What to know about Trump's trial today
- Opening statements were delivered today in former President Donald Trump's historic New York criminal trial.
- Lawyer Matthew Colangelo from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office detailed an alleged "catch and kill" scheme with Trump's blessing. Trump's attorney Todd Blanche will deliver the opening statement for the defense.
- A source with direct knowledge of the situation tells NBC News that former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker will be the first witness for the prosecution. Prosecutors have described Pecker as a central figure in the alleged scheme to bury claims from women who said they had affairs with Trump.
- Judge Juan Merchan said that court will end at 12:30 p.m. ET today and at 2 p.m. tomorrow for Passover.
- Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records related to the hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. He has pleaded not guilty and denied a relationship with Daniels.
After trial tomorrow, Trump to meet with former Japanese prime minister
In addition to being in court on Tuesday, Trump is expected to meet with former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso. The trial is scheduled to conclude by 2 p.m. tomorrow to allow Passover observations.
Trump's campaign painted the meeting as evidence of his fitness to return to the White House.
“When President Trump is sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, the world will be more secure and America will be more prosperous,” spokesman Brian Hughes said.
Trump rails against judge in New York civil fraud case after agreement was reached in $175 million bond hearing
Hours after an agreement was reached at a hearing this morning on the $175 million bond in Trump’s New York civil fraud trial, the former president went on a rant complaining about Judge Arthur Engoron, who is presiding over the civil case.
"He had no idea what he did in the trial. He charged hundreds of millions of dollars on something where I’m totally innocent," Trump told reporters after exiting the courtroom.
"But if you look at what happened today, Judge Engoron should not have done that charge, he should have gone to the business division where they have complex business trials. But actually it should have never been brought because I didn’t overestimate it," he added.
Trump attacks Cohen after leaving courtroom
Speaking to cameras outside the courtroom, Trump railed against the prosecutors for indicting him over a "legal expense" and he attacked Michael Cohen, which he's barred from doing by the judge's gag order.
"It’s a case as to bookkeeping which is a very minor thing in terms of the law, in terms of all the violent crime," he said. "This is a case in which you pay a lawyer and they call it a legal expense in the books."
"I got indicted for that," Trump said.
Trump said that the things Cohen got in trouble for "had nothing to do with me."
"He represented a lot of people over the years but they take this payment and they call it a legal expense... and this is what I got indicted over," he said.
Trump said that instead of being at the trial, he should be campaigning in states like Georgia and Florida.
"It's very unfair," he said. "I should be allowed to campaign."
Trial wraps for the day
The trial concluded at 12:42 p.m. — leaving early to allow an alternate juror to make an emergency dental appointment.
Trump's defense team makes objection to part of David Pecker's testimony
Trump lawyer Emil Bove said the defense objected to testimony from David Pecker about Dylan Howard and asked that it be struck from the record.
“We objected to some testimony about the whereabouts of Mr. Howard,” Bove said.
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass said it's admissible and it could be foundational and goes to witness availability.
Jurors adjourned for the day
Merchan has excused jurors for the rest of the day.
Jurors departed the courtroom at 12:25 p.m.
David Pecker describes relationship with Dylan Howard, former editor-in-chief at National Enquirer
David Pecker said that he was familiar with Dylan Howard, the former editor-in-chief of the National Enquirer and chief content officer at AMI.
Pecker said Howard reported directly to him and said his job was "to make sure we got the most exclusive and current content.”
This line of questioning suggested that Howard will not testify himself.
Pecker says National Enquirer engaged in 'checkbook journalism'
Trump's longtime pal David Pecker admitted that the National Enquirer paid for some of its scoops.
“We used checkbook journalism and we paid for stories,” Pecker, former publisher of the supermarket tabloid, testified. “I gave a number to the editors that they could not spend more than $10,000 to investigate, produce or publish a story.”
Trump is more alert as Pecker testifies
Trump is now more alert, paying attention and is leaning into the defense table. He's speaking with his lawyer Emil Bove in an animated way.
His eyes are wide open and he's looking in Pecker's direction.
Who is David Pecker?
David Pecker, a Trump ally who is expected to testify during the trial, was the CEO of the National Enquirer’s parent company, American Media Inc. (AMI). He played a key role in the alleged scheme behind the hush money payment to Stormy Daniels in an effort to cover up the affair she claims she had with Trump before the 2016 election (Trump has repeatedly denied her allegations).
Pecker, a longtime friend of Trump, helped cover up potentially damaging stories about him. Prosecutors said Pecker and Michael Cohen had met with Trump at the Trump Tower in 2015 to discuss how Pecker could help suppress negative stories about Trump’s relationships with women. They allegedly discussed an instance involving Daniels, who was paid $130,000 by Cohen to not speak to media outlets about her alleged affair with Trump.
Pecker in 2018 was granted immunity by federal prosecutors in their investigation into Cohen, who pleaded guilty to federal charges in connection to hush money payments issued to women he said he made under Trump’s direction, after he spoke with prosecutors about Cohen’s payment to Daniels.
AMI in 2018 had admitted to paying $150,000 to former Playboy model Karen McDougal to silence her over an alleged affair she had with Trump before the 2016 election. Trump has denied having an affair with McDougal.