![Closing arguments and De Niro, 44 pictures and facts from Trump’s trial](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/05/DOnald-et-Robert-Getty.jpg)
Trump returns
![Trump returns](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/05/GettyImages-2154515784.jpg)
Donald Trump returns to the courtroom following a break for his criminal trial at Manhattan Criminal Court.
De Niro unloads on Trump
![De Niro unloads on Trump](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/05/GettyImages-2154515671.jpg)
Robert De Niro spoke in front of the court where Trump’s case is being debated and he did not hold back!
The family
![The family](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/05/GettyImages-2154509271.jpg)
Donald Trump Jr., Tiffany Trump, Eric Trump and Lara Trump look on as former US President Donald Trump speaks to the media.
An important day
![An important day](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/05/GettyImages-2154509148.jpg)
It was an important day in Manhattan, as closing arguments were set to begin in former U.S. President Trump’s hush money trial.
More careful than usual
![More careful than usual](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/05/GettyImages-2154509023.jpg)
Donald Trump spoke to the media, but was more careful than usual on the day of the closing arguments, even refering to his own gag order.
In good spirits
![In good spirits](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/05/GettyImages-2154508856.jpg)
Trump appeared in good spirits as he faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first of his criminal cases to go to trial.
The wave
![The wave](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/05/GettyImages-2154517638.jpg)
Donald Trump waves to the crowd after a break.
Robert De Niro leaves
![Robert De Niro leaves](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/05/GettyImages-2154515854.jpg)
Robert De Niro departs after speaking to the media in front of Manhattan Criminal Court.
Michael Cohen testifies
![Michael Cohen testifies](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/05/001-Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2152641276-1-1.jpg)
Michael Cohen’s testimony is at the center of this case, for better or worse.
All the media attention on Cohen
![All the media attention on Cohen](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/05/1-Michael-Cohen-GettyImages-2153223238-1-1.jpg)
Cohen’s apartment was surrounded by reporters and photographers as he left for court.
The most anticipated witness
![The most anticipated witness](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/05/2-Michael-Cohen-GettyImages-2153223960-1-1.jpg)
There is no doubt that Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney at the time of the alleged events, was the most anticipated witness in this trial.
His role
![His role](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/05/3-Michael-Cohen-GettyImages-2153223677-1-1.jpg)
Michael Cohen’s testimony in the trial involving former President Donald Trump has been crucial. Cohen explained his role in organizing payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, orchestrated to influence the 2016 presidential election, under Trump’s direction.
Hide in legal fees
![Hide in legal fees](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/05/GettyImages-2151168928.jpg)
He also revealed that Trump reimbursed these payments in the form of legal fees and described how Trump manipulated the value of his assets for financial gain. Cohen highlighted Trump’s cover-up efforts and the questionable practices of the Trump Organization.
Exhausted
![Exhausted](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/05/GettyImages-2151661522.jpg)
Before that, Stormy Daniels finished her marathon testimony at Donald Trump’s hush money trial with attorneys for the former president seeking to paint her as a greedy liar who profited from her allegations. Nonetheless, Trump looked exhausted by the process.
Stormy Daniels
![Stormy Daniels](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/05/GettyImages-2151610709.jpg)
Stormy Daniels leaves Manhattan Criminal Court after testifying at former US President Donald Trump’s trial.
Not happy
![Not happy](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/05/GettyImages-2151661897.jpg)
Donald Trump talks to the press as he returns to the courtroom after a break in his trial for allegedly covering up hush money payments linked to extramarital affairs. He surely does not look happy about what went down in court that day.
Trump looks very tired
![Trump looks very tired](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/05/GettyImages-2150335014-1.jpg)
At some point, the former president begins to show signs of fatigue during his criminal trial, especially as he leaves the courtroom.
Challenging moments
![Challenging moments](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/05/GettyImages-2150334888-1.jpg)
Challenging moments at the courthouse for former President Donald Trump, who was found guilty of contempt of court in his ongoing trial regarding the Stormy Daniels bribery case. The judge also issued a clear warning about Trump’s future actions, delivering his written decision to the parties and suggesting a possible prison sentence.
9 offenses
![9 offenses](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/05/GettyImages-2150325919-1.jpg)
Judge Merchan imposed a fine of $9,000, the statutory maximum of $1,000, for nine offenses committed.
Prison!
![Prison!](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/05/GettyImages-2150322572-1.jpg)
The judge acknowledged that this sum might seem modest given Trump’s wealth. However, he warned Trump that he could be subject to harsher penalties, such as imprisonment for up to 30 days, if he continued to ignore the court’s directives.
Integrity of justice
![Integrity of justice](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/05/GettyImages-2150337298-1.jpg)
The gag order imposed on Trump in this case is designed to preserve the fairness and integrity of justice. It prevents Trump from speaking publicly about the witnesses, judge or jurors involved in the trial.
Truth Social
![Truth Social](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/05/Eric-Trump-GettyImages-2150376650-1.jpg)
This measure was imposed on him because of numerous messages published on the Truth Social platform and on his campaign website, where he criticized key players in the case, thereby jeopardizing public perceptions and legal proceedings.
A fair environment
![A fair environment](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/05/GettyImages-2150335201-1.jpg)
The judge also ordered the removal of several social media posts made by Trump, emphasizing that he would strictly enforce consequences for any future infractions. He stressed that maintaining a fair environment throughout the trial was essential.
An historic trial
![An historic trial](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2148008325-1.jpg)
Trump faces 34 charges, including falsifying documents related to payments made to his former lawyer Michael Cohen. Trump has denied these allegations, which could lead to a prison sentence if proven during this trial.
The first time
![The first time](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2147829021.jpg)
The trial in New York began on April 15, 2024, marking the first time an American president, sitting or not, has been criminally prosecuted.
Bribes
![Bribes](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2147829011.jpg)
Former President Trump is accused of paying bribes as part of payments to silence Stormy Daniels.
Up to 8 weeks
![Up to 8 weeks](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2147829687.jpg)
Trump must be present throughout the trial, which will run four days a week and could last eight weeks.
Jury selection
![Jury selection](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2147828907.jpg)
The jury selection process has begun, with accusations of alleged payments to Stormy Daniels hidden as legal fees.
130000$
![130000$](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2147829277.jpg)
A $130,000 payment orchestrated by Trump’s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen is at the center of the trial.
Campaign finance laws
![Campaign finance laws](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2147829016.jpg)
Charges include potential violation of campaign finance laws, election interference and fraud.
34 charges
![34 charges](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2147829191.jpg)
Donald Trump faces 34 counts related to falsification of business records.
4 years
![4 years](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2147828961.jpg)
The maximum penalty for conviction is four years in prison.
Michael Cohen
![Michael Cohen](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2147829014.jpg)
Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer, could testify despite being convicted of separate tax offenses.
Stormy Daniels
![Stormy Daniels](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2147829194.jpg)
Testimony is also being considered from Stephanie Clifford (Stormy Daniels) and Karen McDougal, who claim to have had affairs with Trump and received hush payments during the 2016 campaign.
Major legal significance
![Major legal significance](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2148012140-1.jpg)
This trial is of major legal importance and could set significant precedents in American legal history.
New York
![New York](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Alina-Habba-Attorney-Christopher-Kise-Attorney-Cliff-Robert-GettyImages-2148010878-1.jpg)
All eyes are on New York as this captivating story unfolds.
The beginning
![The beginning](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2148010487-1.jpg)
The trial has just begun, with jury selection and opening arguments from the prosecutors!
Facing the media
![Facing the media](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-Todd-Blanche-GettyImages-2148012581-1.jpg)
Trump was accompanied by his lawyer, Todd Blanche, to face the media.
Stormy Daniels
![Stormy Daniels](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Alina-Habba-GettyImages-2148010879-1.jpg)
In particular, Trump is accused of having concealed payments to Stormy Daniels that he had initially denied before later admitting that she had indeed received a significant sum of money. How these payments were made is at the heart of the case.
Falsifying documents
![Falsifying documents](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2148007163-1.jpg)
Trump will also have to face charges from prosecutors about falsifying documents.
A scandal
![A scandal](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Alina-Habba-GettyImages-2148010955-1.jpg)
Prosecutors say the charges are related to an attempt to cover up a potential scandal that occurred before and after the 2016 presidential election.
Unprecedented
![Unprecedented](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-Todd-Blanche-GettyImages-2148012470-1.jpg)
This unprecedented criminal trial, preceded by meticulous jury selection by the defense, is attracting intense interest from the media, Americans and the world!
The 2016 election
![The 2016 election](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2148007907-1.jpg)
Prosecutors argue that Trump took part in a meeting for the purpose of falsifying legal documents.
The defense
![The defense](https://cdn.buminteractif.com/2024/04/Donald-Trump-GettyImages-2148011941-1.jpg)
In their opening arguments, the defense asserts that all actions taken in this case were carried out legally, from their point of view.