In a high-stakes closing argument, former President Donald Trump's lawyer insisted that standard business practices, not criminal intent, were behind the hush money payments at the center of his fraud trial.
Top Points
1. **Defense Claims Standard Practices:** Trump's lawyer, Todd Blanche, argued that the prosecution's case lacks substance and that the payments in question were standard legal fees, not part of a criminal conspiracy.
2. **Attack on Credibility:** The defense heavily criticized Michael Cohen, calling him a convicted liar and the only person alleging that Trump knew about the hush money payments to Stormy Daniels.
3. **Prosecution's Allegations:** Prosecutors claim Trump falsified business records to conceal payments and influence the 2016 election, but the defense argues that these actions were misrepresented and legally justified.
In the hush money trial nearing its conclusion, former President Donald Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, argued to jurors that the prosecution's case is weak and fails to prove any criminal activity. Blanche emphasized that the state's evidence only demonstrated standard business practices, not fraud.
“President Trump is innocent. He did not commit any crimes, and the district attorney has not met their burden of proof,” Blanche stated, countering allegations that Trump used lawyer Michael Cohen to pay $130,000 to Stormy Daniels to suppress a story before the 2016 election. Prosecutors assert that Trump orchestrated an illegal scheme to conceal the repayment.
Blanche criticized Cohen, labeling him a convicted felon and liar, warning jurors against trusting his testimony. He also used PowerPoint slides to challenge the prosecution's claims of a “catch and kill” conspiracy, asserting that payments to Cohen were standard legal fees.
The defense argued that the payments were properly logged and disclosed to tax authorities, dismissing claims of fraud. Blanche concluded that the prosecution invented a scheme without basis, and that Trump’s actions were typical of any campaign's efforts to manage media coverage.
Prosecutors will present their closing arguments next, followed by jury deliberation under the guidance of state Supreme Court Judge Juan Merchan.
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