The defense of Donald Trump is similar to the “Regina George” defense, as described by New York Magazine reporter Olivia Nuzzi, who said that Michael Cohen was “fixated on President Trump.”
Former president Donald Trump’s lawyer Todd Blanche started his defense by stating to the jury, “President Trump did not engage in any criminal activities.”
Indeed, Blanche is referring to Mr. Trump as “President Trump,” not only to stroke his ego and impress the former president, but also to try to inspire respect and admiration in a person whom many in Manhattan have disliked long before his candidacy for the presidency in 2016. Blanche stated that he will call Trump “President Trump” because “he has earned” the title.
Blanche also falsely connected the allegations of election manipulation with the concept of democracy, stating as reported by MSNBC’s Adam Klasfeld, “I have a spoiler alert. There’s nothing wrong with attempting to influence an election. It’s part of democracy.”
Blanche informed the jury that Michael Cohen desired a position in the administration after the 2016 election. Klasfeld continued:
“He didn’t get one,” he says.
Blanche labels Cohen as a criminal, emphasizing the guilty pleas that are not related to Trump, such as bank and tax fraud.
This is where Nuzzi suggests the Trump team is employing the Regina George defense, claiming that Cohen is fixated on Trump.
Trump’s legal team presents the Regina George defense. Blanche tells the jury: “You will learn that Michael Cohen was fixated on President Trump. He’s still fixated on President Trump to this day.”
Blanche advises the jury to be doubtful of terms like “scheme” and “conspiracy.” He rolls his eyes as he refers to the “‘Catch and Kill scheme.’” Blanche contends that Trump’s behavior, as described by prosecutors, is “not a scheme” and “not illegal.
So essentially, this is Trump’s defense, along with ‘Trump is a man who cares about his family’ (no word on why a man who cares about his family has had two alleged affairs around his wife’s pregnancy and delivery):
The conversation for anyone who doesn’t remember it:
Regina: Let me tell you something about Janis Ian. We were best friends in middle school. I know right, it’s soooo embarrassing. I don’t even…whatever. So then in eighth grade I started going out with my first boyfriend Kyle, who was totally gorgeous but then he moved to Indiana–and Janis was like, weirdly jealous of him. Like if I would blow her off to hang out with Kyle, she’d be like “Why didn’t you call me back?!” and I’d be like, “Uh, why are you so fixated on me?”
… and then she dropped out of school ’cause no one would talk to her and she came back in the fall for high school and her hair was all cut off and she was totally weird and now I guess she’s on crack. (gasps and turns) Oh my God! I love your skirt, where did you get it?
Lea: It was my mom’s in the ’80s.
Regina: Vintage, so adorable.
Lea: Thanks. (Lea walks away.)
Regina: That is the ugliest effing skirt I’ve ever seen.
Blanche attempted to imply that Cohen lied under oath in the civil fraud case, but, “That sparks to objections from the prosecution, both sustained,” Klasfeld reported. He then conducted a fact check, noting, “From the civil fraud ruling against Trump: ‘Michael Cohen told the truth.'”
From the civil fraud ruling against Trump:
“Michael Cohen told the truth.” pic.twitter.com/TeoWkUzFDH
— Adam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) April 22, 2024
Before, the prosecutors informed the jury that the Trump campaign was in a bad situation after the Access Hollywood tape, in which Trump boasted about sexually attacking women and how they allowed him to do it because he was a 'star.'
The prosecutors explained that the tape harmed Trump's reputation with women voters, and they were trying to prevent further revelations 'that would damage the candidate even more with women voters,' as Nuzzi described it. 'They claim that the hush money payment was not about communications or 'spin' (spin being PR-speak for lying) but about 'election fraud.'
The Trump defense is focused on attacking the motivations of the witnesses, which is a common way to dispute facts with a false belief. At the moment, it seems that Trump's entire defense is a collection of false beliefs, from the Straw Man to the ad hominem to the fallacy of relevance.
Regarding Michael Cohen’s testimony, the jury is being advised to consider the motive, rather than the statement, which is similar to excusing bragging about sexual assault as 'locker room talk.'
Distracting people with false beliefs has been Trump’s main strategy throughout his political career. But he is now in a courtroom, and facts are supposed to be important. If the prosecution can prove their case, Trump's manipulation won't hold the same influence as it did as PR spin.
