Jon Stewart, Jordan Klepper & Ronny Chieng Cover Trump's Hush Money Trial | The Daily Show
Summary
TLDRThe video script discusses the opening statements in a trial involving Donald Trump, where the prosecution argues that his alleged scheme to silence an adult film actress constitutes election interference. The defense counters that Trump did not violate the law. The trial is portrayed as a test for the American legal system and the media's responsibility. The script also touches on Trump's legal team arguing for presidential immunity at the Supreme Court, his campaign activities, and the handling of protests on college campuses against Israel's actions in Gaza. It criticizes the use of force to quell protests and calls for listening to the protesters' concerns before responding.
Takeaways
- π’ The trial of Donald Trump has begun, with the prosecution arguing that his alleged scheme to silence an adult film actress constituted election interference, while the defense claims he did not violate the law.
- π€ The media's coverage of the trial is being scrutinized for its responsibility and fairness, with a call for a focus on the issues at hand rather than sensationalism.
- π¨ Trump's defense lawyer, Todd Blanch, argues that the case is a test of the American legal system's fairness and the media's ability to responsibly cover Trump.
- ποΈ The trial is being described as potentially the 'trial of the century,' highlighting its significance and the intense media and public interest.
- π¨ The former president is facing legal challenges on multiple fronts, including issues related to a gag order and alleged violations of it.
- π€·ββοΈ There is criticism of the media's focus on Trump's every movement and expression during the trial, rather than the substance of the proceedings.
- π€ Trump's demeanor in court is noted, with mentions of him appearing miserable and even falling asleep during his criminal trial.
- πΈ The head of the National Enquirer, David Pecker, testified about his involvement in buying and burying negative stories about Trump to aid in his 2016 election win.
- π¨ Trump's lawyers argued for complete legal immunity for any actions taken by the president while in office, a move that could have significant implications for presidential power and accountability.
- π The Supreme Court's conservative majority appeared open to the idea of limited immunity for official acts by presidents, which could potentially protect Trump from legal consequences.
- ποΈ Trump made a campaign stop at a construction site, engaging with workers and highlighting his connection to New York and its construction industry.
Q & A
What is the central issue in the trial mentioned in the transcript?
-The central issue in the trial is whether Donald Trump's alleged scheme to keep an adult film actress quiet constitutes election interference.
What does the defense lawyer, Todd Blanch, argue about the former president's actions?
-Todd Blanch argues that despite the allegations, the former president did not violate the law.
How does the transcript suggest the media should cover Donald Trump?
-The transcript suggests that the media should cover Donald Trump in a responsible way, focusing on the issues at hand and avoiding speculation and sensationalism.
What is the significance of the gag order hearing in the context of the trial?
-The gag order hearing is significant because it determines whether Donald Trump's actions, such as threatening jurors and witnesses, violate the gag order and if he should face penalties for these actions.
What is the role of the National Enquirer's editor in the trial?
-The editor of the National Enquirer, David Pecker, testifies about his involvement in buying and burying scandalous stories about Trump to help him win the 2016 election.
What is the potential penalty for violating the gag order as mentioned in the transcript?
-The potential penalty for violating the gag order could be up to $1,000 per violation.
What does the transcript imply about the media's past performance in covering Donald Trump?
-The transcript implies that the media has acknowledged performing poorly in the past, often getting distracted and focusing on insignificant details.
What is the general sentiment expressed in the transcript about the American legal system?
-The transcript expresses that the trial will be a test of the fairness of the American legal system.
What is the transcript's commentary on the portrayal of Donald Trump in the media?
-The transcript criticizes the media for potentially creating a spectacle and focusing too much on Donald Trump's every movement and expression, rather than the substance of the trial.
What does the transcript suggest about the public's perception of the trial?
-The transcript suggests that the public may view the trial as a significant historical event, possibly 'the trial of the century,' and that there is a great deal of media attention and speculation surrounding it.
What is the transcript's stance on the importance of responsible media coverage?
-The transcript emphasizes the importance of responsible media coverage, suggesting that it is crucial for the public to receive accurate and significant information about the trial without unnecessary distractions.
Outlines
π’ Opening Statements and Media Responsibility
The video script begins with the opening statements in a trial where the prosecution and defense present their cases. The prosecution argues that Trump allegedly interfered with the election by silencing an adult film actress. Trump's defense lawyer, Todd Blanch, claims the former president did not violate the law. The script also discusses the media's role in covering the trial responsibly, criticizing past performance and urging restraint from speculation and sensationalism. The trial is presented as a test for the American legal system and the media's integrity.
π¨ Artistic License in Courtroom Sketches
The second paragraph focuses on the media's coverage of Donald Trump's courtroom appearance. It humorously questions the depth of an eyewitness account and the value of a courtroom sketch as a source of information. The sketch artist, Christine Cornell, is interviewed about the challenges of drawing Trump from a distance, leading to a satirical discussion about the accuracy and artistic interpretation of the sketch. The paragraph also touches on the media's tendency to focus on trivial details, rather than the substance of the trial.
π΄ Trump's Composure and Gag Order Hearing
This paragraph discusses Donald Trump's behavior during his trial, noting that he fell asleep on multiple days. It covers the testimony of the National Enquirer's editor about burying scandalous stories to aid Trump's 2016 election. The paragraph also highlights a hearing regarding a gag order, where Trump's lawyer, Todd Blanch, argues Trump's caution, leading to a tense exchange with an evidently frustrated judge. The discussion then sarcastically explores the concept of 'freedom of movement' in relation to Trump's trial.
π€·ββοΈ The Irony of 'Cruel and Unusual' Punishment
The script humorously addresses the idea that forcing Trump to sit through his trial is a form of cruel and unusual punishment, comparing it to keeping an Old English sheepdog cooped up. It satirizes the notion that Trump, who has been described as obese for years, needs exercise and sunlight. The paragraph also touches on Trump's public schedule and the perceived danger of disclosing his location, contrasting it with theι«θ° (high-profile) nature of his rallies.
ποΈ Legal Immunity and Presidential Powers
The fifth paragraph delves into the concept of legal immunity for a president, with hypothetical scenarios presented in a courtroom discussion. It covers the debate over whether certain presidential actions, such as ordering an assassination or staging a coup, would qualify for immunity. The paragraph also mentions Trump's legal team using the immunity argument to delay trials and the Supreme Court's conservative majority signaling a willingness to grant some form of immunity for official acts.
π€ Trump's Campaign Stop and College Protests
The final paragraph describes Trump making a campaign stop at a construction site, interacting with workers, and receiving endorsements. It also addresses the issue of protests on college campuses against Israel's actions in Gaza, the challenge of anti-Semitism within these protests, and the need for a balanced approach to maintain safety for Jewish students while respecting the rights of protesters. The script criticizes the use of force to quell protests and the involvement of right-wing politicians in escalating tensions.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Jury Selection
π‘Opening Statements
π‘Election Interference
π‘Legal Immunity
π‘Gag Order
π‘Media Coverage
π‘Donald Trump
π‘Supreme Court
π‘College Protests
π‘Anti-Semitism
π‘National Guard
Highlights
The prosecution argues that Trump's alleged scheme to silence an adult film actress constitutes election interference.
Trump's defense lawyer, Todd Blanch, claims the former president did not violate the law.
The trial is seen as a test of the American legal system's fairness and the media's responsibility in covering Trump.
Cable news networks are criticized for providing Trump with excessive free airtime and speculation.
Sketch artist Christine Cornell's depiction of Trump in the courtroom is questioned for its artistic interpretation.
The media is cautioned against sensationalizing Trump's every movement and focusing on the trial's substance.
Trump's gag order hearing becomes a point of contention, with discussions on juror safety and Trump's social media behavior.
Trump's legal team argues for presidential immunity before the Supreme Court, even for extreme hypothetical actions.
The Supreme Court's conservative majority appears open to the idea of limited immunity for official acts by presidents.
Trump makes a campaign stop at a construction site, interacting with workers and discussing his background in New York construction.
College campuses face protests against Israel's actions in Gaza, with concerns about anti-Semitism and student safety.
University administrations are criticized for escalating tensions by involving law enforcement in campus protests.
The importance of listening to students' concerns is emphasized over responding with force.
Trump's former Attorney General, Bill Barr, endorses him despite past criticisms, displaying Trump's penchant for pettiness.
David Pecker, head of the National Enquirer, testifies about his involvement in burying negative stories about Trump.
Trump's lawyers argue for his complete legal immunity for actions taken while president, a notion met with skepticism.
The potential for the Supreme Court to grant the president immunity from the law sparks debate on the principle of 'no Kings' in America.
Transcripts
[Music]
after a week of jury selection today it
was finally time for opening statements
and it turns out the prosecution and the
defense do not see ey to eye the
prosecution arguing that Trump's alleged
scheme to keep an adult film actress
quiet is election interference pure and
simple in those words Trump defense
lawyer Todd blanch told the jury that
the former president though did not
violate the
law that's that's right this is a
classic case of the state of New York
versus
nuh-uh oh no
didn't I think it's pretty clear he did
it anyway this trial will obviously be a
test of the fairness of the American
legal system but it's also a test of the
media's ability to cover Donald Trump in
a responsible way a task they have
acknowledged they've performed poorly in
the past I think to the degree that the
media had lesson turned they seem to
have been learned it's irresponsible for
cable news networks to give Donald Trump
hours and hours of free air time way too
much speculation and liberal wishful
thinking and attempts to connect dots
that did not connect it's the media's
responsibility to not get distracted I
think we were much too busy chasing
after shiny objects all of us have
learned some very valuable lessons from
the last couple of years um and
delineating what's significant what's
important so brave
[Applause]
well done and I think for this trial we
will see the seeds of that inpection
bear
fruit or we will learn that learning
curves are for here we go it's
on it's happening history will be made
shaping up to be the trial of the
century maybe the trial of the century
the trial of the century but just might
be the trial of the century the tax man
is here Donald Trump he will finally be
forced to face the music the legal walls
closing in around Donald Trump the legal
walls are starting to close in on Donald
Trump yes this time Mr
Bond it truly is your doom now if you'll
excuse me I'm going to leave this room
obviously when I leave I'm not going to
press this button right here that opens
all the doors and dismantles the killing
machine I've
established don't follow me Mr
Bond perhaps if we limit the coverage to
the issues at hand and try not to create
an all-encompassing spectacle of the
most BAL of details perhaps that would
help you're looking at live pictures in
New York City of Donald Trump's motor
cave it's about a 20-minute Drive
between Trump Tower and the court
building Trump leaving Trump Tower on
Fifth Avenue they're now making their
way across town along 57 Street they
just cross Park Avenue making their way
up towards lexingon Avenue he's heading
down the FDR to the Manhattan courthouse
on Chamber Street arriving at this
intersection of American history with
Defiance arriving at the intersection of
American history with Defiance the
brilliant ju opposing of the gravitas of
the moment with simple traffic terms
was he arrived at the intersection of
American History where he put a quarter
in the parking meter of
Destiny leaving in the
car looking to avoid stepping in the
urine puddle of Juris
Prudence seriously are we going to
follow this guy to court every day are
you trying to make this OJ it's not a
Chase he's
commuting so the media's first attempt
the very first attempt on the first day
at self-control
failed and I'm sorry to say that it I'm
sorry hold on we're getting breaking
news you know he wanted to get a jury
seated so we had a lady Bill I'm sorry
interrup a perspec for one second I'm I
apologize we're just showing the first
image of Donald Trump from inside the
courtroom it's a still photograph uh
that we're showing there just I want to
make sure our viewers uh know what
they're looking
at yes for our viewers who are are just
waking up from a 30-year
coma uh this is what Donald Trump has
looked like every day for the past 30
years same outfit so we have a
photograph of Donald Trump in the
courtroom but do we really know what he
looks like the man is a mystery a Yeti
if you will anything could be a deep
fake do we have an eyewitness account
perhaps from a dismissed juror would you
describe to me what you saw
with Donald Trump while you were sitting
inside of that courtroom not very much
um he was a bit ahead of me and off to
the left I didn't have a complete view
of him
today wait did I have jury duty this
week what the
BR
brother mother dresses like me too this
is anyway coming up more of our
three-part interview with a guy who
nearly saw Donald Trump in the
courtroom so we have a photograph this
freaking me out that picture we have a
photograph and we have eyewitness
accounts but do we have anything in a
pastel a courtroom sketch that we're
getting in uh right now I'm looking at
the courtroom sketch and Mr Trump looks
like he is glowering I'm not sure if
that's supposed to be a glow or just a a
glance I don't know how uh it's it's
it's art it's not necessarily it's
artistic journalism but it's not a
photograph why are you showing it to us
it's a sketch why would anyone analyze a
sketch like it was it'd be like looking
at the Last Supper and going why do you
think Jesus looks so sad
here what do you think he's what do you
think it's because of
Judas what if we interview one of the
waiters at one of the tables from like a
different section of the restaurant who
maybe didn't actually see him but well
you know we got time to
kill well I guess we'll never know
unless we could talk to the person who
drew the sketch but do we have the time
nothing but Christine Cornell who's in
the court room today the official sketch
artist I want to show one of your
sketches today we're going through some
of them but this one it appears in this
one that his eyes are closed what was
happening
here my apologies ma'am I was sitting 50
ft away I was having such a struggle to
try and get those eyeballs in
damn it
woman does Donald Trump have eyeballs or
no man does he or no you are in the room
tell
me or I will not come to your trinket
shop in
Newports tell me
woman
look what the are we
doing uh I noticed here his head is
perfectly
round why is that well I like drawing
circles at this point you're probably
saying to yourself how many television
hours have they devoted to a Donald
Trump a man who has not been off any of
our screens for more than 30 seconds in
the last eight years looks like the
answer is not nearly as many hours as
describing his every movement Trump
craned his neck to eye perspective
jurors and flashed a tight lip smile
leaning to the left um a little bit
quiet his arm crossed as well hunched
over with his elbows on the desk looked
through papers and periodically
whispered to his attorneys fidgeted and
leaned back the scowl fixed to his face
while he sat squinting he was actually
biting his lip during today's
proceedings his lips pursed in that
characteristic Trump
way his eyeballs
gone the hulking former president stood
up slowly he walked towards me with a
mixture of Desire scorn and let's call
it age related
confusion it was then that I realized
that this former president of the United
States has a front
[Applause]
butt look at some point in this trial
something important and revelatory is
going to happen but none of us are going
to notice because the hour spent on his
speculative facial ticks if the media
tries to make us feel like the most
mundane is Earth shattering we
won't believe you when it's really
interesting it's your classic Boy Who
Cried Wolf
Blitzer look it's a trial it's boring
most ly I've been on jury duty and I can
that's not
me that's a different guy why are you
it's not
me it may be
me look trials are a lot of procedural
and side conferences and sidebars
and what's exhibit 372a and you're not
out of order this whole CT is out of
look the one person who's had the most
normal reaction to the trial so far is
Donald Trump Donald Trump fell asleep on
multiple days during his criminal trial
as he
should I mean he's been up since 2 a.m.
rage tweeting he needs his anger
sleep today was the second day of
Trump's hush money trial and the first
witness was the editor of the national
Inquirer he testified that to help Trump
win the 2016 election he would buy
scandalous stories about Trump and then
bury them and what a great job he did I
can't think of a single Trump
scanner before they could even get into
that they had to hold a separate hearing
to find out if Trump violated a gag
order when he threatened jurors and
Witnesses and that hearing did not go
well for trump it was a pretty wild and
intense hearing on Donald Trump's gag
order it all turned into a very heated
exchange between the judge and Trump
lawyer Todd blanch who argued that Trump
is being very careful while a clearly
frustrated judge Maron responded Mr
blanch you're losing all credibility
with this court minutes after the
hearing ended Trump attacked the judge
on social media calling him a kangaroo
[Applause]
court wow this guy is incapable of
keeping his mouth shut for 2
minutes has Trump ever considered paying
himself hush money but think about it
but this this is a complicated issue
about balancing rights BAS basically the
prosecution's argument is that a juror
has the right to feel safe while serving
on Donald Trump's jury while Donald
Trump's argument is that that juror
lives at 34 West 52nd Street and maybe
someone should pay that juror a visit
and straighten him
out this gag order serious Trump might
have to pay up to
$1,000 per violation yeah $1,000 that's
not going to stop Trump from talking
okay you got to deal with this like any
other tantrum you got to give Trump an
iPad with melon on it and let him zone
out
okay then he's going to expect Coco
melon whenever he's upset okay well
we'll do have that later all right we
just need him to stop now it's so noisy
I can't even think in this house
okay it's not what Dr Becky would want
anyway for more on the results of the
gag order hearing let's go to Desi
liic
Desi D
now now that the gag order hearing is
over can get back to focusing on the
actual trial right uh unfortunately no
because during the gag order hearing
Donald Trump made a jerk off motion so
they needed a gag order hearing to see
if that violated the gag order before
they could get back to the first gag
order oh oh but then after that it's all
set uh no because during that gag order
hearing the judge heard Trump saying I'm
judge peee
head and when the judge asked did you
just call me judge peee head Trump said
he was just rehearsing for a community
theater production where he plays a
judge named pee head so then they had to
have a hearing about that but but once
that's done the actual case yes but no
because during that hearing Trump made
another jerk off motion but then he said
it wasn't a jerk off motion so they need
a quick hearing to determine how he
jerks
off then a hearing about whether he made
the jerk off motion then judge PP head
then the first jerk off hearing then the
gag order and then the actual case what
case the
hush the hush money case
oh nobody remembers that keep up with a
news cycle Jordan you're at the desk for
God's sake yes uh thank you Desi we'll
check back in with you
later
now clearly Trump thinks he's being
treated unfairly in this trial and he's
not the only one something to get order
is just the start of the oppress Trump
is
facing okay Jesse let me start with you
and the prosecution says this is
election fraud and they say pure and
simple is it I I call it pure evil so
they've taken away his freedom of speech
and now they've taken away his freedom
of movement I mean they had more
allowances for khed shik Muhammad oh
okay that sounds wild but I think Jesse
Waters is a reasonable man because I was
kicked in the head by a horse last week
so let's hear him out how is Trump being
treated worse than the Mastermind of 911
the guy needs exercise he's usually
golfing and so you're going to put a man
who's almost 80 sitting in a room like
this on his butt for all that time it's
not healthy he needs sunlight and he
needs activity he needs to be walking
around he needs action it's really cruel
and unusual pun punishment to make a man
do that
[Laughter]
are we talking about Donald Trump or an
Old English sheep
dog you can't keep him cooped up all day
he needs time outside or he'll pee on
the
couch look we all know how Donald Trump
loves exercise because of this trial
he's been morly obese for the last 40
years yeah I mean though would Trump
even want fresh air and exercise these
actually sound like the punishments the
judge would give Trump if he's convicted
yeah I know he's like fresh a and
exercise just give me the death penalty
but listen I'll give Jesse Waters the
benefit of the doubt because I was also
kicked in the head by the same horse so
let's let him continue this isn't law
fair it's torture they're making a 77y
old man sit inside a dingy room for8
hours straight 4 days a week
wow8 hours a day four days a week it's
literally torture or as the rest of the
world calls it a
job a a a part-time job to be fair I
mean this is the same guy who's asking
to be president of the United States I
mean that's got to be at least a 40 hour
a week gig I mean is he going to get
overtime also I thought Trump was
supposed to be the young vigorous
candidate in the race now what he needs
sympathy suddenly he's a poor elderly
man crippled by the weight of his own
body pulverizing his bones into dust
against the
chair you know what get that horse back
out here
because I want to give Jesse one more
chance they're telling the entire world
all the wackos this is where the former
president's going to be at this date at
this time surrounded by high-rise
buildings yes it's very dangerous for
people to know Trump's exact location
which is why he lives in a non-descript
building with his name on the
front the Trump campaign also tells us
where he's going to be and exactly when
they're called Trump rallies and it's
how I know where to go to get yelled at
and uh you know the worst part um about
him being on trial is that they're just
treating him like some he's some kind of