Closing Arguments Conclude in Trump’s Trial; Deliberations Expected to Begin Wednesday

The closing arguments in the historic hush money trial of Donald Trump concluded in a Manhattan courtroom on Tuesday evening. It was the final opportunity for prosecutors and defense attorneys to present their cases before the jury begins deliberations.

Defense lawyer Todd Blanche spoke for about three hours in the morning, while prosecutor Joshua Steinglass spoke for over five hours. The court session extended until 8 p.m., much longer than usual.

The jurors will now decide whether to convict the former U.S. president on felony charges related to hush money payments made to cover up stories that could have affected Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.

At the center of the charges are reimbursements paid to Michael Cohen for a $130,000 payment made to Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged 2006 sexual encounter with Trump.

Prosecutors claim that these payments were falsely categorized as “legal expenses” to conceal their true purpose.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records, which carry a potential prison sentence of up to four years.

After a full day of closing arguments on Tuesday, the jury will begin deliberations on Wednesday.

This trial is the first of Trump’s four indictments to reach court as he aims to regain the presidency from Joe Biden.

The other cases involve charges of illegally holding classified documents at his Florida estate and attempting to overturn the 2020 election, with uncertain timelines for their trials before the November election.

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass urged jurors to find Trump guilty of all charges, likening the trial to a statement made by Trump himself in the past, which led to an objection from Trump’s lawyer.

As the long day concluded, Steinglass admitted to the length of his address but emphasized the importance of the case and the need for thoroughness.

The judge informed the jurors that he would provide instructions before deliberations begin and outlined the schedule for the following days.

After a taxing day in court, the jurors left for the day, seeming relieved but determined as they headed home.

Following the proceedings, the former president opted not to speak to the press as he usually does.