Stormy Daniels documentary should be grounds for falsified docs case dismissal, Trump lawyers argue

Earlier on Monday, Manhattan Justice Juan Merchan ruled that Daniels, former Playboy model Karen McDougal, and attorney Michael Cohen could all testify in the upcoming case, according to the Daily Mail.

Merchan did not address in his ruling a complaint from Trump’s lawyers that the documentary, titled Stormy, should result in dismissal or delay of the trial.

The film was released one week before jury selection was scheduled to begin in the case, Trump’s team noted, and was defense counsel was not alerted. The documentary also includes statements from Daniels which they say would be prejudicial to Trump.

The screening took place at 3 Dollar Bill just hours after the ruling. The Peacock documentary centers around the case against Donald Trump, which has resulted in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg bringing 34 counts of falsified business records against Trump. While these charges are misdeanors, Bragg has elevated them to felonies, claiming that they were committed in service to a felony crime. He has not said what those felonies are, however.

Prosecutors allege that Trump recorded as legal fees payments made to his attorney Michael Cohen, who allegedly then paid Daniels to keep quiet about their alleged dalliance.

In February, Trump asked Merchan to block testimony from Daniels, McDougal, and Cohen, arguing that Cohen has a history of lying and Daniels would use the trial to monetize her story.

Merchan ruled that McDougal, who has alleged that she had an affair with Trump, could have limited ability to testify that would be discussed at the trial.

The trial was set to begin on March 25, but is now delayed by at least 30 days after a dispute over evidence disclosure.