Before trial

New York judge muzzles Trump

Ahead of the hush money trial against Donald Trump, the judge in charge has now imposed conditions on the US presidential candidate regarding public statements.

On Tuesday, Judge Juan Merchan granted a request by the public prosecutor's office for Trump not to make public statements about witnesses or court employees.

The request had been justified on the grounds that the Republican "has a long history of attacks on witnesses, investigators, prosecutors, judges and others involved in proceedings against him". Merchan had decided on March 7 that the names of the jurors may only be known to a few people.

Trump lawyer Todd Blanche declined to comment on the "gag order". The businessman's representatives had previously argued that this would violate Trump's right to freedom of expression.

Payment to porn star Stormy Daniels: did Trump falsify documents?
The trial is scheduled for April 15. Trump is accused of falsifying business documents in connection with a payment to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.

His lawyer paid her 130,000 dollars for her silence about a sexual encounter with Trump. According to her account, this allegedly took place in 2006. Trump has denied having had a sexual encounter with the woman. However, he admitted to having reimbursed the lawyer for his payment to her. Trump rejects the accusation of forgery.