The former president Donald Trump is on trial for a case involving hush money payments. Here are the key points:
- Trump’s ex-lawyer Michael Cohen testified against him
- But the defense questioned if Cohen was telling the truth
- The judge had to clear the court at one point due to drama
- Trump’s lawyers say he did not commit any crimes
- The jury may get the case early next week to decide the verdict
Will Trump be found guilty or not guilty? Read on to learn more about this controversial trial.
Cohen’s Testimony Under Fire
The prosecution in Donald Trump’s trial rested their case this week. They tried hard to back up the testimony of their main witness, Michael Cohen. Cohen used to be Trump’s personal lawyer.
He testified that Trump told him to pay off a woman named Stormy Daniels. Daniels claimed she had an affair with Trump years ago. Cohen said Trump asked him to pay Daniels to keep quiet before the 2016 election.
But Trump’s defense lawyers spent days poking holes in Cohen’s story. They got Cohen to admit he had stolen money from Trump in the past. This raised doubts about whether Cohen’s testimony was fully truthful.
High Stakes for Trump
So did Trump really tell Cohen to pay hush money to Daniels? And did Trump try to hide this payment by listing it as a legal expense? Trump says no, he did not do those things.
The prosecution has now rested, which means they have presented all their evidence. Next it will be the defense’s turn. Trump’s lawyers plan to call a few witnesses of their own.
However, Trump himself will not testify in his own defense. His lawyers know having him take the witness stand would be extremely risky. Trump could potentially hurt his own case if he misspoke or got flustered.
Judge Clears Court, Scolds Witness
The trial hit a dramatic point when the judge suddenly cleared the court after a witness made controversial comments. The witness, a former National Enquirer employee, accused Trump of committing more crimes beyond the charges in this case.
With the jury out of the room, the judge sternly scolded the witness. He said those unproven claims were inappropriate and could unfairly influence the jury. After giving the witness a warning, the judge allowed the trial to resume.
Case to Go to Jury Next Week?
Both sides will soon give their closing statements summing up their arguments for the jury. After that, the judge will instruct the jury on the relevant laws they must follow.
Legal experts say these closing arguments and jury instructions will be crucial. That’s because for Trump’s conduct to be considered criminal, it must have been intended to cover up a separate crime. Exactly what that potential crime was is still unclear.
The judge expects the case could go to the jury to deliberate as soon as Tuesday after the Memorial Day holiday weekend. The world will then wait to see if they find the former president guilty or not guilty.
Final Thoughts
No matter the verdict, this trial has given the public a rare inside look at Trump’s past behavior and business dealings. It raises questions about what ethical standards presidents should be held to, both before and after taking office.
Ultimately, the jurors will have to decide – did Donald Trump’s actions cross a legal line, or was he just playing by the established rules of celebrity and politics? Only time will tell how this historic trial will conclude.
