He can if his client is a narcissistic imbecile who dictates it and demands that it be stated verbatim, or else the lawyer is fired and the sweet, sweet millions he’s extorting from Trump come to an end. It’s no mere coincidence that Trump’s lawyers eventually become a disgrace to their profession and end up either sanctioned or disbarred.
That whole ‘stochastic terrorism’ thing continues apace:
MAGA!
I misread that title as “Brain Fraud” which seems accurate.
Seems the closing argument is focused on:
“Twumpy is a poor, poor victim. Sad little Twumpy. Please feel sorry for him. Everyone is so mean to him!”
Nothing about the actual fraud he committed. Oh no. Just about how it’s so unfair for Twumpy to be prosecuted for fraud because… well because he’s a special boy.
this is the lawyer that asked for 3 million up front before starting.
You head from an expert Witness - Donald Trump - how he (Donald Trump) didn’t commit fraud -
Judge: Donald Trump is not an expert witness in this case
“he should be- he’s like really smart and shit”
This high-caliber lawyerin’ doesn’t come cheap.
CNN Live Updates of closing arguments
This bit from the summary CNN is giving on Kise’s closing arguments seems like a doozy of a backhanded compliment:
When Kise finished his roughly two-hour presentation, Engoron noted it was “quite the feat of endurance."
Kise done. Habba and Robert yet to go for the defense in the 30 minutes remaining. Then presumably a lunch break and the prosecution gets their shot.
edit: Habba speaking now
Maybe Engoron was commenting on his own ability to endure rwo grueling hours of whining, lying, and low-grade tantrum-throwing.
I don’t know where to start with that one, although “Because no US bank would touch them” would be a likely opener.
ETA: Also…
I suspect Habba is building up toward the Chewbacca Defense with that line of reasoning.
He asks the jury why a Wookiee like Chewbacca would want to live on Endor with the much smaller Ewoks when “it does not make sense”. He argues that if Chewbacca living on Endor does not make sense—and if even mentioning Chewbacca in the case does not make sense—then the jury must acquit.
Doubt it’s gonna work on Engoron though.
If Wookies won’t mix, you must acquit!
I guess Madoff must have been innocent too then.
Looks like Trump managed to get his way after all. Breaking news on MSNBC is that Trump is addressing the courtroom as part of the closing arguments.
Donald Trump attorney Chris Kise is now asking Judge Arthur Engoron to reconsider letting the former president speak for two to three minutes.
Engoron asked Trump if he will promise to just comment on the facts in the case.
“Well I think your honor that I think this case goes outside just the facts,” Trump responded, speaking from the defense table.
He then launched into a monologue.
“The facts are the financial statements are perfect, that there are no witnesses against us. The banks got all their money paid back. There were great loans," Trump continued.
“This was a political witch hunt,” Trump added, claiming that “we should receive damages."
“We have a situation where I’m an innocent man I’ve been persecuted by somebody running for office and I think you have to go outside the bounds," the former president said.
"What’s happened here sir is a fraud on me,” Trump said. “They want to make sure that I don’t win again and this is partially election interference.”
Sounds like his big moment is already over.
According to CNN he spoke for five minutes. He definitely broke the rules set out by the judge yesterday and shouldn’t have been allowed to speak at all. The judge is a wise man and is doing everything to not give a reason for an appeal.
Actually, he was cut off by the judge after five minutes.