New York City, NY – Former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial continues in Manhattan with testimony from his former White House executive assistant, Madeleine Westerhout. Westerhout’s testimony comes after a day of intense cross-examination by adult film actor Stormy Daniels, who alleges a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006.
During Daniels’ testimony, she faced tough questioning from Trump’s attorney about her claims and emotional moments as she addressed social media attacks against her. In contrast, Westerhout’s testimony portrayed Trump as a good boss with a close relationship with his wife, Melania.
Westerhout discussed her role as an intermediary between Trump and the Trump Organization, handling various tasks like managing Trump’s contacts and delivering checks for him to sign. This information could be crucial for prosecutors arguing that Trump was aware of payments made to Cohen to keep Daniels quiet.
Trump’s attorney raised objections during the trial, including a mistrial motion and criticism of Daniels’ testimony. However, the judge denied the mistrial request and refused to relax the gag order against Trump attacking witnesses.
Daniels responded to the developments on social media, hinting at future actions. The trial also involves testimony from a Manhattan district attorney’s office employee regarding Trump’s social media activities, with prosecutors aiming to conclude their case by May 21.
As the trial progresses, the question remains whether Trump will testify in his defense. With no obligation to do so, the decision could have significant implications for the outcome of the trial. Ultimately, the testimonies and evidence presented will play a crucial role in determining the verdict in this high-profile case.