After six weeks and more than 20 witnesses, lawyers in Donald Trump’s criminal trial are giving their closing arguments Tuesday.
A prosecutor for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is expected to tell the jury that Trump signed off on a scheme to illegally falsify records, with the goal of covering up a “hush money” payment made by Trump’s ex-lawyer Michael Cohen to adult film star Stormy Daniels. The scheme was designed to subvert election law and keep the payment secret, prosecutors say.
Trump’s defense is going first, arguing that the prosecution failed to prove its case. During the trial, they spent long hours attacking the credibility of Cohen and Daniels, who were key witnesses.
Prosecutors say Trump falsely portrayed reimbursements for the $130,000 payment as monthly checks for ongoing legal services, paid during the first year of his presidency. Defense attorneys say the checks and associated records were accurate.
Trump’s lawyers said they would need about two hours to make their case. Prosecutors will go second and said they anticipated needing about four hours.
After the jury hears the two sides’ summations, the judge will give them instructions and deliberations will begin. That can happen as early as Tuesday, but may be Wednesday.