Trump hush money trial live updates: David Pecker resumes testimony on catch-and-kill scheme

Donald Trump made a surprise campaign stop at a construction site in New York early on Thursday morning en route to day seven of his hush money trial, where further testimony is expected from a former tabloid mogul who detailed the “catch-and-kill” scheme central to the case.

FormerNational Enquirer publisher David Pecker testified on Tuesday about his agreement with Mr Trump and former attorney Michael Cohen to “kill” stories about the defendant’s alleged affairs.

New York Justice Juan Merchan may also rule today on whether Mr Trump should be held in contempt and fined $10,000 for allegedly violating a trial gag order by posting about witnesses and jurors on Truth Social.

Elsewhere, 11 local Republicans and several key Trump allies have been indicted in Arizona for allegedly joining a failed “fake elector” plot during the aftermath of the 2020 election to falsely certify Mr Trump’s victory in the state.

And, in Washington DC, attorneys for the former president will today deliver oral arguments in front of the US Supreme Court in support of his“presidential immunity” defence against prosecution in what promises to be a landmark hearing.

Alex Woodward is providing live updates from the courthouse in Manhattan.

On his way into court this morning, Donald Trump claimed his campaign is planning a rally at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

With his movements beyond the five boroughs restricted by his busy court schedule, it is not unexpected that we’ll see more quick-stop campaign events such as this morning’s construction site visit and last week’s bodega run but an actual rally in the middle of Manhattan would be taking things to another level — it’s also something that hasn’t done before...

The former president also