A group of House Republicans, including Andy Biggs, Eli Crane, Lauren Boebert, and Matt Gaetz, came out in support of former President Donald Trump as he faced his 18th day in Manhattan court. Trump expressed frustration with the trial, calling it unfair and a sham orchestrated by the Biden administration. Other notable Republicans, such as Vivek Ramaswamy, Byron Donalds, and JD Vance, also joined Trump in court earlier in the week to show their support. The case centers on allegations that Trump falsified business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.
The prosecution team is working to prove that Trump directed his former attorney Michael Cohen to make the payment to Daniels to prevent damaging information from surfacing during the campaign. Cohen testified that he used his personal funds to make the payment, which he was later reimbursed for by Trump. Cohen claimed that Trump was aware of the details of the payment, despite Trump’s denial of any wrongdoing. The checks were described as a “retainer,” which Cohen argued was a false description given the nature of the payment.
Former Trump lawyer Robert Costello testified before Congress that Cohen was a serial liar, contradicting some of the claims made by Cohen during his testimony. Costello recalled interactions with Cohen where Cohen stated he handled the Stormy Daniels payments himself and did not receive any money from Trump for the arrangement. The trial is ongoing, with Trump maintaining his innocence and his defense team cross-examining Cohen to challenge the prosecution’s case.
Trump’s political allies, including members of Congress and former presidential candidates, have volunteered to join him in court to show their support. Trump has criticized the trial as politically motivated and orchestrated by the Biden administration. The support from Republican lawmakers underscores the divisive nature of the case and the strong loyalty Trump continues to command within the party. The trial is expected to continue with further testimony and cross-examination in the coming days as both sides make their case.
