Trump Hush Money Trial Wraps for the Week While Menendez Trial Gets Started

Trump Hush Money Trial Concludes for the Week

The criminal hush money trial for former President Donald Trump wrapped up for the week on Thursday afternoon with more cross-examination of witness Michael Cohen. Trump's former attorney and fixer was on the stand all week. Thursday's proceedings proved to be the most dramatic yet when Trump attorney Todd Blanche tried to paint Cohen as an incredible witness. Blanche accused the prosecuting team's key witness of making up the details of a conversation of an alleged phone conversation with Trump prior to sending the $130,000 hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels in October of 2016.

It is clear that the defense team is aiming to cast doubt on Cohen as a credible witness. The former president's attorneys spent their time questioning Cohen detailing some of the inconsistent statements that he has made over the years, however, a large part of this content had nothing to do with the trial specifically.

Reporters in the court detailed that Trump perked up during Thursday's testimony. While Trump has spent a large part of the weeks-long trial seated with his eyes shut, he shook off this air of disinterest during Thursday's cross-examination.

What is Next for the Trump Hush Money Trial?

The court will take the day off on Friday so that Trump can attend the high school graduation of his son Barron in Florida. Court is scheduled to resume on Monday morning. Judge Juan Merchan instructed lawyers on both sides to be ready to give closing summation statements on Tuesday. This timeline means that the jury could receive the case as early as next week.

The prosecuting team has already signaled that they are done calling witnesses to the stand once Cohen finishes his testimony. The defense has indicated that it will call one expert on campaign finance. There is also still the chance that Trump himself could decide to testify in his own defense, however, that has not been confirmed. Lastly, some experts believe that former Cohen lawyer Bob Costello might appear on the stand.

It will be another short week in court due to the upcoming Memorial Day holiday. This could complicate the timeline of the jury receiving the case.

Criminal Corruption Trial of Sen. Bob Menendez Begins

Not far from the Trump trial, another court case got its start in a Manhattan courtroom with additional potential implications on the American political landscape. The criminal corruption trial of Sen. Bob Menendez began deliberations on Thursday just one day after the jury was seated.

The Democratic senator from New Jersey is on trial for allegedly acting as a foreign agent on behalf of Egypt, for illegally helping the government of Qatar, and for taking bribes from a handful of business associates in the state that he represents. Menendez has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.

While Menendez is currently still serving in the U.S. Senate, he released his role as the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee following the indictment. The 70-year-old is not running for re-election in the New Jersey Democratic primary election, however, he did say that he would consider running as an independent to retain his seat if he is acquitted.

Menendez' wife, Nadine Menendez, is scheduled to appear on similar charges at a later date. The senator released a new statement on Thursday regarding his wife, detailing that she is currently battling breast cancer and will need to have a mastectomy in the near future as part of her treatment plan.

First Presidential Debate Set for June 27

Both U.S. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have signed off on a deal to appear together on stage for the first debate of the upcoming presidential election season. The event will be hosted by CNN at the network's studios in Atlanta on Thursday, June 27.

There are some notable aspects of this debate. The date in late June is significantly earlier than the typical presidential debate schedule. Historically, these events have happened in the fall after the two primary parties hold their conventions to formally nominate their candidates. The Biden team was pushing for an earlier start to the debate season due to the changing landscape of American voting habits that have altered due to the proliferation of early voting.

Another key difference with this debate is that there will be no studio audience in attendance. This is a departure from previous debates when audience members are often asked to submit questions to the candidates. CNN has selected anchors and political commentators Dana Bash and Jake Tapper to moderate the event.

What makes a candidate eligible to participate in the debate? All debaters are required to meet the mandates outlined by Article II, Section 1 of the U.S. Constitution to serve as president. This puts Biden, Trump, and non-major-party candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Cornel West, and Jill Stein all in contention. All five of these candidates have also filed the required formal statement of candidacy to the Federal Election Commission.

What could shut out the remaining three candidates is that they will not likely reach the mandated number of state ballot appearances to hit the threshold of 270 electoral votes. While it is possible that Kennedy could meet these requirements, it is not likely going to happen. This means that the debate is shaping up to be a two-person showdown between Trump and Biden.

In addition to the CNN event, both Biden and Trump have also agreed to appear in a debate hosted by ABC on Tuesday, September 10.

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