9 minutes ago
Trump lawyers ask for mistrial, claim Stormy Daniels' testimony about spanking ex-prez was irrelevant
By Ben Kochman

Trump attorney Todd Blanche has asked again for a mistrial, claiming that Stormy Daniels' testimony veered into gratuitous detail about her alleged sex romp with the ex-president.

Daniels testified Tuesday that she spanked Trump with a magazine bearing his face on the cover during their tryst inside his Lake Takoe hotel suite.

"It almost defies belief that we are here about a records case, and the government is...asking a series of questions about rolling up a magazine and spanking him," Blanche said.

Judge Merchan did not issue an immediate ruling.

Blanche asked for a mistrial for similar reasons on Tuesday, but was denied, with Merchan saying that issues with Daniels' testimony could be worked out during cross-examination.

4 minutes ago
Stormy's testimony about Trump not using a condom 'dog whistle for rape': Blanche
By Kyle Schnitzer

Trump attorney Todd Blanche said that Stormy Daniels' testimony about Donald Trump not using a condom during their alleged sexcapade was "dangerous" evidence" that suggested rape.

“It’s a dog whistle for rape,' Blanche said in the courtroom.

Blanche claims that Trump's team didn't know the extent to what prosecutors were going to ask Daniels, who testified in detail about her alleged affair with Trump at a Lake Tahoe golf course.

"This is not a case about sex," he said.

He also said that the jury is now "hearing about an imbalance of power between a man and a woman."

23 minutes ago
Two men booted from courtroom

Two men were booted from the Trump courtroom around 4 p.m. Thursday. The members of the public were removed by security.

17 minutes ago
Prosecutors no longer calling Playboy model Karen McDougal to testify: Blanche
By Kyle Schnitzer

'The People informed me they no longer intend to call Ms McDougal," Trump lawyer Todd Blanche just said, referring to prosecutors.

13 minutes ago
Trump attorney asks judge to allow Trump to 'respond publicly' to Stormy Daniels' testimony
By Kyle Schnitzer

Trump attorney Todd Blanche asked the judge to allow the former president to "be allowed to respond publicly" to Stormy Daniels' testimony, in part to the response to the media coverage.

“There’s no doubt there will be a feature on political shows tonight and articles," Blanche said.

He later went on, "This isn’t the same story that has been going around for the past several years. It’s much different. We’d ask you to remove the gag order to Ms. Daniels."

10 minutes ago
Prosecutors respond: Trump's team 'almost lives in an alternate reality'

Responding to Trump attorney Todd Blanche's plea to ditch the gag order against Stormy Daniels, Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Chris Conroy described the attempt as if "it seems as though the other side almost lives in an alternate reality."

“Modifying this gag order now in the middle of trial would signal to future witnesses they could be at risk as well," Conroy said.

Trump passes a note to Blanche after Conroy's comment. Blanche is now responding for a "narrowly tailored gag order."

a minute ago
Trump appears angry as judge denies attempt to rip Stormy Daniels

Donald Trump was hunched forward with a big red grimace on his face as Justice Merchan denied his team's motion for a modified gag order to rip Stormy Daniels.

Merchan said that Trump's "track record speaks for itself" when speaking about witnesses throughout the trial.

Merchan said "can't" take Blanche's word that Trump will curb his "attacks" on witnesses

“These were very real, very threatening attacks on potential witness. Your clients track record speaks for itself," the judge said.

He said earlier: "My concern is not just protecting Ms. Daniels or a witness who just testified. My concern is protecting these proceedings as a whole."