Court Rejects Trump's Mistrial Plea in Stormy Daniels Hush Money Case

Stormy Daniels, a key witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial, took the stand and recounted her alleged 2006 sexual encounter with Trump, which he denies. The trial focuses on the $130,000 payment made to Daniels during the 2016 presidential election to keep her silent about the alleged encounter. Trump is accused of falsifying internal business records to cover up hush money payments, including the payment to Daniels, and has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts.

Daniels testified that after the deadline for the $130,000 payment from Michael Cohen passed without the funds materializing, she authorized her then-lawyer Keith Davidson to cancel the deal. However, two weeks later, the deal was revived. After her lawyer and agent took their cuts, Daniels received about $96,000 of the payment.

Judge Juan M. Merchan rejected a defense request for a mistrial in Trump's hush money case. The judge agreed with defense attorney Todd Blanche that Daniels said more at times than she should have but blamed the defense for not objecting more vigorously during her testimony.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said that the city's jail system will be ready to house Trump if necessary. The trial is in its 13th day and is the first-ever criminal trial of a former US president.

Daniels testified about her career in adult films and her meeting with Trump in 2006. She said she accepted Trump's invitation to dinner because she wanted to get out of a planned dinner with her adult film company colleagues.

Trump's lawyers asked for a mistrial in his hush money case following Daniels' testimony, arguing that it was "extremely prejudicial" and had "nothing to do with this case." This is the first time Trump's attorneys have sought a mistrial in the hush money case.

Mayor Adams said that New York City's jail system will be ready if it has to house former President Trump following sanctions brought against him in his hush money trial. Judge Merchan fined Trump $1,000 on Monday for violating his gag order and warned him that jail time would be considered for future violations.