Simon Ateba is Chief White House Correspondent for Today News Africa covering President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. government, UN, IMF, World Bank and other financial and international institutions in Washington and New York.
A New York state judge has limited former President Donald Trump’s ability to discuss specific evidence on social media related to the hush money case involving adult film actress Stormy Daniels. In line with Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s request, Judge Juan Merchan has restricted Trump’s public disclosures about new evidence before the trial begins.
The ruling mandates that materials and information supplied to Trump’s defense team be used solely for defense preparation. It forbids anyone with access to the evidence from sharing the material with third parties, including social media platforms, without the court’s prior approval.
The order specifically targets Trump, allowing him to review sensitive materials from the prosecution only in the presence of his attorneys and prohibiting him from independently possessing or copying these materials. Trump is also barred from reviewing forensic images of witness cell phones, although his lawyers can show him approved portions of the images with the judge’s permission.
Prosecutors, while not seeking a gag order against Trump, stressed the need to preserve the integrity of the materials, citing a substantial risk of Trump using them improperly.
Trump’s legal team argued that the proposed order would infringe upon Trump’s First Amendment rights, but Judge Merchan found “good cause” for the prosecution’s request.
Trump faces 34 felony counts related to hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels and another woman during his 2016 presidential campaign. He has pleaded not guilty and denies any extramarital affairs. Trump’s lawyers are currently attempting to transfer the case to federal court.
Here are 5 key things from the latest development
1-Judge Juan Merchan limits Trump’s ability to discuss specific evidence on social media in the Stormy Daniels hush money case.
2-Trump’s defense team can only use materials and information for defense preparation and cannot share them on social media without court approval.
3-Trump can review sensitive materials only in the presence of his attorneys and cannot independently possess or copy them.
4-Judge Merchan found “good cause” for the prosecution’s request, despite Trump’s legal team arguing it would infringe on his First Amendment rights.
5-Trump faces 34 felony counts related to hush money payments made during his 2016 presidential campaign, and his lawyers are trying to transfer the case to federal court.