It’s Tuesday. Adult film star Stormy Daniels is testifying in former President Trump’s hush money case today, and my X timeline is filled with puns. So, as you can imagine, it’s a busy day in politics. Here’s a preview:

• Trump and Daniels appeared to make eye contact during her testimony.
• Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) seems to be softening on her threat to force a vote on ousting Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.). The two are meeting again right now.
• Last night’s Met Gala looks did not disappoint. Keep reading for some of the best, worst and weirdest outfits.
• There’s a video of a police officer helping baby ducks cross the road this morning. The video is all over my social feed.

I’m Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what’s coming up. Send tips, commentary, feedback and cookie recipes to cmartel@digital-release.thehill.com.  Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here.  

Adult film star Stormy Daniels has taken the stand in former President Trump’s hush money trial(!)

Keep in mind: The case is centered on a $130,000 payment Daniels received in 2016 to keep quiet about an alleged affair she had with Trump.

🗨️ Today’s live blog from the courtroom

Daniels is speaking quickly: The prosecutor asked her to slow down. Plus, The Hill’s Ella Lee pointed out that Trump has been making comments to his attorney.

They appeared to make eye contact: “Daniels looked over in [Trump’s] direction, and the former president also looked over at her. Trump maintained a glum face, not appearing to react to coming face to face again with Daniels. Daniels pointed at Trump and held a straight face.” (The Hill)

What’s she wearing?: Lee reports that “Daniels, wearing black with her hair in a clip, smiled nervously as she entered the room, walking quickly toward the stand. She put on a pair of black, thick-rimmed glasses as she started.”

Hoo boy: “‘We don’t need to know the details of intercourse,’ Judge Merchan says as the two sides argue over how much detail Stormy Daniels can go into when she testifies. Trump shakes his head after the judge agrees she can be questioned generally on it given her ‘credibility issues.’” (From CNN’s Kaitlan Collins)

Rethinking your social media post?: Trump appeared to delete a social media post this morning complaining about the next witness. “This is unprecedented, no time for lawyers to prepare,” the former president posted, calling the judge “CROOKED” and “HIGHLY CONFLICTED.” Don’t forget that he has already violated the gag order 10 times so far. 🔎Read Trump’s full deleted post

Want to read the moment the judge threatened Trump with jail time?: Here’s the Monday transcript, via The Washington Post.

Tidbit about trial timing: The prosecution said it needs about two more weeks to make the case. The trial has been estimated to last roughly six weeks and is on track so far.

1. “Specter of jail looms for Trump.”
2. “More is revealed about the hush money payments.”
3. “Trump’s defense: What’s the problem?”

More key takeaways and explainers for each, via The Hill’s Niall Stanage

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) met with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) for almost two hours Monday amid her threat to force a vote to oust him.

👍or 👎?: That meeting seems to have gone well because they are meeting again at 12:30 p.m. today. Greene has not said whether she will back off but did suggest that she had a productive discussion about some assurances from Johnson.

📝 Here’s Greene’s list of demands

Where Trump stands in this: CNN’s Melanie Zanona reports that Trump told Greene to move on.

💡Why this matters: Greene has nowhere near enough votes to remove Johnson from his leadership post. But she has successfully leveraged her frustrations into meetings (and possible compromises) with the Speaker. Republicans do not want a repeat of last fall’s Speakership debacle, so Johnson is trying to qualm GOP frustrations.

Read more from The Hill’s Mike Lillis and Mychael Schnell: ‘Greene signals possible offramp for Johnson ouster vote’

Johnson noted to reporters this morning that he just marked six months as House Speaker. (h/t to NBC News’s Scott Wong)

The Hill’s Alexander Bolton reports that “former President Trump’s refusal to commit to accepting the results of the 2024 election is putting GOP lawmakers in a tough spot, especially Senate GOP Whip John Thune (S.D.) and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who are running to become next Senate GOP leader and have pledged to work closely with Trump.”

Keep in mind about Thune and Cornyn: “Both senators, allies of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), opposed Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.”

Why this matters: “Now, other Senate Republicans will face the same question, including Thune and Cornyn, who will have to balance their past positions on Trump’s baseless claims of widespread election fraud with their ambitions to replace McConnell. Trump’s Senate allies may provide the swing votes that decide who wins the leadership race, and both Thune and Cornyn have reached out to the former president personally to bolster their standing with pro-Trump colleagues.”

Read more: ‘Trump tests Senate GOP leaders on election fraud claims’

TikTok is suing to block the recently-passed law that would force the app’s Chinese parent company ByteDance to divest — or otherwise ban it in the U.S. (The Hill)

Their argument: First amendment protections

🍖 Celebrate: Today is National Roast Leg of Lamb Day!

💃 ‘The Best, Worst, and Weirdest Met Gala 2024 Looks’: You don’t even have to be into fashion to find Met Gala looks interesting. I have so many logistical questions about Lana Del Rey’s tree branch canopy look. Met Gala looks from The Cut

📹 Watch Kim Kardashian try to walk up the stairs in her dress

📹 Watch Ariana Grande’s surprise performance

🦆 Awww, make way for these little ducklings: The Washington Examiner’s David Sivak posted a video of a U.S. Capitol Police officer helping the baby ducks across Independence Avenue. I’ve been seeing this video all over my feed on social media platform X.

Plus, Roll Call photojournalist Bill Clark posted a photo in which “ducklings take a nap beneath their mother at the Capitol Reflecting Pool.” It’s an awesome shot.

🚶‍♀️ Oh man: WMUR’S Adam Sexton posted a video of a person tripping in the back of his shot. 📹 Watch

🗺️ Moving to Utah or New Hampshire?: Utah was just ranked as the best state, according to U.S. News & World Report’s Best State rankings. New Hampshire came in second place, followed by Nebraska and Minnesota. 🗒️ List of the 10 best states

The House and Senate are in. President Biden and Vice President Harris are in Washington. (all times Eastern)

• This morning: Biden spoke at a Holocaust remembrance ceremony at the U.S. Capitol.

• 1:30 p.m.: Biden meets with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis.

• 1:30 p.m.: First House votes of the day. Last votes are expected around 4 p.m. 📆Today’s agenda

• 2 p.m.: White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre briefs reporters. 💻 Livestream

• 5:30 p.m.: The Senate holds an ambassador confirmation vote. 📆Today’s agenda

Because you read this far, here’s a dog who does not appreciate being called a “Chonkasaurus Rex.”

^ Make sure your sound is on.

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