'He's a dumb lawyer': Expert warns 'self-inflicted wound' will bring Trump guilty verdict
A “self--inflicted wound” could be to blame if Donald Trump is found guilty in his hush money trial, a former federal prosecutor told the Washington Post.
Jim Walden, who is now in private practice, said the former president's constant attacks on the judge in his case — coupled with disrespect from a witness — are likely to backfire when jurors start deliberating this week.
"The thing that I think Trump just doesn't get is, even if you don't like the judge, the jury is going to like the judge," Walden said.
"When you're super disrespectful to someone the jury sees as a professional person doing their job, that's a self-inflicted wound.
"Whatever else Donald Trump may be — a great businessman, a great reality TV show host, a great politician — he's a dumb lawyer.”
Among major errors in Trump’s defense, Walden said, was calling attorney Robert Costello to the stand.
Costello infuriated the judge by rolling his eyes and making snide remarks while being questioned. Judge Juan Merchan’s fury forced him to clear the courtroom to reprimand the witness.
"Costello was a disaster," Walden told the Post.
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"The defense finally got some momentum, and it all got dialed back because Costello was playing to Trump instead of playing it straight. He had a good story to tell, and instead, they put the throttle right back in the prosecutor's hands."
Trump is facing 34 charges of business fraud involving allegations that he paid adult movie star Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about a sexual relationship the two had.
Closing arguments are expected in the case Tuesday, with jury deliberations following.