In the trial of N.Y. v. Trump, Judge Juan Merchan directed New York prosecutors to tell Michael Cohen to stop making comments about the case and former President Donald Trump, although no gag order was imposed. However, a gag order was placed on Trump, preventing him from speaking about witnesses, the jury, and prosecutors other than Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Cohen, expected to testify soon, has been making TikTok videos disparaging Trump and wearing a T-shirt depicting Trump behind bars. Trump’s legal team argued that Cohen should also be restrained by a gag order, but Merchan only issued a warning from the bench asking him to stop.
Trump’s campaign spokesperson referred to the judge’s decision as a “big win.” The warning given to Cohen does not come with legal consequences if he does not comply. Trump’s legal team has appealed the gag order. Cohen is set to be the star witness for Bragg, testifying about arranging a payment to Stormy Daniels to silence her story about a sexual encounter with Trump. Trump has denied the encounter, but the payments to Cohen served as the basis for Bragg’s indictment against Trump for falsifying business records.
Experts have expressed concerns that Cohen’s behavior on TikTok and in fundraising efforts could harm the case against Trump before he testifies. Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew McCarthy noted that Cohen’s credibility is already in question due to his past convictions, which could be used by Trump’s legal team to discredit his testimony. Defense attorney Jeremy Saland, from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, suggested that prosecutors need to intervene urgently to prevent further damage. Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records, and his defense argues that payments to Cohen were legal fees, not reimbursements.
The legal saga involving Michael Cohen, Donald Trump, and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office continues to unfold as the trial progresses. The judge’s warning to Cohen and gag order against Trump add new layers to the case. Cohen’s behavior on TikTok and in fundraising efforts has raised concerns about his credibility as a witness. Trump’s legal team is pushing back against the charges of falsifying business records, claiming that the payments to Cohen were legitimate legal fees. The outcome of the trial remains uncertain as both sides present their arguments and evidence. Ultimately, the testimony of key witnesses like Cohen will play a crucial role in determining the verdict.
