Politics & Government
Trump's Defense Rests Without Ex-Prez Taking Stand In Hush-Money Trial
Closing arguments in the historic Manhattan trial are expected next week.
NEW YORK CITY — Donald Trump's defense rested Tuesday without the former president taking the witness stand in his historic Manhattan criminal trial.
The move sets the stage for closing arguments in the hush-money trial next Tuesday, May 28.
"I'll see you in a week," Judge Juan Mechan told jurors.
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Trump, yet again, slammed the entire proceeding — which centers on accusations he falsified business records to, in part, conceal a hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels — during an appearance outside the Manhattan courtroom.
"It's a kangaroo court," he said.
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Testimony in the trial ended in a dramatic fashion, as defense witness Robert Costello's eye-rolling and muttering prompted Merchan to clear the courtroom Monday.
A transcript showed that Merchan, in the nearly empty courtroom, admonished Costello.
"I'm putting you on notice that your conduct is contemptuous," Merchan told Costello.
"If you try to stare me down one more time, I will remove you from the stand."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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