The Daily Populous Tuesday May 28th, 2024 evening edition
Authored by newsweek.com and submitted by BelleAriel

Donald Trump has complained that his lawyers will not get the final word in the closing arguments of his hush-money trial, a remark that legal experts have mocked.

In a post on Truth Social, the former president suggested Monday that the prosecution would have a "big advantage" in the trial by delivering its closing statements to the jury after his lawyers delivered theirs.

"WHY IS THE CORRUPT GOVERNMENT ALLOWED TO MAKE THE FINAL ARGUMENT IN THE CASE AGAINST ME? WHY CAN'T THE DEFENSE GO LAST? BIG ADVANTAGE, VERY UNFAIR. WITCH HUNT," Trump wrote on the platform.

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It is common practice in criminal trials for prosecutors to summarize their closing arguments last, as the burden of proof falls on them.

The prosecution has argued that Trump arranged for his former lawyer Michael Cohen to pay adult film star Stormy Daniels $130,000 to keep an alleged affair she had with him a secret in the run-up to the 2016 election.

The sum was listed in Trump's company records as Cohen's "legal fees," which prosecutors say was part of an unlawful attempt to influence the outcome of the 2016 presidential race. Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in relation to the payment.

Attorneys and other legal experts have ridiculed the former president over his suggestion that his lawyers should be allowed to make their closing arguments to the jury after prosecutors make theirs.

On X, formerly Twitter, Tom Briody, a criminal defense attorney, said Trump's latest remark was "conclusive evidence of how stupid" the former president is.

Former President Donald Trump at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York on May 21. Trump has complained that his lawyers will not get final word at closing arguments in his hush-money trial. Former President Donald Trump at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York on May 21. Trump has complained that his lawyers will not get final word at closing arguments in his hush-money trial. MICHAEL M. SANTIAGO/POOL/AFP/Getty Images

"Prosecutors always have the last word at final argument. Why? Because they have the burden of proof," Briody added. "Trump's lawyers surely told him that. But he wants the world to know how ignorant he is."

While commenting on Trump's post, Randall Eliason, a former federal prosecutor, wrote: "It's funny how many white collar defendants develop a sudden interest in criminal justice reform. And btw—the answer is that because the state has the burden of proof, it gets the last word."

Kristy Parker, a former federal civil rights prosecutor, added: "I wonder if there's ever been a person who occupied the presidency who was this ignorant about basic principles of our criminal justice system. Actually, I don't wonder."

Newsweek has contacted Trump's office for comment via email.

The hush-money trial is set to resume Tuesday, with the defense and prosecution giving their closing arguments.

Judge Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the proceedings, is expected to then provide jury instructions—which are handed down to ensure jurors understand the charges and laws connected to the case—before sending the jury to deliberate.

Experts have suggested the context of these instructions could be crucial as to whether Trump becomes the first current or former U.S. president in history to be convicted of a crime.

In a separate Truth Social post, Trump, the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee, attacked the criminal case against him and suggested it was part of an attempt to stop him from winning November's general election.

"Can you imagine, a President of the United States, who got more votes than any sitting President in the history of our Country, and who is also the Republican Nominee for President in the upcoming 2024 Election, and leading in all polls against the Democrat Nominee, Joe Biden, is tomorrow going before a Corrupt and Conflicted Democrat Appointed, Acting New York Judge, on a FAKE & MADE UP CASE by a Soros backed failed D.A., and the Judge himself, to see whether or not he will become a common criminal?" the former president wrote.

He continued: "According to virtually all Legal Scholars and Experts, THERE IS NO CRIME OR CASE against President Trump, and if there was it should have been brought seven years ago, not in the middle of his Campaign for President. Prosecutorial Misconduct. Election Interference!"

Under the gag order imposed on him, Trump is allowed to criticize Merchan and the case against him during the trial.

Beatthestrings on May 28th, 2024 at 09:52 UTC »

If a defendant puts up a defense, and Trump’s team called one true witness, the prosecution goes last. It’s the rule. This idiot will lie about anything.

tabrizzi on May 28th, 2024 at 09:42 UTC »

But he had the opportunity to testify in his own defense, but refused to do so.

RoachBeBrutal on May 28th, 2024 at 09:40 UTC »

trump is the most coddled snowflake in existence.