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Lawyers deliver closing arguments in criminal trial against Trump for concealing payments. Jury to decide historic verdict. Defense denies wrongdoing.

In the ongoing criminal trial against former U.S. President Donald Trump, New York lawyers presented extensive closing arguments, focusing on allegations of illegal payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. The trial could result in Trump becoming the first former U.S. president convicted of a crime. The prosecution argued that Trump, along with his former lawyer Michael Cohen and National Enquirer publisher David Pecker, engaged in a scheme to suppress negative information during the 2016 presidential campaign. Trump has denied the allegations, calling the trial a politically motivated attack.

During closing arguments, Trump's defense attorney Todd Blanche emphasized that there was no wrongdoing, portraying the case as a normal part of democratic campaigns. He criticized Daniels' testimony and described Cohen as a serial liar. In contrast, the prosecution, led by Joshua Steinglass, detailed a pattern of behavior by Trump to manipulate and defraud voters. They argued that the hush money paid to Daniels was intended to influence the election, not protect Trump's family. The prosecution also refuted the defense's claim that the payments to Cohen were legitimate legal fees.

The trial has attracted attention from various political figures and celebrities, including actor Robert De Niro, who warned of the consequences of a potential Trump re-election. If convicted, Trump faces potential penalties ranging from fines to community service. The jury will deliberate on the evidence presented and must reach a unanimous verdict for a conviction. Judge Juan Merchan will provide instructions to the jury before deliberations begin, and a mistrial could be declared if jurors cannot agree on a verdict. Ultimately, the trial's outcome will have significant implications for Trump's future legal battles and potential political ambitions.