The first paragraph outlines the resumption of the trial involving former President Donald Trump’s former fixer Michael Cohen. Robert Costello, a lawyer who has clashed with Cohen and was scolded by Judge Juan Merchan for his behavior on the witness stand, will continue his testimony as possibly the final witness for the defense. Costello engaged in discussions with Cohen in 2018 to represent him and was reprimanded by the judge for his facial expressions and snide remarks during his testimony on Monday.
In subsequent paragraphs, Costello testified that Cohen informed him that Trump was unaware of the $130,000 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. Cohen, in contrast, had previously testified that he lied to Costello because he didn’t trust him, as Costello was also representing Rudy Giuliani, a close Trump ally. The public bickering between Cohen and Costello has been ongoing for years, with Costello calling Cohen unreliable and not solid evidence against Trump.
At the end of court proceedings on Monday, it was declared that the defense had no further witnesses lined up after Costello, but this was subject to change. Trump initially stated that he would testify in his own defense, but has since softened his stance, stating that he would only do so if necessary. Cohen, the final witness for the prosecution, admitted to swindling Trump and his company out of $30,000. He confessed to stealing from the Trump Organization out of anger due to his bonus being cut in 2016.
Jurors will not hear closing arguments until May 28 due to scheduling conflicts and the Memorial Day holiday. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the 34 counts of falsifying business records related to the hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. The trial has been marked by the clash between Cohen and Costello, as well as the revelations of Cohen’s theft from the Trump Organization. Despite the drama and controversy surrounding the trial, it is expected to come to a conclusion in the coming days.
