Judge allows evidence related to 'Access Hollywood' tape in Trump hush money trial

The judge overseeing former President Trump’s criminal prosecution in New York has made significant decisions regarding the admissibility of evidence in the upcoming trial.

Exclusion of Access Hollywood Tape and Witness Testimony

Despite Trump’s attempts, the judge denied the exclusion of evidence related to the Access Hollywood tape and testimony from key witnesses from the trial. However, prosecutors will not be allowed to play the infamous tape to jurors.

Testimony of Key Witnesses

The defense argued against allowing Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer, to testify due to his history of lying. They claimed that calling him to the witness stand would amount to suborning perjury. However, Judge Juan Merchan rejected this argument, stating that there was no support for the defendant’s rationale to keep a particular witness off the stand due to credibility issues.

Admissibility of Stormy Daniels' Testimony

Merchan ruled in favor of allowing Stormy Daniels to testify since she is the recipient of the $130,000 hush payment at the center of the case, citing the probative value of the evidence.

Exclusion of 'Access Hollywood' Tape

The judge also ruled that the prosecutors will not be permitted to play the "Access Hollywood" tape to the jury or introduce it into evidence. However, they are allowed to elicit testimony about the tape and how it prompted Trump to fear its impact on his presidential aspirations. The ruling emphasized that the tape helps establish Defendant’s intent and motive for making the payment to Daniels and attempting to conceal it.

Trump's Charges and Trial Delay

Trump is facing 34 felony counts of falsifying business records after being indicted by a Manhattan grand jury. The trial in New York has been delayed until at least mid-April.

In a statement of facts accompanying the indictment, Manhattan prosecutors allege that Trump engaged in a "scheme" to boost his chances during the 2016 presidential election through hush money payments and falsification of New York business records to cover up the alleged criminal conduct.