Trump trial: Biden calls Trump's remarks 'dangerous'
Trump was found guilty on all 34 felony counts in his hush money trial.
Former President Donald Trump has been found guilty on all 34 felony counts related to a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. It marks the first time in history that a former U.S. president has been convicted on criminal charges.
Trump last April pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment charging him with falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment his then-attorney Michael Cohen made to Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.
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Trump guilty on all 34 counts
Jury wants readback on how to consider evidence
"We did receive another note" from the jury this morning, Judge Merchan said.
According to Merchan, the jury wants the readback to begin with a description of how the jury should consider that evidence, and what should be drawn from the testimony.
Second, the jury said they want headphones "for use with the evidence laptop."
Merchan says the jury will get both headphones and a speaker so they can listen to the evidence.
Proceedings are underway
Judge Juan Merchan took his seat on the bench and began the day's proceedings.
After introductions from the lawyers, Merchan said his usual, "Good morning, Mr. Trump."
Before Merchan entered the courtroom, one of the court officers left a document on the bench and handed copies to both parties.
Trump, prosecutors arrive
Former President Trump has entered the courthouse for the day's proceedings.
The prosecution team has arrived in the courtroom. Prosecutor Josh Steinglass was seen reviewing documents with a court reporter.
Court staff preparing binders for readback testimony
Ahead of the start of deliberations this morning, court stenographers are sorting through seven enormous transcript binders that are scattered around the jury box.
With the jury requesting readbacks of testimony, the transcripts are set to play a key role in this morning's proceedings.
About 60 members of the press are packed into the gallery ahead of the proceedings.
Defense concludes by calling Cohen GLOAT for 'greatest liar'
Finishing up his 10 reasons why he says Trump should be acquitted, defense attorney Todd Blanche listed:
- "There is no evidence of any illegal effort to influence the 2016 election," Blanche said.
- "AMI would have run Mr. Sajudin's story no matter what," Blanche said. "That's not catch and kill."
- "McDougal did not want her story published," Blanche said. "That's not catch and kill."
- Daniel's story was "already public," Blanche said.
- Blanche argued that key evidence was "manipulated" during the trial. He alleged that the district attorney's office made mistakes when analyzing Cohen's phone. "How can you trust that the September 6 recording is actually reliable? The answer is you can't," Blanche said.
- "Michael Cohen. He is the human embodiment of reasonable doubt," Blanche said.
In a play on words, Blanche asked the jurors if the knew of the term GOAT, for the Greatest Of All Time. Some of them nodded.
He then said Cohen was the GLOAT, the "greatest liar of all time."
"You cannot send someone to prison based upon the words of Michael Cohen," Blanche said, concluding his closing statement.