Internet unconvinced as Todd Blanche says there's lack of proof to incriminate Trump in hush money trial

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Donald Trump's defense lawyers informed the jury on Tuesday, May 28, that he is innocent, did not commit any crimes, and that Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg "did not meet the burden of proof. Period."

Trump's defense attorney Todd Blanche made closing arguments on Tuesday following a six-week, historic, and unprecedented criminal trial of a former US president, who is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. He has pleaded not guilty.

Todd Blanche claimed Donald Trump is innocent

The prosecution needs to demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump fabricated documents to hide a $130,000 payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to silence her about a rumored 2006 affair. The payment was apparently made to Daniels before the 2016 election, however, the former president has always maintained his innocence.

"Each of you will decide at the end of this case whether President Trump is guilty or not guilty," Blanche said, according to Fox News. "President Trump is innocent. He did not commit any crimes. The district attorney did not meet the burden of proof. Period," Blanche said. 

Donald Trump's attorney Todd Blanche says the hush money case is 'simple'

Blanche added that the case is "simple" and it is "not a guilty verdict." "This case is about documents; it is a paper case," Blanche said. "This case is not about an encounter with Stormy Daniels 18 years ago. It is not even about a nondisclosure agreement signed eight years ago."

According to Blanche, the allegations revolve around whether Trump "had anything" to do with payments made on his personal accounting ledger to his former attorney, Michael Cohen. "The answer? The bookings were accurate and there was no intent to defraud and there was no conspiracy to influence the 2016 election," Blanche said. "The proof doesn’t add up."

Todd Blanche said jury cannot convict Donald Trump based on Michael Cohen’s testimony

Blanche reminded the jury that Cohen's testimony did not suffice to convict Trump, pointing out that the former lawyer for the president "took the stand and then lied." "The records are not false and there was no intent to defraud," he said.

Blanche said that Cohen billed Trump "for services rendered," and that not a single invoice was sent to Trump directly. Additionally, he informed the jury that Cohen represented Trump personally in 2017.

The defense lawyer said that even if the amount of work was minimal, there was a retainer agreement, which he explained is "how retainer agreements work." Blanche said Cohen was "on call for President Trump."

Todd Blanche says the cheques to Michael Cohen weren't signed by Donald Trump

Blanche explained that the cheques to Cohen were not signed by Trump. "You can’t convict President Trump," he said. "Because sometimes President Trump looked at the invoices … that is a stretch and that is reasonable doubt." Blanche said Cohen asked the jury to "ignore" documents and believe he was willing to work for free. "Do you even believe that for a second?" Blanche asked. 

Michael Cohen had testified he was 'reimbursed $420,000' for the $130,000 he paid to Stormy Daniels

The $130,000 Cohen paid Daniels was "reimbursed $420,000," according to Cohen's testimony. Cohen claimed that Trump was aware of the specifics of the reimbursement and that Allen Weisselberg, the former CFO of the Trump Organization, had advised him to "gross up" the payments.

The prosecution presented Cohen with 11 cheques totaling $420,000. Cohen confirmed they were all received and deposited. The cheques had a description of "retainer," which Cohen said was false.

Blanche stated that there is no proof of "grossing it up" or of tax treatment and that it is "absurd" that Trump would agree to pay Cohen $420,000 when he only owed him $130,000.

The prosecution has to prove that Trump "caused" these entries to "defraud," the defense lawyer continued, but he questioned the jury, asking, "Where is the intent to defraud?" Blanche said there is a tax form, a 1099, to reflect the payments from a Trump personal account to Cohen.

"There is nothing false or misleading about 1099," he said. "If there was a deep-rooted intent to defraud, why was it reported to the IRS as exactly what it was?"

Todd Blanche said the arrangements were 'perfectly legal' with the National Enquirer

Regarding the purported "catch and kill" plan involving the National Enquirer, Blanche declared that the plans were "perfectly legal" and that American Media Inc (AMI), the company that owns the publication, has been using them for many years.

"There is nothing criminal about Trump wanting positive news stories. But the idea that positive stories in [the] National Enquirer could influence [the] 2016 election is preposterous," Blanche said.

But Blanche did say that David Pecker, the AMI CEO, admitted he had "never heard" the term "catch and kill." "That's meaningful," Blanche said.

Todd Blanche called Michael Cohen the 'greatest liar of all time'

As for Cohen, Blanche said, "he is the human embodiment of reasonable doubt." "He lied to you repeatedly … he is biased and motivated," Blanche said, adding that the jury should want a witness to tell the truth.

"Michael Cohen is the GLOAT," Blanche said. "He is the greatest liar of all time … his words cannot be trusted … all those lies, put them to the side for just a moment, that is enough to walk away." Blanche noted Cohen had lied to both Houses of Congress, federal judges, state judges, and family.

Internet says 'conjecture not evidence'

Netizens did not buy into Todd Blanche's closing arguments. One user wrote, "Yea he has to say that.. he wants to get paid," while another tweeted, "Conjecture not evidence."

"YES THEY DID! GUILTY!" echoed one user and another tweeted, "Prosecutors definitely meet the burden if proof that your client is guilty."

"He’s getting paid big bucks from Trump fake election campaign community fundraisers to say that," opined one. 

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