Judge Juan Merchan pans Donald Trump's lawyer over 'highly inappropriate' remark on hush money trial jury

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: During the conclusion of attorney Todd Blanche's closing argument in the hush money criminal trial on Tuesday, May 28, Judge Juan Merchan called his remarks suggesting the jury to think before sending Donald Trump to jail "outrageous."

Donald Trump's attorney Todd Blanche says Michael Cohen is 'the greatest liar of all time'

During his closing arguments, Blanche painted Michael Cohen, the star witness, as a "liar" on numerous occasions.

“Have you guys heard of ‘GOAT’, a goat, greatest of all time,” Trump attorney Blanche said. “Tom Brady’s a Goat, the greatest of all time.”

"Michael Cohen is the Gloat – the greatest liar of all time," he continued. Cohen has lied to Congress, to federal judges, to state judges, to his family, to his bankers, and to his colleagues.

Donald Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche says Michael Cohen is an 'MVP of liars'

Blanche in his closing argument spent much of his time proving Cohen was untrustworthy and a liar and also gave ten reasons to the jury why they should have reasonable doubt. 

"He’s literally like an MVP of liars. He lies constantly. He’s lied to Congress. He’s lied to prosecutors. He lies to his bosses. He lies to reporters. He lies to federal judges," Blanche said, according to The Guardian.

"He’s also a thief – he literally stole, on his way out the door, tens of thousands from the Trump Organization. He admitted to committing a felony on the stand – never prosecuted. What should matter to you [were] the lies that he said when he took the oath two weeks ago and lied to you," he added.

Todd Blanche said he doesn’t know “how many lies are enough lies to just reject Mr Cohen’s testimony.”

Todd Blanche says jury can't send Donald Trump to jail on Michael Cohen's words

After ripping Cohen and claiming all that he had said were lies, Trump's attorney went ahead and told the jury, "You cannot, you cannot send someone to prison … based upon the words of Michael Cohen."

"This isn’t a referendum of your views on President Trump. This is not a referendum of your views on the ballot box … The verdict that you’re going to reach has to do with the evidence you heard here."

"If you do that, if you focus just on the evidence that you heard in this courtroom, this is a very, very quick and easy not-guilty verdict. Thank you," he concluded. 

Blanche's comments about sending Trump to jail were found  "inappropriate" and "outrageous" by Judge Merchan as the jury can not decide the quantum of punishment but can deliver a guilty or not guilty verdict.

"You know that making a comment like that is highly inappropriate. It is simply not allowed. Period," the judge said as the jury left the courtroom.

"Mr Blanche. Someone who has been a prosecutor as long as you should know. It’s hard for me to imagine that was accidental in any way," he added, as per CNN.

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass raised the issue and asked for curative instruction for the "ridiculous comment." Judge Merchan did not make any comments about a potential curative instruction on the retainer issue.

Internet says Todd Blanche made the remarks despite knowing they were inappropriate 

Meanwhile, the Internet reacted to Judge Merchan calling Blanche's remarks "outrageous" and "inappropriate."

"Blanche knew better but he said it anyway, wrote one on X. "Blanche is now at the 'do or die' stage of his career," wrote one more.

"Trump’s lawyer was wrong to address that to the jury. The Judge was correct in his explanation of the statement from the lawyer," wrote another individual.

"Todd Blanche, gives no credibility, to the jury and trial system. That said, pulling a fast one, by arguing, that he shouldn't be found guilty, was very shoddy and weak. This defense lawyer should be sanctioned for this," remarked one. 

"I will never understand why accomplished, previous well respected lawyers throw it all away for Trump," wrote one more. 

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.