Trump attorney Todd Blanche rips Michael Cohen's 'ridiculous story' in hush money trial closing arguments

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: The closing arguments in the first criminal hush money trial against former president Donald Trump began on Tuesday, 28 May.

Trump's lawyer, Todd Blanche tried to undercut the star prosecution witness and Trump's former personal attorney Michael Cohen, who fronted the hush money to Stormy Daniels, and also called Cohen's testimony a "ridiculous story."

Donald Trump's attorney Todd Blanche tried to paint Michael Cohen as a liar

Cohen convicted of perjury for lying to Congress under oath has been questioned for his credibility. Also, he turned against Trump and became his public critic.

Blanche aimed at Cohen and brought forth the personal relationship he had with Trump and claimed he went out on his own to pay Daniels to seek "credit."

"You cannot convict President Trump of any crime beyond a reasonable doubt on the words of Michael Cohen," Blanche said, questioning Cohen's credibility. 

"This happened a lot, but Cohen lied to you,” he continued. “Cohen. Lied. To. You,” he repeated, pausing after each word, as reported by The Hill. 

"How is the government going to ask you to convict President Trump, based on the words of Michael Cohen?" Blanche asked during the closing arguments.

Todd Blanche says Donald Trump was at the receiving end

Blanche said Trump was a victim of an extortion scheme and he was merely fulfilling his obligations and was compensating Cohen for fulfilling his professional duties as the “personal attorney to the President of the United States.”

He said the bookings in question were accurate and not invented to defraud around which the whole case circled.

"The reason why you all are here is whether and to what extent President Trump, while he was living in the White House as the leader of the free world, whether he had anything to do with how payments... were booked at the accounting ledger at Trump Tower,” Blanche said according to Daily Beast.

“Absolutely, positively not. The bookings were accurate and there was absolutely no intent to defraud… there was no conspiracy to influence the 2016 election," he said. 

Todd Blanche says the idea that Donald Trump would agree to overpay Michael Cohen is 'absurd'

Blanche showed a bank statement with Cohen and Allen Weisselberg notes to jurors detailing Cohen’s repayment for the Daniels settlement.

Prosecutors allege Cohen received $420,000, broken down as follows: $130,000 for Daniels’s settlement, $50,000 to Red Finch for boosting Trump’s polls, $180,000 to adjust taxes, and $60,000 for Cohen’s bonus.

These notes are pivotal for the prosecution. Trump’s defense contends the funds were Cohen’s legal fees, dismissing the evidence as fabricated.

"The document that the people offer to prove it is full of lies,” Blanche said.

"That’s a ridiculous story, and I’ll tell you why. The idea that President Trump would agree to pay Michael Cohen $420,000 even though he only owed him $130[,000] is absurd,” Blanche said. “That! Is! Absurd!”

Internet reacts as defense attorney Todd Blanche makes closing arguments in hush money trial

"Thoughts and prayers, Todd," commented a user on Facebook. "Being a lawyer for Trump comes with a go directly to jail do pass go card," wrote another. 

"If they return a 'guilty' verdict, then this trial might as well have been held in North Korea. Only a biased or compromised jury won’t acquit. All of this is so wild," wrote one on X.

"The only person that should be on trial is Michael Cohen," wrote one more. "Cohen should be in prison," wrote another. 

"Really is hard to believe this is happening...still blows my mind," wrote one more X user.

"There are a couple of attorneys sitting on the jury surely one of them will step up and do what’s right … Hoping for a hung jury at this late date," wrote one. 

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