Donald Trump hush money trial closes without him taking the stand: Key developments

On Tuesday (May 21), the defence concluded its case in Donald Trump’s hush money trial after about 90 minutes of testimony, without the former US president taking the stand.

Trump’s legal team called two witnesses, a paralegal who presented phone records as evidence and attorney Robert Costello, who had discussions with former Trump aide-turned foe Michael Cohen about representing him following the FBI's 2018 raid on his home and office.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

The most important witness for the defence was Cohen, who testified in the prosecution’s case but was subjected to cross-examination that extended three days.

Due to the Memorial Day holiday, the jury will have a one-week break.

Closing arguments will be delivered next Tuesday (May 28), with a possible verdict by the end of next week.

Here are takeaways from the Trump hush money trial:

Trump doesn’t take the stand

Trump had repeatedly teased that he would take the stand in his own defence. But on Tuesday attorney Todd Blanche informed the judge after Costello was off the stand, “The defence rests.”

One reason Trump was not expected to take the stand was the probability of the cross-examination. Prosecutors requested permission from the judge to question the former president about numerous misdeeds from other cases to challenge his credibility as a witness.

Also Read |Arizona election interference case: Giuliani, Trump allies plead not guilty

Following a routine hearing also known as Sandoval hearing on what would be allowed– the judge ruled that prosecutors would have been allowed to question Trump about the $464 civil fraud verdict from last fall’s case brought by the New York attorney general.

And Trump would have been answerable to questions, including his alleged affairs with Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal.

Michael Cohen’s cross-examination

The cross-examination of Michael Cohen, the prosecution’s final witness, lasted eight hours.

The prosecutor, Todd Blanche,tried to damage Cohen’s credibility, accusing him of making up his conversations with Trump, stealing from his former boss and continuing to lie even after pleading guilty to perjury in 2018.

The most dramatic moment of the cross-examination occurred when Blanche questioned Cohen about an October 24, 2016 call with Trump’s bodyguard, Keith Schiller, at 8:02 p.m.

During this call, Cohen testified that Schiller connected him with Trump, and Cohen informed Trump that he was proceeding with the payment to Daniels.

Also Read |Trump deletes ‘unified Reich’ post after backlash; Biden slams former prez for using ‘Hitler’s language’

But Blanche showed Cohen’s chat with Schiller before and after that call, showing he was dealing with a teenager prank-calling him and asking Schiller for help.

Prosecutors tried to restore Cohen’s testimony, introducing a screengrab from C-SPAN showing Trump leaving a Florida rally stage with Schiller five minutes before the call.

After prosecutors rested, Blanche made a motion for Judge Juan Merchan to dismiss the case – a typical motion filed by defendants that rarely succeeds.

Blanche argued that Cohen had lied in his testimony in this case and it should be tossed out.

The next hearing

Court will resume next Tuesday for closing arguments, which will likely take the whole day.

However, before that Trump’s lawyers will have a chance to present evidence and witnesses of their own.

The former president has pleaded not guilty to the 34-count indictment brought against him and has also denied having sex with the adult film actor.

(With inputs from agencies)