'I'm not going to argue this with you': Judge again smacks down Trump lawyer on gag order
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 15: Former U.S. President Donald Trump (2nd L) sits alongside attorneys Todd Blanche (L), Emil Bove (2nd R) and Susan Necheles (R) during the first day of his trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 15, 2024 in New York City. Former President Donald Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first of his criminal cases to go to trial. (Photo by Michael Nagle - Pool/Getty Images)

Susan Necheles, an attorney for Donald Trump, unsuccessfully tried to have New York Justice Juan Merchan green-light the former president's social media posts before he made them.

Following a lunch break in Trump's hush-money trial Thursday, Necheles said she had "a stack of news articles" from people like Fox News contributor Jonathan Turley. The attorney asked if Trump would be allowed to share the articles on social media despite a limited gag order that prevents him from talking about potential witnesses, the jury, court staff, or their families.

"We think that they are perfectly fine," Necheles told the judge.

"It seems odd that they're asking the court for an advanced ruling," one prosecutor chimed in.

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Necheles argued the gag order was ambiguous.

For his part, Merchan said he appreciated Necheles's attempt but refused to issue an advanced ruling.

"I'm not going to give advanced rulings," the judge said, insisting there was no "ambiguity" in the order.

"I think the best advice you can give your client is, 'When in doubt, steer clear,'" Merchan cautioned. "I'm not going to argue this with you, Ms. Necheles."