After declining to testify at his own criminal trial, former President Donald J. Trump is awaiting a decision from a jury of 12 New Yorkers on whether he will be charged with 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records as part of a cover-up of sex scandals. The prosecution’s case centers around a hush-money payment of $130,000 made to porn star Stormy Daniels in the days leading up to the 2016 presidential election. Trump’s former personal lawyer, Michael D. Cohen, who made the payment, flipped and became the star witness against Trump, providing direct evidence linking him to the falsified records.
While jurors did not hear from Trump directly, they saw video footage of him speaking and were presented with his words from various sources, including tweets and campaign speeches. The defense called just two witnesses, including Robert J. Costello, who aimed to attack Cohen’s credibility. The prosecution questioned Costello’s relationship with Giuliani and Trump, suggesting that he tried to influence Cohen not to cooperate with prosecutors. Costello’s testimony, at times contentious, was met with objections and frustration from the judge, who ultimately warned him about his conduct.
Following the conclusion of testimony, both sides presented their arguments for how the judge should instruct the jury on weighing the charges. Prosecutors proposed instructions giving the jury flexibility in determining Trump’s role in creating false records, arguing that it was a consequence of his conduct. The defense pushed for requirements for a guilty verdict, including mandating unanimous agreement on Trump’s actions and intentions in concealing a conspiracy to unlawfully win an election, but the judge seemed to favor the prosecution’s position.
The trial, involving the only American president to ever face a criminal trial, has captured public attention for weeks. While Trump did not testify, his presence loomed large through the testimonies, evidence, and arguments presented in court. The jury will soon begin deliberations on whether to make Trump a felon, a decision that could have significant implications for his future and political aspirations as the presumptive Republican nominee. As the trial proceedings draw to a close, both sides are preparing for the jury’s decision and the potential legal ramifications for Trump.
