The fifth week of Donald Trump’s criminal trial in New York has been dominated by the testimony of his former lawyer, Michael Cohen. Cohen, who is the key witness in the case against Trump, has been facing intense questioning from Trump’s defense attorneys about his history of lying under oath in various cases. Trump’s lead lawyer, Todd Blanche, has been grilling Cohen about his conviction for lying to Congress and his admission that he lied to a judge during sentencing for federal crimes in 2018. Blanche has also played clips of Cohen expressing his desire to see Trump in prison, highlighting the animosity between the two men.
During his testimony earlier in the week, Cohen revealed that he hoped Trump would protect him from federal charges if he remained loyal and lied about a $130,000 “hush money” payment to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Cohen testified that Trump approved a plan to reimburse him for the payment over the following year. Prosecutors have presented business records that they claim were falsified to cover up the payment to Daniels, including invoices, vouchers, and checks that correspond to the felony charges Trump is facing. Despite pleading not guilty, Trump is facing serious allegations in court.
Prosecutors announced on Tuesday that Cohen would be their final witness in the trial. Blanche informed the judge that they are unsure if Trump will testify on his own behalf or if any additional witnesses will be called. The courtroom will not be in session on Friday, providing a break in the proceedings. The intense scrutiny of Cohen’s testimony and the evidence presented by prosecutors have painted a damning picture of Trump’s alleged involvement in the hush money payment and subsequent efforts to conceal it.
The ongoing trial has revealed the deep rift between Trump and Cohen, with the former lawyer expressing a desire to see his former boss face consequences for his actions. Cohen’s testimony has shed light on the inner workings of Trump’s inner circle and the lengths to which they allegedly went to protect the former president. As the trial enters its final stages, the question remains whether Trump will take the stand in his defense or if the defense team will rely on the testimony already presented. The outcome of the trial will have significant implications for both Trump and Cohen, as well as for the broader legal and political landscape.
