During the closing arguments of former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial in New York, Judge overseeing the case, Justice Juan Merchan, scolded Trump attorney Todd Blanche for a comment he made about the possibility of Trump going to prison. The comment was made while discussing the conviction being based on testimony from former associate Michael Cohen, whom Blanche referred to as “the greatest liar of all time.” Prosecutors objected, and Justice Merchan sustained the objection, saying that it was highly inappropriate for an attorney with Blanche’s experience to make such a comment.
Jury deliberations are expected to begin on Wednesday, following closing arguments from both sides. Manhattan prosecutor Joshua Steinglass accused President Trump of trying to mislead voters during the 2016 election by participating in a payment plan involving Michael Cohen that aimed to silence embarrassing stories that could have hurt his campaign.
Trump’s attorney, however, branded Cohen as the “greatest liar of all time” and maintained Trump’s innocence on all charges. The dueling accounts provided both sides with one last opportunity to sway the jury before it begins deliberations. Throughout the trial, President Trump has called it an attempt by Democrats to undermine his presidential campaign and even faced a gag order from Justice Merchan for allegedly intimidating potential witnesses.
Lawyers for the former president have sought to have the judge recused without success and repeatedly asked him to remove the gag order, which he refused. Trump has pleaded not guilty and denies any relationship with an adult film performer that Cohen paid during the 2016 election. His lawyers also claim that Cohen lied under oath when he stated that President Trump was aware of the payment before the election.
A verdict of not guilty would eliminate a significant legal hurdle for Trump, allowing him to focus solely on campaigning. If convicted, however, Trump is expected to appeal, potentially altering the outcome of the 2024 presidential race, in which he is currently locked in a tight contest with President Joe Biden. A Reuters-Ipsos poll found that a guilty verdict could cost Trump support among independent and some Republican voters.