Judge tells attorneys to control Trump: ‘He is cursing audibly’

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A court transcript from the so-called hush money trial of Donald Trump shows the judge admonishing lawyers over controlling the former president and his “cursing audibly.”

“The exchange between state Judge Juan Merchan and Trump attorney Todd Blanche occurred during a sidebar, according to the official court transcript that was released Tuesday evening,” NBC News noted.

“I understand that your client is upset at this point, but he is cursing audibly, and he is shaking his head visually and that’s contemptuous. It has the potential to intimidate the witness and the jury can see that,” Merchan said.

“I will talk to him,” Blanche promised.

“So, I am speaking to you here at the bench because I don’t want to embarrass him,” Merchan claimed as Blanche once again said, “I will talk to him.”

“You need to speak to him. I won’t tolerate that,” the judge asserted.

“I will talk to him,” reassured Trump’s attorney.

“One time I noticed when Ms. Daniels was testifying about rolling up the magazine, and presumably smacking your client, and after that point he shook his head and he looked down,” the judge recounted, referring to when porn star Stormy Daniels testified.

“And later, I think he was looking at you, Mr. Blanche, later when were talking about ‘The Apprentice,’ at that point, he again uttered a vulgarity and “looked at you this time. Please talk to him at the break, Mr. Blanche,” Merchan said, according to the transcript.

The judge had also addressed violations of a gag order by the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee, telling Trump and his lawyers:

“Mr. Trump, as you know, the prosecution has filed three separate motions asking this Court to find you in contempt. In a moment, I am going to hand down my decision on the third motion, in which I find you in criminal contempt for the 10th time,” Merchan said, according to The Washington Post.

“Mr. Trump, it’s important to understand that the last thing I want to do is to put you in jail. You are the former president of the United States and possibly the next president, as well,” the judge said.

“There are many reasons why incarceration is truly a last resort for me. To take that step would be disruptive to these proceedings, which I imagine you want to end as quickly as possible,” Merchan continued.

“But, at the end of the day, I have a job to do, and part of that job is to protect the dignity of the judicial system and compel respect,” the judge said, “So, as much as I do not want to impose a jail sanction, and I have done everything I can to avoid doing so, I want you to understand that I will, if necessary and appropriate.”

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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.