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The defense attorney did not hold back in his comments on other figures involved in the case, such as Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer. “How did Michael Cohen get away with stealing $30,000… and make $4 million from this? He thought he’d be chief of staff; he’s a fixer. If the plumber comes to my house to fix my leak, I could be home. That doesn’t mean I know how he’s doing it and what it’s taking to be fixed. Stormy Daniels—let’s hold a pity party for her,” Zelin remarked, questioning the narratives spun around these individuals.
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The charges against Trump suggest he played a role in an illicit scheme designed to impact the 2016 election by suppressing information, which included a payment made to the adult film actress. Trump, who faced the jury for closing arguments, has consistently denied any wrongdoing, pleading not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records and dismissing any allegations of an affair with Daniels.
Legal analyst Michael Moore reflected on the significance of the day in court. “It’s a day… for the first time that the lawyers get to argue their position. They’ve been able to put on their evidence. They’ve been able to bring out documents. They’ve been able to make some objections and to sort of give some bluster in the courtroom, but to actually get to tell these jurors out of your own mouth what it is,” Moore stated.
For the jury to convict Trump, they must unanimously agree that he either personally falsified or ordered the falsification of business records with the specific intent to conceal or commit another crime.
ALERT! Major Water Restrictions In Effect!
Leading Trump’s defense, attorney Todd Blanche fervently argued that the former president was not guilty of any crimes. Blanche attacked the credibility of the prosecution’s main witness, Michael Cohen, calling him “unreliable.” He further asserted that all financial documentation related to the case was accurate, challenging the prosecution’s narrative that they had proven their case. Cohen’s testimony was particularly targeted by Blanche, who found many of his statements to be “absurd.”
The defense team is set to present their arguments in approximately two hours, followed by the prosecution’s closing, which is expected to last about four hours. After both sides have made their final statements, the judge will instruct the jury, setting the stage for deliberations to commence potentially by mid-week.
