Trump’s Trial Faces Setback as Judge Blocks Access Hollywood Tape

Former President Donald Trump’s trial faced an early setback as Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg was denied permission to show the infamous Hollywood Access tape to the jury.

The tape captures Trump making derogatory comments about women, which Bragg intended to use as evidence of Trump’s attitude towards women while prosecuting him for business fraud.

District Judge Juan Merchan deemed the video too prejudicial to play in court but allowed the prosecution to read the transcript.

Another denied piece of evidence was a video from E. Jean Carroll’s defamation case against Trump. Meanwhile, Trump used the trial’s start to rally his supporters, releasing a video on Truth Social and X accusing Democrats of silencing him and his supporters. Despite a gag order, Trump and his allies have raised significant funds for his defense.