Former President Trump has been aggressively targeting key witnesses in the trial brought against him by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, including Michael Cohen, who has been called a “rat” and “death” by Trump. Cohen is expected to be the star witness, but if Trump takes the stand, he could quickly overshadow Cohen. Trump is likely delaying his decision on testifying until he knows the parameters set by the judge and can assess Cohen’s performance.
The outcome of the trial could hinge on the jurors’ assessment of Cohen’s credibility. If even one juror doubts his testimony, it could result in a hung jury, giving Trump a victory. Todd Blanche, the lawyer leading the case for Trump, has reportedly assured the former president that he can win the trial. The success or failure of the case may be determined during jury selection, with many potential jurors expected to be Manhattan Democrats with negative feelings towards Trump.
Trump’s lawyers are hoping to identify sympathetic jurors, particularly focusing on younger Black men and white working-class men. However, even with favorable jurors, Trump may struggle if he chooses to testify. In a previous civil fraud trial where the judge made the decision instead of a jury, Trump’s credibility was severely compromised. The judge noted that Trump often failed to respond directly to questions and provided long, irrelevant speeches.
The courtroom confrontation between Trump and Cohen is anticipated to be a climactic moment in the trial. While Trump has been aggressive in his attacks on witnesses, including Cohen, the former fixer, he is likely waiting to make a decision on testifying until he understands the restrictions set by the judge. The trial’s outcome may ultimately depend on the jurors’ belief in Cohen’s testimony, as any doubt could result in a hung jury, benefiting Trump.
The case against Trump could be determined during jury selection, where the former president’s lawyers are aiming to identify sympathetic jurors among the Manhattan Democrats anticipated to serve. However, Trump’s potential testimony could pose challenges, as his credibility was severely criticized in a previous trial where the judge ultimately made the decision. Despite assurances from his lawyer that he can win the trial, Trump’s decision to testify could significantly impact the trial’s outcome.
