As early as Wednesday afternoon, UK time, the jury might start deliberations. Mr. Trump is accused of 34 counts of forging financial records to conceal a $130,000 (£102,000) payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
The prosecution and defense presented strikingly different final arguments as the first criminal trial of a US president draws to a close.
While serving as the former president’s lawyer, Todd Blanche spent most of his time discrediting the prosecution’s witnesses, especially Michael Cohen.
In his testimony, Mr. Cohen stated that he paid Ms. Daniels out of his own money and that he and Mr. Trump came up with a scheme for him to be paid back by payments posed as legal bills.
Mr. Blanche declared, “Michael Cohen is the GLOAT,” elaborating that this refers to the greatest liar in history.
“He has misled each and every congressional branch. The Department of Justice has been misled by him.”
The prosecution replied that Mr. Cohen’s dishonesty was a reflection of Mr. Trump’s malicious influence, but he added that the jury “cannot rely” on Mr. Cohen, who has a lengthy history of lying.
Mr. Blanche said, “You cannot send someone to prison based on the words of Michael Cohen,” a statement that got him into hot water with Judge Merchan as the jury.
