World

The Words That Defined the Week in Donald J. Trump’s Trial

The criminal trial of Donald J. Trump, the first prosecution of an American president, wrapped up its abbreviated sixth week with both the prosecution and defense resting their cases.

As early as next week, 12 Manhattanites, after listening to weeks of lurid testimony and scrutinizing dozens of pages of financial documents, will begin discussing whether Mr. Trump is guilty.

The former president is charged with falsifying 34 business records related to a hush-money payment to an adult film star, Stormy Daniels, who says she had a sexual encounter with Mr. Trump in 2006 in Lake Tahoe, Nev. Prosecutors say Mr. Trump tried to conceal the payment, which was made in the days before the 2016 election.

Mr. Trump has denied the charges and the sex. If convicted, he could face prison or probation.

Here are the most memorable things said in court over the past seven days:

‘That was a lie.’

During a cross-examination that spanned three days, Todd Blanche, one of Mr. Trump’s defense lawyers, sought to persuade jurors that the testimony of Michael D. Cohen, the key prosecution witness, had been inconsistent.

That was a lie,” Mr. Blanche declared, his voice echoing through the courtroom on Thursday as he shouted at Mr. Cohen, a man who was himself known for his brusque tactics as Mr. Trump’s trusted enforcer.

Mr. Cohen had testified that before making the hush-money payment he sought authorization from the man he called “the boss.” He made a call, lasting a minute and 36 seconds, to the number of Mr. Trump’s bodyguard, Keith Schiller. Mr. Cohen testified that he had spoken to Mr. Schiller briefly before talking to Mr. Trump.

Back to top button