Donald Trump brags his defense team 'won the case by any standard' as he predicts outcome of NY trial
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Former president Donald Trump has foretold the outcome of his ongoing hush money trial. The 77-year-old openly stated that his defense team had already "won the case by any standard" as he called on presiding judge Juan Merchan to dismiss this case.
"We have a phenomenal case. We've won the case by any standard, any other judge would have thrown this case, any other judge would have thrown this case out. And I think that Juan Merchan would do himself and the state and the city, a great service by doing what everybody knows should be done," Trump said on Tuesday morning, May 21, outside the Manhattan courtroom.
Donald Trump says he 'won't be resting' after the case gets dismissed
"I will be doing something in the morning and then probably coming back in the afternoon, and we'll be resting pretty quickly. Resting, meaning resting the case. I won't be resting. I don't rest. I'd like to rest sometimes, but I don't get to rest. But we are," Trump added, according to Fox News. Trump's defense team rested the case shortly following his remarks and Merchan dismissed the jury until after the Memorial Day.
Todd Blanche motioned for order of dismissal
Trump defense attorney Todd Blanche on Monday, May 20, motioned for an order of dismissal, citing that there has been no evidence any of the business records or filings related to the case were false. The case itself focuses on 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree.
DA Alvin Bragg's office must prove to the jury that not only did Trump falsify the business records related to payments to former pornography star Stormy Daniels, but that he did so in furtherance of another crime, conspiracy to promote or prevent election.
According to the prosecution team, Trump falsified business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to Daniels ahead of the 2016 election to quiet her claims of an affair with Trump. The former president has pleaded not guilty in the case and has repeatedly denied any affair with Daniels.
Blanche said there were "absolutely no false business filings" and no evidence of connection to Trump. "How on earth is keeping a false story from voters criminal?" Blanche asked.
Michael Cohen's bombshell testimony
In yet another explosive statement, Michael Cohen disclosed that he stole $60,000 from the Trump Organization by overstating how much he paid a tech company that provided services for the company.
Cohen said he told former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg in 2017 that he had paid tech firm Red Finch $50,000 out of his own pocket and that he still needed to be reimbursed for the payment.
In 2017, Allen Weisselberg and Cohen calculated a $420,000 repayment to Cohen for his $130,000 payment to Daniels as well as the alleged $50,000 payment to Red Finch.
The repayment plan was "grossed up" compared to what Cohen said he paid to Daniels and Red Finch, sparing him a tax hit and meaning he was able to pocket thousands from the Trump Organization. Cohen said taking the funds was "almost like self-help," claiming he took the funds because he was "angry" that his yearly bonus had been slashed.
Cohen also said amid his testimony that he is considering a potential congressional run, citing he has the "best name recognition out there."
Internet's mixed response after Donald Trump predicted the future of his ongoing hush money trial
Donald Trump's prediction concerning his trial drew a wide range of responses from the internet. One X user wrote, "lol. Now lock him up." Another opined, "The only thing #Trump can be confident is that his time is running out. Get used to the word #FELON being attached to his name."
"Trump still thinks he won the 2020 election," one user mocked. "We are going to Make America Great Again! Trump 2024!" tweeted another one. "Well, the jury hasn’t made that determination yet. Maybe he should wait until they reach their verdict before prematurely declaring victory," said one user.
Well, the jury hasn’t made that determination yet. Maybe he should wait until they reach their verdict before prematurely declaring victory.
— Don Bongiovi (@DonDonBonJovi) May 21, 2024
The only thing #Trump can be confident is that his time is running out. Get used to the word #FELON being attached to his name.
— Dusty Riffslayer (@BassSoloTake1) May 21, 2024
This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.
