NEW YORK, USA: Prosecutors in the trial of Donald Trump are set to make their final pitch to the jury on Tuesday in a historic pursuit of the first criminal conviction of a former US president.
With less than six months until American voters decide whether to return Trump to the White House, the stakes of the ruling are monumental for both the 77-year-old and the nation.
Trump stands accused of falsifying business records to buy the silence of adult film star Stormy Daniels about a 2006 sexual encounter that could have jeopardized his 2016 presidential campaign.
A conviction on each of the 34 counts could result in up to four years in prison, though legal experts suggest that as a first-time offender, Trump is unlikely to serve prison time. Importantly, a conviction would not prevent Trump from running for president in the upcoming election.
After nearly five weeks of testimony from over 20 witnesses and several courtroom dramas, the trial has reached the closing arguments phase. Trump, as expected, did not testify, which would have subjected him to legal risk and intense cross-examination. Instead, he endured Daniels’ detailed account of their alleged encounter.
Throughout the trial, Trump vehemently criticized Judge Juan Merchan, labeling him “corrupt” and accusing the trial of being a Democratic ploy to interfere with the election. In a show of political solidarity, prominent Republicans, including potential vice-presidential candidates, publicly supported Trump during his court appearances.
The jury, consisting of 12 anonymous members, will begin deliberations after the judge’s final instructions, likely on Wednesday. A unanimous verdict is required to determine guilt or innocence, with any dissent resulting in a hung jury and a mistrial.
Key witnesses included Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, who testified about arranging the $130,000 hush money payment to Daniels to protect Trump’s presidential ambitions. Trump’s defense focused on discrediting Cohen, highlighting his past lies to Congress and his imprisonment for tax fraud.
Beyond this case, Trump faces multiple other legal challenges. He has been indicted in Washington and Georgia for allegedly conspiring to overturn the 2020 election results and faces charges in Florida for mishandling classified documents post-presidency. None of these trials are expected to begin before the November election.
