As the criminal trial of Donald J. Trump entered its seventh week, both the prosecution and defense presented their final arguments to the jurors, marking a pivotal moment in the case as it moved into deliberations on Wednesday.
Defense attorney Todd Blanche dedicated three hours on Tuesday dismantling the credibility of Michael D. Cohen, the prosecution’s key witness, accusing him of lying under oath. He also launched attacks on Stormy Daniels, the adult film actress whose revelations about an affair with Mr. Trump in 2006 led to the charges against the former president.
The prosecution, on the other hand, delivered a lengthy and detailed summary of the case, delving into the extensive evidence presented, including testimonies, emails, text messages, and recordings.
The charges against Mr. Trump, 77, include falsifying 34 business records to conceal the reimbursement made to Mr. Cohen for a $130,000 payment to Ms. Daniels as hush money. Mr. Trump has vehemently denied the allegations and the alleged encounter.
The duration of the deliberations starting on Wednesday remains uncertain. If found guilty, Mr. Trump, the presumed Republican presidential nominee, could potentially face imprisonment or probation.
Here are five key takeaways from the closing arguments and Mr. Trump’s 21st day in court.
The defense’s focus on discrediting Michael Cohen
The defense repeatedly emphasized their skepticism of Michael Cohen’s credibility, portraying him as a habitual liar with personal vendettas against Mr. Trump. They argued that Mr. Cohen’s testimony was the sole basis for linking Mr. Trump to the payment to Ms. Daniels.
The defense’s portrayal of the payment as a routine transaction
The defense sought to downplay the seriousness of the case, framing the payment to Ms. Daniels as a standard business practice rather than criminal activity, including the use of a nondisclosure agreement.
Challenging the election fraud claims
The defense also contested allegations of election fraud, asserting that there was no concrete evidence of any illicit attempts to influence the election outcome. They argued that such tactics are common in political campaigns and do not necessarily constitute criminal behavior.
The impact of stagecraft on the proceedings
Both the defense and prosecution utilized dramatic tactics to sway the jury. The defense highlighted a phone call between Mr. Cohen and Mr. Trump, suggesting it was misrepresented, while the prosecution staged a reenactment to counter the defense’s claims.
A unified narrative presented by the prosecution
The prosecution focused on weaving a coherent storyline of fraud perpetrated on the American public. They argued that Mr. Trump’s actions, including deals with tabloids to suppress damaging stories, constituted a deliberate deception of voters and undermined the democratic process.
Awaiting the verdict
As the jury receives instructions from Judge Juan M. Merchan on Wednesday morning, the courtroom remains tense with anticipation. The outcome of the trial, whether in favor of Mr. Trump or the prosecutors, will mark a significant moment in legal history as the first criminal trial of a former American president concludes.
