Former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial is drawing to a close as both his lawyers and Manhattan prosecutors made their final arguments to the jury. The case revolves around allegations that Trump falsified business records to cover up hush money payments during the 2016 presidential campaign to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The defense argued that the prosecution’s case relies heavily on the testimony of Michael Cohen, a former Trump fixer turned foe, whom they painted as unreliable and biased against Trump. The prosecution, on the other hand, maintained that there is strong evidence connecting Trump to the crime, regardless of Cohen’s credibility.
The defense focused on discrediting Cohen throughout the trial, pointing to his past lies and personal vendetta against Trump. They argued that Cohen’s testimony should not be trusted as he has a financial interest in his statements against the former president. In contrast, the prosecution acknowledged Cohen’s past issues but emphasized that he was in the best position to provide information about the alleged hush money scheme. They highlighted the mounting evidence and corroborating testimony linking Trump to the crime, indicating that Cohen’s motivations did not undermine the case against Trump.
Prosecutors framed the case as a conspiracy and cover-up designed to influence the 2016 election by suppressing Daniels’ story. They argued that Trump’s efforts were aimed at deceiving voters and manipulating the election outcome, rather than protecting his reputation or family. The defense countered by claiming that every campaign involves a degree of conspiracy to promote a candidate, suggesting that Trump’s actions were standard practice in politics. They downplayed the significance of any efforts to conceal negative stories about Trump’s personal life in relation to his candidacy.
Outside the courthouse, political tensions ran high as both the Biden and Trump campaigns sought to capitalize on the trial for their own agendas. While the defense delivered their closing arguments, the Biden campaign staged a press conference with actor Robert De Niro and police officers who defended the Capitol on January 6, 2021, criticizing Trump as a threat to the country. In response, Trump’s campaign staff held their own press conference, accusing the Biden campaign of turning the trial into a political event. The politicized language used during the trial reflected the contentious nature of the proceedings, with both sides invoking charged phrases and terms to bolster their arguments.
The defense’s portrayal of the prosecution as “the government” and the prosecution’s use of phrases like “big lie” added to the political undertones of the trial. Trump sought to frame the case as a politically motivated attack orchestrated by the Biden administration, despite the involvement of local prosecutors in Manhattan who do not work for the Justice Department. The use of politically charged language and references to deep state conspiracies underscored the highly divisive nature of the case and the broader political context in which it unfolded. The jury is expected to begin deliberations soon to determine Trump’s fate in what could be a historic verdict for the former president.
