The infamous "Access Hollywood" video in which Donald Trump bragged about grabbing women sexually without asking permission will not be shown to jurors at the former president's hush-money criminal trial, a New York judge ruled on Monday, April 15, but its contents can be introduced as evidence.
Judge Juan M. Merchan said Manhattan prosecutors can still question witnesses about the 2005 tape, which wasn't made public until the final weeks of Trump’s 2016 White House campaign. But the judge said that "it is not necessary that the tape itself be introduced into evidence or that it be played for the jury." In the tape, Trump can be heard boasting that famous men can "grab" women by their genitals because "they let you do it."
Merchan said he found the tape "relevant to the critical issues" in the case, including the prosecution's contention that it helps establish Trump's intent and motive for making and concealing a hush-money arrangement at the heart of the case. However, siding with Trump's lawyers, he said playing it could be unduly prejudicial.
Merchan issued his rulings on the "Access Hollywood" tape and other issues even after deciding last Friday to postpone the trial until at least mid-April to deal with a last-minute evidence dump that Trump's lawyers said was hampering their ability to prepare their defense.
Prosecutors also asked the judge overseeing the trial to fine the former president $3,000 over three social media posts they say violated a gag order barring Trump from commenting on witnesses. The request came from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office on midday on Monday ahead of jury selection