CNN’s Jake Tapper wanted to make sure he accurately reported on the official record of the first-ever criminal trial of a former president, so when an update came through, he had to present it as a matter of “factual record.” Even when it refers to former President Donald Trump as “VonShitzinPants.”
While CNN contributor Elliot Williams explained Thursday’s second gag order hearing in Trump’s hush money trial — specifically whether the gag order violates Trump’s right to defend himself against insults from his former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen — updates from inside the courtroom appeared on the left side of the screen. As Tapper prepared to provide a verbal update, he apologized for what he was about to read, and Williams can be heard saying, “Oh boy”:
Tapper: Okay, I apologize for this update ahead of time. But, Blanche, Todd Blanche, the Trump attorney, is specifically reading a post that Michael Cohen made on Twitter on April 22nd, and one in which he refers to Donald Trump as VonShitzinPants. That is just a factual record that I’m bringing before you. This is in the court transcript. VonShitzinPants. Blanch also said there are repeated attacks on Trump and his candidacy on Cohen’s podcast and TikTok account. Dana Bash, I know you want to weigh in on VonShitzinPants.
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