First Day of Testimony in Trump Criminal Trial Ends After Opening Statements and First Witness

First Day of Trump Trial Ends After Opening Statements

The first day of testimony wrapped up Donald Trump’s history in New York’s hush money criminal trial. This is the first time a former President has been tried in criminal court, so here’s what you need to know.

Open statements were laid out. Prosecutors said this case is about a “criminal conspiracy and a cover-up.” The defense, unsurprisingly, tried to discredit their points. That’s their job, but let’s see if the jury buys it after the first day.

Then, the first witness testified. Now get this, his name is David Pecker. Insert chuckle. He’s the ex-publisher of the National Enquirer, arguably the most prominent tabloid magazine in the country. Pecker will resume testimony Tuesday. He only briefly took the stand on Monday. CNN reports that prosecutors believe Pecker was “a central player in the alleged hush money scheme in an effort to suppress” or kill negative details about Trump before the 2016 election.

The judge ruled that, on Monday, he would allow Trump to be asked about the civil fraud and the E. Jean Carroll verdicts, among other previous cases, if he decided to testify. ICYMI, Trump was ordered to pay over $400 million in penalties after a New York civil court found he defrauded the state of NY through years of fraudulent business dealings. As for Carroll, a civil jury found that Trump defamed her when he said he did not rape her in the mid-nineties. A jury believed some of her accounts and found he sexually assaulted Ms. Carroll and defamed her. When Trump defamed her again, he was ordered to pay over $80 million in damages. The former President is appealing both verdicts. 

Now, get this. Trump is under a strict gag order. The judge said there will be a gag order hearing to determine if Trump violated the order. That is set for 9:30 a.m. ET tomorrow, and the jury has been excused until 11 a.m. ET while the prosecution and defense argue over Trump and his gag order, which he seemingly is violating. 

The Trump legal saga continues.

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John Legend Goes After Donald Trump In Scathing Interview: “He’s A Racist”

John Legend slammed Donald Trump during an interview with former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on MSNBC, on Sunday. In doing so, he labeled the former President of the United States a “racist” and asked what he’s actually “done for Black people?”

“He’s made it clear throughout his life that he believes Black people are inferior,” Legend said. “He believes that to his core, in his bones, he wouldn’t let us live in his buildings back in the day. But also, when you hear some of the stray comments he makes, he clearly believes in a genetic hierarchy of humanity, and it’s racially determined. So, he is a tried and true, dyed-in-the-wool racist. In the core of his being, he’s a racist. So, I don’t want to hear what he has to say about what he’s done for Black people. He’s done very little for us and he is at his core, truly, truly a racist.”

Read More: John Legend Breaks Down His Fallout With Kanye West

John Legend & Chrissy Teigen Attend Dinner At The White House

US singer-songwriter John Legend and his wife model Chrissy Teigen arrive at the White House to attend a state dinner honoring French President Emmanuel Macron, in Washington, DC, on December 1, 2022. (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP) (Photo by ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images)

Elsewhere during the interview, Legend discussed the criminal justice system in the U.S. “There is a two-tiered justice system, but not in the way that he thinks. He’s the beneficiary, absolutely. The fact that he’s out in the world, that’s not normal for a lot of people,” Legend argued. “He’s gotten away with a lot for a long time, he’s been a fraudster for a long time, he’s been cheating people for a long time, he’s been lying for a long time and he’s actually been litigating for a long time.” Check out his full comments below.

John Legend Speaks On Donald Trump

It’s far from the first time Legend has been critical of Donald Trump. He previously admitted that his relationship with Kanye West has been tarnished due to the rapper’s support of the former President. Be on the lookout for further updates on John Legend on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Rappers Who Support Donald Trump: Weezy, Kodak & More

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Donald Trump Trial: Man Sets Himself On Fire Outside Courthouse

Today, chaos unfolded outside of the Manhattan courthouse where Donald Trump’s trial is taking place. The former president has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records in relation to the alleged $130K payment he’s accused of making to adult actress Stormy Daniels. Allegedly, the payment was made in exchange for Daniels’ silence on an alleged affair, which Trump denies.

Around the time that the jury was empaneled, and just before a lunch break, a man set himself on fire outside of the courthouse. The man was reportedly located in a designated protest area when the act took place, and several witnesses looked on in horror. At the time of writing, it remains unclear whether or not this was directly related to Trump or the trial. Law enforcement sources tell NBC News that the man appeared to be an alleged follower of unspecified conspiracy theories and that he may have also been struggling with “emotional issues.”

Read More: Travis Kelce Has Swifties Up In Arms After Liking Pro Donald Trump Post On Instagram

Chaos Unfolds Outside Of Donald Trump’s Trial

Donald Trump Trial: Man Sets Himself On Fire Outside Courthouse
(Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP) (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

A 73-year-old witness named Dave from the Upper West Side saw the shocking incident unfold, and says he watched the man throw various pamphlets before picking them back up again. “I heard this clattering,” he recalled. “That caught our attention. Then he pulled out a can.” From there, the man reportedly poured something on himself and took out a lighter. “There I thought, this could be awful,” Dave also explained. “I’m old enough to remember the Vietnam War.” According to Dave, the man then lit himself on fire and was quickly engulfed in flames.

Another witness, freelance photojournalist Ed Quinn, says he heard someone shout that the man was getting ready to start the fire. “I see him dumping gasoline on his face, very deliberately,” he described. “He had [a] gray t-shirt on. It soaked his face. It soaked his shirt. Boom, he went up.” According to NBC, the man was sent off in an ambulance in critical condition. What do you think of the latest development in Trump’s trial? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.

Read More: Melania Trump Net Worth 2024: What Is The Former First Lady Worth?

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Travis Kelce Has Swifties Up In Arms After Liking Pro Donald Trump Post On Instagram

Travis Kelce is someone who has become extremely famous over the last decade thanks to his skills on the football field. However, his fame has truly skyrocketed over the past year thanks to his relationship with Taylor Swift. Overall, this is a relationship that was sprung up at the start of the NFL season. Some felt like it could prove to be a distraction for Kelce. In the end, it was actually a good luck charm as the Chiefs went on to win their second Super Bowl in a row. Now, Kelce has three championships, and his legacy is cemented.

With this immense fame, Kelce is being put under the microscope for every little thing that he does. For instance, his likes on Twitter and Instagram are being watched closely. Over the weekend, one person noticed that Kelce liked an IG post from Sage Steele, a former anchor at ESPN. In this post, Steele spoke about getting to cover the UFC. Moreover, she put a picture of herself with Donald Trump, front and center. Considering just how much people hate Trump, it should come as no surprise that some were livid with Kelce’s social media activity.

Read More: Travis Kelce Praised For Film Investment

Travis Kelce Likes A Post

Swifties in particular were upset with Kelce. After all, his girlfriend has endorsed Joe Biden and other Democrats in the past. Whether or not Kelce actually meant anything by his like, remains to be seen. What we do know, however, is that some are upset about the situation. It seems as though, moving forward, Kelce will need to be more careful with his activity.

Reactions

Let us know what you think about all of this, in the comments section down below. Is this a controversy that is going to blow up further? Do you believe this is a big deal? Will Taylor Swift care about all of this? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the sports world We will continue to keep you informed on all of the latest breaking news pertaining to your favorite players and teams.

Read More: Travis Kelce Will Play In 2024

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Melania Trump Net Worth 2024: What Is The Former First Lady Worth?

Melania Trump is the former First Lady of the United States and a seasoned entrepreneur. She has accumulated a net worth of $50 million by 2024, as reported by CelebrityNetWorth. Her diverse career path, encompassing high-profile modeling gigs, jewelry and skincare business ventures, and her influential role in the White House, highlights her multifaceted professional life and underscores her ability to leverage her public persona into substantial financial success.

Rise To Prominence As A Model

Melania Trump
Portrait of members the Trump family as pose together during an event at the Mar-a-Lago estate, Palm Beach, Florida, 1999. Pictured are, from left, sister banker Elizabeth Trump Grau, mother Mary Trump (1912 – 2000), son real estate developer Donald Trump, and the latter’s girlfriend, model Melania Knauss (later Trump). (Photo by Davidoff Studios/Getty Images)

Born Melania Knauss in Slovenia, she embarked on her modeling career at a young age, eventually moving to the United States to pursue greater opportunities in the fashion industry. Her work as a model gained momentum in the 1990s and early 2000s, gracing the covers of major magazines and participating in high-end fashion campaigns. This career period established her as a prominent figure in the modeling world and laid the foundation for her later business ventures.

Ventures Into Business & Design

Melania Trump
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 21: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump sits with his wife Melania Trump while appearing at an NBC Town Hall at the Today Show on April 21, 2016 in New York City. The GOP front runner appeared with his wife and family and took questions from audience members. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Transitioning from her modeling career, Melania expanded her professional endeavors into jewelry and skincare, launching her own lines that were marketed through various luxury consumer outlets. These business ventures were built on her personal brand of elegance and luxury, appealing to a demographic that admired her style and public image. While these ventures met with varying degrees of commercial success, they contributed to her financial portfolio and enhanced her standing as an entrepreneur.

Role As First Lady & Subsequent Activities

Melania Trump
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 15: Former U.S. President Donald Trump and former first lady Melania Trump stand together during an event at his Mar-a-Lago home on November 15, 2022 in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump announced that he was seeking another term in office and officially launched his 2024 presidential campaign. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

As the First Lady from 2017 to 2021, Melania Trump took on a new public role that expanded her influence significantly. During her time in the White House, she launched the “Be Best” initiative, which focused on children’s well-being, online safety, and opioid abuse. Since leaving the White House, she has maintained a relatively low public profile but continues to engage in activities that align with her interests in arts and philanthropy, further sustaining her public persona and related income streams.

Melania Trump’s journey to a net worth of $50 million in 2024 is a testament to her diverse career from the runways of Europe to the corridors of political power in Washington, D.C., as outlined by CelebrityNetWorth. Her ability to navigate these varied arenas with poise and a strategic approach to branding and business has solidified her financial success and enduring influence in both the commercial and cultural spheres.

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Donald Trump To Focus On Combating “Anti-White Racism” In 2nd Term: Report

Donald Trump’s team reportedly intends to combat so-called “anti-white racism” as a keystone of a second administration according to a report from Axios. This would include nixing programs created to help minorities from before the killing of George Floyd and after. In doing so, he will also reinterpret Civil Rights-era laws and apply them to this new context.

“Trump’s Justice Department would push to eliminate or upend programs in government and corporate America that are designed to counter racism that has favored whites,” Axios reported. “Targets would range from decades-old policies aimed at giving minorities economic opportunities to more recent programs that began in response to the pandemic and the killing of George Floyd.”

Read More: Rappers Who Support Donald Trump: Weezy, Kodak & More

Donald Trump Holds Campaign Rally In Michigan

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – APRIL 02: Former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign event on April 02, 2024 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Trump delivered a speech which his campaign has called “Biden’s Border Bloodbath”, as recent polls have shown that immigration and the situation at the U.S. Southern border continue to be top issues on voters’ minds going into the November election. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Trump’s campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung did not attempt to refute the report when Axios reached him for comment. Instead, he had this to say: “As President Trump has said, all staff, offices and initiatives connected to Biden’s un-American policy will be immediately terminated.” Former Trump aide Stephen Miller and his America First Legal previously used the language of “anti-white racism” to sue the NFL for it’s implimentation of the Rooney Rule. That rule requires teams to interview minority candidates for head coaching positions. 

Donald Trump Plans To Reinterpret Civil Rights-Era Laws

The former president will be squaring off against the incumbent, Joe Biden, in the general election November. It will be a rematch of the 2020 election, in which Trump was the incumbent. Be on the lookout for further updates on Donald Trump and the upcoming presidential election on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Benny The Butcher Explains Donald Trump Support & His “Frustration” With It

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Donald Trump Threatens To Deport Prince Harry If He’s Re-Elected

We’ll have to ask Trump’s supporters in hip-hop what they think of his latest threat to deport Prince Harry if he wins another election for President of the United States. Moreover, the indicted politician and business mogul recently sat down for an interview with GBN‘s Nigel Farage. During it, he warned that the Duke of Sussex would not get special treatment if he lies on his visa application, and it seems particularly centered around the former royal’s admissions of hard drug use. Futhermore, this is a factor that could significantly affect a visa renewal process or the application itself, as it could make applicants and solicitors ineligible. Of course, Donald Trump failed to offer a specific plan here, but he threatened Harry if his visa contains gaps or false information.

However, it’s more likely than not that Prince Harry’s past drug use, much to Trump’s dismay, will not pose that big of an issue concerning his visa. For those unaware, he currently lives in the U.S. on a visa and is still considering the idea to become a national citizen. Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle, is a natural-born U.S. citizen, and their children Archie and Lilibet are dual citizens. Since the election is months away, it seems like there’s not much cause for concern either way.

Read More: Money Man Endorses Donald Trump

Trump’s Threat To Prince Harry: Watch

Well, there is cause for concern, but it’s because of the general campaign that Trump’s brought about, not its relationship to an ex-British royal. “Now if I don’t get elected, it’s going to be a bloodbath for the whole [country],” he threatened at a recent Ohio rally in reference to the Chinese automobile industry. “That’s gonna be the least of it. It’s going to be a bloodbath for the country. That will be the least of it. But they’re not going to sell those cars. They’re building massive factories. If this election isn’t won, I’m not sure that you’ll ever have another election in this country.”

Meanwhile, as more folks either align with or blast No. 45’s right-wing tendencies, it sets up a wholly chaotic election year that we’re already deep into. No matter how you slice it, it’s going to be an ugly fight. Let’s just hope the rants lessen with time. For more news on Donald Trump and Prince Harry, stay posted on HNHH.

Read More: Prince Harry Net Worth 2023: What Is Meghan Markle’s Husband Worth?

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Kodak Black Endorses Donald Trump

Kodak Black has vocally endorsed Donald Trump. However, the rapper went well beyond simply stating his voting preference. “We should have Donald Trump in office for 20 years,” Black declared. Of course, this is not the first time that Black has linked up with the former President. Trump gave Black a presidential pardon, though that action did little to curtail Black’s run-ins with the legal system.

“I’m mafioso, bruh. He a Gemini just like me. His birthday three days after my sh-t. And that boy, he be vibing out here too [in Florida]”. Black told Drink Champs last year. Furthermore, Black said he wouldn’t hesitate to give Trump $1 million if the former President asked for it. He’s not the only rapper to endorse Trump as of late. Earlier this week, Money Man also threw his hat behind the embattled former President.

Read More: Kodak Black Vows To Be “Better” After Surprise Album, Name Drops Ariana Grande And Kylie Jenner In New Song

Donald Trump Promises “Bloodbath” If He’s Not Elected, Campaign Tries To Backpedal

Elsewhere, Trump once again threatened the end of democracy in the United States if he does not win the general election in November. “Now if I don’t get elected, it’s going to be a bloodbath for the whole — that’s gonna be the least of it. It’s going to be a bloodbath for the country. That will be the least of it. But they’re not going to sell those cars. They’re building massive factories. If this election isn’t won, I’m not sure that you’ll ever have another election in this country,” Trump said in a speech in Ohio. Trump’s comments were riffing off previous ones he had made about the Chinese auto industry.

However, Trump’s campaign has attempted to mitigate his comments. “Biden’s policies will create an economic bloodbath for the auto industry and autoworkers,” campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told NBC. However, it’s not the first time Trump has alluded to ending democracy in November. In previous speeches, he has warned of a violent rebellion if he does not win. Meanwhile, leaked documents have shown Trump’s plan to essentially install a military dictatorship if he is elected.

Read More: Donald Trump Issues Unhinged Response To State Of The Union

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Donald Trump Promises “Bloodbath” If He’s Not Elected, Campaign Tries To Backpedal

Donald Trump once again threatened the end of democracy in the United States if he does not win the general election in November. “Now if I don’t get elected, it’s going to be a bloodbath for the whole — that’s gonna be the least of it. It’s going to be a bloodbath for the country. That will be the least of it. But they’re not going to sell those cars. They’re building massive factories. If this election isn’t won, I’m not sure that you’ll ever have another election in this country,” Trump said in a speech in Ohio. Trump’s comments were riffing off previous ones he had made about the Chinese auto industry.

However, Trump’s campaign has attempted to mitigate his comments. “Biden’s policies will create an economic bloodbath for the auto industry and autoworkers,” campaign spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told NBC. However, it’s not the first time Trump has alluded to ending democracy in November. In previous speeches, he has warned of a violent rebellion if he does not win. Meanwhile, leaked documents have shown Trump’s plan to essentially install a military dictatorship if he is elected.

Read More: Donald Trump Issues Unhinged Response To State Of The Union

Charlamagne Tha God Blasts Donald Trump Supporters As White Supremacists

Donald Trump
VANDALIA, OHIO – MARCH 16: Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump greets South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem during a rally at the Dayton International Airport on March 16, 2024 in Vandalia, Ohio. The rally was hosted by the Buckeye Values PAC. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Elsewhere, Charlamagne Tha God did not held back while sharing his thoughts about the voter base of Trump. “They’ve accepted fascism and those are the people who I feel like they want their rights to be racist back. They want white supremacy to reign supreme over this nation,” Charlamagne told Stephen A. Smith. Charlamagne has been previously critical of Joe Biden. However, it remains to be seen if Charlamagne will back Biden to avoid a second Trump term.

Furthermore, Smith – a long-time Democrat – agreed that he would not be backing Trump in November. “I’m not voting for him, I can tell you that much right now. I’m not voting for him but it’s not because of his politics. It’s because of his behavior, the kind of person I think he is and I believe that he could potentially cause civil war in this country,” Smith noted. Smith has not yet publicly declared if he will back Biden in November.

Read More: Charles Barkley Says He’d Vote For Stephen A. Smith For President

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Charlamagne Tha God Blasts Donald Trump Supporters As White Supremacists

Charlamagne Tha God has not held back while sharing his thoughts about the voter base of Donald Trump. “They’ve accepted fascism and those are the people who I feel like they want their rights to be racist back. They want white supremacy to reign supreme over this nation,” Charlamagne told Stephen A. Smith. Charlamagne has been previously critical of Joe Biden. However, it remains to be seen if Charlamagne will back Biden to avoid a second Trump term.

Furthermore, Smith – a long-time Democrat – agreed that he would not be backing Trump in November. “I’m not voting for him, I can tell you that much right now. I’m not voting for him but it’s not because of his politics. It’s because of his behavior, the kind of person I think he is and I believe that he could potentially cause civil war in this country,” Smith noted. Smith has not yet publicly declared if he will back Biden in November.

Read More: Charles Barkley Says He’d Vote For Stephen A. Smith For President

Money Man Endorses Donald Trump

Elsewhere, Money Man has become the latest rapper to endorse Trump in the 2024 election. “I f-ck with Trump. I’m f-cking with Trump. I would go Trump. This my thing, I don’t think the Democrats done did sh-t for us. Man, I don’t see n-ggas getting rich out this b-tch man. Trump just, at least the other side they gone tell you how they feel. You know what I’m saying? Shoutout to Trump man,” Money Man said this week.

However, as mentioned, Money Man is not the only rapper backing Trump. Last year, Benny the Butcher announced that he was voting for Trump. Despite this, there are doubts that Benny can vote. Having been convicted of three felonies in the past, Benny could be ineligible to vote, depending on where he is registered. 24 states have laws governing if and how those convicted of felonies can vote. A further 23 states do not allow the currently incarcerated to vote. Only Maine and Vermont have no voting restrictions when it comes to criminal history.

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