The lawyer defending former President Donald Trump faced challenges in his closing argument during Trump’s hush money trial in New York.
Key points:
- Trump is alleged to have fabricated business records to conceal a purported affair with Stormy Daniels.
- His lawyer, Alan Dershowitz, criticized the prosecution’s case and star witness Michael Cohen
- The jury’s verdict could impact Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign
Did Dershowitz make a strong case for Trump’s defense? Let’s take a closer look.
Missing Witnesses a Weakness
Dershowitz argued that Trump’s defense team failed to emphasize two vital missing witnesses:
- Allan Weisselberg, who was present for a critical conversation between Trump, Cohen, and himself
- Someone who overheard a call about payment details between Trump and Cohen
According to Dershowitz, it was a significant oversight not to call these witnesses to confirm or deny Cohen’s claims, which left holes in the prosecution’s narrative.
Stormy Daniels’ Testimony “Irrelevant”
The defense called Stormy Daniels’ testimony about her alleged affair with Trump “utterly irrelevant.” Dershowitz said whether they had a sexual relationship doesn’t matter legally.
What matters is that Daniels tried to get paid for not disclosing it. Dershowitz argued this testimony was included only to bring sensual attention to the case.
Defense Claim: Covering Up Affairs Is Normal
In a controversial claim, Trump’s lawyers stated that “conspiracies to win elections happen all the time” by trying to hide information that could make a candidate look bad.
Dershowitz rejected this argument as “absurd.” He said Trump may have wanted to cover up the affair to protect his businesses and marriage, not just the election.
Jury’s Difficult Task
The 12 Manhattan jurors, most likely political opponents of Trump, now face a unanimous decision requirement to convict.
If found guilty of falsifying business records, Dershowitz said Trump likely wouldn’t serve prison time but could receive home confinement, fines, and a felony record impacting his campaign.
What’s Next?
With appeals expected either way, it could be more apparent whether a final ruling will come before or after the 2024 election. Dershowitz also noted that Trump faces other legal battles beyond this trial.
Was the defense strong enough to create reasonable doubt? Only time will tell, but this case has captured America’s attention in this ongoing political saga.
