Trump trial testimony goes from lurid to more logistical

After two weeks of tabloid testimony – literally, from the former publisher of the National Enquirer, and figuratively, from adult film star Stormy Daniels – the temperature turned way down Friday at former President Donald Trump’s New York hush money trial.

Instead of lurid talk of gold tweezers, boxer shorts and satirical candles, jurors got a quiet morning of logistics. Witnesses testified about technical elements of payments and phone records, interspersed with discussions about what evidence could be admitted.

Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first criminal trial of a former U.S. president. Prosecutors allege he was covering up unlawful interference in the 2016 election through a $130,000 hush money payment to Daniels made by Trump’s personal lawyer Michael Cohen. Trump denies he had sex with Daniels and has pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution must prove that Trump knew about the payment and that it was made to protect his popularity with voters.

Before the morning’s testimony began, Trump ignored shouted questions from reporters about whether he would testify. Instead, he promoted a weekend rally in New Jersey where he said he would be able to campaign for president despite the “horrible gag order” that prevents him from commenting on witnesses or jurors.

Thursday capped off with Judge Juan Merchan again denying defense requests to loosen the gag order and declare a mistrial.

Trump lawyer Todd Blanche said that some of Daniels’ testimony was basically a “dog whistle for rape,” even though Daniels insisted she hadn’t been physically threatened. And he said Trump had the right to respond to Daniels.

Merchan said Trump’s comments about past witnesses such as Daniels