At the Manhattan courthouse, lawyers for former US President Donald Trump and state prosecutors presented their closing arguments to jurors in the hush money trial on Tuesday (May 28).&nbsp;Now, the jury will soon deliberate whether Trump will become the first former US president convicted of a crime as he faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

Here are the key takeaways from the closing arguments of the defence and prosecution&nbsp;

<h2>Defence closing arguments</h2>

Trump’s defence lawyer Todd Blanche delivered nearly three hours of arguments and challenged the prosecution's case by attacking the credibility of its star witness, Michael Cohen. Blanche's argument ranged from detailed discussions on tax filings to political campaign practices.&nbsp;

“There’s no malfeasance here, only democracy in action,” Blanche said, adding the case was a 'witch hunt'.&nbsp;

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By framing his case as a misinterpretation of normal campaign activities, he argued that every political campaign in the country "is a conspiracy to promote a candidate, a group of people who are working together to help somebody win.”

In addition to this, Blanche dismissed Daniels’s testimony as irrelevant to the charges and accused her of attempting to garner sympathy from jurors.

He also depicted Cohen as a “serial liar” and “the human embodiment of reasonable doubt.”&nbsp;

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Urging jurors to remain impartial, Blanche concluded, “This is not a referendum on the ballot box—who you voted for in 2016 or 2020, who you plan on voting for in 2024. That is not what this is about.”

<h2>Prosecution closing arguments</h2>

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass spent over five hours detailing the case against Trump, pointing out that the former president attempted to 'hoodwink voters'.&nbsp;

He characterised his actions as a deliberate conspiracy to deceive voters during the 2016 election. Steinglass argued that Trump orchestrated an elaborate scheme to conceal payments which involved a series of events aimed at manipulating and defrauding voters.

“Trump’s intent to defraud could not be any clearer,” Steinglass said.

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He also pointed out that a direct payment to Daniels would have been simpler but less effective in hiding the affair.

He argued that the scheme was “cloaked in lies" and it benefitted Trump above all others.

“The name of the game was concealment and all roads lead inescapably to the man who benefited the most: the defendant, former president Donald Trump.”

Addressing the jury, Steinglass invoked Trump’s own words, saying, “Donald Trump can’t shoot someone on Fifth Avenue at rush hour and get away with it.” However, this remark by the prosecution drew an objection from Blanche.&nbsp;

Steinglass also reviewed other “catch-and-kill” schemes linked to Trump, including that by National Enquirer&nbsp;publisher David Pecker.&nbsp;

Countering the defence’s portrayal of the hush money as a move to protect Trump’s family, Steinglass noted the timing of the payment in 2016, 10 years after the alleged affair.

“The defendant’s primary concern was not his family but the election,” he said.

Oscar winner actor Robert De Niro, 80, was also present on behalf of the Biden campaign outside the courthouse. De Niro, calling Trump "a clown," expressed his connection to downtown New York City and said the former US president does not belong there. This marked the Biden campaign's first clear involvement in Trump's legal issues.

Protesters shouted slogans against De Niro, calling him a "paid sell-out" to the Democratic National Committee. De Niro was joined along side former police officers who defended the US Capitol on January&nbsp;6, 2021.&nbsp;

Starting Wednesday (May 29), the jury will begin evaluating the 34 counts of falsifying business records.

A verdict in&nbsp;the case may not be reached by the end of the week, reports said, but the 12-member jury is on the brink of making a historic decision.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

At the Manhattan courthouse, lawyers for former US President Donald Trump and state prosecutors presented their closing arguments to jurors in the hush money trial on Tuesday (May 28).

At the Manhattan courthouse, lawyers for former US President Donald Trump and state prosecutors presented their closing arguments to jurors in the hush money trial on Tuesday (May 28). Now, the jury will soon deliberate whether Trump will become the first former US president convicted of a crime as he faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Here are the key takeaways from the closing arguments of the defence and prosecution Defence closing arguments Trump’s defence lawyer Todd Blanche delivered nearly three hours of arguments and challenged the prosecution's case by attacking the credibility of its star witness, Michael Cohen. Blanche's argument ranged from detailed discussions on tax filings to political campaign practices. “There’s no malfeasance here, only democracy in action,” Blanche said, adding the case was a 'witch hunt'. Also Read | Israel denies attack in Rafah evacuation area that killed 21, US says no change in policy By framing his case as a misinterpretation of normal campaign activities, he argued that every political campaign in the country "is a conspiracy to promote a candidate, a group of people who are working together to help somebody win.” In addition to this, Blanche dismissed Daniels’s testimony as irrelevant to the charges and accused her of attempting to garner sympathy from jurors. He also depicted Cohen as a “serial liar” and “the human embodiment of reasonable doubt.” Also Read | US military temporarily removes Gaza aid pier for repairs following structural damage Urging jurors to remain impartial, Blanche concluded, “This is not a referendum on the ballot box—who you voted for in 2016 or 2020, who you plan on voting for in 2024. That is not what this is about.” Prosecution closing arguments Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass spent over five hours detailing the case against Trump, pointing out that the former president attempted to 'hoodwink voters'. He characterised his actions as a deliberate conspiracy to deceive voters during the 2016 election. Steinglass argued that Trump orchestrated an elaborate scheme to conceal payments which involved a series of events aimed at manipulating and defrauding voters. “Trump’s intent to defraud could not be any clearer,” Steinglass said. Watch | Gravitas: Pope Francis apologizes after homophobic slur × He also pointed out that a direct payment to Daniels would have been simpler but less effective in hiding the affair. He argued that the scheme was “cloaked in lies" and it benefitted Trump above all others. “The name of the game was concealment and all roads lead inescapably to the man who benefited the most: the defendant, former president Donald Trump.” Addressing the jury, Steinglass invoked Trump’s own words, saying, “Donald Trump can’t shoot someone on Fifth Avenue at rush hour and get away with it.” However, this remark by the prosecution drew an objection from Blanche. Steinglass also reviewed other “catch-and-kill” schemes linked to Trump, including that by National Enquirer publisher David Pecker. Countering the defence’s portrayal of the hush money as a move to protect Trump’s family, Steinglass noted the timing of the payment in 2016, 10 years after the alleged affair. “The defendant’s primary concern was not his family but the election,” he said. Oscar winner actor Robert De Niro, 80, was also present on behalf of the Biden campaign outside the courthouse. De Niro, calling Trump "a clown," expressed his connection to downtown New York City and said the former US president does not belong there. This marked the Biden campaign's first clear involvement in Trump's legal issues. Protesters shouted slogans against De Niro, calling him a "paid sell-out" to the Democratic National Committee. De Niro was joined along side former police officers who defended the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. Starting Wednesday (May 29), the jury will begin evaluating the 34 counts of falsifying business records. A verdict in the case may not be reached by the end of the week, reports said, but the 12-member jury is on the brink of making a historic decision. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump hush money trial day 21: Robert DeNiro heckled by Trump supporters on closing arguments day

Indian stock market indices ended higher Friday with the Nifty posting a record closing high led by gains in financials and metal stocks. The midcap index ended lower. Selling was seen in pharma and IT indices.&nbsp;

By the close, the Sensex index was quoting at 51,423 levels, up 308 points or 0.6 per cent while the Nifty50 was at 15,436-mark, up 98 points or 0.64 per cent.&nbsp;

Among sectors, the Nifty Energy index rose around 1.5 per cent while auto, financial services, metal and FMCG sectors were also in the green.

Reliance Industries was the biggest contributor towards the indices' rally today after the stock clocked its sharpest intra-day rally in two months and zoomed 6.4 per cent.&nbsp;

Global markets

European shares rose to a record high on Friday as UK-exposed financial stocks gained following a hawkish comment from a Bank of England official, with the prospects of increased US fiscal spending boosting market sentiment. That apart, European economic sentiment and consumer confidence data, which is due later in the day, is also expected to show an improvement in May. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Indian stock market indices ended higher Friday with the Nifty posting a record closing high led by gains in financials and metal stocks. The midcap index ended lower.

Indian stock market indices ended higher Friday with the Nifty posting a record closing high led by gains in financials and metal stocks. The midcap index ended lower. Selling was seen in pharma and IT indices. By the close, the Sensex index was quoting at 51,423 levels, up 308 points or 0.6 per cent while the Nifty50 was at 15,436-mark, up 98 points or 0.64 per cent. Among sectors, the Nifty Energy index rose around 1.5 per cent while auto, financial services, metal and FMCG sectors were also in the green. Reliance Industries was the biggest contributor towards the indices' rally today after the stock clocked its sharpest intra-day rally in two months and zoomed 6.4 per cent. Global markets European shares rose to a record high on Friday as UK-exposed financial stocks gained following a hawkish comment from a Bank of England official, with the prospects of increased US fiscal spending boosting market sentiment. That apart, European economic sentiment and consumer confidence data, which is due later in the day, is also expected to show an improvement in May. (With inputs from agencies)

Nifty ends at a fresh record high, Sensex at closing high

The Sensex and Nifty rose on Thursday tracking global markets, but Punjab National Bank fell for a second consecutive session after saying it unearthed $1.77 billion in fraudulent transactions, dragging down other state-run lenders.

The benchmark BSE Sensex closed up 0.41 percent at 34,297.47.&nbsp;

The broader NSE Nifty ended 0.42 percent higher at 10,545.50, its highest close in a week.

Punjab National Bank shares ended 12.9 percent lower, hitting their lowest close since Oct. 23, after falling as much as 14.2 percent on Wednesday.

The Nifty PSU bank index lost 1.1 percent.

Punjab National Bank shares ended 12.9 percent lower, hitting their lowest close since Oct. 23, after falling as much as 14.2 percent on Wednesday

The Sensex and Nifty rose on Thursday tracking global markets, but Punjab National Bank fell for a second consecutive session after saying it unearthed $1.77 billion in fraudulent transactions, dragging down other state-run lenders. The benchmark BSE Sensex closed up 0.41 percent at 34,297.47. The broader NSE Nifty ended 0.42 percent higher at 10,545.50, its highest close in a week. Punjab National Bank shares ended 12.9 percent lower, hitting their lowest close since Oct. 23, after falling as much as 14.2 percent on Wednesday. The Nifty PSU bank index lost 1.1 percent.

Sensex, Nifty end higher; PNB slumps for second day

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