Former President Donald Trump’s defense team, during an ongoing New York hush-money trial, may be pinning their hopes on a ‘multi-tasking’ defense, implying that Trump was too distracted to be intentionally involved in the alleged falsification of business records. This narrative was advanced through the testimony of Rhona Graff, Trump’s former personal assistant, who portrayed the ex-President as someone who would frequently be on the phone or in meetings while signing checks.
Graff, under questioning by Trump’s attorney, Susan Necheles, acknowledged that Trump often multitasked while handling financial documents. “It happened on occasion,” Graff said. “It would depend what was going on at the moment and how important the checks were that needed to be signed.”
The testimony could potentially set up a line of defense for Trump, suggesting that he may not have been fully attentive when signing nine checks, which are the most incriminating pieces of evidence against him, according to prosecutors. These checks, totaling $130,000, were alleged reimbursements to his then attorney, Michael Cohen, for a hush-money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Despite the defense’s attempt to paint a picture of a preoccupied Trump, the gravity of the evidence remains. District Attorney Alvin Bragg points to these checks as part of an effort to keep Daniels from publicly discussing an alleged affair with Trump just days before the 2016 presidential election.
The prosecution’s narrative was also bolstered by the testimony of David Pecker, former National Enquirer publisher, who offered jurors an inside look at the tabloid’s “catch-and-kill” practice. The goal, according to Pecker, was to suppress negative stories about Trump to protect his presidential campaign. Trump’s defense challenged this account, questioning Pecker’s memory and seeking to discredit his testimony, which could be crucial in the trial.
Pecker was pressed about his past statements and whether they contradicted his current testimony. However, he stood firm, saying, “I know what the truth is.”
Relevant articles:
– Too busy for hush money? Trump debuts longshot ‘multi-tasking’ defense during testimony by longtime assistant Rhona Graff, Business Insider, 04/28/2024
– Hush money trial: Trump’s lawyers will grill tabloid publisher David Pecker, The Associated Press, Sat, 27 Apr 2024 01:44:00 GMT
– Key players: Who’s who at Donald Trump’s hush money criminal trial, ABC News, Sat, 27 Apr 2024 11:18:04 GMT
– Key takeaways from fourth day of testimony in Trump’s hush money trial, Al Jazeera English, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 20:54:01 GMT
– Secrets, lies and payoffs laid bare in Week 1 of Trump trial testimony, The Washington Post, Sat, 27 Apr 2024 00:12:00 GMT