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Final arguments in the Manhattan criminal trial against President Donald Trump have commenced this week. This marks the long-awaited epilogue to a contentious legal battle that has captured the nation’s attention and highlighted the justice system’s “dangerous” duplicity.
After weeks of testimony and cross-examination, prosecutors and the defense will present their final arguments before jury deliberation. As reported by RSBN, the case is based upon whether Trump allegedly “misidentified” reimbursement so-called “hush money” payments to ex-lawyer Michael Cohen as “legal expenses.”
The shaky allegation drove Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to bring 34 counts related to allegedly falsifying business records in 2023, marking the first of several indictments for the 45th president last year.
On Tuesday, just before entering the courtroom for the closing arguments, Trump spoke to the media convened in the court hallway, where he was joined in a show of support by three of his children, Tiffany Trump, Eric Trump, and Donald Trump Jr.
“Make no mistake about it, I’m here because of Crooked Joe Biden, the worst president in the history of our country,” the president said.
Trump continued, “This is purely weaponization. See who’s in the courtroom…if you report it accurately, a lot of people are going to be very upset. But this is all election hunting, election interfering. It’s going after Joe Biden’s political opponent because he can’t do it himself, and they’re helping out.”
He described presiding Judge Juan Merchan as “conflicted” and “corrupt,” alluding to a massive alleged conflict of interest as his daughter, Loren Merchan, has reportedly fundraised millions of dollars for Democrat clients through her political consulting firm. The judge’s daughter allegedly utilized messaging related to her father’s high-profile case with Trump as a mechanism for fundraising.
A previous motion from the Trump legal team cataloged 22 exhibits of such alleged incidents of her using politically charged messaging to raise money.
Per RSBN, the jury will receive instructions from Judge Merchan following closing arguments in the criminal case and can only render a verdict upon unanimous agreement. On Tuesday, the defense presented their closing arguments first.