Trump Rants About Judge as Hush Money Trial Heads to Jury Deliberation

As closing arguments were delivered in the Manhattan criminal hush money trial, former President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform to express his frustration, claiming that Judge Juan Merchan did not permit him to present the legal defense he wanted.

It remains unclear what specific “advice of counsel” defense Trump aimed to use. This type of defense involves claiming that a potentially illegal act was committed based on an attorney’s advice that it was legal or necessary.

Trump faces charges of falsifying business records in connection with an alleged hush payment scheme to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg contends that this scheme was designed to defraud voters by concealing crucial information and interfering with the 2016 presidential election.

“THE GREATEST CASE I’VE EVER SEEN FOR RELIANCE ON COUNSEL, AND JUDGE MERCHAN WILL NOT, FOR WHATEVER REASON, LET ME USE THAT AS A DEFENSE IN THIS RIGGED TRIAL,” Trump wrote. “ANOTHER TERM, ADVICE OF COUNSEL DEFENSE!”

Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges and denies having an affair with Daniels.

The trial heavily featured testimony from Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney and fixer, who facilitated the payments. Cohen placed Trump at the center of the scheme, while the defense attempted to discredit Cohen as a pathological liar whose testimony should not be trusted.

The prosecution worked to corroborate Cohen’s testimony with independent evidence, using him to provide an overarching narrative that connected the facts of the case.

With closing arguments now complete, the trial will move to jury deliberations. Some legal experts suggest that the nature of the defense’s closing arguments may indicate they are preparing for the possibility of a conviction.

As the jury prepares to deliberate, the outcome of this high-profile case remains uncertain, but the proceedings have already drawn significant public and media attention.