Robert De Niro claims Trump 'could destroy the world' outside Manhattan court
FOX NewsMay 21
Closing Arguments Begin in Trump NY Criminal Trial
Above: Former US President Donald Trump returns from a break during his hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 28, 2024 in New York City. Image copyright: Julia Nikhinson-Pool/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Closing arguments began Tuesday in the New York criminal trial for former Pres. Donald Trump with defense attorney Todd Blanche casting doubt on the truthfulness of testimony the jury heard from former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, the prosecution's star witness.
Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, is facing 34 criminal charges related to falsifying business records to classify $310K in payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels as campaign expenses during the leadup to the 2016 presidential election.
The Spin
Anti-Trump narrative
As Blanche's closing arguments showed, the defense's best chance may be to confuse the jury and sow doubt in the jurors. Leading up to and during the closing arguments, the defense failed to prove Trump's innocence — instead relying on character assassinations of witnesses and defending things that didn't have to do with the alleged crimes. An organized, simplified case made by the prosecution should prevail.
Pro-Trump narrative
This case never should've made it to trial, but the Democrats' witch hunt against Trump has marched on. There are so many issues that need attention in the US, yet the Biden administration and the Democrats have wasted precious time and resources trying to stop Trump's return to the White House. These are dangerous times in the US.