The prosecution presented its closing arguments in the case against Donald Trump, focusing on tying together various pieces of evidence to make their case. The prosecution emphasized that they did not solely rely on the testimony of Trump's former personal attorney, Michael Cohen, to prove their case.
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass highlighted the abundance of evidence, including text messages, phone logs, and witness testimony, that corroborated their claims. He stressed that Cohen's testimony provided context and color to the physical evidence but reiterated that the case was ultimately about holding Trump accountable, not about Cohen.
Steinglass sought to bolster the credibility of Stormy Daniels, pointing to details of her interactions with Trump as evidence supporting their case. He argued that Daniels' account was a motive for Trump to make hush money payments and falsify business records, dismissing the defense's claim of extortion as 'bogus.'
The prosecution challenged the defense's assertion that payments to Cohen were for legal services, citing handwritten notes from former CFO Allen Weisselberg and former Trump Organization controller Jeffrey McConney. Steinglass walked the jury through the notes, emphasizing Trump's own admissions that the payments were reimbursements.
Furthermore, the prosecutor presented vouchers, check stubs, and checks signed by Trump as evidence of his direct involvement in the payments. Steinglass highlighted Trump's signature on the checks, arguing that only Trump could have signed them, reinforcing the notion of Trump's control over financial matters.
Steinglass also referenced a 2015 meeting at Trump Tower where Trump and former American Media Inc. CEO David Pecker discussed 'catch and kill' operations for negative stories about Trump. The prosecution suggested that these schemes may have played a role in Trump's election.
As the case nears its conclusion, Judge Juan Merchan is set to provide jury instructions before deliberations begin. The closing arguments from the prosecution have laid out a comprehensive case against Trump, weaving together testimony, documents, and witness statements to make a compelling argument for his accountability.
