Donald Trump’s lawyer is “losing all credibility”, the judge presiding over the former president’s hush money trial has warned amid heated exchanges.

Prosecutors claim that Mr Trump has flouted a gag order 10 times since the trial began last week by repeatedly attacking his former “fixer”, Michael Cohen, who is expected to be a key witness.

However, Todd Blanche, acting for the defence, argued that Mr Trump was merely responding to a “barrage of political attacks”.

Tensions flared with the judge, Juan Merchan, as he asked Mr Blanche to name specific examples of how Mr Cohen had provoked the former president into lashing out.

“I keep asking you over and over again for a specific answer, and I’m not getting an answer,” Justice Merchan said, as exchanges between the pair grew heated.

Mr Blanche insisted that Mr Trump was “being very careful to comply” with the gag order. The judge responded: “Mr Blanche, you are losing all credibility.”