Former President Donald Trump is facing 34 felony charges for allegedly falsifying business records, including several checks he personally signed. His defense team has argued that Trump was too busy running the country to pay close attention to the documents in question. Trump has been known to obsess over certain details, such as signing his own checks and reading his bills to avoid being overcharged. Despite his reputation for overlooking details, witnesses have testified that Trump was a micromanager who wanted to be kept informed on all matters.
Witnesses, including David Pecker and Michael Cohen, have described Trump as a micromanager who looked at all aspects of any issue that was brought to his attention. Cohen testified that Trump would task his employees with assignments and expect to be kept informed of any developments. However, when things did not go as planned, Trump was quick to shift blame onto others. George Schwab, a former manager at one of Trump’s golf properties, recalled how Trump would make decisions and then deny responsibility when they did not turn out the way he wanted.
Trump’s lawyers have argued that it was Cohen, the Trump Organization’s accounts payable department, Trump’s sons, and another executive who played a larger role in handling the records in question. They have also pointed out that Trump signed the checks while he was in the White House, where he likely had numerous other things on his mind. This argument could potentially sway jurors by suggesting that Trump had little involvement in the alleged falsification of records. Trump’s former colleagues have noted that he has a tendency to blame others for any decisions made without his approval.
The fate of Trump now rests in the hands of the jurors, who are tasked with determining whether he played a significant role in the alleged falsification of records. Trump’s contradictory personality, which oscillates between being a micromanager and a clueless boss, will be a key factor in their decision. Witnesses have provided conflicting testimony regarding Trump’s attention to detail and tendency to shift blame onto others. Trump’s lawyers have presented a defense strategy that aligns with his reputation for avoiding responsibility in difficult situations.
As the trial unfolds, it becomes clear that Trump’s penchant for overlooking details may have played a role in the criminal charges he is currently facing. His past behavior as a business mogul and as President of the United States has been scrutinized, with witnesses painting a picture of a leader who was both hands-on and quick to pass the blame onto others. Regardless of the outcome of the trial, Trump’s legacy will be forever tarnished by the allegations of falsifying business records and his tendency to avoid taking responsibility for his actions.
