The judge does not want to limit the former US president’s freedom of expression, he said. Yet this would be necessary in this case due to Trump’s large online influence. “His words, especially in rhetorical form, can have consequences.”
The case revolves around the $130,000 payment to Daniels in 2016. Trump can argue all kinds of details in his lawsuit, except for evidence that comes from the prosecutor, the judge noted. Trump himself was not present at the hearing. The judge wants to start the hearing on the merits in February or March, and has asked Trump’s team and prosecutors to make arrangements about it.