Both sides completed their final arguments Tuesday in the historic first criminal case against a former president capping a dramatic six-week trial in which a parade of often high-profile witnesses laid out the evidence that Donald Trump allegedly covered up hush money payments to a porn star to hide another crime.
Jury deliberations will begin Wednesday after instructions from Judge Juan Merchan. The forthcoming verdict – a conviction on all or some of 34 counts of falsifying business records, an acquittal, or a deadlocked jury – could have a major impact on Trump’s campaign against President Joe Biden.
The six-week trial featured 22 witnesses from Trump’s company, campaign, a national tabloid and a porn star. The testimony featured tense moments such as defense lawyer Todd Blanche accusing Trump’s former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, of lying on the standand former Trump spokesperson Hope Hicks breaking into tears.
Meanwhile, Merchan threatened to jail Trump if he continued to violate a gag order against talking about witnesses participating in the case. A flock of Republican surrogates showed up to support Trump, and one conspiracy theorist set himself on fire outside the courthouse.
Prosecution cites ‘jaw-dropping’ evidence against Trump that defense says ‘cannot be trusted’
The courtroom drama featured dramatic clashes between lawyers and witnesses, the judge and Trump.
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Cohen was a key witness testifying that he submitted invoices for “legal expenses” that Trump knew were to reimburse him for paying $130,000 to silence porn actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. But Trump lawyer Todd Blanche accused Cohen of lying on the stand when he testified he notified Trump about the payment to Daniels. In closing arguments, Blanche called Cohen the “MVP of liars” and “the embodiment of reasonable doubt.”
Merchan scolded Blanche for an “outrageous” statement in closing arguments that the jury shouldn’t “send someone to prison” based on Cohen’s testimony.
Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, described the alleged sexual encounter in enough detail that Merchan questioned why defense lawyers didn’t object more to block her testimony. She testified that she noticed gold nail clippers in Trump’s hotel room and he didn’t wear a condom during the encounter. Trump has repeatedly denied he had sex with Daniels and Blanche argued the payment “started out as an extortion” whether the allegation was true or not.
David Pecker, the former CEO of American Media Inc., which owned the National Enquirer, said he agreed in a meeting with Trump and Cohen in August 2015 to be the “eyes and ears” of Trump’s presidential campaign to buy negative stories about the candidate and never publish them.
Pecker acknowledged paying former Playboy model Karen McDougal $150,000 for her story and then refusing to pay for Daniels because Trump hadn’t reimbursed him. Cohen provided a recording, which prosecutor Joshua Steinglass called “jaw-dropping,” of Trump mentioning the $150,000 figure.
But Blanche raised questions about the credibility of the recording because it cuts off suddenly – Cohen said he got another call – and argued that a meeting to influence the campaign “made no sense.”
Trump paid Cohen for a retainer through invoices marked “legal expenses,” so he committed no crime of falsifying business records, according to Blanche. “This is not a referendum on your views of President Trump,” Blanche told jurors.
The jury will return Wednesday to receive instructions from Merchan and begin deliberations.
−Bart Jansen
Tuesday proceedings end
Judge Juan Merchan declared an end to the day’s proceedings at about 8 p.m. EDT.
– Aysha Bagchi
Judge to give jury instructions in morning, proceedings to start slightly later
Judge Juan Merchan said he will give jurors their instructions on the law to apply in the case tomorrow morning. In light of today’s proceedings running late, tomorrow’s proceedings will start at 10 a.m. EDT, not the normal 9:30 a.m. EDT start time, Merchan said.
– Aysha Bagchi
‘In the name of justice’: Prosecutor finishes closing argument
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass has ended his closing argument. He thanked the jurors for their service and for consistently arriving to trial on time.
“I apologize for trading brevity for thoroughness,” he said, in reference to his lengthy time summing up the case.
Steinglass argued former President Donald Trump shouldn’t get special treatment in this case. “He’s had his day in court,” Steinglass said. “The law is the law, and it applies to everyone equally. There is no special standard for this defendant.”
Steinglass added that Donald Trump can’t shoot somebody “during rush hour and get away with it.” The defense objected to that comment, and Judge Merchan sustained their objection. The prosecutor appeared to be referring to a boast Trump made early in the 2016 presidential campaign: “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn’t lose any voters, OK?”
“In the name of justice,” Steinglass urged jurors, “I ask you to find the defendant guilty.”
– Aysha Bagchi
‘Beating a dead horse’ draws laughs as prosecutor’s long closing continues
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass used the phrase “beating a dead horse here” to describe his team’s argument that Trump conspired to unlawfully interfere in the 2016 presidential election.
That drew some giggling from the courtroom. I saw at least one juror smiling.
– Aysha Bagchi
‘The false business records benefited one person and one person only’
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass encouraged jurors to consider who stood to benefit from falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels.
The answer, Steinglass said, is Donald Trump.
“He was the one who stood to gain the most,” Steinglass said. “He’s the only one who’d care about creating the false business records to conceal the Daniels payoff.”
“The false business records benefited one person and one person only – and that’s the defendant,” Steinglass added.
– Aysha Bagchi
A fixer like Cohen would want credit for hush money deal: Steinglass
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass said another reason to credit Michael Cohen’s testimony of Trump’s involvement comes down to the common-sense question of how a fixer acts.
A person playing that role for Trump might cover their tracks and avoid a paper trail, but that person also wants credit, Steinglass suggested. “They sure as heck want the principal to know.”
– Aysha Bagchi
Trump’s alleged knowledge of prior hush money deals part of a pattern, Steinglass says
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass reminded jurors of testimony from former tabloid publisher David Pecker that he updated Trump on two hush money agreements that took place before the Stormy Daniels deal was sealed. Pecker’s company paid out money to a Trump Tower doorman and to former Playboy model Karen McDougal in the two deals. Michael Cohen was in communication with Pecker, but Cohen himself paid Daniels.
If you credit Pecker’s testimony, Trump knew about those two earlier deals, Steinglass told the jury.
“So why would the defendant be kept in the dark about the Daniels NDA?” Steinglass asked, using an abbreviation for “non-disclosure agreement.”
“That defies common sense,” he added.
– Aysha Bagchi
Hope Hicks cried over her damning testimony: Steinglass
Former Trump aide Hope Hicks made headlines earlier in the trial when she broke down crying on the witness stand. On Tuesday, Steinglass argued Hicks lost her composure after realizing the impact of the damning testimony she’d given against her former boss.
Hicks was testifying about Trump’s reaction to a post-2016 election story on the hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. Hicks said Trump asked for her thoughts on how a story before the election would have compared.
“I think Mr. Trump’s opinion was it was better to be dealing with it now, and that it would have been bad to have that story come out before the election,” Hicks testified.
More:Donald Trump trial Friday recap: Former Trump spokesperson Hope Hicks emotional on stand
That was at the end the prosecution’s questions for Hicks, and she broke down slightly later, as Trump defense lawyer Emil Bove began asking her questions.
“She realized how much this testimony puts the nail in” the case, Steinglass said.
The prosecution has argued that Trump authorized a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels in order to better his 2016 election chances. That forms part of the prosecution’s argument for charging Trump with felonies.
– Aysha Bagchi
Trump, a frugal and meticulous boss, would know what his checks were for: Steinglass
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass pointed to testimony that Trump is frugal and meticulous in his work and business life. For instance, former tabloid publisher and long-time Trump friend David Pecker testified that Trump was “very cautious” and “very frugal.”
This, Steinglass suggested, is evidence Trump wouldn’t have paid Cohen $420,000 – largely in checks he himself signed – without knowing the purpose.
Steinglass also pointed to Trump book excerpts in which the celebrity real estate developer characterized himself as careful about his finances. In one excerpt from “Trump: Think Like a Billionaire,” he said: “I always sign my checks, so I know where my money’s going.”
– Aysha Bagchi
Prosecutor challenges Trump team’s claim that 2017 payments were for legal services
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass ridiculed the argument from defense lawyer Todd Blanche earlier today that Donald Trump’s 2017 monthly payments to Michael Cohen were for legal services, not to reimburse hush money. Blanche said Trump Organization records accurately represented the payments.
Why wasn’t Cohen “paid a dime in 2018?” Steinglass asked jurors. Because Cohen wasn’t being paid for legal work in either 2017 or 2018, Steinglass said.
Steinglass added that Cohen had spent more time being cross-examined at Trump’s hush money trial than doing legal work for Trump in 2017, and said Cohen would have been making an hourly rate of $42,000 if the payments were for legal services.
“That’d be a pretty good hourly rate,” Steinglass said with sarcasm.
Steinglass also said Cohen was making more money than any government job would ever pay.
“And don’t I know that,” the Manhattan line prosecutor added, drawing at least a few chuckles from the courtroom.
– Aysha Bagchi
More:Would cameras in the courtroom change Donald Trump’s New York hush money trial?
Jurors see handwritten notes that allegedly point to a planned tax crime
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass showed jurors a document dealing with Cohen’s tranfer of $130,000 to Stormy Daniels’ lawyer, Keith Davidson, in 2016.
The document has handwritten notes that ex-Trump Organization executive Jeffrey McConney testified belonged to Allen Weisselberg. Weisselberg was the long-time chief financial officer at the Trump Organization. He is currently in jail for committing perjury in Trump’s New York civil fraud case.
The notes refer to “grossing” up $180,000 to $360,000. Prosecutors say two reimbursements to Cohen – one for the $130,000 hush money to Daniels and a second for $50,000 related to polling services – were doubled to account for taxes Cohen would have to pay. That, according to prosecutors, reflected a plan to commit tax fraud under New York law.
This seems aimed at showing Trump falsified business records in order to hide a plan to violate New York tax law. That’s one of three crimes or potential crimes prosecutors say Trump was trying to cover up by falsifying records. To win a conviction, prosecutors have to show not just that Trump falsified records, but also that he was trying to conceal or commit another crime.
Here are the handwritten notes jurors just saw:
– Aysha Bagchi
Trump executive’s testimony used against former president
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass is pointing to the testimony of former Trump Organization financial controller Jeffrey McConney as evidence Trump was reimbursing Michael Cohen with a series of 2017 payments that are at the heart of this business records case. Prosecutors say Trump falsified records to conceal that the payments were reimbursements to Cohen for hush money he paid to Stormy Daniels.
McConney testified he was told by former Trump Organization chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg that the payments were reimbursing Cohen.
Steinglass told jurors to think about who McConney is as they consider that testimony.
“He has no axe to grind,” Steinglass said of McConney. “He has every incentive to help his former boss.”
McConney nonetheless said he was told this was a reimbursement, Steinglass noted.
– Aysha Bagchi
Prosecutor’s argument shifts from hush money to alleged cover-up
After a short break in proceedings, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass has resumed his closing argument. He explained to the jury that he’d gone over Trump’s alleged conspiracy to influence the election. But after the election, he continued, Trump also needed to keep people from knowing about the conspiracy.
Plus, Michael Cohen wanted his money back.
Steinglass is now showing jurors a transcript of Cohen’s testimony that Trump approved a scheme to reimburse Cohen over 12 months while misrepresenting the payments as ongoing legal expenses.
– Aysha Bagchi
Jurors paying attention as long day continues
Judge Juan Merchan excused jurors for a short break at 4:54 p.m. EDT. He then commented that jurors continued to appear attentive, even as proceedings have extended beyond the normal 4:30 p.m. EDT end time.
What the judge said is true. I haven’t seen any jurors dozing off or appearing distracted, even as they have heard several hours of arguments from just two lawyers today.
Merchan indicated the jurors have made arrangements to stay late today, and that proceedings could go past 7 p.m. EDT.
– Aysha Bagchi
‘What have we done?’: Prosecutor points to election reaction as evidence of Trump’s guilt
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass showed jurors a text exchange between Stormy Daniels’ former lawyer, Keith Davidson, and former National Enquirer editor Dylan Howard. Davidson texted Howard after the 2016 presidential election results started to come in: “What have we done?”
Steinglass suggested Davidson’s reaction to news of Trump’s victory shows how players involved in the Trump-related hush money deals fully understood their importance to the election.
– Aysha Bagchi
More:National Enquirer editor said Stormy Daniels’ affair story was true: Texts shown to jury
‘This is damning’: Prosecutor says evidence shows Trump OK’d hush money
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass is displaying text messages and call records that he says support Michael Cohen’s testimony that Trump authorized the $130,000 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels.
Keith Davidson, the former lawyer for Daniels, testified that he believed Cohen didn’t have the authority to spend money on his own, Steinglass noted. Even after Cohen told Davidson “I’ll just do it myself,” Davidson testified, he understood the money would be coming from Donald Trump or a related corporation.
Steinglass also showed a call record indicating Cohen called Trump 10 minutes after hearing that Daniels might be about to share her story with the Daily Mail. Cohen didn’t reach him, but Melania Trump texted the next morning asking Cohen to call Trump on his cell phone.
Steinglass also showed jurors a record of a call that he said was half an hour before Cohen filled out the paperwork for the hush money wire transfer.
“This is damning,” Steinglass said.
– Aysha Bagchi
‘Pandemonium’: Prosecutor says Access Hollywood tape is key context for hush money
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass is talking to jurors about the infamous Access Hollywood tape, in which Trump discussed kissing women without waiting and grabbing their genitals. The tape was published by The Washington Post on Oct. 7 of 2016 – about a month before the 2016 election.
Steinglass played a response video Trump posted in which he characterized his words on the tape as simply that – words. Steinglass also referred to Trump characterizing his words as “locker-room talk,” reminding jurors that Cohen testified that phrase was a suggestion from Melania Trump.
“You gotta remember this race could not have been closer,” Steinglass said. The tape and events that followed were capable of costing Trump the whole election, and he knew it, Steinglass said.
Steinglass then played jurors a video recording of Trump at a campaign event on Oct. 14, 2016. Trump talked about lies at the rally, saying if 5% or 10% of people think they’re true, “we don’t win.”
“It caused pandemonium in the Trump campaign,” Steinglass said of the tape.
At the same time that Trump was desperately trying to sell the distinction between words and actions, he was trying to muzzle a porn star who had a story to tell about a sexual encounter while Trump was married, Steinglass said.
“Stormy Daniels was a walking, talking reminder that the defendant was not only words,” Steinglass said. “She would have totally undermined his strategy for spinning away the Access Hollywood tape.”
– Aysha Bagchi
The trial goes on, but Tuesday’s protesters are mostly done
Nearly all the demonstrators outside of the courthouse − both pro-Trump and anti-Trump − packed up shortly after 4 p.m. EDT.
They did not stick around for the end of final arguments.
“We’re going to Trump Tower − you coming?” yelled one member of the ex-president’s contingent.Throughout the day, maybe 150 demonstrators of all stripes drifted into and out of the one-block park across the street from the courthouse.
Things occasionally got tense, as adherents of Trump and Biden dropped F bombs on each other; there was also, reportedly, at least one punch thrown.
With each confrontation, however, two or more New York police officers quickly moved in to stop things from getting out of hand.
−David Jackson
Steinglass pushes back on evidence manipulation argument
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass is pushing back on a suggestion from Trump lawyer Todd Blanche that evidence has been manipulated. Blanche targeted, in particular, an audio recording that Michael Cohen said he secretly made of a conversation he had with Trump where the two discussed hush money payments to former Playboy model Karen McDougal.
Blanche said there is “a lot of dispute” when it comes to the recording, and that the government hasn’t shown it’s reliable. The recording cuts off abruptly after Trump and Cohen discuss financing.
“Don’t accept this invitation to muddy the waters,” Steinglass said to jurors of Blanche’s comments. Cohen would have no incentive to manipulate evidence because he had already pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations, Steinglass said.
Steinglass also said the recording “is nothing short of jaw-dropping,” adding Trump talks about not paying with cash.
Here’s a transcript of the recording prepared by the prosecution and shown earlier in the trial:
– Aysha Bagchi
Trump slams Rep. Bob Good, a gag-order-get-around trial attendee, and endorses opponent
House Freedom Caucus chair Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., attended the hush money trial on May 16 and, along with several other Republican lawmakers, defended Trump against the judge’s gag order.
But on Tuesday morning, Trump endorsed Good’s opponent, State Sen. John McGuire, who also made a quiet appearance at the Manhattan courthouse the same day.
“Bob Good is BAD FOR VIRGINIA, AND BAD FOR THE USA,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
Good had initially endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in the 2024 primary, but eventually backed Trump when DeSantis dropped out of the race in January.
– Kinsey Crowley
Prosecutor defends public’s right to know Stormy Daniels’ story
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass told jurors they might wonder why they should care if Trump had a sexual encounter with porn star Stormy Daniels in 2006.
Steinglass said that thought is understandable, but it’s harder to say that the American people “don’t have the right to decide for themselves whether they care or not.”
Trump’s alleged scheme to prevent negative stories from getting out ahead of the 2016 election “could very well be what got President Trump elected,” Steinglass said.
This may be more of a moral argument from Steinglass than a legal one. Ultimately, Judge Juan Merchan will instruct jurors on the law around campaign finance violations. Then jurors will be tasked with deciding if Trump falsified records and, if so, whether he was trying to cover up unlawfully interfering in the 2016 election through the hush money to Daniels.
– Aysha Bagchi
‘We didn’t pick him up at the witness store’: Prosecutor on Michael Cohen
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass blamed former President Donald Trump for the prosecution’s use of Michael Cohen in the criminal hush money case.
“We didn’t pick him up at the witness store,” Steinglass said of Cohen. “The defendant chose Michael Cohen to be his fixer because he was willing to lie and cheat on Mr. Trump’s behalf.”
Trump chose Cohen “for the same qualities” that Trump’s lawyers now say should cause the jurors to reject Cohen’s testimony, Steinglass added.
Steinglass then showed jurors an excerpt from one of Trump’s books in which Trump said: “I value loyalty above everything else.”
– Aysha Bagchi
When will the Trump trial end?
The Trump trial could end this week, depending on how long the jury takes to deliberate.
Closing arguments are scheduled to wrap up Tuesday. Judge Juan Merchan has asked the jury to come in Wednesday, even though the court is typically off that day, so he can hand the case over to them.
While there is technically no limit on how long the jury deliberations can take, experts say three days would be considered a long time.
– Kinsey Crowley
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass defends Michael Cohen’s testimony
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass is spending a lot of time defending the same witness Trump lawyer Todd Blanche spent a lot of time attacking today: Michael Cohen.
Steinglass spoke of an Oct. 24, 2016 phone call Blanche has said Cohen got caught lying about on the stand. Cohen said the call to Trump’s bodyguard was to get Trump on the phone about the Stormy Daniels hush money deal. After Blanche showed text messages to the bodyguard indicated Cohen wanted to talk about harassing phone calls he was getting from a 14-year-old, Cohen said he believes he also spoke to Trump about the deal.
“Even if you’re not convinced” that both things happened in that call, Steinglass told jurors, “a far less sinister explanation” is Cohen got the time of the call wrong.
“This was not the final go-ahead. That would come two days later on October 26th,” Steinglass added.
– Aysha Bagchi
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass begins prosecution’s closing argument
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass has begun his closing argument. Steinglass indicated earlier today that this is likely to be lengthy: he estimated he needs 4-4.5 hours.
– Aysha Bagchi
Judge instructs jurors to disregard Trump lawyer’s ‘prison’ comment
Following the lunch break, Judge Juan Merchan instructed jurors to disregard the comment from Trump lawyer Todd Blanche about sending Trump “to prison” if they convict him. Merchan told the jurors they may not consider sentencing at all when they are deliberating in the case.
– Aysha Bagchi
‘Outrageous’: Judge rebukes Trump defense lawyer for prison comment
After Trump lawyer Todd Blanche finished his closing and jurors were excused for lunch, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass asked Judge Merchan to give jurors a special instruction about the “ridiculous comment” Blanche made about sending Trump to prison. Merchan already sustained an objection from Steinglass when Blanche told jurors they “cannot send someone to prison” based on Michael Cohen’s testimony.
Steinglass noted the charges in the case carry no minimum sentence, so jail or prison time might not happen even if Trump is convicted. It was a “blatant and wholly inappropriate effort” to create sympathy for Trump, Steinglass said.
Blanche said the judge is already slated to give a regular instruction on this point to jurors after the closing arguments are over.
“I’m gonna give a curative instruction,” Merchan said. “Saying that was outrageous, Mr. Blanche,” Merchan added.
“You know that making a comment like that is highly inappropriate,” Merchan told Blanche. “It’s hard for me to imagine how that was accidental in any way.”
– Aysha Bagchi
‘Not a referendum on your views of President Trump’: defense finishes closing
“This is not a referendum on your views of President Trump,” defense lawyer Todd Blanche told jurors at the end of his closing argument.
Blanche said the trial is not about whom jurors voted for or plan to vote for. Instead, it’s only about the evidence they heard in the courtroom, he said.
If jurors stick to that evidence, they will return an “easy” and “quick” not guilty verdict, he said.
– Aysha Bagchi
‘He’s the human embodiment of reasonable doubt, literally’: Trump lawyer on Cohen
In his tenth and final argument for reasonable doubt in the case, Trump lawyer Todd Blanche again attacked Michael Cohen as a liar.
“He’s the human embodiment of reasonable doubt, literally,” Blanche said. Cohen’s financial wellbeing will depend on this case, Blanche added. “He is biased and motivated to tell you a story that’s not true.”
Cohen is the G.O.A.T. of liars, Blanche said, referencing an abbreviation for “greatest of all time.”
“He has lied to every single branch of Congress. Both houses. The House and the Senate,” Blanche said of Cohen. Cohen has lied to the Department of Justice, to federal judges, to state judges, and to his family, he added. “His words cannot be trusted.”
After all those lies, Cohen came to the trial, “raised his right hand, and he lied to each of you,” Blanche said.
“You cannot send someone to prison” based on Cohen’s testimony, Blanche added. Judge Juan Merchan sustained an objection to that comment.
– Aysha Bagchi
10 reasons why there is reasonable doubt: Trump lawyer
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche ended his closing argument by offering ten reasons for reasonable doubt in the case.
Blanche argued the evidence didn’t show Trump was aware or responsible for invoices, vouchers, and checks that make up the 34 allegedly falsified records in the case.
Blanche also targeted allegations he expects the prosecution to make in its closing about Trump’s intent. He said Trump had no intention to defraud, and no intention to commit or conceal another crime. Prosecutors have to prove both those elements of Trump’s intent.
Blanche also said there was no illegal agreement to influence the 2016 election through a “catch-and-kill” scheme.
Blanche argued that Stormy Daniels’ allegation of an affair with Trump was already public by 2016. Testimony at trial discussed the publication of a rumor about it as far back as 2011.
Blanche also said evidence in the case had been manipulated. He noted, for example, testimony of an Oct. 15, 2016 factory reset of Cohen’s phone.
The tenth and final reason for reasonable doubt, Blanche said, is that Cohen – who testified to various aspects of the prosecution’s case – is a liar.
– Aysha Bagchi
‘He’s literally like an MVP of liars’: Trump lawyer on Michael Cohen
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche accused the prosecution of being “perfectly willing” to have a witness commit perjury and lie to the jurors. Judge Juan Merchan sustained an objection to that accusation.
“He’s literally like an MVP of liars,” Blanche said as he continued to target Cohen.
“He lies to reporters, he lies to federal judges. In fact, he’s also a thief. He literally stole,” Blanche said, referencing Cohen’s own admission to stealing from the Trump Organization by claiming a larger reimbursement than he was owed for a payment unrelated to the Daniels hush money deal.
Blanche then played an audio recording for jurors showing Cohen’s animus toward Trump. Cohen described picturing Trump getting booked and finger printed on criminal charges, and having a mug shot taken. It “fills me with delight,” Cohen said. Cohen also thanked the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, including its “fearless leader,” Alvin Bragg.
– Aysha Bagchi
‘That was a lie, and he got caught red-handed’: Trump lawyer on Cohen
Near the end of his closing argument, Trump lawyer Todd Blanche focused on the prosecution’s star witness: Michael Cohen. Blanche told jurors they “only know from one source” what Trump knew in 2016 – Cohen. Prosecutors have alleged Trump knew about and authorized a October 2016 hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.
Blanche elevated his voice as he attacked the former Trump lawyer and fixer, noting text messages indicating that a call from Cohen to Trump’s bodyguard on Oct. 24, 2016 was to discuss harassing phone calls Cohen was getting. Cohen had earlier testified the call was to get Trump on the phone to provide an update on the Stormy Daniels hush money deal. After Blanche showed Cohen the text messages on cross-examination, Cohen said he believed the call was also about the deal.
“It was a lie!” Blanche exclaimed to jurors on Tuesday. “This was a lie about the charged conduct involving Ms. Daniels,” he said.
“That was a lie, and he got caught red-handed,” Blanche continued.
“That is per-jur-y,” Blanche said, putting emphasis on each syllable in the last word.
– Aysha Bagchi
Blanche distances Trump from Daniels hush money and election concerns
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche questioned prosecutors’ suggestion that Trump would have paid hush money to Stormy Daniels because of the 2016 election, as well as their claim that Trump actually authorized the payment.
Blanche said no one wants their family to hear these sort of allegations.
Blanche also said the release of the Access Hollywood tape – in which Trump crudely described groping women’s genitals – wasn’t the “doomsday event” the prosecution made it out to be. “He never thought it was gonna cause him to lose the campaign. And indeed, it didn’t,” Blanche said.
“Michael Cohen, however, had a different view,” Blanche argued to jurors. He noted Cohen said the tape “was catastrophic.”
These arguments from Blanche may have two aims:
- Encouraging jurors to believe Cohen acted alone, and
- Encouraging jurors to believe that, if they conclude Trump authorized the payment, it wasn’t for the election, and therefore wasn’t an unlawful campaign contribution.
Prosecutors have suggested the tape’s release put pressure on the Trump campaign to not let any more stories get out that could hurt Trump’s standing with women voters. That, according to prosecutors, was added incentive to quiet Stormy Daniels with a hush money payment.
– Aysha Bagchi
‘No evidence’ but Cohen’s words that Trump knew about 2016 hush money deal: defense lawyer
There is “no evidence,” Trump lawyer Todd Blanche said, “except for Mr. Cohen’s words that President Trump knew about that agreement in 2016.”
Blanche was referencing the $130,000 hush money deal involving porn star Stormy Daniels.
Blanche pointed to a text exchange between Daniels’ then-manager Gina Rodriguez and former National Enquirer editor Dylan Howard, in which Rodriguez asked if Howard was working “in favor” of Trump and Howard said he was not. Howard acknowledged in the text exchange that his CEO endorsed Trump.
– Aysha Bagchi
‘Nothing sinister’: Blanche defends hush money practice
“There’s nothing wrong with a non-disclosure agreement,” Blanche told jurors. “There’s nothing illegal, there’s nothing sinister about it,” he added.
Prosecutors in this case don’t dispute that claim generally, but they say the hush money payment to Stormy Daniels is different because it allegedly violated federal campaign finance laws.
– Aysha Bagchi
Judge rejects gag request in Trump’s classified documents case
The federal judge in former President Donald Trump’s classified documents case rejected an urgent request from prosecutors to prohibit him from commenting on FBI agents who seized the records at Mar-a-Lago.
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon found Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith’s request Friday lacked “professional courtesy” for not meeting with Trump’s team first to discuss the defense’s concerns.
Smith’s team had asked Cannon on Friday to prohibit Trump from commenting about law enforcement agents after Trump claimed the FBI “was authorized to shoot me” and agents were “locked &loaded ready to take me out” when they went to Mar-a-Lago.
Trump’s lawyers, who were preparing for final arguments in his New York hush money case, asked to meet Monday before prosecutors filed their motion. After being rejected, defense lawyers on Monday asked Cannon to hold prosecutors in contempt for the request. She rejected that request.
“This is bad-faith behavior, plain and simple,” Trump’s lawyers Todd Blanche, Emil Bove and Christopher Kise wrote.
– Bart Jansen
‘This started out as an extortion’: Blanche on Stormy Daniels
Blanche played for jurors a recording of a conversation between Michael Cohen and Keith Davidson, the lawyer who negotiated the hush money deal for Stormy Daniels. Davidson says during the recording that Daniels told him he “better settle this God damn story” because if Trump loses the election, “we lose all (expletive) leverage.”
Daniels testified at trial that she never yelled at Davidson and, on the recording, it sounded to her like he is making a threat.
You can listen to the recording here:
Blanche suggested to jurors that Daniels has been cashing in on her allegations about Trump, noting she has a book.
“This started out as an extortion. There’s no doubt about that. And it ended very well for Ms. Daniels, financially speaking,” Blanche said.
– Aysha Bagchi
‘He was shocked’: Defense’s take on secret recording by Cohen of Trump
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche reminded jurors of a recording they heard during the trial, which Michael Cohen testified involved a discussion between him and Trump about a hush money deal with former Playboy model Karen McDougal.
You can listen to the recording here:
Cohen testified that he secretly recorded Trump in order to reassure David Pecker, whose media company paid McDougal $150,000, that he would get his money back.
“There is a lot of dispute about that recording. A lot,” Blanche told jurors Tuesday. He added that the government hasn’t shown the recording is reliable.
Blanche played a portion of the recording that he said featured the voice of Rhona Graff, Trump’s former executive assistant. He then told jurors the government didn’t ask her a single question about the recording, even though she testified.
“The recording cuts off, as you know,” Blanche said. He said there is “no doubt” the recording features discussion of David Pecker and his media company, but said there is “a lot of doubt” about whether it discussed McDougal.
When Trump asks about financing in the recording, “he has no idea” what Cohen is talking about, Blanche said. Cohen and Trump are “literally talking past each other about what is going on,” he said.
“He was shocked,” Blanche added, speaking about his client.
– Aysha Bagchi
Biden and Trump campaigns conduct dueling news conferences
Another political first for the Trump hush money trial: Dueling news conferences by the presidential campaigns.First, the Biden team produced surrogates who denounced Trump to reporters stationed across the street from the courthouse.
“He wants to sow total chaos,” said Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro. The Biden campaign said their news conference wasn’t about the hush money trial per se, but about Trump himself, particularly his role in the insurrection of Jan. 6, 2021.
Other speakers included two Capitol police officers who were injured in the Jan. 6 riot, Michael Fanone and Harry Dunn.
“Those supporters were fueled by Trump’s lies,” Fanone said.
After watching the Biden proceedings from a distance, a trio of Trump aides took to the microphones to accuse the Biden people of political desperation over the trial.
“Why is Joe Biden now making this a campaign event?” said Trump senior adviser Jason Miller.
This was the first time that top Trump and Biden officials faced off in the same place at the same time, but it won’t be the last; there’s a June 27 debate coming up in Atlanta.
– David Jackson
‘Makes no sense’: Blanche attacks election conspiracy claim
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche told jurors he doesn’t think they need to address whether Trump participated in a conspiracy to unlawfully influence the 2016 presidential election. That allegation from prosecutors has to do with why Trump has been charged with felony counts of falsifying records – but it’s irrelevant to the charges if jurors conclude Trump never falsified records to begin with.
Still, Blanche challenged the suggestion that Trump engaged in an election-related conspiracy. He said “sophisticated people” like Trump and David Pecker – the former head of the National Enquirer’s parent company – couldn’t have believed they were able to influence the election through the publication’s limited circulation when “millions and millions of people voted in the 2016 election.”
The idea that an August 2015 meeting was going to influence the election “makes no sense,” Blanche added. Pecker and Cohen both testified to having a meeting with Trump at Trump Tower that month to discuss how they could snap up potentially damaging stories to Trump’s campaign and also publish negative stories about Trump’s political opponents.
– Aysha Bagchi
Actor Robert DeNiro calls Trump a ‘clown’ and ‘buffoon’ outside courthouse
Actor Robert DeNiro, flanked by former Capitol Police officers who defended the building on Jan. 6, 2021, called former President Donald Trump a “clown,” a “buffoon” and a “joke” outside the courthouse where Trump is on trial.
“He wants to sow total chaos,” said DeNiro, a surrogate for President Joe Biden who grew up in New York City. “He’ll use violence against anyone who stands in the way of his megalomania and greed. But it’s a coward’s violence.”
DeNiro noted Trump was found liable for sexual abuse and for misstating the value of his real estate. But DeNiro said over the shouts of hecklers and the honking of a car on the street outside the courthouse that Trump must be defeated or he would never leave the White House again.
“When Trump ran in 2016, it was like a joke, this buffoon running for president,” DeNiro said. “With Trump, we have a second chance and no one is laughing now. This is the time to stop him by voting him out once and for all.”
DeNiro was joined by Harry Dunn and Michael Fanone, two of the Capitol police officers who were injured defending the building when a mob of Trump supporters rioted and interrupted Congress certifying Biden’s 2020 win against Trump.
“These guys are the true heroes,” DeNiro said. “They stood and put their lives on the line for these lowlifes, for Trump.”
– Bart Jansen
Blanche says Trump didn’t have an intent to defraud
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche said he expects Judge Merchan to instruct jurors that, to find Trump guilty, they must conclude he falsified records and that he had an intent to defraud when he did so.
Blanche pointed to a 2018 tweet by Trump, in which Trump mentioned a retainer agreement with Cohen. A legal retainer is a compensation agreement that reserves a lawyer or pays for future services. Cohen submitted several invoices in 2017 – which form part of the allegedly falsified records in the case – referencing a retainer. Cohen testified no retainer actually existed.
Blanche said Trump wouldn’t have posted that tweet if he had any intent to defraud.
– Aysha Bagchi
Blanche says almost no evidence of planned tax crime
To find Trump guilty of the 34 felony counts in the case, the jurors must find not only that Trump falsified the 34 records, but also that he did so in order to commit or conceal another crime.
One of the theories the prosecution advanced about that purpose before trial was that the falsified records were covering up a plan to violate New York tax laws. The prosecution has also said there was a plan to violate New York election laws, and that the allegedly falsified records were hiding the violation of federal campaign finance laws through the hush money to Stormy Daniels.
The only evidence of a tax purpose for how payments to Cohen were recorded, according to Blanche, was former Trump Organization executive Allen Weisselberg saying the payments were grossed up. “Is there any other proof of that? Any other evidence? No, there’s none,” Blanche asked and answered.
– Aysha Bagchi
‘Case Turns On Cohen’: Trump lawyer attacks Michael Cohen’s credibility
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche displayed a portion of the transcript of Michael Cohen’s testimony with a header above it titled: “Case Turns On Cohen.”
The transcript excerpt featured Cohen saying he was in a meeting with Trump and former Trump Organization executive Allen Weisselberg, when Weisselberg allegedly said they would pay Cohen for the Stormy Daniels hush money, as well as for another expense and a bonus, over 12 months.
Cohen didn’t even pretend to be part of that conversation, Blanche said – seeming to attack the lack of testimony from Cohen about what he himself said in the meeting. Blanche characterized it as weak evidence from the government about Trump’s role in the alleged repayment scheme.
– Aysha Bagchi
Blanche says lack of testimony from Trump sons Eric and Don Jr. is reason to acquit
Blanche argued that the lack of testimony from Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump – who are seated in the audience today – is a reason to acquit Trump. The two Trump sons were running Trump business operations during their father’s presidency, and allegedly signed two checks that make up two of the 34 records that their father is allegedly responsible for falsifying.
“That is reasonable doubt,” Blanche said.
The Trump defense team, like the prosecution, didn’t call the two Trump sons to the stand, although it did call two other witnesses.
“We have no burden to do anything,” Blanche said, emphasizing the prosecution chose to call Michael Cohen but not the sons.
– Aysha Bagchi
Supreme Court rejects appeal from Stormy Daniels’ former lawyer Michael Avenatti
Outside of the Manhattan courtroom today, the Supreme Court rejected an appeal from Stormy Daniels‘ former lawyer Michael Avenatti.
The disgraced California lawyer represented Daniels in her 2018 lawsuits against Trump.
The Supreme Court denied the appeal of his 2020 conviction for an extortion scheme in which he tried to get up to $25 million from shoemaker Nike.
Avenatti is also serving sentences on two other convictions tied to stealing profits from Daniels’ book, cheating clients out of millions of dollars, and failing to pay taxes.
– Kinsey Crowley & Maureen Groppe
‘That’s a red flag’: Blanche argues lack of evidence on vouchers
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche told jurors there is “no evidence” Trump knew anything about the Trump Organization’s voucher system. “No evidence – not a single word,” Blanche added.
This is a reference to a portion of the 34 records that Trump is allegedly responsible for falsifying. The vouchers were the digital entries in general ledgers at the Trump Organization that labeled payments to Michael Cohen as legal expenses.
Blanche said he doesn’t know how the government is going to address the alleged lack of evidence, but told jurors to be skeptical if prosecutor Joshua Steinglass reads quotes from a decades-old Trump book. During the trial, the prosecution brought in two book publishers who read excerpts from Trump’s books.
“You should be suspicious. That’s a red flag,” Blanche said.
– Aysha Bagchi
‘The bookings were accurate’: Trump lawyer defends records
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche noted his client was in the White House at the time of the alleged records falsifications, arguing there wasn’t evidence that Trump “had anything to do” with how payments to Michael Cohen were recorded on a ledger.
Cohen testified that Trump was in a meeting with him and former Trump Organization executive Allen Weisselberg about how to reimburse Cohen for the $130,000 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. “He approved it,” Cohen told jurors about Trump. According to prosecutors, the reimbursement payments were falsely recorded as 2017 legal expenses.
Blanche defended the accuracy of the records on Tuesday.
“The bookings were accurate and there was absolutely no intent to defraud,” Blanche said.
– Aysha Bagchi
‘This case is about documents’: Trump lawyer to jurors
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche noted to jurors that Trump doesn’t face any charges for allegedly having a sexual encounter with porn star Stormy Daniels in 2006 – an allegation Trump denies.
“This case is about documents. It’s a paper case,” Blanche said. “This case is not about an encounter with Stormy Daniels 18 years ago,” he added.
Still, Blanche took the time to dispute Daniels’ story, saying Trump has “unequivocally and repeatedly” denied the alleged encounter happened.
– Aysha Bagchi
Biden campaign to hold courthouse news conference
Another interested party is visiting the scene outside the Trump trial courthouse: The Joe Biden presidential campaign.
“The Biden-Harris campaign will hold a press conference with special guests outside of the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse,” said an e-mailed announcement.
Among the spectators awaiting the Biden campaign news conference: Officials with the Trump campaign, who said they will be responding afterward.
– David Jackson
‘President Trump is innocent’: Trump lawyer attacks prosecution’s case
“President Trump is innocent,” defense lawyer Todd Blanche said early into his closing argument. “He did not commit any crimes,” Blanche added. “The district attorney has not met their burden of proof – period.”
Blanche told the jurors they “should want and expect more than the testimony of Michael Cohen,” referring to Trump’s former lawyer, who was the prosecution’s star witness. Blanche also said the jurors should want more than the testimony of Deborah Tarasoff, a Trump Organization employee who testified about invoices and checks that are at the core of the 34 felony counts Trump faces.
Blanche also referenced Stormy Daniels without using her name – telling jurors they should want more than a woman saying something happened in 2006. Daniels said she and Trump had a sexual encounter that year, after meeting at a celebrity golf tournament.
Blanche also told jurors they should want more than the testimony of former Daniels lawyers Keith Davidson, who testified about her $130,000 hush money deal. Davidson was “just trying to extort money” from Trump ahead of the 2016 election, Blanche said.
The consequence of those defects in the prosecution’s case, Blanche said, “is a not guilty verdict, period.”
– Aysha Bagchi
Trump proclaims innocence before attending closing arguments
Former President Donald Trump continued to profess his innocence before closing arguments in his New York hush money trial, arguing “there is no crime” and “hopefully it doesn’t work out for them.”
Trump is charged with falsifying business records to hide his reimbursement to former lawyer Michael Cohen for his $130,000 payment to silence porn actress Stormy Daniels, to prevent another salacious story before the 2016 election.
Trump, who didn’t testify in his own defense, argued to reporters outside the courtroom that there is nothing wrong with securing a nondisclosure agreement. Trump also argued any personal payment couldn’t have violated campaign finance law.
“It’s a very sad day,” Trump said. “This is a dark day for America.”
– Bart Jansen
Low-key demonstrations outside the NYC courthouse
About 50-60 people shuttled into and out of the small park across from the courthouse as lawyers inside prepared their final arguments.
Most of the early witnesses were anti-Trump, but a contingent of more than 20 supporters showed up to support the former president as he traveled to the courthouse.
“We wanted to let him know that people in New York support him,” said a Trump flag-carrying man with a white beard and a red suit who identified himself as “Hungry Santa” (he produced a business card with that name).Other demonstrators made clear they did not support Trump.
Brad McCormick, 38, an educational consultant from Brigantine, N.J., hawked copies of a game book called “Trump Madness.” Readers are presented with outrageous quotes on a variety of topics, and asked if Trump really said those things (in many cases, the answer is yes).
McCormick also said he came to the courthouse out of a “sense of duty.”
“You’ve got to do something,” he said.
– David Jackson
Tiffany Trump, Don Jr., Eric attend closing arguments
Three of former President Donald Trump’s children – Donald Jr., Eric and Tiffany – accompanied him to the closing arguments Tuesday in his New York hush money trial.
Trump’s daughter in law, Lara Trump, who is co-chair of the Republican National Committee, also attended.
A parade of SUVs delivered Trump’s entourage to the local courthouse on the sunny, 70-degree morning, a day after the Memorial Day holiday.
– Bart Jansen
Trump lawyer begins by thanking jurors
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche began his closing argument by thanking the jurors, noting that they have consistently arrived on time for the trial.
– Aysha Bagchi
Prosecution plans lengthy closing argument
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche estimated his side’s closing argument will last about 2.5 hours. Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass said the length of his argument may change based on what comes up in the defense’s argument, but gave an estimate of 4-4.5 hours.
Judge Merchan said those estimates mean arguments and instructions may not conclude by the normal end time of 4:30 p.m. EDT and he will check whether jurors are able to stay later.
– Aysha Bagchi
Judge Merchan arrives in courtroom
Judge Juan Merchan entered the courtroom at 9:31 a.m. EDT. Merchan said he sent his proposed jury instructions to both trial teams on Thursday.
– Aysha Bagchi
Trump arrives in courtroom
Former President Donald Trump arrived in the courtroom at 9:25 a.m. EDT. We are still waiting for the judge and jury.
– Aysha Bagchi
Alvin Bragg in attendance for closing arguments
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg entered the courtroom at 9:24 a.m. EDT. Bragg has attended some previous days of trial. He is seated in the second row of benches behind the prosecution team.
– Aysha Bagchi
Prosecution arrives for closing arguments
The prosecution team entered the courtroom at about 9:14 a.m. EDT. We are still waiting on Trump’s trial team as well as the judge and the jury.
– Aysha Bagchi
What time does the Trump trial start today?
Proceedings are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. EDT.
– Kinsey Crowley
What to expect in closing arguments
Closing arguments offer each side a chance to go over evidence from the trial and make arguments about the inferences and conclusions that may fairly be drawn from that evidence.
Prosecutors may point to checks with Trump’s signatures, excerpts from Trump’s books, and recordings introduced at trial in order to bolster the testimony of star witness Michael Cohen, who testified that Trump authorized him to pay Stormy Daniels hush money in 2016 and approved a plan to cover it up in 2017.
The defense is likely to attack the credibility of Cohen, including by highlighting that he previously pleaded guilty to lying to Congress. Trump’s team may also point to the high burden of proof prosecutors face: prosecutors must prove each element of the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
– Aysha Bagchi
Who goes first in closing arguments?
Under New York law, the defense team gives its closing argument first, followed by the prosecution. After both sides have spoken to the jurors, Judge Juan Merchan will instruct them on the law to apply in the case.
– Aysha Bagchi
Trump rails against trial, quotes scripture
Former President Donald Trump posted a series of messages Monday, on the eve of closing arguments in his New York hush money trial, railing against the case as election interference and quoting scripture.
Besides criticizing Judge Juan Merchan and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Trump questioned why the prosecution gets the final word before jury deliberations. Typically in summing up the evidence in a case, prosecutors make their statements, defense lawyers speak and prosecutors get a final rebuttal because they have the burden of proving their case.
“Big advantage, very unfair,” Trump said in an all-caps post on Truth Social.
Trump also quoted a passage from the book of John in the Bible about personal sacrifice. Trump and his supporters have described his four criminal cases as political persecution.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends,” the post said.
– Bart Jansen
Could Trump go to prison?
Each count against Trump carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison and no minimum amount of jail or prison time. If Trump is convicted on all counts, Merchan will be tasked with deciding on a sentence for each count, and also deciding whether the sentences will coincide with each other or be run one after the other. However, New York law caps sentences for Class E felonies such as those Trump is charged with at 20 years.
Legal experts told USA TODAY it’s possible Trump could get just probation, even if he were convicted on every count. Most predicted any incarceration sentence on each count would run simultaneously with the others, so Trump wouldn’t be ordered to serve more than four years behind bars. Experts also said Trump would likely be free while his expected appeal ran its course.
– Aysha Bagchi
What is Trump on trial for?
Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in order to conceal or commit another crime. The records – including checks, vouchers, and invoices – all relate to payments to former Trump lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen in 2017. Prosecutors say the payments were reimbursing Cohen for $130,000 in hush money to porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, but the records were falsified to make the payments look like 2017 legal expenses.
Prosecutors say Trump was covering up the violation of federal campaign finance laws through the hush money, which was handed over less than two weeks before the 2016 presidential election. They also say Trump was trying to hide a plan to violate New York tax and election laws.
Trump has pleaded not guilty, and Trump defense lawyer Todd Blanche has denied the payments were reimbursing the hush money.
– Aysha Bagchi
Why does Trump’s team say the case should be dismissed?
Judge Juan Merchan may issue a ruling today on Trump’s request to toss out the entire case ahead of jury deliberations.
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche told Merchan that prosecutors haven’t put on enough evidence for the case to go to the jury because the business records at issue weren’t false. He said documents show Trump was paying Michael Cohen for ongoing legal services in 2017. Blanche also said the prosecution’s case shouldn’t be able to stand given Cohen’s history of lying, including – according to the Trump defense lawyer – during this trial.
– Aysha Bagchi
Source: trial wraps, goes to jury Wednesday
