Trump Slams Judge as 'Corrupt,' Denies Guilt in Criminal Trial

Former President Donald Trump has accused the judge in his criminal trial of being "corrupt" and denounced his ruling against a mistrial as a "disgrace." Trump maintains his innocence in the case, which involves 34 counts of falsifying business records stemming from alleged hush money payments to Stormy Daniels.

Former President Donald Trump's criminal trial resumed Friday after Judge Juan Merchan denied his defense attorney's request for a mistrial following salacious testimony from Stormy Daniels. Daniels, who claims to have had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006, took the stand for cross-examination Thursday morning after hours of questioning Tuesday that even the judge called "unnecessary" and "irrelevant."

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. The charges stem from a years-long investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. The charges are related to alleged payments made ahead of the 2016 presidential election to silence Daniels about an alleged 2006 extramarital affair with Trump.

Despite the charges, Trump declared, "We are so innocent."

Trump's defense attorney, Susan Necheles, challenged Daniels' testimony, suggesting that her story about the alleged sexual encounter has changed over time. Necheles pointed to statements Daniels signed in 2018 and 2016 denying a sexual relationship with Trump. Daniels maintained that she signed the statements under pressure.

Necheles also accused Daniels of seeking a financial settlement and changing her story to maximize profits. Daniels denied requesting money from Trump directly but admitted she wanted financial compensation for telling her story.

During her testimony, Daniels described specific details of the alleged sexual encounter, which differed from previous accounts she had given. Necheles pressed Daniels on these inconsistencies, suggesting she had made up parts of the story. Daniels denied this.

Prosecutors opted not to call Playboy model Karen McDougal as a witness, despite previous plans to do so. McDougal also allegedly received a payment to keep silent about an alleged affair with Trump. Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass defended the decision, stating that prosecutors never formally decided to use McDougal as a witness.

Judge Merchan denied Trump's defense team's request for a mistrial and a modification to a gag order, arguing that Trump could defend himself against Daniels' testimony. Merchan admitted that Daniels was a difficult witness to control but emphasized that the defense could have objected to certain questions during her testimony.

After court adjourned, Trump denounced Merchan as a "corrupt" and "totally conflicted" judge who made rulings that were a "disgrace." Trump insisted on his innocence and expressed frustration about being held in court.

The trial is expected to resume Monday, with the prosecution expected to present more evidence. Trump, who is the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee, has repeatedly denied the charges and has accused prosecutors of political motivation.