The Trump Trials: Sidebar

In this week's episode, the crew discusses Judge Juan Merchan's finding that former president Donald Trump is in contempt of court, the $9,000 fine he faces, and what could happen if he continues violating the gag order imposed by the court. Washington Post Senior National Political Correspondent Ashley Parker joins the show to talk about Hope Hicks, the former Trump aide who could be called to testify soon.

In this week's episode, the crew discusses what's happened in former president Donald Trump's New York trial so far – and what we're hearing from witnesses.

Washington Post reporter Devlin Barrett returns to take us inside the courtroom, while senior video journalist JM Rieger analyzes Trump's repetitive, falsehood-filled statements outside the courtroom.

Read more in The Trump Trials newsletter.

At the start of Trump's Manhattan criminal trial, the court needs 12 jurors and six alternates – but many times that number have been dismissed, for a whole variety of reasons, some mundane and others surprising. Seven have been sworn in so far, including a foreman. In our second episode, the crew discusses the jurors selected during the first two days in court.

Plus, the dynamic between Trump's lawyers, Judge Juan Merchan and the former president himself is getting tense, with Merchan sternly warning Trump not to gesture at or speak to potential jurors.

And is Trump having trouble staying awake at times? Washington Post national security and law enforcement reporter Devlin Barrett - an author of our sister newsletter, The Trump Trials - joins the show to reveal what it's like covering the trial from inside the courthouse.

Former president Donald Trump arrived at the Manhattan criminal court on April 15 for a first: Charged with falsifying business records to hide a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, he becomes the first former president in U.S. history to be put on criminal trial.

In our first episode, the crew discusses the first day of Trump's trial in the case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and how jury selection could play out. Plus - why the trial won't be televised, and how much trouble he could be in.

Washington Post video journalist Michael Cadenhead joins to discuss his recent trip to New York to ask Manhattanites if they could serve as impartial jurors in the trial. Read his story with The Post's Azi Paybarah here.

You can also watch the show on Youtube here.

When The Washington Post started the "Can He Do That?" podcast, the U.S. faced unprecedented questions as former president Donald Trump pushed on the limits of presidential power. Now, his legal challenges raise new questions. 

The Post's Libby Casey, Rhonda Colvin and James Hohmann will host a weekly conversation as trials loom in New York, Florida, Georgia and Washington, D.C. On the new show, "The Trump Trials: Sidebar," the hosts will break down the latest twists and turns as Trump contends with court appearances and seeks a second presidential term. 

Trump's hush money trial in New York starts April 15. Look out for the first episode that evening. You can also watch the show on Youtube here.

Check out The Campaign Moment, The Washington Post’s weekly politics roundtable to help you keep track of the biggest developments during the 2024 campaign. Senior political reporter Aaron Blake, who writes The Post’s new newsletter by the same name, and investigative political reporter Josh Dawsey join Martine Powers this week. They talk about how election denial is becoming more central to the RNC, what to make of this week’s NBC/Ronna McDaniel drama, the latest on efforts by a group trying to recruit a third-party candidate, the Robert F. Kennedy Jr. factor and why Josh says former president Donald Trump is “running for his freedom.”

Subscribe to Aaron’s newsletter, The Campaign Moment, here. 

Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

The show was produced and mixed by Ted Muldoon. It was edited by Renita Jablonski.

“Impromptu” from Washington Post Opinions invites listeners to eavesdrop on our columnists as they have frank, thoughtful conversations on the news and cultural debates they can’t stop thinking about.  Washington Post Opinions columnists want to bring you inside their conversations, before they start typing, to help you figure out your own point of view. If you've enjoyed the recent conversations among columnists that you've heard on this feed, you'll love "Impromptu." New episodes will be released every Wednesday, starting March 20. 

“Try This” from The Washington Post is a series of audio courses designed to jump-start the parts of life where we can all use a few pointers — with pithy, snackable solutions you can easily use. Host Cristina Quinn brings exactly the right amount of motivation with her endearing enthusiasm and the curiosity to learn along with you. Each course is a quick and practical guide that provides new perspectives on the kinds of hurdles we all share. If you’ve been searching for the right place to start, Try This.

In the first class of our course on how to sleep better, learn why worrying about not falling asleep can make things worse. There are steps you can take during the day that can help lessen the anxiety at night.

Every 19th of October, Grenadians mark a somber anniversary: the 1983 execution of the country’s former prime minister and revolutionary leader, Maurice Bishop, and others who died alongside him. The people of this Caribbean nation still have no closure 40 years later. The remains of Bishop and his supporters were never returned to their family members and are missing to this day. 

In the first episode of “The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop,” The Washington Post’s Martine Powers takes us on the personal journey that led her to learn about Grenada’s history. Martine delves into why Bishop was such an influential figure, what made the United States nervous about him and why the mystery of his missing remains continues to haunt so many on the island.

Listen to more episodes here – or on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music or Spotify. 

You can find photos and documents from the investigation in our special episode guide here. 

Subscribers to The Washington Post can get early access to episodes of the series on Apple Podcasts, as well as ad-free listening. Link your Post subscription now or sign up to become a new Post subscriber here.

Grenada’s Black revolutionary leader, Maurice Bishop, was executed in a coup in 1983, along with seven others. The whereabouts of their remains are unknown. Now, The Washington Post’s Martine Powers uncovers new answers about how the U.S. fits into this 40-year-old Caribbean mystery.

“The Empty Grave of Comrade Bishop” is an investigative podcast that delves into the revolutionary history of Grenada, why the missing remains still matter and the role the U.S. government played in shaping the fate of the island nation. 

Listen and follow the show here.