New York – Lawyers in Donald Trump’s criminal trial are making their final arguments before the jury this week, after more than six weeks of testimony and over 20 witnesses. The prosecutor, Joshua Steinglass, emphasized the credibility of key witness Michael Cohen, aligning his testimony with corroborating evidence such as text messages and phone call records. He urged the jury to dismiss attacks from Trump’s defense team.
Trump’s lead attorney, Todd Blanche, countered by asserting that Trump did not engage in any criminal activity and cast doubt on Cohen’s trustworthiness, labeling him as the “greatest liar of all time.” The case revolves around an alleged scheme to cover up a $130,000 payment made by Cohen to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016, with prosecutors contending that Trump was involved in falsifying records to conceal the payment and skirt election laws.
Blanche argued that the reimbursement checks in question were legitimate, maintaining that the prosecution failed to establish its case and accusing Cohen of falsehoods. The defense team pointed out discrepancies in Cohen’s statements, characterizing them as “absurd.” Following the conclusion of the closing arguments, the judge will provide instructions to the jury before deliberations commence, likely to begin the following day.
As the trial nears its conclusion, the pivotal question remains whether the jury will find Trump guilty of the charges levied against him. The proceedings have drawn nationwide attention, reflecting the ongoing legal challenges faced by the former president. With both sides making their final pitches to the jury, the outcome of this high-profile trial is eagerly awaited, with implications that could reverberate beyond the courtroom.