Live updates: Trump hush money trial closing arguments (2024)

• Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass told the jury that they didn't need Cohen's testimony to prove there was a conspiracy. He said there is a “mountain of evidence” to corroborate what he said on the stand, including other witnesses and documents. The prosecutor said Cohen provides “context and color” to the physical evidence. Steinglass reiterated that this case is not about Cohen, but about whether Trump should be held accountable.
• The prosecutor also tried to rehabilitate Stormy Daniels' credibility. He said the details Daniels gave about her interaction with Trump prove that it is true. Steinglass argued that Daniels was the motive for Trump to pay the hush money payment and falsify business records. He said the defense’s narrative that the payment started as an extortion is “so bogus."
• Steinglass called out an argument Trump’s attorney made about Cohen admitting he stole money from the Trump Organization. Steinglass argued that Cohen can be called a “thief or say it wasn't a reimbursem*nt but not both.” He pointed out that if the defense is saying the payment was for legal services rendered, not a reimbursem*nt, then there was no theft. He later said the defense is trying to have it both ways.
• Steinglass argued that the defense’s assertion that the payments to Cohen were for legal services is disproved by handwritten notes from former CFO Allen Weisselberg and formerTrumpOrganization controller JeffreyMcConney. He walked the jury through the notes and mentioned that"the defendant has himself repeatedly admitted that the payments were reimbursem*nts.”
• The prosecutor told the jury that Trump “paid a p*rn star by funneling money through a lawyer,” and showed the jury vouchers and check stubs that he said backed that up. He also showed the jury checks signed by Trump, pointing out his signature in Sharpie. Steinglass argued no one could sign them but Trump. He also reiterated testimony that Trump was very involved in his business and insisted on controlling payments.
• In a 2015 meeting at Trump Tower, Steinglass said Trump and former American Media Inc. CEO David Pecker discussed how to conduct “catch and kill” operations for negative stories about Trump — even if they didn’t use that exact terminology. Steinglass argued the “catch and kill” schemes could very well be what got Trump elected.

• Trump's attorney ToddBlancheslammed the testimony of the prosecution's key witness, Cohen, telling the jurors that they “should want and expect more.” He said the jury can't convict Trump beyond a reasonable doubt on Cohen’s words, calling him the “MVP of liars” and that there is “not a shred of evidence” in what he said on the stand. He pointed to when Cohen admitted he stole from the Trump Organization and inconsistencies in Cohen’s testimony about a call with Trump’s former bodyguard.
• The defense alleged that Cohen lied when he testified that he never had a retainer agreement with Trump in 2017. Blanche said there was a verbal retainer and asked the jury if they believed Cohen would work for free and that Trump would agree to overpay. He also pointed out times when Cohen did some legal work. He reminded jurors that the Trump Organization always labeled any expenses from a lawyer as "legal expenses" and that is not a crime.
• Blanche argued that Trump, who was in the White House at the time, was very busy and did not know the details of each check to Cohen. He said Trump’s sons, Eric and Donald Jr., co-signed some checks. He also said there is “nothing sinister” about Trump’s personal checks being sent to employees’ personal addresses, rather than the White House, for them to be signed. He argued that there was no intent to defraud because the payments to Cohen were adequately disclosed to the IRS.
• Blanche argued that Cohen made the decision to pay $130,000 to Stormy Daniels, not Trump. He said Cohen didn't tell Trump about it because “he knew he could get credit for doing something to help President Trump at some later time."
• Blanche argued that it was a longstanding practice for American Media Inc. to publish flattering stories about Trump. Further, he said it was “preposterous” to think that Trump believed stories in the Enquirer could determine the result of the election. Trump’s lawyer also pointed out that there was no discussion of “catch and kill” specifically during an August 2015 meeting at Trump Tower.
• Merchan gave a curative instruction to the jury after Blanche made an “outrageous” comment during his closing argument. Blanche talked about Cohen's credibility and told the jury: “You cannot send someone to prison you cannot convict somebody based upon the words of Michael Cohen." The jury is not supposed to consider penalties, so bringing up the possibility of prison was inappropriate, the judge said.

"In the interest of justice and in the name of the people of the state of the New York, I ask you to find the defendant guilty. Thank you," Steinglass says to the jury.