In a high-stakes trial, Donald Trump’s attorneys made their final plea to the jury on Tuesday, urging them to disregard key witness Michael Cohen’s testimony.
The former president faces 34 counts of falsifying business records related to hush money payments made during his 2016 presidential campaign. Prosecutors argue that Trump orchestrated a scheme to conceal damaging information, while Trump’s defense team claims the payments were legitimate legal expenses.
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass emphasized the “overwhelming” evidence against Trump and urged the jury to “focus on the facts” and hold Trump accountable. He highlighted Trump’s own acknowledgment of reimbursement payments and argued that the payments were part of a scheme to influence the 2016 election. Steinglass stated, “There is no special law for this defendant,” and pointed to the extensive corroboration of the prosecution’s case.
Trump’s attorney Todd Blanche attacked Cohen’s credibility, labeling him the “MVP of liars” and argued that Cohen’s testimony could not be trusted. Blanche maintained that the payments to Cohen were for legal services, not hush money, and that Trump was too preoccupied with presidential duties to be involved in any scheme. He insisted, “President Trump is innocent. He did not commit any crimes, and the district attorney has not met their burden of proof. Period.”
Michael Cohen, Trump’s former personal lawyer, is a central figure in the case. Steinglass noted that Cohen’s involvement was due to Trump’s own choices, not the prosecution’s. Cohen testified that the payments were made to cover up damaging information that could have affected Trump’s election chances. Steinglass reminded the jury that Cohen’s past loyalty to Trump was now being used against him by the defense.
Adult film star Stormy Daniels’ testimony was crucial in establishing the motive behind the payments. Steinglass argued that her claims of a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006 were intended to be suppressed to avoid damaging Trump’s campaign following the release of the “Access Hollywood” tape. He noted that Daniels was called to testify because she represented the motive behind the hush money payments.
The jury will begin deliberations on Wednesday, following instructions from Judge Juan Merchan. The trial, which began on April 15, featured testimony from key witnesses including Cohen, Daniels, and former Trump Organization staffers. Judge Merchan reminded the jury, “You and you alone are the judges of the facts in this case.”
Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges, maintaining that the payments were legitimate and unrelated to any election influence scheme.
