‘We've had a great case’: Donald Trump admits he's feeling ‘very good’ as defense concludes arguments in hush money trial
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Former president Donald Trump has expressed confidence as his defense team concluded their arguments in the hush money trial on Tuesday, May 21.
The jury has been dismissed until next week with closing statements expected on Tuesday, May 28, and jury deliberations likely to begin next Wednesday, May 29.
Donald Trump did not take a stand
Trump did not take the stand and his defense called only two witnesses compared to the 20 that testified for the prosecution.
Trump’s attorneys and prosecutors for the Manhattan district attorney’s office have received instructions from judge Juan Merchan to hash out the specifics of the legal instructions given to the jury before they decide Trump’s fate.
Merchan told jurors they will return next Tuesday, May 28, for closing arguments which are expected to take the whole day. Once the jury gets its instructions, Trump’s fate will be in their hands.
Defense attorney Emil Bove argued that he wanted the judge to instruct the jury that hush money is not illegal. However, Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass opposed Bove’s request before judge Merchan weighed in.
"I think that to take it to the next level and actually give an instruction to the bench is taking it too far. I don’t think it’s necessary,” Merchan said, according to CNN.
Judge Merchan calls negotiations 'disingenuous'
Bove argued that ex-National Enquirer publisher David Pecker “opened the door” for Trump to make the argument after he testified about seeking legal advice for himself throughout the hush money discussions.
“My answer hasn’t changed,” Merchan told Trump's attorney Emil Bove. “I find it disingenuous,” he added.
“I’m telling you, my ruling is the jury will not hear that instruction from the bench, nor are you allowed to make that argument,” he added.
Bove reportedly pushed back, suggesting he was “not being disingenuous,” but the judge remained firm.
Disagreements over legal instructions
The negotiations were reported to have been full of "legalese," the publication reported.
“The parties have each provided the judge with a proposed charge, but they have fierce disagreements, particularly over how campaign finance laws should apply to the case," The Hill reported.
“I feel very good,” Trump meanwhile told The Hill, adding, “I think we’ve had a great case we’ve put on.”
Judge Juan Merchan concurred with the defense’s plea to incorporate an extra cautionary note in the jury instructions to not hold any “implicit bias.”
“I will include it, although it’s not something I would usually do,” said Merchan, noting that his standard instructions already incorporate such a reminder.
Meanwhile, Trump posted a picture of a fly banner on his Truth Social reiterating, “President Trump did nothing wrong.”
