After months of delays and challenges, The People of the State of New York v. Donald J. Trump (i.e. the ‘hush money’ trial against former President Donald Trump) began in Manhattan criminal court on April 15.
The trial – which is presided over by Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan and marks the first-ever criminal trial of a former president – entered its sixth week on Monday with the prosecution’s ‘star’ witness, former Trump ‘fixer’ Michael Cohen, returning to the stand.
Cohen was once again grilled by defense attorney Todd Blanche, who got the disbarred lawyer to admit to stealing tens of thousands of dollars from the Trump Organization in yet another blow to his credibility.
Prosecutors rested their case soon after, and Trump’s team took over. They called just two witnesses – paralegal Daniel Sitko and attorney Robert Costello. The latter sparred with the judge during his fiery testimony. As expected, the defense wrapped up its case on Tuesday without Trump testifying.
The judge then adjourned all proceedings until next Tuesday, when closing arguments will occur. In the meantime, both legal teams met with Merchan for the previously scheduled pre-charge conference to weigh in on jury instructions. Those crucial instructions were expected to be handed down from the judge on Thursday, but, as of publishing time, have not been made public.
To keep you up to date on everything that is happening in the case, we’ve rounded up the best commentary from Megyn and her guests this week on the witness testimony, the legal precedent, and more.
[Editor’s Note: You can catch up on week one, week two, week three, week four, and week five of the trial.]
The Witnesses
Cohen Admits He Stole From Trump on the Stand
Megyn is joined by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL) to discuss Cohen getting hammered during cross-examination, admitting he stole money from the Trump Organization on the stand, how his comments could hurt the prosecution, and more.
Should the Trump Defense Have Rested its Case Without Calling Any Witnesses?
Megyn is joined by legal experts Andy McCarthy and Phil Holloway to discuss whether Trump witness Robert Costello helped or hurt his case, if the defense team should have rested after they established Michael Cohen was a liar on the stand during cross-examination, and more.
The Jury Instructions
Judge Refuses to Release Jury Instructions to the Public?
Megyn, McCarthy, and Holloway discuss Judge Merchan withholding jury instructions from the public, jurors being exposed to outside influence during the Memorial Day holiday, the political pressure on the jury and the judge to get a conviction, and more.
Legal Analysis
Bill Maher vs. Megyn on Stormy Daniels’ Changing Story and the Validity of the Trial
Megyn is joined by Bill Maher, author of book What This Comedian Said Will Shock You, to discuss Stormy Daniels’ changing story about what really happened with Trump, if Trump will be convicted, whether the outcome will have any impact on the election, and more.
Is Biased NYC Judge Trying to Convince Jury Trump is Guilty?
Megyn is joined by National Review’s Charles C. W. Cooke and Rich Lowry to discuss the biased NYC judge’s jury instructions that help the prosecution and hurt Trump’s defense, the power of a judge over a jury during trials, the hypocritical coverage of the sham trial, and more.
How the Prosecution’s Spin Is Influencing the Public and Jury
Megyn, McCarthy, and Holoway break down how the prosecution is spinning the case and influencing the public and jury, the way prosecutors still haven’t revealed the actual crime in play, and more.
You can check out Megyn’s full analysis by tuning in to The Megyn Kelly Show on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you like to listen. And don’t forget that you can catch the program live on SiriusXM’s Triumph (channel 111) weekdays from 12pm to 2pm ET.