Donald Trump scored a small victory in his historic trial in Manhattan, with the judge ruling that the infamous Access Hollywood tape would not be played to jurors.
However, prosecutors will be able to present a full transcript and read it aloud word for word.
Judge Juan Merchan also declined any mention of sexual assault allegations made in the final weeks of the 2016 campaign because they are “complete hearsay.”
The Access Hollywood clip dates from 2005 and Trump, then a reality TV star, describes to NBC host Billy Bush how he met and seduced women.
He said: “I’m not even waiting. And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. …Grab them by the shit.’
In the 2005 Access Hollywood videotape, Donald Trump prepares for an appearance on “Days of Our Lives” with actress Arianne Zucker (right). He is joined on set by Access Hollywood host Billy Bush (left)
In this 2005 video image, Donald Trump prepares for an appearance on “Days of Our Lives” with actress Arianne Zucker (center). He is joined on set by Access Hollywood host Billy Bush.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump sits with his lawyers as Judge Juan Merchan oversees proceedings in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York, April 15, 2024, in this sketch of the courtroom.
The recording was made public before the 2016 election and hurt Trump in the polls, but he won the election against Hillary Clinton.
Judge Merchan ruled that a transcript of the tape could be read to the jury, but said the tape itself would not be played.
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass, arguing for it to be played at trial, said it was “inflammatory” and an “admission, or at the very least a description of sexual assault.” .
Steinglass said that it’s “more than just sexual comments.”
In this courtroom sketch, Judge Juan M. Merchan presides over the trial of former U.S. President Donald Trump in a Manhattan criminal court in New York, Monday, April 15, 2024.
In this courtroom sketch, former U.S. President Donald Trump, left, sits with his lawyer Todd Blanche before Judge Juan M. Merchan at the start of his trial in a Manhattan criminal court in New York , Monday April 15, 2024.
He said prosecutors would present 2016 emails from Steve Bannon to Michael Cohen that said the Access Hollywood tape was “everywhere.”
Steinglass said it was “powerful evidence of the campaign’s response to inflammatory evidence and explains why the campaign was so eager to explain away its remarks as ‘locker room talk.’
Trump defended his 2005 foul language as ‘locker room talk’
Former U.S. President Donald Trump returns from a break as jury selection begins for his trial in Manhattan Criminal Court April 15, 2024 in New York.
Donald Trump appears before the New York State Supreme Court on the morning of Monday, April 15, 2024.
Daniels was “living proof that the defendant wasn’t just talking,” Steinglass said.
In another ruling, Judge Merchan denied a request to present reports released after the release of the Access Hollywood tape about three other women accusing Trump.
Judge Merchan said they were “very, very damaging” and “just gossip”.
dailymail us
