Former president Donald Trump waves while leaving Trump Tower on his way to Manhattan criminal court, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
The prosecution team argues that Trump falsified business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to former pornography star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election to quiet her claims of an affair with Trump. Trump has pleaded not guilty in the case and has repeatedly denied any affair with Daniels.
Blanche said there were "absolutely no false business filings" and no evidence of connection to Trump.
"How on earth is keeping a false story from voters criminal?" Blanche said.
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Merchan told the court Monday he would rule on the motion to dismiss at a later time.
The prosecution team's star witness, Cohen, on Monday admitted in testimony that he stole thousands of dollars from the Trump Organization.
Michael Cohen is cross examined by defense lawyer Todd Blanche during former U.S. President Donald Trump's criminal trial (REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg )
Amid his testimony Monday, Cohen also said he's mulling a potential congressional run, citing he has the "best name recognition out there."
Tuesday, which marks the 20th day of court for the case, kicked off with continued testimony from defense witness Robert Costello, a former legal representative of Cohen who testified before a grand jury last year that Cohen is a "serial liar."
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The courtroom became tense during Costello's testimony Monday, with Merchan ordering the media and jurors out of the room after Costello audibly and visibly disapproved of the judge's rulings sustaining multiple objections from the prosecution team.
Robert Costello, center, on America's Newsroom with Bill Hemmer and Dana Perino. (Robert Costello / America's Newsroom)
"I want to discuss proper decorum in my courtroom," Merchan said after the jury left. "You don’t say strike it because I’m the only one who can strike it."
Merchan reprimanded Costello to not roll his eyes or react to his rulings. Before the jury came back into the courtroom, Merchan asked Costello: "Are you staring me down?"
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Trump said Monday that Merchan can earn back "respect" if he rules to dismiss the case.
"This case should be dropped by the judge. I think the judge, if he did, that … could gain the respect back. The appellate court has to step in, something has to happen. Think of it, the Republican Party, one of the two great parties, nominates somebody to be their candidate. And that candidate now has been sitting here for almost five weeks in a freezing cold icebox listening to this stuff," Trump said Monday following a whirlwind day in court.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-touts-defense-team-has-won-manhattan-case-he-calls-merchan-dismiss