The trial of Donald Trump, concerning payment allegations made to suppress damaging information, is now entering its final phase. With the prosecution’s star witness, Michael Cohen, returning to the stand, the trial resumed in Manhattan on Monday. Cohen, who was once Trump’s lawyer and confidant, has linked the former president directly to the alleged plot. The defense has rigorously questioned Cohen concerning his criminal past and history of deceit, casting him as a vengeful liar.
During his testimony, Cohen admitted to pocketing a $50,000 reimbursement meant for a payment to RedFinch Solutions, claiming he only paid the company $20,000. 'So you stole from the Trump Organization,' questioned defense attorney Todd Blanche, to which Cohen responded affirmatively, though he has never been officially accused of such theft. It remains uncertain whether Trump’s defense will call any witnesses or if Trump himself will take the stand.
Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records, marking the first criminal trial of a former American president. These charges arise from Trump Organization records that misrepresented payments to Cohen as legal expenses. Prosecutors argue these were actually reimbursements for $130,000 paid to porn actress Stormy Daniels to silence claims of an alleged affair with Trump.
While Trump pleads not guilty, asserting no criminality in the deal with Daniels or in the payments to Cohen, the prosecution, led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, is expected to conclude its arguments after Cohen’s testimony. Judge Juan M. Merchan anticipates closing arguments as early as Tuesday, May 28, citing calendar constraints.
The trial’s outcome could have significant implications for the 2024 US Presidential elections, where Trump intends to run against incumbent President Joe Biden. Ongoing court appearances have limited Trump’s campaign efforts. For a conviction, all twelve jurors must unanimously agree, a decision potentially pivotal in the close electoral race.
The defense's portrayal of Cohen as a serial liar and tenant of the courtroom is crafted to undermine the prosecution’s case. Conversely, the prosecution argues the legal expenses listed were fabrications to cloak unlawful campaign finance activities.
- Michael Cohen’s role as the prosecution’s last key witness has been emphasized, with his criminal past forming a significant part of the defense’s strategy to discredit him.
- Trump’s continuous presence in court has been noted as a disruptive factor for his campaign for the 2024 elections, reflecting the high-stakes nature of this trial in American political history.
- The importance of a unanimous jury decision in a trial involving a former president underscores the significant weight of this case, possibly influencing the upcoming presidential elections.
