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National News
Trump suffers first loss in hush money case minutes after entering courtroom
Judge Juan M. Merchan almost immediately rejected Donald Trump's request for recusal in his hush money trial.
On the first day of court on Monday, Merchan took on Trump's attorneys' motion that the judge recuse from the case. Trump reportedly watch "stone-faced" during the proceedings.
The motion argued that Merchan should recuse himself because his daughter worked for a Democratic consulting firm.
Merchan said Trump's attorneys' motion "does not reasonably or logically” explain why he should be recused.
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"To say that these claims are attenuated is an understatement," Merchan said. "There is no basis for recusal."
With that, the judge denied the recusal motion, according to reports.
"Trump appears to be very attentive," CNN's Paula Reid noted.
"Our colleagues say he is looking straight ahead at a screen. Our colleagues also report that he's biting his bottom lip as the judge rejects his motion for recusal."
Trump is accused of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments to an adult movie star after an alleged affair. He has denied all the allegations made against him.
