Trump trial live: Former ‘fixer’ Michael Cohen expected to testify Monday in hush money case

Donald Trump’s New York hush money trial has resumed at Manhattan Criminal Court following Thursday’s fiery testimony from porn star Stormy Daniels.

Madeleine Westerhout, Mr Trump’s “gatekeeper” and former director of Oval Office operations during his presidential administration, who on Thursday cried on the stand as she fondly recalled her time working for him, concluded her testimony this morning.

Ms Daniels’ time on the stand saw her spar with defense attorney Susan Necheles over alleged inconsistencies in her various tellings of the sexual encounter she alleges she had with Mr Trump in 2006. She remained calm, firm, and unflappable in her account.

Also on Thursday, Judge Juan Merchan rejected a further mistrial motion from the defense and denied a request that the gag order imposed on Mr Trump be lifted to allow him to respond to Ms Daniels, who later derided the defendant on Twitter by declaring that “real men” testify.

Ex-Trump “fixer” Michael Cohen is set to appear on Monday for his highly anticipated testimony.

Alex Woodward is covering Mr Trump’s trial in Manhattan and will be providing regular updates on proceedings.