Defense Attorney Calls Michael Cohen ‘GLOAT’ In Trump Hush Money Trial Closing Arguments

In a heated closing argument, Donald Trump’s defense attorney Todd Blanche urged jurors not to convict the former president based on the testimony of his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, whom he called the “greatest liar of all time” or “G.L.O.A.T.”

Blanche argued that there was no way to find Trump knew about the hush money payments without believing Cohen’s words. He also claimed that Trump, as president, was too busy “running the country” to realize what he was signing when he personally signed nine of the 11 checks for Cohen.

The defense attorney faced a rebuke from Judge Juan Merchan when he told jurors they couldn’t send Trump “to prison” based on Cohen’s testimony. Merchan admonished Blanche, noting that a guilty verdict does not necessarily mean prison time.

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass, in his nearly five-hour closing argument, acknowledged Cohen’s seedy past but attempted to humanize him, saying one can “hardly blame” the former fixer for his anger at being the only one to face consequences for his role in the alleged conspiracy.

Outside the courthouse, the Biden campaign held a press conference featuring actor Robert DeNiro and two former U.S. Capitol Police officers who were overwhelmed by the mob at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The Trump campaign followed with its own press conference, calling the case “complete garbage” and politically motivated.