In a recent development during the criminal hush money trial of former President Donald Trump, legal analyst Glenn Kirschner accused Judge Juan Merchan of catching Trump in an "obvious lie." Trump, who is the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee, became the first former president in U.S. history to stand trial in a criminal case last month.

The charges against Trump, which were brought forth by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office, include 34 counts of allegedly falsifying business records relating to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign. Trump has consistently denied allegations of having an affair with Daniels in 2006.

Following court proceedings on Thursday, Trump addressed reporters outside the courtroom and claimed that he was barred from testifying due to a gag order imposed by Judge Merchan. However, Merchan later clarified in court on Friday that Trump had the absolute right to testify, regardless of the gag order. Katherine Fung of Newsweek, who was present in the courtroom, reported the judge's statement.

Glenn Kirschner, a former assistant U.S. attorney and vocal critic of Trump, posted a video on his YouTube channel in which he discussed the exchange over testifying between Trump and Merchan. Kirschner described the incident as Trump telling an obvious lie and being exposed by the judge. He also scrutinized Trump's defense attorney, Todd Blanche, for seemingly encouraging the lie by nodding along during the news conference.

Kirschner expressed concern over Blanche's actions, stating that they could undermine public confidence in the justice system. He argued that Blanche should have set the record straight and clarified that the gag order did not prevent Trump from testifying in his own defense. It is unclear, from available video footage, whether Blanche was agreeing with Trump's inability to testify or simply acknowledging the existence of the gag order.

This is not the first time Blanche has faced criticism for his actions in the trial. Ron Filipkowski, editor-in-chief of the liberal media site MeidasTouch, took to social media to suggest that Blanche may have committed a serious ethical violation. He called for Judge Merchan to thoroughly investigate the matter.

In March, Judge Merchan imposed a gag order on Trump, prohibiting him from making public statements about witnesses, lawyers, and staff involved in the case, as well as their families. The order was initially limited to Trump's verbal attacks on Judge Merchan's daughter, but was later expanded to include Merchan and Bragg's families. Trump has already been fined $9,000 for violating the gag order on nine separate occasions.

During a hearing on Thursday, the potential for additional violations of the gag order was discussed, with a focus on Trump's former attorney, Michael Cohen. Judge Merchan warned Trump that continued disregard for the gag order could result in jail time.

Newsweek has reached out to Trump's spokesperson for comment but has not received a response at the time of writing.

The hush money trial continues to unfold as legal experts closely watch the developments surrounding Trump's testimony and the actions of his defense team.