During a discussion with Anderson Cooper on CNN, legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin suggested that Donald Trump’s post-court remarks might backfire if shown to the jury.
After the second day of jury selection, Trump addressed reporters, defending his actions by stating that he had designated the reimbursements as legal expenses, attributing the specifics to the actions of accountants.
“I was paying a lawyer, and we marked it down as a legal expense — some accountant. I didn’t know,” Trump said. “Mark it down as a legal expense. That’s exactly what it was. And you get indicted over that?”
Toobin hinted that these comments, potentially presented as evidence, could harm Trump’s defense in his trial regarding the alteration of business records.
“Remember, the whole case is about the falsification of these business records,” Toobin explained. “And you know, Trump has potentially the argument, ‘Look, I run a multibillion-dollar company. I don’t know how the accountants, how the bookkeepers record things,’” he said. “That’s going to be a big issue in the case.”
“How is the government going to prove that Trump knew and initiated or at least supported the idea that these payoffs were recorded as legal fees?” Toobin asked, adding that the former president “caught himself” in his remarks. “But you know that that video could be played before the jury, no question.”
Legal expert Jessica Roth, also speaking on CNN, characterized Trump’s remarks as noteworthy but cautioned against overstating their potential incrimination.
Trump faces 34 counts related to falsifying business records in connection with reimbursements to Michael Cohen, who paid Stormy Daniels to keep silent about an alleged affair.
The trial, overseen by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, marks the first instance of a sitting or former president facing a criminal trial. Throughout the coming weeks, Trump is anticipated to be heavily involved in the proceedings as the case unfolds.
