror.
Trump's legal team reiterates that the video is "clearly an anti-Trump event." Merchan agreed there's enough there to allow the defense to bring the juror in for questioning.
The prosecution disagrees, saying it's someone filming other people celebrating the election results.
Trump appears to be shaking his head.
Blanche calls out potential juror's "hostile" social media posts
Trump's attorney Todd Blanche begins by taking issue with social media posts made by several prospective jurors that he says contradicts with the answers they gave to the court.
He points to one juror's "hostile" Facebook posts seeming to celebrate the results of the 2020 presidential election.
It is 2:15 p.m and Trump is back in the courtroom with his attorneys. Blanche begins by taking issue with social media posts made by several prospective jurors that he says contradicts with the answers they gave to the court.
— Katherine Fung (@katherinekfung) April 16, 2024
Court resumes with jury selection
Good afternoon, it's 2:15 p.m. in New York City and day 2 of former President Donald Trump's hush money case is resuming with jury selection. Trump returned to the courtroom a couple of minutes ago.
Before lunch, both sides addressed prospective jurors on their views and impartiality. Now, the prosecution and defense will begin using their strikes on prospective jurors; both sides have 10 total strikes for the entire selection process. After that, there are six additional potential jurors that need to be questioned.
A handful of jurors were dismissed this morning for saying they could not be fair and impartial or due to scheduling conflicts.
Newsweek senior reporter Katherine Fung is in court.
Jurors: Trump speaks his mind
Two jurors spoke about how former President Donald Trump speaks his mind.
One said she "appreciates" that Trump speaks his mind, saying she prefers that rather than other officials who "you don't know what they're doing."
Another said you can't "judge" Trump for speaking his mind.
"He stirs the pot, he speaks his mind," another prospective juror tells Blanche. "You can't judge him because he speaks his mind."
Potential juror calls Trump "fascinating"
One potential juror told Trump's attorney Todd Blanche that she finds his client "fascinating."
"He [Trump] walks into a room and he sets people off, one way or another. And I find that really interesting," she explained.
Trump smiled and laughed in response.
Another juror said he was a big fan of The Apprentice as a child. The former president is watching the jury box as the questioning continues.
Todd Blanche tests jurors' fairness, impartiality
Trump attorney Todd Blanche is now addressing the prospective jurors. Blanche explains he'd like to test their fairness and impartiality.
There are no "wrong" answers, Blanche says, "your opinion of President Trump is extraordinarily important."
He is asking potential jurors about their opinion of Trump beyond this case as well as their social media.
When asked about his feelings for Trump, one juror tells Blanche, "If we were sitting in a bar, I'd be happy to tell you." The juror continued to explain that his feelings are not relevant in the case, calling it "apples and oranges."
Trump waives his right to be present at sidebars
Former President Donald Trump signed a form waiving his rights to be present at sidebars, Judge Juan Merchan confirmed.
Merchan said "yes" that is Trump's signature and "yes" he has spoken to his lawyers about it.
Court is now back in session and the jury selection process is resuming.
Juror questionnaire: List of the 42 questions
Each prospective juror answers 42 questions that are intended to determine if they can be fair and impartial.
More than 500 New Yorkers are expected to fill out questionnaires about their political beliefs before 12 are chosen, along with six alternate jurors. The process is expected to take one or two weeks.
Here's what potential jurors are being asked (several questions have follow-ups that are not included below):
JUROR QUESTIONNAIRE
Each juror who is seated in the jury box will be asked to answer the following 42
questions, beginning with the juror in seat number 1. Please do not read the
questions aloud, that is not necessary. Simply state the number of the question and answer each question, one after the other, in a loud clear voice. Depending on your answer, we may ask you follow-up questions. When you are finished answering all the questions, we will move on to the next seated juror until every juror has had the opportunity to answer.
- Without telling us your address, in what neighborhood do you live?
- What do you do for a living?
- Who is your current employer?
- What is your educational background?
- Are you married?
- If you are married, or living with another adult, what does that person do for a living?
- What do you like to do in your spare time?
- Do you participate in any organizations or advocacy groups? Which ones?
- Have you ever served on a jury before? Without telling us the verdict, please tell us whether the jury reached a verdict.
- Which of the following print publications, cable and or network programs, or online media such as websites, blogs, or social media platforms do you visit, read, or watch? (with a list)
- Do you listen to or watch podcasts? If so, which ones?
- Do you listen to talk radio? If so, which programs?
- Have you, a relative, or a close friend ever been the victim of a crime?
- Have you, a relative, or a close friend ever been employed by a law enforcement agency?
- Have you, a relative, or a close friend ever been employed by a federal, state, or local government, including but not limited to the State of New York?
- Have you, a relative, or close friend ever been employed in the accounting or finance field?
- Have you, a relative or close friend ever had any education, training, or work experience in the legal field, including but not limited to practicing criminal or civil law?
- Have you, a relative, or close friend had any experience or interaction with the criminal justice system, including a police officer or other type of law enforcement agent, which caused you to form an opinion, whether positive or negative, about the police or our criminal justice system? Would that experience prevent you from being a fair and impartial juror in this case?
- Have you, a relative, or a close friend ever been accused or convicted of committing a crime?
- Do you, a relative, or a close friend have a pending criminal case?
- Do you have any political, moral, intellectual, or religious beliefs or opinions which might prevent you from following the Court's instructions on the law or which might slant your approach to this case?
B. Do you have any political, moral, intellectual or religious beliefs or opinions that would interfere with your ability to render a verdict in this criminal case? - Do you have a health condition that might interfere with your ability to be here on the appointed days and times or otherwise prevent you from serving as a juror?
- Without telling us the name(s), do you take any medication that would prevent you from being able to concentrate or pay attention during the proceedings or during the deliberations?
- Court proceedings normally end around 4:30 in the afternoon though on rare occasions, we might work beyond that. Would your schedule and responsibilities permit you to work later if it were absolutely necessary to complete that day's work?
- Do you practice a religion that would prevent you from sitting as a juror on any particular weekday or weeknight?
- Can you give us an assurance that you will be fair and impartial and not base your decision in this case upon a bias or prejudice in favor of or against a person who may appear in this trial, on account of that person's race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, religious practice, age, disability, sexual orientation or political views?
- Can you promise to guard against allowing stereotypes or attitudes about individuals or about groups of people, referred to as an implicit bias, influence your decision?
- Have you, a relative, or a close friend ever worked for any company of organization that is owned or run by Donald Trump of anyone in his family?
- Have you, a relative, or a close friend ever worked or volunteered for a Trump presidential campaign, the Trump presidential administration, or other political entity affiliated with Mr. Trump?
B. Have you ever attended a rally of campaign event for Donald Trump?
C. Are you signed up for or have you ever been signed up for subscribed to, or followed any newsletter or email listserv run by or on behalf of Mr. Trump or the Trump Organization?
D. Do you currently follow Donald Trump on any social media site or have you done so in the past?
E. Have you, a relative, or a close friend ever worked or volunteered for any and-Trump group or organization?
F. Have you ever attended a rally or campaign event for any anti-Trump group or organization ?
G. Are you signed up for or have you ever been signed up for, subscribed to, or followed any newsletter or email listserv run by or on behalf of any anti-Trump group or organization?
H. Do you currently follow any anti-Trump group or organization on any social media site, or have you done so in the past? - Have you ever considered yourself a supporter of or belonged to any of the following: The QAnon movement, Proud Boys, Oathkeepers, Three Percenters, Boogaloo Boys, Antifa
- Do you have any strong opinions or firmly held beliefs about whether a former president may be criminally charged in state court?
- Do you have any feelings of opinions about how Mr. Trump is being treated in this case?
- Can you give us your assurance that you will decide this case solely on the evidence you see and hear in this courtroom and the law as the judge gives it?
- Do you have any strong opinions or firmly held beliefs about former President Donald Trump, or the fact that he is a current candidate for president that would interfere with your ability to be a fair and impartial juror?
- Have you read (or listened to audio) of any of the following books or podcasts by Michael Cohen or Mark Pomerantz? (with a list) If so, please let us know if what you have heard or read affects your ability to be a fair and impartial juror in this case.
- The defendant in this case has written a number of books. Have you read (or listened to audio) of any one or more of those books? If so, which ones?
- Do you have any opinions about the legal limits governing political contributions?
- Can you promise to set aside anything you may have heard or read about this case and render your verdict based solely on the evidence presented in this courtroom and the law as given to you by the judge?
- Can you give us your absolute assurance that you will refrain from discussing this case with anyone in any manner and from watching, reading, or listening to any accounts of this case during the pendency of the trial?
- Can you assure us that you will follow the judge's instructions on the law, including instructions on the definition of reasonable doubt and the presumption of innocence?
- The United States Constitution provides that a defendant has no burden to introduce any evidence or to testify in a criminal case. If Mr. Trump chooses not to testify, or to introduce any evidence, can you give us your assurance that you will not hold that against him?
- Is there any reason, whether it be a bias or something else, that would prevent you from being farr and impartial if you are selected as a juror for this case?
Prosecutor to jurors: "Everyone and their mother has an opinion about this case"
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass is addressing prospective jurors.
"Let's talk about the obvious," he said. "The defendant is both a former president and candidate for that office." Steinglass explained they're seeking jurors who can set strong political feelings aside in this case.
"This case has nothing to do with your personal politics," he said, adding it's "not a referendum" on the Trump presidency. "This case is about whether this man broke the law."
He also addressed the amount of publicity surrounding the case, asking for assurance that potential jurors can keep an open mind.
"Everyone and their mother" has an opinion about this case and what the right outcome should be, he said, however informed that opinion might be.
Watch: Excused juror says she "doesn't like" Trump, but he deserves a fair trial
Kara McGee is one of several potential jurors who were dismissed this morning.
McGee had scheduling conflicts with work. She spoke with reporters outside of the courtroom late Tuesday morning, and shared her view of Trump and the case.
"I don't like him," McGee said. "I don't approve of what he did as president, but the right to a fair trial is extremely important."
NEW - dismissed Trump juror Kara McGee speaks after leaving the courthouse:
— Olivia Rubin (@OliviaRubinABC) April 16, 2024
On Trump she says “I don’t like him, I don’t approve of what he did as president, but the right to a fair trial is extremely important.”
She was dismissed because of scheduling conflicts with work pic.twitter.com/DUXMKrsKMN
Trump smiles as juror said he's read his books
Trump smiled and nodded as one prospective juror said he's read some of his books.
The man, who lives in Battery Park City, said he read Trump's Art of the Deal, along with a couple of others. He also said he followed Trump on X, formerly Twitter, while he was president.
Both of those are listed among 42 questions on the jury's questionnaire.
Notes that relatives on his wife's side are Republican lobbyists. Said he followed Trump on X when he was POTUS.
— Katherine Fung (@katherinekfung) April 16, 2024
Said he read "The Art of the Deal" and that he wants to say "How to Get Rich," but asks if that is correct, which earns smiles and nods from Trump himself.
Prosecutors want "maximum" fine for Trump's social media posts
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg wants former President Donald Trump to pay the "maximum fine" for social media posts his office argues violate the gag order imposed by Judge Juan Merchan.
Prosecutors filed a brief on Tuesday, arguing Trump should be held in contempt for the violations. Prosecutors are seeking the maximum financial sanction for a violation– $1,000 for each post. There are three in question.
Prosecutors also suggested that Trump face 30 days in jail for subsequent violations. Merchan set a hearing on the matter for Tuesday, April 23.
Report: Trump looks at each potential juror
Trump has looked at each juror who enters or leaves the box, according to a pool reporter. The former president is looking at the jury questionnaire as prospective jurors answer the series of questions.
Meanwhile, another juror has been excused due to a work conflict.
Repeatedly says she "believes the law applies to everyone."
— Katherine Fung (@katherinekfung) April 16, 2024
Expresses concern that she cannot take any days off from work. She is excused.
Merchan instructs prospective jurors not to wait until the end to voice similar concerns.
New poll: Trump leads Biden in several swing states
Former President Donald Trump is leading President Joe Biden in five of six swing states that could potentially decide who wins the 2024 election, according to a poll.
An Echelon Insights survey of about 2,400 registered voters, was conducted for the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation.
Trump is ahead of Biden these five states, according to the survey:
- Arizona (51% to 45%)
- Georgia (52% to 42%)
- Michigan (51% to 45%)
- Nevada (51% to 44%)
- Pennsylvania (49% to 45%)
Biden is leading Trump in Wisconsin, but only by one point (47% to 46%). In 2020, Biden won all six of these states on his way to defeating Trump.
Today, Biden returns to his hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, kicking off three days of campaigning across the state. Trump, meanwhile, is stuck in court for his criminal hush money case in Manhattan.
While addressing the media this morning, the former president slammed the case, saying it's all "coming from the Biden White House." Trump pointed to polls for how voters feel about the trial, saying he should instead be on the campaign trail.
First three potential jurors dismissed so far
It's 10:30 a.m. ET in Manhattan, where the long jury process continues.
The first three potential jurors have been dismissed so far this morning, two for saying they cannot be fair and impartial, and one for saying the "strain" of the trial would conflict with his work.
A fourth potential juror is now being questioned.
Alina Habba's new role
Alina Habba's role on former President Donald Trump's legal team is shifting.
Habba, who represented Trump as lead attorney in the E. Jean Carroll defamation lawsuit, is still among the leading voices for the former president, but this time she's taking her megaphone outside the courtroom.
Introduced as Trump's "legal spokesperson," Habba told The Benny Show, a politically conservative podcast, on Monday that she couldn't represent Trump in his criminal case because she didn't practice that type of law, but that her absence in court gave her the opportunity to get his message out through other platforms.
"I plan, for the next six weeks, to truly just be spitting the truth and giving people facts they may not be hearing while he's in court," she said.
"The reality of the situation is we're in a very troubling time as a country," she said. "I think that's why the growth, that's why you see these Pennsylvania rallies, people coming out on a Saturday night and instead of going to dinner with their friends, they would rather go to a rally and feel confident that this country is not going to completely fall apart for their children and grandchildren."
Potential juror excused
The first potential juror of the day has been excused for saying he could not be impartial.
Working in the finance and accounting world, a lot of people tend to "slant Republican," the prospective juror told Merchan. Even though he explained that he could be impartial, there may be some bias.
The judge is now questioning the next prospective juror.
Jury selection now underway
Those two jurors are not at the courthouse.
Merchan says they will not be excused if they show up late, but will be put in the audience of jurors to potentially be called in a second round. Both are being replaced in the box.
Trump is again seated between attorneys Todd Blanche and Emil Bove.
Court waits on potential jurors
Judge Juan Merchan has taken the bench and apologized for the late start. The court is waiting on potential jurors.
One juror was excused due to experiencing flu-like symptoms. Trump's team asked that two other jurors be dismissed for being late, but Merchan wants to wait.
Judge Merchan has taken the bench. He begins by apologizing for the late start, explains he was waiting on three jurors who were in the box. One is dismissed after expressing that she is sick.
— Katherine Fung (@katherinekfung) April 16, 2024
Trump's team asks the other two be dismissed for being late, judge wants to wait.
Trump says he should be on the campaign trail
Donald Trump is now inside the courtroom.
The former President briefly addressed the media as he walked in the Manhattan courthouse just before 9:30 a.m. ET.
"This is a trial that should have never been brought," Trump said to reporters, saying he should be instead be on the campaign trail right now.
"This is all coming from the Biden White House... the voters understand it, all you just have to look at the polls."
He also called on Judge Juan Merchan to recuse himself.
Trump arrived inside of the courtroom right on time, at 9:30 a.m., winking at one of the officers, asking "how are you," per the press pool.
He is now speaking to one of his lawyers.
Prosecutors are in the courtroom
Prosecutors have now entered the courtroom, Newsweek's Katherine Fung reports.
Court is scheduled to begin momentarily, at 9:30 a.m. ET.
Judge Juan Merchan is set to hold a Sandoval hearing this morning before the jury selection process continues. A Sandoval hearing establishes the scope of the district attorney's cross-examination of former President Donald Trump, should he decide to testify.
What is especially interesting about this Sandoval hearing is the defense’s contention, in a March 19 letter, that the DA intends to ask Trump about “thirteen different court determinations, as well as about most of the underlying facts leading to those determinations.” 3/ pic.twitter.com/SfJzWZ606N
— Lisa Rubin (@lawofruby) April 16, 2024
Attorney: Trump would be "very compelling" witness
Former President Donald Trump said he would "absolutely" testify in his hush money trial, but what does his legal team think about it?
Trump attorney Will Scharf said it depends on how the trial goes, but the former president would be a "very compelling" witness, adding that his testimony would show he did "nothing wrong."
"I think that's going to be a question for President Trump and the trial team based on how the trial goes," Scharf said Tuesday in a CNN interview.
"The defendant obviously has every right to take the stand in his own defense he also has every right not to and the prosecution is not allowed to try to get the jury to form any inference based on a decision one way or another."
Trump attorney Will Scharf on why he thinks Trump should testify in the criminal hush money trial: pic.twitter.com/br0696IgJI
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) April 16, 2024
Trump calls trial an "assault on America"
Former President Donald Trump slammed the trial as he prepared for day 2 of his hush money case.
"MY TRIAL IS AN ASSAULT ON AMERICA!" Trump posted on Truth Social Tuesday morning.
He also took aim at the gag order imposed by Judge Juan Merchan. Monday, the prosecution introduced a motion to sanction Trump for social media posts that they argue violate his gag order.
"This conflicted, Trump Hating Judge won't let me respond to people that are on TV lying and spewing hate all day long. He is running rough shod over my lawyers and legal team. The New York System of "Justice" is being decimated by critics from all over the World. I want to speak, or at least be able to respond. Election Interference! RIGGED, UNCONSTITUTIONAL TRIAL! Take off the Gag Order!!!"
The prosecution requested Trump be fined $1,000 for each of three potential violations. Judge Merchan announced he will hear arguments in the matter on Tuesday, April 23 at 9:30 a.m.
Now: Trump arrives at courthouse
Former President Donald Trump has arrived at the Manhattan courthouse for Day 2 of his criminal hush money trial.
Trial begins at 9:30. Here's what happened on Day 1
Good morning. Day 2 of former President Donald Trump's hush money trial will get underway in about 30 minutes.
Jury selection, so far:
Jury selection began Monday afternoon.
The first group of 96 jurors made their way into the courtroom today and were sworn in. More than 50 were dismissed fairly quickly for saying they could not be fair and impartial. A handful of others were excused when asked if there was another reason they could not serve. Those reasons were not disclosed.
More than 500 New Yorkers were expected to fill out questionnaires about their political beliefs before 12 are chosen, along with six alternate jurors. The process is expected to take one or two weeks.
What are some questions prospective jurors are being asked?
Each prospective juror will answer 42 questions that are intended to weed out people who can't be impartial. According to a letter sent to attorneys by Judge Merchan, some of those questions include:
- Without telling us your address, in what neighborhood do you live?
- Which of the following print publications, cable and/or network programs, or online media such as websites, blogs, or social media platforms do you visit, read, or watch? (with several options)
- Have you, a relative, or a close friend ever worked for any company or organization that is owned or run by Donald Trump or anyone in his family?
- Have you ever attended a rally or campaign event for Donald Trump?
- Do you currently follow Donald Trump on any social media site or have you done so in the past?
- Have you, a relative, or a close friend ever worked or volunteered for any anti-Trump group or organization?
- Have you ever considered yourself a supporter of or belonged to any of the following: the QAnon movement, Proud Boys, Oathkeepers, Three Percenters, Boogaloo Boys, Antifa?
What else happened on Day 1?
Monday morning, Judge Juan Merchan reiterated his ruling that prosecutors cannot play the infamous Access Hollywood tape to jurors because it's so prejudicial. The judge will also allow testimony of Karen McDougal, a model who claimed to have an affair with Trump. Trump's motion for recusal was denied; Merchan said the arguments lack basis. A series of National Enquirer stories can be shown to jurors. The stories include negative coverage about Trump's 2016 political rivals.
Trial is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. ET in Manhattan. Newsweek's senior reporter Katherine Fung is inside the courtroom.
