After six weeks and more than 20 witnesses, lawyers on both sides of Donald Trump’s criminal trial are delivering their closing arguments. Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass defended the credibility of the prosecution’s key witness, Michael Cohen, stating that his testimony aligns with text messages, emails, and phone call records shown at trial. Todd Blanche, Trump’s lead attorney, argued that Trump did not commit a crime and called Cohen the “greatest liar of all time.”
Trump is accused of being involved in a scheme to illegally falsify records to cover up a $130,000 “hush money” payment made by Cohen to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016. Prosecutors allege that Trump falsely portrayed reimbursements for the payment as monthly checks for legal services during his first year as president. Trump has pleaded not guilty, with his defense arguing that the checks and associated records were accurate. Blanche claimed that Cohen lied about several aspects of the case.
After the closing arguments, the judge will give instructions to the jury and deliberations over a verdict will begin. The prosecution asserts that Trump intended to subvert election law by keeping the payment secret, while Trump’s defense maintains that the prosecution failed to prove its case. The defense labeled Cohen’s statements as “absurd” and urged the jury to dismiss any attacks against Trump, highlighting the discrepancies in Cohen’s testimony.
The trial has spanned several weeks with a multitude of witnesses testifying on behalf of both the prosecution and defense. The case boils down to whether Trump knowingly took part in an illegal scheme to conceal the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels. Prosecutors argue that this was an attempt to influence the election, while Trump’s defense maintains his innocence and asserts that the prosecution has not met the burden of proof required for a conviction.
As the trial nears its conclusion, the jury will be tasked with carefully considering the evidence presented by both sides. The credibility of key witness Michael Cohen will be a key point of contention, with the prosecution defending his testimony and the defense questioning his trustworthiness. Ultimately, the jury will need to weigh the arguments presented during closing statements and reach a verdict on whether Trump is guilty of the charges against him.
The outcome of this trial will have significant implications for Trump and his presidency. If convicted, he could face serious legal consequences and damage to his reputation. However, if found not guilty, he will be vindicated and able to continue his political career without the shadow of criminal charges hanging over him. The jury’s decision will determine Trump’s fate, and the deliberations following the closing arguments will be crucial in reaching a fair and just verdict.
