Former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial is reaching its final stages, with a defense witness named Robert Costello set to return to the stand on Tuesday. Costello’s testimony is expected to help undermine the credibility of a key prosecution witness, Michael Cohen, who was once a fixer for Trump but is now his foe. However, Costello’s behavior in court has raised concerns, with the judge threatening to remove him from the trial over his disrespectful actions, including making comments under his breath and rolling his eyes.
The trial revolves around accusations that Trump falsified business records to bury stories that could have harmed his 2016 campaign. Specifically, the charges stem from payments made to Cohen, which prosecutors argue were actually reimbursements for hush money paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump. Trump denies any wrongdoing and has criticized the trial as an attempt to hinder his political ambitions. His defense team has argued that the payments were made to protect his family, not his campaign, from false accusations.
During the trial, defense attorney Todd Blanche argued that soliciting a tabloid’s help to control media narratives is not illegal and does not constitute a crime. He claimed that there was no criminal intent behind Trump’s actions and that the motive was to shield his family from damaging claims. The defense team has also questioned the prosecution’s evidence and pushed for the charges to be dismissed before the jury begins deliberating. Prosecutors, however, maintain that the evidence overwhelmingly supports the alleged offenses and that the case should proceed to the jury for deliberation.
Costello’s role in the trial has been contentious, as he has been a vocal critic of Cohen’s credibility and has sought to undermine his testimony. Costello has repeatedly accused Cohen of lying and using the trial to benefit himself financially. In his own testimony, Costello claimed that Cohen had told him Trump had no knowledge of the hush money payment to Daniels, contradicting Cohen’s earlier statements that Trump had given him final approval for the payments. The defense team has indicated that Costello may be their final witness, suggesting that Trump is unlikely to testify in his own defense.
As the trial nears its conclusion, tensions in the courtroom have escalated, with the judge admonishing Costello for his behavior and warning him about being in contempt of court. The trial has attracted significant attention due to its implications for Trump’s political future and the legal challenges he faces. With closing arguments expected after Memorial Day, the outcome of the trial could have far-reaching consequences for both Trump and his opponents. The judge’s decision on the defense’s request to dismiss the charges will be a crucial moment in determining the trial’s outcome.
