The trial against former US President Donald Trump over alleged hush money payments has reached a critical juncture as closing arguments have concluded. The jury is now deliberating on the evidence presented over the past seven weeks. This historic trial marks the first criminal trial against a former president, making it a pivotal moment in American legal and political history.
In the closing arguments, Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche fiercely defended the former president's innocence, emphasizing that the criminal case hinges primarily on the testimony of Michael Cohen, whom Blanche called the 'biggest liar.' Blanche argued that the jury should harbor 'reasonable doubt' regarding Cohen's credibility, making a case that Trump was unaware of the hush money payments to Stormy Daniels.
Prosecutors, led by Joshua Steinglass, countered by presenting a 'mountain of evidence,' including documents, testimony from former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg, and phone records. Steinglass argued that Trump, Cohen, and David Pecker of AMI conspired to suppress damaging stories about alleged affairs, especially during the 2016 election, to benefit from the concealment.
Steinglass noted that the key evidence corroborates Cohen's testimony, highlighting phone logs, financial records, and other documents that connect Trump to the hush money payments. The prosecution also utilized testimony from Pecker to establish a pattern of deceit to benefit Trump by avoiding negative press coverage.
Despite the defense's effort to discredit Cohen and suppress any claim of Trump's direct involvement, the prosecution maintained that the former president orchestrated the payments via intermediaries to avoid his direct signature on incriminating documents.
Judge Juan Merchan is set to provide instructions to the jury, emphasizing the legal criteria they must consider before rendering a unanimous verdict. The decision on each of the 34 charges against Trump, which span falsifying business records, hinges on the jury’s assessment of the evidence and arguments presented.
Following the conclusion of the trial, if found guilty, Trump could face a sentence ranging from probation to up to 20 years in prison. While the defense maintains that the charges are politically motivated, the prosecution argues it is a straightforward case of criminal fraud.
- The presence of Donald Trump's family in the courtroom, including his children Eric, Donald Jr., Tiffany, daughter-in-law Lara, and son-in-law Michael Boulos, underscored the personal dimension of the trial. Notably absent were Trump's wife Melania, and his children Barron and Ivanka, the latter of whom has distanced herself from her father's current political activities.
- Trump has publicly denounced the trial as an 'electoral witch hunt,' criticizing District Attorney Alvin Bragg's efforts as politically motivated. He expressed his discontent through statements before entering the courtroom and on his Truth Social platform, reinforcing his stance of innocence.
