Donald Trump Hush Money Trial: Prosecutors, Defense Deliver Closing Arguments; Former President Leaves Without Saying Anything
The trial officially known as The People of New York V. Donald Trump is nearing its end as both sides delivered their closing arguments. However, Donald Trump uncharacteristically left without talking or complaining to the media as he usually does.
According to NBC News, the former president abruptly left the Manhattan courthouse after the trial was adjourned and did not even do his usual whining session in front of the press. He only raised his fist as he left, which was just before 8:00 PM ET.
Closing arguments went longer than expected, with prosecutor Joshua Steinglass having a lengthy closing argument that lasted over four hours, summarizing what happened and pointing out the various flaws in the defense's arguments, including defense witness Robert Costello being caught lying under oath and former Trump aide Hope Hicks delivering a "devastating" testimony against her former boss.
Meanwhile, Trump lead defense attorney Todd Blanche's closing argument was relatively short, only arguing that star witness Michael Cohen was a known liar. However, he did not tackle the evidence and other testimonies that corroborated Cohen's testimony.
As NBC News noted, the trial is expected to resume at 10:00 AM tomorrow, with Judge Juan Merchan saying he will give the jury their instructions for about an hour. After this, it will be the jury who will decide Donald Trump's fate. Merchan noted that he expects proceedings to end at around 4:30 but he will be open to continuing proceedings for the rest of the week if needed.
Meanwhile, New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, a possible Donald Trump vice presidential candidate, issued a complaint letter today to the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct and an inspector general for the New York State Unified Court System.
She requested an investigation into why Judge Merchan was chosen to oversee the trial. This is a continued effort by Trump's allies to undermine the credibility of whatever decision the jury will give and ignores a previous ruling that Merchan did not need to recuse himself over issues raised by Trump's supporters.
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Robert DeNiro Watched Donald Trump Trial and Did Not Mince Words Against Ex-POTUS
A lot of people watched the Donald Trump trial's closing arguments in person, including Oscar-winning actor Robert De Niro, a stern critic of the former president. He spoke to the media during one of the trial's various recesses.
"This is my neighborhood, downtown New York City. I grew up here and feel at home in these streets," said "The Godfather Part II" actor, adding that "he doesn't belong in my city," before calling Trump "just another grubby real estate hustler masquerading as a big shot."
Judge Juan Merchan Scolds Donald Trump's Defense Attorney During Closing Remarks
During Blanche's closing argument. the Trump lawyer suggested to the jury Tuesday that Trump could go to jail if they convicted him. This remark got him reprimanded by Judge Merchan, calling the suggestion "outrageous."
"That was outrageous, Mr. Blanche. Someone who's been a prosecutor as long as you have, someone who's been an attorney as long as you have knows that is highly inappropriate," he told the Trump attorney. "It is simply not allowed, period. It's hard for me to imagine how that was accidental."
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This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Rick Martin
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