A bizarre moment of apparent acrimony and “jealousy” among Trump lawyers came into full view during a segment on CNN about the representation of Donald Trump following his indictment with one Trump lawyer questioning a colleague’s ability in the Stormy Daniels case.
Attorney Tim Parlatore, one of the lawyers representing the former president, publicly undermined the credibility of another Trump attorney, Joe Tacopina, who has been engaged in a media blitz this week following Trump’s indictment over his role in the Stormy Daniels hush money case.
Parlatore is representing Trump in the investigation into his efforts to overturn the 2020 election, as well as his role in inciting the January 6 Capitol riot.
Asked by CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins if Tacopina was the “right person” to defend the former president against the more than 30 charges purportedly in the sealed New York indictment, Parlatore brought up a significant conflict of interest.
“This is such a significant case. And, of course, everyone has noted, just how historic, this indictment is,” Collins told Parlatore on Friday night before asking: “Do you think that Joe Tacopina is the right person to take this case, to trial, for your client, Trump?”
“Well, I know that Susan Necheles is a phenomenal attorney, who’s working on all the legal aspects of this,” Parlatore began. “As to who’s going to try the case? I know that Joe has certain potential conflict issues, given his prior contacts with Stormy Daniels. So, who’s the right attorney, to take it to trial, is something that the client will have to decide.”
He added: “Ultimately, the decision of who to stand next to, before a jury, is a decision that only the client can make.”
Collins looked surprised, even stunned, by the statement and immediately challenged Parlatore about his answer: “It sounds like you don’t think that Joe Tacopina can. And you think he has a conflict of interest here and will ultimately be the person, representing Trump, in this case?”
Parlatore said he would not comment on Tacopina, despite having just done so.
Watch:
Asked if Tacopina is the right person to take this case to trial, Trump attorney Tim Parlatore: “I know that Susan Necheles is a phenomenal attorney…As to who's going to try the case, I know Joe has certain potential conflict issues…I’m not going to comment on Joe Tacopina.” pic.twitter.com/2hSvvp8dxj
— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) April 1, 2023
