Trump trial updates: Trump says he didn’t testify at hush money trial because of ‘my past’
Donald Trump has offered a garbled explanation as to why he ultimately declined to testify at his New York hush money trial, citing his “past” and telling a conservative radio host that he feared political bias against him. He also almost broke his gag order by criticising Manhattan prosecutor Matthew Colangelo.
Meanwhile, crowds are gathering for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee’s latest 2024 campaign rally in Crotona Park in New York City’s South Bronx, the first time that he has rallied in his hometown for eight years.
Mr Trump trailed the event on his Truth Social platform by pledging to “Make New York Great Again!!!” and promising: “Far Lower Taxes, Safe, Jobs, Jobs, Jobs, Good Schools, and everything else that goes towards the American Dream!”
On Wednesday, a hearing in Mr Trump’s classified documents case in Florida devolved into a chaotic shouting match as two lawyers fought over claims of a threat allegedly made to a defense attorney.
The hearing had been scheduled on behalf of Walt Nauta, the former president’s co-defendant and valet, to share arguments that the office of Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith had vindictively and selectively charged him with offenses.
In pictures: Trump’s South Bronx rally awaits his arrival
Oliver O’Connell23 May 2024 22:50
Watch: Fox News host says ‘voters are like women … they want you to lavish attention on them’
Oliver O’Connell23 May 2024 22:30
In pictures: Crowd gather for Trump in South Bronx
Oliver O’Connell23 May 2024 22:22
Watch: Republicans under Trump orders betraying their voters by ‘torpedoing bill to secure border’
Oliver O’Connell23 May 2024 22:15
Hush money trial: Ex-FBI director James Comey says Trump has ‘zero chance of an acquittal’
“There’s an overwhelming chance of a conviction, a significant, but much smaller chance, of a hung jury and zero chance of an acquittal,” Mr Comey told host Dan Abrams on Wednesday.
Oliver O’Connell23 May 2024 22:00
Trump coming to the Bronx… but posts pic of Brooklyn
Oliver O’Connell23 May 2024 21:50
Biden ‘deepfake’ robocalls mastermind fined $6m and criminally charged over scheme
A Democratic political consultant accused of using AI technology to create a deepfake of President Joe Biden’s voice and distribute robocalls spreading election misinformation has been hit with 26 criminal charges and a $6m fine.
Steven Kramer, 54, was indicted in New Hampshire on Thursday on charges of felony voter suppression and misdemeanor impersonation of a candidate for his actions in connection to a scheme that sought to stop Democratic voters from casting their ballot in the New Hampshire presidential primary.
Ariana Baio has the story:
Oliver O’Connell23 May 2024 21:45
Hush money trial: Here’s what to expect as Trump’s criminal trial comes to an end
The jury will then begin deliberations to decide the fate of the former president.
Oliver O’Connell23 May 2024 21:34
Trump campaign says Secret Service convention plans have ‘critical flaw’
The Trump campaign on Thursday fired off a letter to U.S. Secret Service Director Kim Cheatle, demanding she fix a “critical flaw” in the security perimeter of this summer’s Republican National Convention, claiming that attendees’ safety is at risk as protesters plan to descend on the area.
The convention, slated for July 15-18 in Milwaukee, includes a perimeter that encompasses a nearby park, Pere Marquette.
As of now, pedestrians would have to walk through Pere Marquette, which is owned by the city, to reach the facilities. According to a person familiar with the security plan, the park serves as a natural congregation point and there’s a heightened concern that attendees’ safety may be at risk if the park is not secured.
Oliver O’Connell23 May 2024 21:25
Meanwhile, in the latest from the hush money trial…
Justice Juan Merchan has denied Team Trump’s motion to sanction the Manhattan District Attorney’s office over that document dump that delayed the trial back in March.
The judge says the DA Alvin Bragg didn’t do anything wrong, there was no coordinated investigation between federal investigators and the DA’s office, and defendant Donald Trump wasn’t hurt by any of it, so nothing needs to happen.
You can read the full ruling over at the New York State Unified Court System website.
Oliver O’Connell23 May 2024 21:17
