A New York judge has ruled that the controversial 'Access Hollywood' video, in which former President Donald Trump made lewd comments about women, will not be shown to jurors in his hush-money criminal trial. The judge stated that while Manhattan prosecutors can question witnesses about the 2005 tape, it is not necessary for the tape itself to be introduced as evidence or played for the jury.
The judge found the tape relevant to the case's critical issues, such as establishing Trump's intent and motive for concealing a hush-money arrangement central to the trial. However, he sided with Trump's lawyers in deeming that playing the tape could be unduly prejudicial.
Despite a recent postponement of the trial due to a large volume of evidence provided to Trump's defense team, the judge has set a hearing to address this issue. Trump's lawyers have raised concerns about the delay and requested the case be dismissed.
The hush-money case against Trump alleges that he falsified company records to conceal payments made to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, who facilitated burying negative stories during the 2016 presidential campaign. Cohen arranged payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal to suppress their claims of extramarital affairs with Trump, which were then reimbursed by Trump's company as legal expenses.
Trump, who pleaded not guilty to falsifying business records, maintains that the payments to Cohen were legitimate expenses and not part of a cover-up. The trial also involves allegations of improper influence on the 2016 election and the National Enquirer's role in suppressing negative stories about Trump.
The judge denied a defense motion to prevent key witnesses like Cohen, Daniels, and McDougal from testifying, but ruled that McDougal cannot discuss details of her alleged affair without relevance. The prosecution's request for a gag order on Trump's public statements and evidence related to post-'Access Hollywood' sexual assault allegations remains pending.
Prosecutors argue that the 'Access Hollywood' tape, coupled with subsequent sexual assault allegations, accelerated Trump's efforts to suppress negative press coverage, leading to the hush-money payments. The judge will further consider the admissibility of evidence related to these allegations as the trial progresses.
