NEW YORK (NewsNation) — Former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial is entering its final stretch as the prosecution’s star witness Michael Cohen returns to the stand Monday.
Cohen took the stand last week to lay out his version of the events that are at the heart of the case. He told jurors that Trump promised to reimburse him for the money he fronted and was constantly updated about efforts to silence women who alleged sexual encounters with him.
Trump denies the women’s claims.
Defense attorneys began cross-examination of Cohen with questioning designed to portray the one-time Trump loyalist as a media-obsessed opportunist who turned on the former president after he was denied a White House job.
Prosecutors have said they will rest their case once Cohen’s testimony concludes, though they could call rebuttal witnesses if Trump’s lawyers call their own witnesses to the stand. The defense isn’t obligated to call any witnesses, and it’s unclear whether the attorneys will do so.
Will Trump take the stand?
It remains unclear whether Trump will testify. However, Trump has previously indicated he’s willing to take the stand.
NewsNation legal contributor Jesse Weber told “Morning in America” on Monday that the decision lies solely with Trump. Weber noted that Trump could surprise his attorneys by choosing to testify, even if they advise against it; ultimately, the choice is his.
When will closing arguments begin?
Judge Juan Merchan said he expects closing arguments will take place the Tuesday after Memorial Day. Merchan on Monday cited scheduling issues in giving the May 28 date.
After the scheduling update Monday, the discussion turned to prosecutors’ objections to a planned defense exhibit. This kind of legal wrangling isn’t uncommon before a day’s testimony. The jury was not yet in court.
What happens if Trump is convicted?
Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records and arranging hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford. These payments were allegedly aimed at concealing a sexual encounter Trump is accused of having with Daniels.
The charges center on a $130,000 payment allegedly made through Cohen shortly before the 2016 election.
Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and said he will testify if needed.
The charges are punishable by up to four years in prison — though it’s unclear if the judge would seek to put Trump behind bars. A conviction would not preclude Trump from becoming president again, but because it is a state case, he wouldn’t be able to pardon himself if found guilty.
The case is the first-ever criminal trial of a former U.S. president and the first of four prosecutions of Trump to reach a jury.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
