Ex-president does not testify
Historic Trump trial enters final phase
May 21, 2024, 5:51 p.m
There are signs of an end to the Trump trial. After hearing from more than 20 witnesses, the questioning is officially over. Closing arguments are scheduled for next Tuesday. The ruling is also likely to have an impact on the current election campaign.
Witness interviews have ended in the historic trial against former US President Donald Trump in New York. Today, Tuesday, the defense completed its questioning of the second and final defense witness, as the media present in court unanimously reported. Trump himself will not testify as a witness. His lawyers ended questioning witnesses without calling Trump to the stand.
After hearing more than 20 witnesses and dozens of hours of questioning, the closing arguments are scheduled to take place next Tuesday. The twelve jurors would then meet to deliberate to reach a unanimous verdict. There is no official time limit for this, but juries usually deliberate for a few hours to a few days. If found guilty, Judge Merchan would determine the sentence. Trump faces a prison sentence of several years, which could also be suspended, or a fine.
Prosecutors accuse Trump of trying to improve his chances of winning the 2016 presidential election by paying porn actress Daniels $130,000. Although the payment itself – which is not disputed by any party – was not illegal, the now 77-year-old is said to have manipulated documents when refunding the amount to his personal lawyer at the time, Michael Cohen, in order to hide the true reason for the transaction. This made the payments illegal campaign financing.
The verdict is also likely to have an impact on the current election campaign – the only question is: how much and to whose advantage. Trump is trying to turn the allegations into personal gain and mobilize his followers by portraying himself as a victim of a politically motivated justice system. Incumbent Joe Biden does not seem to have benefited noticeably from the legal proceedings against his challenger.