Defense Rests in Trump’s Hush Money Trial; Trump Refrains from Testifying
The first ever trial of a former US President heads towards the final phase.
Prosecution Rests; Defense Concludes
On Tuesday, May 21, 2024, the defense rested its case in the trial of former President Donald Trump after its final witness, Robert Costello, finished his testimony. Trump is charged with allegedly falsifying business records in connection with a $130,000 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the peak of the 2016 presidential campaign. With the prosecution having rested its case on Monday, May 20, 2024, the trial now enters its next crucial phase: the closing arguments and the briefing of the jury by the judge.
Trump Will Not Testify
Donald Trump will not take the stand in his own defense. Legal experts and his defense team deemed it too risky, as testifying under oath could expose him to further legal jeopardy — and possibly perjury— if he were to lie. The decision underscores the high stakes of the trial, which marks the first time a former U.S. president has faced criminal charges in court.
Final Witness: Robert Costello
The defense's final witness, Robert Costello, began testifying late Monday and concluded on Tuesday morning. Costello, a longtime defense lawyer, was brought in to challenge the credibility of Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney and a key prosecution witness. During his testimony, Costello faced a stern rebuke from New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan for showing disrespect in court.
Judge Merchan Loses His Cool
On Monday, or the first time during the trial, Justice Merchan displayed visible anger, dismissing the press and jury to reprimand Costello. The Judge’s frustration stemmed from Costello's repeated interruptions and dismissive gestures towards Merchan’s rulings. This moment highlighted the tense atmosphere in the courtroom as the trial nears its conclusion.
Prosecution's Cleanup After Cohen’s Admission
Earlier, during cross-examination, Cohen admitted to stealing— what he termed as “self-help”— $30,000 from the Trump Organization. Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger sought to mitigate the damage by highlighting Cohen’s rationale, shifting the focus back to Trump’s alleged misconduct. Hoffinger’s line of questioning aimed to redirect attention from Cohen’s actions to the charges against Trump, emphasising to the jury that it was not Cohen who was on trial for past wrongdoings, but rather Trump who was literally and figuratively in the dock.
Jury Instructions and Deliberations
With both sides having rested their cases, the trial will now move to closing arguments, scheduled for next Tuesday to avoid interruptions due to planned days off. Justice Merchan informed the jurors that closing arguments are expected to take at least a day, with deliberations beginning the following day.
A Historic Trial Enters Its Final Phase
This trial marks a historic moment as the first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president. As the case enters its final phase, the focus will shift to the jury's deliberations. Their verdict will have far-reaching implications for Donald Trump’s political future and the broader landscape of American politics. The Court is now preparing for the crucial step of briefing the jury, probably next week, that will soon withdraw to reach their verdict, which could come sooner rather than later.
