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NBCMAY 17 2024
Defense Rests Case in Trump NY 'Hush Money' Trial
Above: Family and supporters of former US President Donald Trump look on as he speaks to the media as he arrives for his trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 21, 2024 in New York City. Image copyright: Pool/Pool/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Former US Pres. Donald Trump chose not to testify in his hush-money trial Tuesday, with his defense team resting its case. The jury is expected to return in a week for closing arguments and then begin deliberating.
Before resting its case on Monday, the prosecution called upon former Trump legal advisor Michael Cohen, who testified that he was "reimbursed $420,000" for the $130K he paid to Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about an alleged affair she had with Trump.
Trump's team then called on former Cohen advisor Robert Costello. The prosecution presented a 2018 email from Costello that read, "Our issue is to get Cohen on the right page without giving him the appearance that we are following instructions from Giuliani or the president."
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
If this case were brought in any other district it would've been thrown out immediately, but Judge Merchan is a loyal Democratic activist. While allowing Cohen to make unethical claims about campaign finance violations on the one hand, Merchan has become visibly perturbed when listening to Costello completely dismantle Cohen's testimony. Hopefully, the jury will see through Merchan's bias and conclude that Cohen is a criminal trying to smear Trump to save himself.
Anti-Trump narrative
The prosecution is clearly winning, so the only saving grace Trump has now is knowing he can delay his likely prison time through appeals. While team Trump whines about a so-called corrupt court, they're ignoring the fact that he's been incredibly lucky regarding the delays in all the other cases against him that are currently awaiting trial. The American people may be tired of hearing about these court cases, but they should remain focused until Trump is finally in prison.