On a pivotal day in the first criminal trial of an American president, the courtroom threatened to spin out of control. The prosecution’s star witness, Michael D. Cohen, admitted to stealing from former President Donald J. Trump’s company. Mr. Trump’s entourage included three supporters charged with felonies of their own, and the defense’s only real witness was defiant, leading to the judge clearing the courtroom. The trial’s first five weeks featured dramatic descriptions of sex and scandal, and tensions remained high as the trial continued.
The prosecution rested its case and the defense called witness Robert J. Costello, a lawyer who had advised Mr. Cohen. However, the judge grew irate with Mr. Costello and cleared the courtroom after an outburst. Mr. Cohen, the only witness linking Mr. Trump to the charges against him, faced attacks from the defense but maintained his composure on the stand. Prosecutors sought to counter the impact of the cross-examination and emphasized Mr. Cohen’s role in illustrating the case against Mr. Trump.
In a uniquely Trumpian display, an eclectic entourage of the former president’s supporters crowded the courtroom in support of Mr. Trump as the trial unfolded. Amid tension with the defense, Mr. Costello sought to convince the jury that Mr. Cohen was a liar. The defense questioned Mr. Cohen on the hush-money deal with Stormy Daniels, highlighting his reimbursement by Mr. Trump and his own financial gains from speaking out against the former president.
The exchange between Mr. Cohen and Mr. Blanche highlighted the financial transactions surrounding the hush-money deal and Mr. Cohen’s motivations for testifying against Mr. Trump. Mr. Cohen refuted claims of lying about speaking with Mr. Trump in late October 2016, asserting the consistency of his recollection. The jury’s perception of Mr. Cohen, given his past lies and misdeeds, remains uncertain as the trial progresses towards closing arguments and deliberations.
During questioning from the prosecutor, Mr. Cohen sought to clarify his role in the events and the extent of Mr. Trump’s involvement in the falsification of records related to the hush-money deal. The trial continues to showcase the complex web of relationships and financial transactions under scrutiny, with Mr. Cohen providing crucial testimony. The impact of his falling-out with Mr. Trump was highlighted as the trial neared its conclusion, with closing arguments set for May 28th.
The trial’s unfolding drama, from explosive courtroom exchanges to intense cross-examinations, underscores the high stakes involved in this landmark case. The prosecution’s efforts to paint Mr. Trump as a criminal, with Mr. Cohen at the center of the narrative, are met with vigorous challenges from the defense. As the trial progresses towards a verdict, the jury’s decision will shape the legacy of this historic legal battle.
