Key Points from a Dramatic Day 19 of the Trump Hush Money Trial

The prosecution concluded their case against Donald J. Trump on Monday in the hush money trial, which could end as soon as next week. Michael Cohen finished his testimony after four days and 17 hours on the witness stand as the final witness. The case alleges that Trump falsified business records by reimbursing Cohen for the hush money payment to Stormy Daniels in the final days of the 2016 campaign.

Things quickly escalated during the defense's case on Monday when Judge Juan Merchan scolded a defense witness, Robert Costello, for reacting audibly to objections made during questioning. The judge even temporarily removed the press from the courtroom after reprimanding Costello.

Get up to speed on Trump's criminal trial

A timeline of the Donald Trump-Stormy Daniels hush money case

Your questions about Trump’s trial, answered

Fact check: Trump’s false and unsubstantiated claims about his Manhattan criminal case

Do you have any questions about Trump's hush money trial? Feel free to ask us here.

It was a surprising moment in the trial, which is close to ending. The defense is expected to finish presenting its case on Tuesday. Merchan mentioned that closing arguments will be held on May 28, as he wants to avoid a four-day weekend for the jury during deliberations. (Court is not in session on Friday due to a juror's travel, and Monday is Memorial Day).

Regardless of the break, the Trump hush money trial is near its end – and roughly a week away from being in the hands of the jury. Here are the takeaways from Day 19:

Prosecution rests

The Manhattan district attorney's office prosecutors finished presenting their case on Monday. They brought in a total of 20 witnesses, including Cohen, Daniels, Hope Hicks, and David Pecker from the National Enquirer. The trial began on April 15 with jury selection, and the first witness for the prosecution, David Pecker, took the stand on April 22.

Cohen was the main witness in the case, testifying for over 17 hours across four days before concluding on Monday. He provided detailed testimony, claiming that his former boss instructed him to pay Daniels’ lawyer in October 2016 and approved the reimbursement plan central to the criminal case.

During cross-examination, Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche attempted to challenge Cohen's credibility by suggesting that he fabricated conversations where Trump supposedly told him to pay Daniels.

Trump’s former fixer’s testimony could play a crucial role in influencing the jury’s decision in the case. In addition to this, prosecutors presented various pieces of evidence over a month to support Cohen's claims that Trump instructed the repayment. This evidence included expert testimonies and documents.

Video Ad Feedback

CNN reporter reacts to dramatic moment in court between the judge and witness in Trump hush money trial

01:52

• Source:

CNN

Defense witness infuriates the judge, who clears courtroom

Trump's lawyers reached out to Costello to challenge Cohen's claims of feeling pressured during the FBI search of his home and office in 2018.

Costello provided advice to Cohen following the search, even though no formal agreement was signed, and no payment was made. Costello highlighted his relationship with Rudy Giuliani in emails, who had also joined Trump's legal team in 2018.

Costello recalled his first encounter with Cohen in 2018. Cohen assured him, "I promise Bob, I have nothing damaging on Donald Trump."

However, during his testimony, Costello faced a setback. He clashed with the judge by talking over Merchan while the judge upheld objections raised by Trump's lawyer, Emil Bove.

Costello started to voice his disagreement with the ongoing objections. He was heard saying "Ridiculous" as the attorneys went up to the judge after one objection. Later, he audibly expressed his exasperation with a "jeez" after the judge's decision.

Following another objection that was sustained, Costello audibly sighed and rolled his eyes, giving a side glance at the judge.

The judge asked the jury to leave the courtroom. After they exited, Merchan addressed the issue of proper behavior in his courtroom.

Merchan reminded Costello that when a witness is on the stand, it is important to show respect. He emphasized that expressing disapproval with a ruling should be done respectfully, without making negative gestures or comments. Merchan's tone revealed his frustration.

When Costello held a long glare at the judge, Merchan asked, “Are you staring me down?”

The judge then cleared the courtroom of the media, who were held in the hallways for several minutes.

After a few minutes, the press was allowed back in. Bove continued asking questions to Costello without any issues. However, the judge did remind Costello to stick to answering the questions asked and not go into too much detail.

Costello will return to the stand for further questioning by prosecutor Susan Hoffinger when court reconvenes at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday.

Trial endgame comes into focus

Trump’s side began its defense case Monday afternoon – and the former president’s lawyers appear likely to rest on Tuesday.

The defense started by presenting call records between Cohen and Costello through a paralegal before Costello testified. It is anticipated that Costello will finish testifying by mid-morning on Tuesday. Trump's lawyers stated that currently, they do not intend to call any additional witnesses after Costello.

This suggests that Trump is not planning to take the stand in his defense. However, the judge pointed out that the plans of Trump's legal team could still be subject to change.

Trump's team had initially intended to bring in a campaign finance expert for testimony, but Merchan restricted the expert's testimony, leading to a change in plans by Trump's lawyers.

Merchan had the option to proceed with closing arguments this week and hand the case over to the jury. However, this decision would likely result in the jury beginning deliberations only to have a four-day weekend for Memorial Day. One of the jurors has a flight scheduled for Friday, prompting Merchan to announce that court will not be in session that day.

Instead, Merchan mentioned that he anticipates closings to occur next Tuesday. Following the defense's conclusion of their case, he plans to convene a meeting with both parties to go over the judge's directions for the jury prior to their deliberations.

Consequently, there may be a break in the trial for a week, with Merchan yet to disclose any plans for Thursday.

Editor's P/S:

The Trump hush money trial is nearing its end, with the prosecution resting its case and the defense expected to finish presenting its case soon. The trial has been a closely watched event, with many wondering if it will ultimately lead to charges against former President Trump.

The prosecution's case rested heavily on the testimony of Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal attorney, who testified that Trump directed him to pay hush money to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. The defense has sought to undermine Cohen's credibility, suggesting that he fabricated conversations with Trump and that he is motivated by a desire to get back at Trump.

The trial has also been marked by several dramatic moments, including a clash between the judge and a defense witness who was removed from the courtroom for making audible reactions to objections. The judge has also restricted the testimony of a campaign finance expert that the defense had planned to call.

With the trial drawing to a close, it remains to be seen whether the jury will find that Trump directed Cohen to pay hush money to Daniels. If convicted, Trump could face up to 15 years in prison.