As Donald Trump’s hush money trial approaches its final stages, former Trump attorney Michael Cohen faced rigorous questioning on Monday, May, 20, 2024.
This will mark the prosecution’s last attempt to solidify their case before the defense takes the floor.
The highly publicized trial, unfolding in Manhattan, has centered on Cohen’s pivotal testimony, which directly implicates Trump in an alleged hush money scheme.
As the prosecution’s final witness, Cohen’s credibility is under scrutiny, with Trump’s legal team endeavoring to portray him as a habitual liar driven by personal vendettas against the former president.
Throughout the trial, which has spanned over four weeks, jurors have been presented with a barrage of evidence detailing financial transactions, tabloid maneuvers, and internal records of Trump’s company.
At the heart of the matter are 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, with prosecutors alleging that Trump orchestrated reimbursements to Cohen disguised as legal expenses, including a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
Trump, who maintains his innocence, contends that the payments were legitimate legal expenses. Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, he reiterated his stance, asserting:
“There’s no crime. We paid a legal expense. You know what it’s marked down as? A legal expense.”
As the trial enters its final phase, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s team is expected to wrap up their case following Cohen’s testimony.
However, the possibility of rebuttal witnesses remains, contingent upon the defense’s presentation of their own witnesses.
With the judge signaling the potential commencement of closing arguments as early as Tuesday, the defense faces a pivotal decision regarding Trump’s testimony.
While Trump’s lawyers have not committed to calling him to the stand, the prospect remains uncertain, as defense attorneys typically approach this decision cautiously due to the risks of intense cross-examination by prosecutors.
