The Conclusion of Trump’s Landmark Hush Money Trial: The Final Countdown

The verdict in Donald Trump’s hush money trial is expected to be delivered as early as Wednesday, following closing arguments in Manhattan on Tuesday. After 16 days of testimony from 22 witnesses over five weeks, a group of 12 jurors will decide whether Trump is guilty of falsifying business records in a conspiracy to influence the 2016 presidential election.

The trial centers around payments made by Trump to his former attorney, Michael Cohen, who paid $130,000 to adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged affair with Trump. Prosecutors argue that Trump orchestrated a criminal scheme to cover up the payment, while Trump’s defense maintains that the payments were for legal services and not an attempt to influence the election.

During closing arguments, prosecutors will reiterate their case that Trump falsified records with the intent to commit a crime, while defense attorneys will aim to sow doubt in the minds of the jurors. Once deliberations begin, the jurors will receive instructions from Justice Juan Merchan before deciding on a verdict.

The outcome of the trial remains uncertain, as the jurors must reach a unanimous decision. If they are unable to do so, a mistrial could be declared. The high-profile nature of the case and its implications for Trump’s political future have drawn significant attention and speculation.