The highly-anticipated trial of New York v. Trump reached its climax as the jury delivered its verdict, finding former President Donald J. Trump guilty on all 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. The charges, brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, centered around Trump’s alleged involvement in concealing hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election.
The courtroom was tense as Judge Juan Merchan invited the jury to announce their decision after deliberations. Prosecutors had the burden of proving beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump falsified records to cover up the $130,000 payment to Daniels, with the intention of silencing her about an alleged affair with Trump in 2006 – a potential campaign finance violation.
During closing arguments, Trump’s defense team vehemently asserted his innocence, claiming Bragg failed to meet the evidentiary burden. “President Trump is innocent. He did not commit any crimes. The district attorney did not meet the burden of proof. Period,” argued defense attorney Todd Blanche. He contended the case was simply about bookkeeping entries related to payments to Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, maintaining there was no intent to defraud or influence the election.
Conversely, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass delivered an impassioned closing, arguing the evidence of Trump’s intent to defraud “could not be any clearer.” Steinglass painted a picture of an “elaborate scheme” orchestrated by Trump, “cloaked in lies,” with the sole purpose of concealing the payment to Daniels. He defended the prosecution’s reliance on Cohen as a witness, despite his dubious credibility, stating, “We didn’t choose Michael Cohen to be our witness. We didn’t pick him up at the witness store. The defendant chose Michael Cohen to be his fixer because he was willing to lie and cheat on the defendant’s behalf.”
The crux of the prosecution’s case rested on Cohen’s testimony that Trump directed him to “handle” the Daniels payment, which Cohen facilitated through a home equity line of credit to avoid detection. Cohen further testified that he was later reimbursed $420,000 by the Trump Organization under the guise of a “retainer,” with Trump’s knowledge and approval. The prosecution presented 11 checks totaling that amount as evidence.
Trump’s defense had previously sought to dismiss the case, arguing no evidence linked Trump directly to falsifying records. However, the jury ultimately found the prosecution’s case convincing, delivering guilty verdicts on all 34 counts. With each count carrying a potential 4-year prison sentence, the former president now faces the possibility of substantial jail time.