In the latest development of the hush money trial, former President Donald Trump made an appearance at the Manhattan Criminal Court on Thursday. Judge Juan Merchan is currently reviewing four additional alleged violations of Mr. Trump's gag order, following a $9,000 fine and a stern warning about the possibility of "incarceratory punishment" if the defendant continues to speak negatively about key individuals involved in the case.

Trump's legal team argues that his comments were a response to attacks made by his former fixer, Michael Cohen, and President Joe Biden. As the trial progresses, Keith Davidson, the former lawyer for Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal, wrapped up his testimony today. Davidson was responsible for negotiating the sale of their stories in order to ensure their silence.

During the cross-examination, Davidson's past involvement in salacious celebrity stories was brought up to muddle his credibility with the jury. Just before court adjourned for the day, Michael Avenatti, the disgraced former lawyer for Ms. Daniels, tweeted from prison, accusing Davidson of being a liar.

In a separate development, a recorded conversation was played for the jury in which Cohen stated that Mr. Trump expressed his hatred towards their involvement in the hush money plot. Cohen claimed that he reassured the former president that it was the right thing to do.

As the trial unfolds, The Independent's Alex Woodward is diligently covering every detail from the Manhattan Criminal Court. The proceedings have attracted significant attention due to their implications for the former president and the ongoing legal battle surrounding the hush money payments.

It remains to be seen how Judge Merchan will rule on the alleged violations and what impact the testimonies of key players in the trial will have on the final verdict. The outcome of this high-profile case could have far-reaching consequences for Mr. Trump and his reputation.

Stay tuned for further updates on this captivating trial as it continues to unfold in the coming days.