How Trump uses printouts of articles to defend himself at his trial – The Washington Post
It’s an unorthodox strategy for a criminal defendant, yet it embodies the former president’s penchant for showmanship and determination to discredit his case.
NEW YORK — Former president Donald Trump has established an unusual courthouse ritual as he attends his New York hush money trial: He regularly addresses reporters with printouts of what appear to be news stories, and legal analysis that he cites, often invoking others talking about him.
Frequently, Trump leafs through his stack of papers in front of TV cameras, quoting mostly conservative legal commentators who have tried to discredit the case. He has also repeatedly cited polling that shows him ahead of Biden and touched on immigration and inflation, despite saying the trial has prevented him from campaigning.
Former president Donald Trump’s criminal hush money trial is underway in New York. Follow live updates from the trial.
Key witnesses: Several key witnesses, including David Pecker and Stormy Daniels, have taken the stand. Here’s what Daniels said during her testimony. Read full transcripts from the trial.
Gag order: New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan has twice ruled that Trump violated his gag order, which prohibits him from commenting on jurors and witnesses in the case, among others. Here are all of the times Trump has violated the gag order.
The case: The investigation involves a $130,000 payment made to Daniels, an adult-film actress, during the 2016 presidential campaign. It’s one of many ongoing investigations involving Trump. Here are some of the key people in the case.
The charges: Trump is charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Falsifying business records is a felony in New York when there is an “intent to defraud” that includes an intent to “commit another crime or to aid or conceal” another crime. He has pleaded not guilty. Here’s what to know about the charges — and any potential sentence.