New: Anti-Trumpers embrace Manhattan prosecution for one reason: 'Whatever they can get him for is fine with me.' washingtonexaminer.com/daily-memo/302…

On CNN, anchor Jake Tapper says to legal expert: 'I don't know that they [prosecutors] have proved beyond a reasonable doubt...that Donald Trump knew.' The legal expert responded: 'They have not...that is, in fact, reasonable doubt.'

CNN analyst on Trump trial: 'The crime here is not easy to explain or understand.' MSNBC analyst: 'It is difficult because it's a very nuanced argument...It's never been prosecuted before.'

Prosecutors' closing argument coming down to campaign finance, as we knew it would. Now speculating that NDA 'could very well be what got President Trump elected.' If Trump is convicted, it's gonna be partially on the basis of a law, FECA, that the jurors will know little about.

In closing arguments, it appears prosecutors are trying to explain away Michael Cohen's deep animus for Trump and the fact that he has gone into full-time Trump-bashing business: 'You can hardly blame him for making money on the one thing he has left.'

Much sensitivity in courtroom about any suggestion to jury that Trump might go to prison. Fine. But have also seen on X some pro-conviction, anti-Trump types scoff at notion Trump will be jailed. But really: Prosecutor charged him with *34 felonies* each with 4-year maximum

Walking the very fine line between satire and real life in this case.

Can't believe that after prudently hanging back for weeks, the Biden campaign decided to a) jump into the Trump trial at the last minute before a verdict; and b) make Robert De Niro the face of the campaign on this issue. What's the point?

Biden campaign brings the Oscar-winning virulent Trump-hater Robert De Niro to speak to the press outside the Trump trial courthouse.

FWIW, prosecutors did not prove that Trump, intending to defraud, caused false company records to be made, starting in Feb 2017. They never proved that he did it or told anybody to do it. And if they did not prove that, it's over. But no surprise if jurors decide differently.

This is not terribly surprising. President Biden's party allies in NY are seeking to imprison Biden's opponent, who is currently leading Biden in key states. Of course Biden supports that effort.

This is judgment week in the Trump trial. Prosecutors hope jurors will believe one misdemeanor with the intent to commit another misdemeanor involving a civil FECA violation justifies convicting Trump of 34 felonies with max of 136 years in prison. washingtonexaminer.com/daily-memo/301…

Useful exchange.

If you have the time and interest, I would recommend reading the transcript of the discussion prosecution and defense lawyers had with Judge Merchan after both sides rested last Tuesday. Starts at page 4343. static01.nyt.com/newsgraphics/d…
Also this: washingtonexaminer.com/daily-memo/301…

Perhaps it upsets you, but I just don't see a reason to get too agitated about it. Trump posts the wreath photo at 7:42am, and then the post you reproduce at 10:00am. I think the trial is a more consequential matter for me to cover.

The fix is in …

This seems like an oddly political, oddly campaign-y passage in a presidential Memorial Day address. Has any previous president used the address to denounce 'the greed of a few and the rights of many'? From Biden speech today at Arlington:
whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/…

As Lavrenti Beria said, 'Show me the man and I'll show you the civil FECA violation.' washingtonexaminer.com/daily-memo/301…

Politics can be really amusing. This Politico story concerns Biden's plan to address the nation at end of Trump trial: 'Biden intends to initially address the verdict in a White House setting--not a campaign one--to show his statement isn't political.' politico.com/news/2024/05/2…

Actually it's 136 years in prison -- 34 felonies each with a maximum of 4 years. I always note that that is the maximum sentence, which it is. And it's insane, given the two misdemeanors involved, wouldn't you agree? washingtonexaminer.com/daily-memo/301…