April 16, 2024 6:04 PM ET
Seven jurors were seated in Trump's hush money trial.find out what happened today
From CNN staff
Seven people have been selected as jurors in the hush money trial against former President Donald Trump in Manhattan. The court was not in session Wednesday, and jury selection will continue Thursday until a panel of 12 New Yorkers and possibly six alternates are selected.
But before anyone was seated Tuesday, jurors went through a questioning phase in which they were asked questions from the district attorney's office and Mr. Trump's lawyers. Trump was frequently seen flipping through jury questionnaires while jurors spoke, often leaning back in his chair.
President Trump's lawyer, Todd Blanche, challenged several potential jurors and asked that some be removed because of social media posts.
Remember: Both sides have 10 mandatory strikes to remove a juror from the pool, no questions asked. If either side is successful in rejecting a potential juror for cause, there is no need to strike.
The prosecution and defense each made six preemptive attacks. This means each team has his four attacks left.
Challenges include:
- Mr. Trump's team found that prospective jurors had posted on social media references to Mr. Trump, saying things like “get rid of him'' and “lock him up,'' and Judge Juan Machan used those words to rule out jurors. The candidate for membership was rejected.
- Marchan attacked another potential juror who admitted in March to reposting a negative AI video about Trump. Trump's lawyers also pointed to posts in which potential jurors shared photos of display stands with posters of Biden and Harris and sold buttons supporting political groups seeking votes.
- Trump's team challenged another potential juror in 2018 over posts on his Facebook page. She said Trump told her that “she doesn't bother me.” Marchan said the prospective juror was honest about her disagreements with Trump and denied her objections.
