Judge said Trump was swearing during Stormy Daniels’ testimony

The judge presiding over Donald Trump’s secret trial warned the former president’s lawyer Tuesday that he would not tolerate his client “audibly insulting” during Stormy Daniels’ testimony, saying it could be intimidating for the witness.

The exchange between Judge Juan Merchan and Trump lawyer Todd Blanche took place during a sidebar, according to the official court transcript released Tuesday evening.

It comes on top of an already surreal day in court where Daniels, an adult film actress, detailed what she said was a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006.

In Merchan’s remarks to Blanche, the judge told him, “I understand that your client is upset at this point, but he is audibly swearing, and he is visually shaking his head and it is dismissive,” according to the transcript.

“It has the potential to intimidate the witness and the jury can see that,” Merchan added.

Blanche responded that he would speak to Trump, according to the transcript.

The judge, referring to their discussion off the bench, out of earshot of the rest of the courtroom, also told Blanche: “I’m talking to you here, on the bench, because I don’t want to embarrass her . »

Merchan continued: “You need to talk to him. I will not tolerate this.

Blanche again told the judge he would speak to Trump before Merchan provided more examples of Trump’s actions in the courtroom.

“I once noticed Ms. Daniels testifying about rolling up the magazine and probably slapping your client, and after that moment he shook his head and looked down. And later, I think he was looking at you, Mr. Blanche, later when we were talking about The Apprentice, at which point he said something vulgar again and looked at you this time. Please talk to him at break, Mr. Blanche,” Merchan said, according to the transcript.

“Yes, I will,” replied Blanche.

Merchan found Monday that Trump again violated an April 1 order of silence that prohibited him from disparaging witnesses or the jury. The judge warned that Trump could face prison time “if necessary” for any further violations. Trump has already been fined $10,000 for these violations.

Payments made to Daniels by then-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen near the end of the 2016 presidential campaign are at the heart of the case.

Cohen paid Daniels $130,000 in exchange for silence about her claims about a sexual relationship with Trump. Daniels testified Tuesday about sexual contact she had with Trump and paying to buy his silence. Trump has denied her claims and pleaded not guilty to all charges.