Judge Questions Facebook Post Alleging Jury Misconduct in Donald Trump Hush Money Case

Donald Trump Hush Money Case

Judge Juan Merchan has raised concerns with prosecutors and Donald Trump’s defense team regarding a Facebook post that seemed to hint at the jury’s verdict in Donald Trump hush money case. The post, attributed to a user named Michael Anderson, suggested that Trump’s cousin, a juror, was discussing the conviction. Merchan noted that the comment, now a week old, was made in response to a routine court notice about unrelated oral arguments. Under New York criminal procedure law, a defendant can move to set aside the verdict if they learn of alleged jury misconduct.

Legitimacy and Timing of the Post

Justice Juan Merchan, who presided over the trial, informed both parties about the Facebook post, which claimed to be from a juror’s cousin. Although the post has since been removed, Merchan considered it legitimate. It is unclear whether the post was a prank or a response to a May 29 notice about oral arguments in a New York appeals court. The jury had deliberated from May 28 to May 30 before finding Trump guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records. The timing of the post remains uncertain, as does the extent of court officials’ investigation into its authenticity.

Trump’s Defense Team Informed

Judge Merchan notified Trump’s defense team about the Facebook post suggesting that a juror had discussed the guilty verdict with family members before the trial concluded. Merchan shared the letter with Trump’s attorneys and Manhattan prosecutors. In response, Trump’s attorneys requested the lifting of the gag order before the presidential debate, following the trial’s conclusion. A Trump campaign official stated they are investigating the matter. The state Office of the Attorney General (OCA) spokesperson confirmed that the court informed the parties upon learning of the online content.