Trump Hush Money Trial: Detailed Juror Questionnaire Released

In the lead-up to former President Donald Trump’s hush money case trial, Judge Juan Merchan has unveiled a detailed questionnaire for potential jurors, shedding light on the thoroughness of the jury selection process. Scheduled to begin in just a week, the Manhattan criminal trial revolves around 34 counts of falsifying business records, with prosecutors alleging that Trump incorrectly classified payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in 2017 as legal services reimbursements. The payments were allegedly made by Trump’s then-lawyer Michael Cohen to silence Daniels about an alleged affair with Trump before the 2016 election. Trump has maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to all charges.

The questionnaire delves into various aspects of the potential jurors’ backgrounds and beliefs. Among the questions, jurors will be asked about their news consumption habits, including the publications they read and the media they follow online or on television. They will also be questioned about any podcasts or talk radio shows they listen to, as well as whether they have read books or listened to podcasts by key figures in the case, such as Cohen or Mark Pomerantz.

In addition to media habits, the questionnaire explores potential jurors’ connections to Trump and his administration, or to organizations that support or oppose him. They will be asked if they or their close associates have ever been employed by or volunteered with the Trump campaign or administration, or with anti-Trump groups or campaigns. Furthermore, jurors will be asked whether they follow Trump on social media, including on his Truth Social platform.

A notable set of questions revolves around potential jurors’ affiliations with extremist groups. They will be asked whether they consider themselves supporters of or have belonged to groups like the QAnon movement, Proud Boys, Oathkeepers, Three Percenters, Boogaloo Boys, or Antifa. This line of questioning reflects the court’s efforts to ensure a fair and impartial jury for the high-profile trial.

Interestingly, the questionnaire steers clear of directly political inquiries, such as whom jurors voted for or intend to vote for, or their history of political contributions. Instead, the focus remains on the jurors’ exposure to media, their affiliations, and their views on the legal and political aspects of the case.

In a tangential development, Trump’s legal team has sought to further delay the trial by suing Judge Merchan. The lawsuit, to be filed with the New York Court of Appeals, aims to challenge the gag order imposed on Trump by Merchan. The former president has been restricted from making certain public statements after repeatedly attacking the judge and his daughter on social media. This latest legal maneuver adds another layer of complexity to an already contentious legal battle.