The ex-president has also targeted some of Mr. Bragg’s main witnesses, launching threats and social media attacks against them. Mr. Cohen, in particular, has borne the brunt of Mr. Trump’s assaults, including being sued, called a “rat,” and labeled as “death.” Their showdown in court, where Mr. Cohen is set to be the star witness, is anticipated to be the pivotal moment of the trial.
However, if Mr. Trump decides to testify, Mr. Cohen’s role may be overshadowed. The former president is expected to delay a final decision until he knows whether the judge will limit prosecutors’ ability to cross-examine him, and until he can evaluate his former fixer’s performance.
The jurors will also be evaluating Mr. Cohen. Should even one juror doubt his testimony, the trial could result in a hung jury, a clear win for the ex-president. Todd Blanche, the attorney leading the case, has reportedly informed Mr. Trump that he has a strong chance of winning the trial, according to sources familiar with the discussion.
The outcome of the case could hinge on jury selection in the upcoming two weeks. It is anticipated that many potential jurors will be Manhattan Democrats with a dislike for Mr. Trump. The ex-president’s legal team is aiming to identify sympathetic jurors, focusing on younger Black men and white working-class men.
Even with sympathetic jurors, Mr. Trump may face challenges if he opts to testify. In a previous civil fraud trial where the judge, rather than a jury, made the decision, he did not fare well.
The judge noted that he often evaded questions and went off on tangents, which significantly undermined his credibility. His reluctance to provide direct answers or, in some cases, any answers at all, severely damaged his credibility,” the judge wrote in his ruling.
