Updates from the Courtroom: Last Recess, Testimony Revisited, and Closing Arguments

The courtroom drama continues as Judge Juan Merchan announced what he said will be the last recess of the day at 6:52 p.m. The break is expected to last just a few minutes, but tensions are high as the prosecution and defense make their final arguments in the case.

Earlier in the day, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass revisited the testimony of Robert Costello, a Trump ally and lawyer who clashed with Michael Cohen. The prosecution displayed an email exchange between Costello and Cohen, hinting at Trump’s changing attitude towards Cohen only after his compliance was in doubt. Steinglass argued that Costello’s assertion of acting in Cohen’s best interest was a “bold-faced lie.”

As the clock ticked closer to 7 p.m., Steinglass asked the jurors if they were willing to go a little longer. Judge Merchan had previously stated the plan was to continue until at least 7 p.m. and “finish this out if we can.”

The prosecution also highlighted the “devastating” testimony of Hope Hicks and argued that Trump wanted to be involved in every aspect of his business, dismissing claims that he was too busy to be aware of certain financial transactions.

In a surprising turn of events, Rep. Elise Stefanik requested an investigation into Judge Merchan’s selection to preside over the case, alleging bias in favor of convicting Trump and his associates.

During a break in the courtroom action, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to disparage the proceedings as “boring” and a “filibuster.” The closing arguments are set to continue into the evening as both sides make their final push to sway the jury. Stay tuned for more updates on this high-profile trial.