Former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial continues at the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse.
Trump faces 34 counts connected to his alleged attempt to hide a $130,000 hush money payment made in 2016 to adult film actor Stormy Daniels in order to conceal the details of an extramarital affair. The jury spent last week listening to testimony from Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen.
The case was brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Judge Juan Merchan is on the bench presiding over the trial. Trump’s legal team includes Emil Bove, Todd Blanche and Susan Necheles. The prosecution includes Susan Hoffinger, Joshua Steinglass, Christopher Conroy and Matthew Colangelo.
Read live updates from the trial below:
Pinned
Day 20: Closing Arguments To Begin Next Week
- After a short morning session, the defense rested its case.
- Trump did not testify in his own defense despite publicly proclaiming he would numerous times.
- Defense witness Robert Costello finished testifying. Costello's behavior forced the courtroom to be cleared Monday.
- Judge Merchan instructed the jury to return next Tuesday for closing arguments. He warned court could run late that day as he prefers not to break up the arguments if at all possible. He also asked them to work next Wednesday.
- Both legal teams met with Judge Merchan this afternoon to hash out instructions for the jury to use in rendering a decision next week. Merchan said he intends to provide those to the attorneys by the end of the day Thursday.
Trump Claims 'Corrupt System' Kept Him Off The Witness Stand
Appearing Wednesday on a conservative radio show, Trump addressed the reason he never took the stand in his defense, saying, “Anything I did in the past, they could bring everything up — and you know I’ve had a great past — but, anything.” Legal experts generally agree that Trump taking the stand in his criminal trial would go poorly for him. But the former president has repeatedly claimed that he would do so.
“Why testify when they have no case?” Trump told hosts of “Cats & Cosby” on New York's WABC, citing the same few pro-Trump conservative legal commentators who have been defending him throughout the trial.
“When you say why not testify, they have no case. Other than it’s a corrupt system,” Trump said.
Host John Catsimatidis provided a sympathetic ear, telling Trump that the trial is an attempt by Trump’s opponents to “keep you off the campaign trail.”
“It’s a group of fascists that surround the Oval Office, that are right next to the Resolute Desk, which is a gorgeous desk in the Oval Office that the president sits at, and these are the people, John,” Trump said.
Trump’s defense rested Tuesday after calling two witnesses, neither of whom were Trump.
“Why testify when they have no case?” Trump told hosts of “Cats & Cosby” on New York's WABC, citing the same few pro-Trump conservative legal commentators who have been defending him throughout the trial.
“When you say why not testify, they have no case. Other than it’s a corrupt system,” Trump said.
Host John Catsimatidis provided a sympathetic ear, telling Trump that the trial is an attempt by Trump’s opponents to “keep you off the campaign trail.”
“It’s a group of fascists that surround the Oval Office, that are right next to the Resolute Desk, which is a gorgeous desk in the Oval Office that the president sits at, and these are the people, John,” Trump said.
Trump’s defense rested Tuesday after calling two witnesses, neither of whom were Trump.
Courtroom Artists Reveal What Makes Trump's Trial So Tough
Trump is on trial in New York for allegedly covering up hush money payments Cohen made on his behalf to Stephanie Clifford, an adult film star who goes by Stormy Daniels, ahead of the 2016 presidential election. And unless you’re a juror or journalist, you’re most likely only seeing the trial through Williams’ and other courtroom artists’ sketches.
Read more here.
Read more here.
Trump Attacks Prosecuting Attorney And Judge
Speaking once more in the hallway outside the courtroom, Trump immediately launched into an attack on the case against him, quoting conservative attorneys Jonathan Turley and Alan Dershowitz as he claimed, falsely, that all legal scholars are in agreement the case is not legitimate.
“Let me just tell you that the White House is the person — or the group, whatever — they’re the ones trying this case! You heard who was doing all the talking: a representative from the White House,” Trump said in an apparent reference to prosecuting attorney Matthew Colangelo. Colangelo worked in the Justice Department under President Joe Biden until joining the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office in December 2022.
“He wasn’t at the DA’s office. He came here for one reason. Now, where did he come from? He came from Washington, D.C.,” Trump said.
“That means it’s Biden. That means it’s election interference by Sleepy Joe, our dumb-as-a-rock president.”
Trump also reserved scorn for Merchan, saying, “The judge is so biased, so corrupt,” and that “a corrupt judge will far surpass a fair case for us.”
“Let me just tell you that the White House is the person — or the group, whatever — they’re the ones trying this case! You heard who was doing all the talking: a representative from the White House,” Trump said in an apparent reference to prosecuting attorney Matthew Colangelo. Colangelo worked in the Justice Department under President Joe Biden until joining the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office in December 2022.
“He wasn’t at the DA’s office. He came here for one reason. Now, where did he come from? He came from Washington, D.C.,” Trump said.
“That means it’s Biden. That means it’s election interference by Sleepy Joe, our dumb-as-a-rock president.”
Trump also reserved scorn for Merchan, saying, “The judge is so biased, so corrupt,” and that “a corrupt judge will far surpass a fair case for us.”
Judge Merchan Wraps Up For The Day
Merchan told the parties he was aiming to have answers to outstanding questions on jury instructions by the end of Thursday. And with that, court was dismissed for another lengthy day this week.
Judge Sides With Prosecution On Hush Money Instruction
Merchan said he did not feel it was necessary to explicitly tell the jury that hush money payments are not illegal, pointing out that fact had come up already multiple times in front of jurors, NBC News reported.
The judge has said he needs more time to consider other issues, such as a request from the defense to provide limiting instruction on reactions to the “Access Hollywood” tape.
The judge has said he needs more time to consider other issues, such as a request from the defense to provide limiting instruction on reactions to the “Access Hollywood” tape.
Protester’s Sign Shows How Much Trump Owes Her City
Merchan is back on the bench after the break.
Throughout the trial, there have been handfuls of pro-Trump and anti-Trump protesters standing outside the courthouse, holding signs both store-bought and handmade. One such individual, interviewed by The New York Times, explained why she had written on a piece of cardboard: “Loser Trump owes El Paso TX $560,000.”
Cecy Vazquez Dreher told the Times she's from El Paso and works as a real estate agent. Trump apparently still hasn’t paid the city back for a 2019 rally he held there.
“The El Paso taxpayers are still waiting for his bill to be paid,” Vazquez Dreher told the outlet. She had been visiting New York City to see friends.
Throughout the trial, there have been handfuls of pro-Trump and anti-Trump protesters standing outside the courthouse, holding signs both store-bought and handmade. One such individual, interviewed by The New York Times, explained why she had written on a piece of cardboard: “Loser Trump owes El Paso TX $560,000.”
Cecy Vazquez Dreher told the Times she's from El Paso and works as a real estate agent. Trump apparently still hasn’t paid the city back for a 2019 rally he held there.
“The El Paso taxpayers are still waiting for his bill to be paid,” Vazquez Dreher told the outlet. She had been visiting New York City to see friends.
The Court Is On A Break
Lawyers on both sides this afternoon are hashing out a set of instructions for the jury to interpret and apply the law in rendering their decision next week. They just took a brief break and will be back shortly.
Attorneys Squabble Over How Felony Charges Are Explained
The charges against Trump are felonies because the prosecution has argued that Trump falsified business records (a misdemeanor) for the purpose of committing another crime (which bumps it up to a felony). They don’t have to charge another crime, and they haven’t. They have described it broadly to the jury as election interference.
Bove proposed a line telling the jury that the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt “two separate intents,” which are the intent to defraud and the intent to pursue another crime, per CNN. Colangelo countered that the law doesn’t say anything about two intents. Merchan sided with the prosecution, saying he would keep the standard instruction language.
Bove proposed a line telling the jury that the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt “two separate intents,” which are the intent to defraud and the intent to pursue another crime, per CNN. Colangelo countered that the law doesn’t say anything about two intents. Merchan sided with the prosecution, saying he would keep the standard instruction language.
Judge Merchan Cracks A Joke
There’s one thing both sides can agree on amidst a tangle of dry, legalistic haggling over the jury instructions: Nobody knows how to pronounce “eleemosynary.” (Merriam-Webster defines it as “of, relating to, or supported by charity”).
Both sides agree to strike the word.
Both sides agree to strike the word.
Attorneys Quibble Over Whether To Make 'Crime' Singular Or Plural
Bove and Colangelo have been arguing over how federal election law and New York State election law will be presented to jurors. Five whole minutes were spent debating one word, “crime,” which was changed to “crimes,” according to a New York Times reporter.
Merchan told Trump’s team that he would not tell the jury there is no limit on how much a candidate can contribute to his or her own campaign. (Trump’s team was free to do so in their closing remarks, however.) The judge also said he was inclined to default to boilerplate jury instructions. But there is, apparently, still much to discuss.
The documents each side is referencing are not yet publicly available, so it is a bit difficult to follow along.
Merchan told Trump’s team that he would not tell the jury there is no limit on how much a candidate can contribute to his or her own campaign. (Trump’s team was free to do so in their closing remarks, however.) The judge also said he was inclined to default to boilerplate jury instructions. But there is, apparently, still much to discuss.
The documents each side is referencing are not yet publicly available, so it is a bit difficult to follow along.
Trump Feels ‘Very Good’ About His Case
Shortly before stepping into the courtroom, Trump turned to the cameras in the hallway.
"I feel very good. I think we’ve had a great case we’ve put on,” Trump said when asked how he felt now that both sides have come to a rest.
“Remember, I’m gagged. I’m not allowed to say what I’d like to really say,” he went on. “You’d be very impressed. But I’m gagged, so why would I take the chance. But we do want to defend our Constitution, so at some point maybe I will take the chance.”
Trump also took a moment to slam President Joe Biden, gas prices and migrants on the southern U.S. border with Mexico.
"I feel very good. I think we’ve had a great case we’ve put on,” Trump said when asked how he felt now that both sides have come to a rest.
“Remember, I’m gagged. I’m not allowed to say what I’d like to really say,” he went on. “You’d be very impressed. But I’m gagged, so why would I take the chance. But we do want to defend our Constitution, so at some point maybe I will take the chance.”
Trump also took a moment to slam President Joe Biden, gas prices and migrants on the southern U.S. border with Mexico.
We're Back To Discuss Jury Instructions
Court has resumed following an extra-long break. The instructions the judge will provide the jury are very specific and must be haggled over, as they can make an impact on how the jurors return their verdict. That's what attorneys are going to hash out now.
(Photo by Mark Peterson - Pool/Getty Images)
Trump Surrogates — But Not Trump — Speak After Jury Is Dismissed
A hodgepodge of Trump surrogates addressed the media outside the courthouse Tuesday morning after the jury was dismissed for the day. Notably absent: Trump himself, who’s made a habit of reading pro-Trump headlines after court in previous days. (Trump could still make an appearance later in the day).
In his stead, his son Donald Trump Jr. spoke while chants of “lock him up” could be heard in the distance. According to a list provided by the Trump campaign, the entourage also included former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, a handful of far-right senators and representatives, Sebastian Gorka, and Chuck Zito, the former president of the New York chapter of the Hells Angels.
Many of the members appeared to have coordinated their outfits for the day, or, by chance, all happened to be wearing the same red-tie, white-shirt, blue-suit combination often favored by the former president.
In one particularly odd moment during the press conference, Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) compared Trump to the Pope.
“There’s not another person on the planet who can [draw a crowd to a rally like Trump] other than the pope,” he said. “The pope. And when do people go, they visit the pope, they say: ‘Pope, what can you do? Would you bless me and my family?’ That’s what they want, they want blessings for their family when they go see the pope.
“When people come to Donald Trump’s rallies, they’re saying, ‘We need you more than ever before,'” he continued. “'Our country is burning, the world’s on fire, we need leadership.’ And they’re asking Donald J. Trump, ‘Continue to fight for the American people.’ That’s what this is all about, and all the dishonest media out there you don’t want to talk about it.”
In his stead, his son Donald Trump Jr. spoke while chants of “lock him up” could be heard in the distance. According to a list provided by the Trump campaign, the entourage also included former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, a handful of far-right senators and representatives, Sebastian Gorka, and Chuck Zito, the former president of the New York chapter of the Hells Angels.
Many of the members appeared to have coordinated their outfits for the day, or, by chance, all happened to be wearing the same red-tie, white-shirt, blue-suit combination often favored by the former president.
In one particularly odd moment during the press conference, Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) compared Trump to the Pope.
“There’s not another person on the planet who can [draw a crowd to a rally like Trump] other than the pope,” he said. “The pope. And when do people go, they visit the pope, they say: ‘Pope, what can you do? Would you bless me and my family?’ That’s what they want, they want blessings for their family when they go see the pope.
“When people come to Donald Trump’s rallies, they’re saying, ‘We need you more than ever before,'” he continued. “'Our country is burning, the world’s on fire, we need leadership.’ And they’re asking Donald J. Trump, ‘Continue to fight for the American people.’ That’s what this is all about, and all the dishonest media out there you don’t want to talk about it.”
Charging Conference Taking Place This Afternoon
The charging conference, during which Judge Juan Merchan and both legal teams will meet to discuss specific instructions to give the jury, will take place later today.
Trump Ignores Question About Testimony
Trump raised his left hand in a fist as he walked out of the courtroom after 10 a.m. ET. He ignored a question someone shouted at him asking why he wouldn't testify.
It’s Official: Trump Won’t Be Testifying In The Hush Money Trial
The defense has rested its case, meaning it is now certain that Trump won’t testify in the trial.
His team had recently signaled he was unlikely to do so, despite Trump hinting at a potential testimony for weeks.
Following the conclusion of today's proceeding, Trump ignored reporters’ questions about what prompted the decision.
Trump has denied wrongdoing in the case.
His team had recently signaled he was unlikely to do so, despite Trump hinting at a potential testimony for weeks.
Following the conclusion of today's proceeding, Trump ignored reporters’ questions about what prompted the decision.
Trump has denied wrongdoing in the case.
‘Your Honor, The Defense Rests’
Merchan explained how the rest of the trial would work after the defense rested its case.
“At the end of the day, I think the best thing we can do is to adjourn now until next Tuesday,” the judge told the jury.
He said that “summations will not be quick,” and because he did not wish to split closing arguments up over two days, asked the jurors to consider working late on Tuesday. He also asked them to work next Wednesday, when he hopes jury deliberations will start.
After the jury took their leave, Trump then exited the courtroom, trailed by his entourage.
“At the end of the day, I think the best thing we can do is to adjourn now until next Tuesday,” the judge told the jury.
He said that “summations will not be quick,” and because he did not wish to split closing arguments up over two days, asked the jurors to consider working late on Tuesday. He also asked them to work next Wednesday, when he hopes jury deliberations will start.
After the jury took their leave, Trump then exited the courtroom, trailed by his entourage.
Robert Costello Is Done
Hoffinger said she had a couple of follow-up questions after Bove’s redirect.
Costello affirmed that Cohen never signed a retainer agreement formally hiring him as his attorney.
Costello affirmed that Cohen never signed a retainer agreement formally hiring him as his attorney.
Robert Costello Denies Seeking To Influence Michael Cohen
On redirect examination by Bove, Costello said the term “backchannel” was first used by Rudy Giuliani. Costello said it was important to avoiding tipping off the press to the idea Cohen was being advised by him — an attorney with very close ties to Giuliani and Trump.
Asked explicitly whether he sought to influence Cohen, Costello said he did not.
Asked explicitly whether he sought to influence Cohen, Costello said he did not.
More Costello Emails Shown To Jurors Suggesting Trump Pressure Campaign
Hoffinger brought up another email from Costello, telling Cohen the “liberal media” wants him to “cave” and cooperate with federal investigators. In another email, Costello complained that he "and the President" werebeing “played” by Cohen, who took meetings with Costello, but did not end up hiring him.
The emails helped illustrate the alleged "pressure campaign" by Trump and his allies on Cohen that the defense team referenced yesterday.
“You lost control of Michael Cohen for the president, did you not?” Hoffinger asked at one point.
“Absolutely not,” Costello said.
Asked whether he had "animosity" toward Cohen, Costello said no. Hoffinger then brought up Costello's comments trashing Cohen during his congressional testimony last week. Asked whether Costello sought to "intimidate" Cohen, he responded, "Ridiculous. No."
The emails helped illustrate the alleged "pressure campaign" by Trump and his allies on Cohen that the defense team referenced yesterday.
“You lost control of Michael Cohen for the president, did you not?” Hoffinger asked at one point.
“Absolutely not,” Costello said.
Asked whether he had "animosity" toward Cohen, Costello said no. Hoffinger then brought up Costello's comments trashing Cohen during his congressional testimony last week. Asked whether Costello sought to "intimidate" Cohen, he responded, "Ridiculous. No."
Trump Complains About Courtroom Temperature Again
Ahead of the start of trial Tuesday, Trump once again took issue with the case against him, claiming “every single scholar says ‘there’s been no crime, he’s done nothing wrong.’”
“I’m fighting for 300 million people,” he added. “I mean I have no choice. It’s not like I like doing this, sitting in an icebox all day for seven, eight, nine hours. And it’s a very cold room.”
HuffPost's Sara Boboltz, who is in the courtroom, disputed Trump's claim, saying the temperature is actually warm.
Trump added that he expects his team will rest their case soon.
“We'll be resting pretty quickly, resting meaning resting the case,” he said. “I won't be resting. I don't rest. I'd like to rest sometimes, but I don't get to rest."
The former president ignored shouted questions from reporters about a now-deleted video he posted on his Truth Social account showing a fake newspaper headline referencing a “unified Reich” if he wins November’s election.
“I’m fighting for 300 million people,” he added. “I mean I have no choice. It’s not like I like doing this, sitting in an icebox all day for seven, eight, nine hours. And it’s a very cold room.”
HuffPost's Sara Boboltz, who is in the courtroom, disputed Trump's claim, saying the temperature is actually warm.
Trump added that he expects his team will rest their case soon.
“We'll be resting pretty quickly, resting meaning resting the case,” he said. “I won't be resting. I don't rest. I'd like to rest sometimes, but I don't get to rest."
The former president ignored shouted questions from reporters about a now-deleted video he posted on his Truth Social account showing a fake newspaper headline referencing a “unified Reich” if he wins November’s election.