Live Updates: Prosecution witness Stormy Daniels returns to witness stand in Trump hush money trial

Judge Juan Merchan denied Trump's defense's motion to modify the gag order so the former president could speak freely about adult film actress Stormy Daniels during his criminal hush money trial. 

"The reason why the gag order is in place to begin with is precisely because of the nature of these attacks, the vitriol," Merchan said, according to CNN. "These were very real, very threatening attacks on potential witnesses."

Others that took the stand in the trial include Trump's former personal assistant at the White House, Madeleine Westerhout and Tracey Menzies who works for Harper Collins.

Trump Organization bookkeeper Rebecca Manochio testified Thursday that she didn't interact with former President Donald Trump directly. 

"You didn't really interact with President Trump, right?" the defense asked Manochio. 

"No," she responded.

Manochio was set to testify how she handled Trump's personal checks through the organization. 

Daniels testified Thursday that she felt pressured to enter into a nondisclosure agreement regarding her relationship with former President Donald Trump for safety reasons. 

"Something won’t happen to you if everyone is looking at you," Daniels said, stating it was partly why she signed the NDA.

When Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked if she was happy about the money she got, she responded with "We’re all happy to take money. It’s just a bonus."

Daniels earlier accused Trump's attorney of trying to make her admit her story changed about her encounter with the former president. 

Trump's attorney, Susan Necheles, questioned Daniels about details about Trump standing in front of her during a 2018 Vogue interview where she alleged Daniels' story changed. 

"You're trying to make me say that it changed but it hasn't changed," Daniels said to Necheles. 

At another point, Daniels argued that the InTouch magazine article about dinner with former President Donald Trump was meant to be "short and frivolous."

"This is an entertainment magazine. This is short and frivolous. It's an abbreviated, entertaining version of the events," Daniels said regarding the 2011 interview about a dinner she had with Trump. 

Necheles asked if she was telling the truth in the interview. 

"It is minus some details," Daniels answered, according to CNN.

Daniels on Thursday resumed her testimony at former President Trump's criminal hush-money trial in New York City.

The prosecution witness will face more cross-examination by defense attorneys about her allegation that she had a sexual encounter with their client – now the 2024 presumptive GOP presidential nominee. 

Trump is accused of falsifying business records to cover up hush money paid to Daniels for the purpose of helping get elected president in 2016. He has pleaded not guilty to the 34 charges and denies the alleged 2006 affair with Daniels.

Daniels testified Tuesday about the alleged tryst.

She was paid $130,000 to keep her story out of the news media by Trump attorney and "fixer" Michael Cohen, in exchange for her signing a non-disclosure agreement. 

Blanche said he would talk to Trump about it.

Trump's reimbursement of the money to Cohen is at the heart of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's criminal case, also according to NBC News.