Trump’s OWN Witness CRASHES HARD on Stand
Summary
TLDRIn a dramatic courtroom scene, Bob Costello, a prominent lawyer and Trump supporter, was called as a defense witness and faced a reprimand from the judge for his conduct. Despite concerns from Trump's team about Costello being a liability, Trump insisted on his testimony. The judge's stern warning about courtroom decorum and the clearing of the courtroom due to Costello's behavior caught the attention of the jury and reporters. The incident highlights the tension between the defense's strategy and the defendant's wishes, potentially impacting the case's outcome.
Takeaways
- 🤔 Disagreement within Trump's team on calling Bob Costello as a witness due to concerns over his potential liability.
- 👀 Judge Maran reprimanded Costello for his behavior in court, including staring down the judge and rolling his eyes.
- 👥 The courtroom was cleared by the judge due to Costello's conduct, which is an unusual move unless there's a safety concern.
- 📜 The jury was present during Costello's behavior and the judge's reprimand, which could influence their perception of the case.
- 💥 Costello's demeanor and actions were seen as dramatic and unprofessional, potentially damaging to the defense's case.
- 🎓 Bob Costello is known as a white-collar criminal lawyer and a Trump supporter, which adds a layer of complexity to his role as a witness.
- 🚫 Despite being advised against it, Trump insisted on having Costello testify, which resulted in the courtroom drama.
- 🗣️ Costello's testimony was intended to discredit Michael Cohen, but his behavior may have undermined that goal.
- 👥 There was a divide in opinions regarding Costello's testimony, with some seeing him as a loose cannon and others valuing his loyalty to Trump.
- 📺 The transcript describes a highly unusual and dramatic courtroom scene that was broadcasted and is likely to be remembered by the jury.
Q & A
Why was there disagreement within Trump's team about calling Bob Costello as a witness?
-There was disagreement because some members of Trump's team thought that Bob Costello would be too much of a liability due to his known reputation as a 'loose cannon' and his dramatic behavior in court.
What was the reason Bob Costello was called as a witness despite the disagreement?
-Bob Costello was called because the client, presumably Donald Trump, insisted on having him called to testify.
What happened during Bob Costello's testimony that led to the judge reprimanding him?
-During his testimony, Bob Costello rolled his eyes, let out an audible sigh, and side-glanced the judge, which the judge considered as a lack of proper decorum in the courtroom. This behavior led to the judge reprimanding him.
Why did the judge clear the courtroom during Bob Costello's testimony?
-The judge cleared the courtroom because Bob Costello was staring down the judge, which is considered disrespectful and a serious breach of courtroom decorum. The judge deemed it necessary to address this issue privately.
What was the impact of Bob Costello's behavior on the jury?
-Bob Costello's behavior led the jury to roll their eyes and laugh at him, which is not a favorable reaction for a defense witness as it undermines his credibility and the seriousness of the case.
What role did Bob Costello play in the legal proceedings related to Donald Trump before this incident?
-Prior to this incident, Bob Costello was a legal advisor to Michael Cohen and a staunch Trump supporter. He represented figures associated with Trump and had appeared in Congress on Trump's behalf, attacking Michael Cohen and the judiciary.
Why was there concern among some of Trump's defense team about Bob Costello testifying?
-There was concern because Bob Costello was known for his unprofessional behavior and dramatic courtroom antics, which could potentially jeopardize the case.
What was the strategy behind calling Bob Costello as a witness, and did it seem to work?
-The strategy was to discredit Michael Cohen by having Costello testify that Cohen lied about certain statements. However, it did not seem to work as Costello's behavior in court was more distracting and detrimental to the defense's case.
What was the significance of the judge's admonishment of Bob Costello in front of the jury?
-The judge's admonishment in front of the jury highlighted Costello's disrespectful behavior and potentially damaged his credibility as a witness, which could negatively impact the defense's case.
Why was there a belief that Donald Trump overrode his lawyers' advice regarding Bob Costello's testimony?
-There was a belief that Trump overrode his lawyers' advice because he was impressed with Costello's previous performance in Congress and wanted him to testify, despite the lawyers' concerns about his unprofessionalism.
What was the general consensus among the legal experts discussing the transcript about Bob Costello's testimony?
-The general consensus was that Bob Costello's testimony was a dramatic and potentially harmful move for the defense. His behavior in court was seen as unprofessional and likely to undermine the credibility of the defense's case.
Outlines
👀 Bob Costello's Dramatic Courtroom Behavior
The first paragraph describes a tense courtroom scene where Bob Costello, a White Collar criminal lawyer and Trump supporter, is called to testify. His behavior in court is highly unprofessional, including rolling his eyes, sighing audibly, and even staring down the judge, leading to the judge clearing the courtroom—a rare occurrence. Costello's actions are seen as a liability by some of Trump's team, and his testimony is expected to be dramatic and potentially damaging to their case. The judge's reprimand and the courtroom's reaction to Costello's demeanor suggest a significant impact on the trial's proceedings.
😡 Costello's Unfavorable Impact on the Defense Case
In the second paragraph, the discussion centers on the surprising decision to call Bob Costello as a witness and the negative consequences of his courtroom conduct. It is revealed that Costello's testimony was meant to discredit Michael Cohen, but his disrespectful behavior towards the judge and the court's decorum has likely undermined the defense's strategy. The prosecution's case against Cohen is strengthened by Costello's actions, and the jury's reaction to his antics suggests that they are not persuaded by his testimony. The paragraph also highlights the internal disagreement within Trump's team about calling Costello and the potential missteps in trial strategy.
😳 Unprecedented Courtroom Drama with Bob Costello
The third paragraph continues the narrative of the courtroom drama involving Bob Costello. It emphasizes the unusual nature of the events, with a seasoned legal observer expressing disbelief at Costello's conduct. The discussion suggests that Costello's actions may have been a strategic move to curry favor with the defendant, possibly at the expense of the case's success. The paragraph also touches on the defendant's influence over legal strategy and the potential risks of such an approach. Additionally, it highlights the lack of control over Costello's behavior and the negative impression it left on the jury.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Bob Costello
💡Trump World
💡Disagreement
💡Liability
💡Reprimanded
💡Decorum
💡Clear the Courtroom
💡Cross-examination
💡Michael Cohen
💡Judiciary Committee
💡Defense Strategy
Highlights
Disagreement within Trump's team about calling Bob Costello as a witness due to concerns over his potential liability.
Judge reprimanding Bob Costello for his behavior in court, including staring down the judge.
Costello's indecorous courtroom behavior, such as rolling his eyes and sighing audibly, which led to the judge clearing the courtroom.
The dramatic event of a courtroom being cleared, a rare occurrence unless there's a safety concern or physical altercation.
Bob Costello's role as Michael Cohen's attorney and his strong support for Trump, adding complexity to the case.
Costello's reputation as a 'Loose Cannon' and the concerns about his professionalism and ability to be a credible witness.
Donald Trump overruling his lawyers' advice to call Costello as a witness, showing his influence on the trial strategy.
Costello's self-destructive behavior on the stand, which could negatively impact the jury's perception of the defense.
The prosecution effectively undermining the defense's main point against Michael Cohen during the trial.
Costello's attempt to discredit Michael Cohen and the challenges he faced in doing so.
Jury's reaction to Costello's antics, including laughter and eye-rolling, indicating a lack of credibility.
The unusual strategy of calling Costello as a witness and the potential risks it posed to the defense case.
Bob Costello's past representation of high-profile Trump associates and his involvement in significant political cases.
The potential motivations behind Costello's courtroom behavior, including currying favor with Donald Trump.
The impact of the judge's reprimand on Costello and the subsequent effect on the jury's perception.
The absence of a curative instruction following the dramatic courtroom events, leaving the jury to interpret the situation on their own.
Transcripts
the fact that this has escalated to this
extent this is part of why there was
disagreement within the Trump World
about whether they should call Bob
Costello the only reason he is being
called is because the client insisted
that he'd be called there were people on
Trump's team that thought he would be
too much of a liability and the fact
that the judge has now reprimanded him
for staring him down this is really
taken a so yeah that's I was I was
getting to that he told Costello in a
raised voice uh when he told the jury to
leave Mr Costello you're to remain
seated the jury leaves then cost
after another sustained OB objection
Costello rolls his eyes lets out an
audible sigh side glances the the judge
the judge says I want to discuss proper
decorum in my courtroom the judge says
you don't give me a side eye and you
don't roll your eyes the judge says when
there's a witness on the stand if you
don't like my ruling you don't say gez
you don't say strike it Costello holds a
long glare at the judge judge Maran says
are you staring me down then the judge
says clear the courtroom the defense
called Bob Costello to the stand all the
reporting is and you said it too popok
that they should not call him he'd be a
terrible witness and sure enough that is
what has happened at one point he was so
uh
audibly gasping and shaking his head and
really showing disdain for the judge at
one point he was actually staring the
judge down the judge cleared the
courtroom which he only would do if it
was a safety concern I mean that is just
absolutely more dramatic than you can
imagine they kicked the they kicked the
reporters out they kicked everyone out
of the courtroom we don't know what
happened I'm sure when we get the
transcripts we will see what happened
later but that is the I've never seen
that happen with just a a regular
witness it's usually if there's some
kind of threat or physical altercation
that happens in court so that was
extremely dramatic they come back in
they finish the uh direct examination
and Bob Costello is now on
cross-examination that is going to
continue to tomorrow uh Tuesday so we'll
see how that goes don't forget Bob
Costello was Michael Cohen's attorney
for a period of time or at least legal
advisor and they and he's a huge Trump
supporter and a huge Trump uh person so
it's just absolutely a big big day we
thought it was going to end quietly but
uh it was a big day what do you think
popak you got Bob Castello who in in New
York everybody knows but outside of even
maybe even our legal AF audience they
don't quite know who Bob Costello is Bob
Costello is a longtime kind of White
Collar criminal lawyer that's a
republican that's been on the Trump side
and has been auditioning to be Trump's I
don't know attorney general some some
lawyer for Donald Trump he's represented
Maga he's represented Bannon he he was
involved with the impeachment hearings
even though he wasn't on he didn't
actually appear in front of Congress and
two weeks ago he appeared in front of
Congress to on behalf of Donald Trump to
go after Michael Cohen and to in front
of the oversight committee and the
Judiciary Committee and go after judge
Maran and the daughter as a complete
shill and puppet for Donald Trump so
when we were together this weekend with
the crew salty said to me what about Bob
Castello I said he's not going to
testify he's a loose cannon he's known
as a complete Loose Cannon in New York
he works for a firm that I've been up
against that's just I can't even tell
you how unprofessional they've been with
me in the past I said that is a
dangerous witness they would never put
him on and the reporting is that Donald
Trump himself overrode his own lawyers
again Donald Trump playing lawyer Susan
necklace and TOD blanch who did not want
to put Bob Castello on to go after
Michael Cohen and to because he's a
Loose Cannon and and Trump said no I
want Bob Castello to go on the stand and
so he went on the stand and within a
moment he's self-destructed in front of
the jury to the point where the judge
had to ad clear the courtroom as you
said and admonish him and you can go
over the the notes on the admonishment
Karen admonish him about are you rolling
your eyes at me don't you act out in my
courtroom don't you stare me down you
know Bob Costello forgot he entered the
wood paneling of a courtroom presided
over by a judge like judge Maran and
thinks he's kibitzing with Trump on the
street corner in front of the uh the
bicycle racks during a press conference
you know he's a he's a trial lawyer he
knows better but he made it all about
him and Donald Trump and the jury got
the message and the jury started rolling
their eyes at laughing at Bob Costello
that is not what you want to do on your
last witness as a defense team what did
you make of B what was Castello trying
to accomplish and what do you think he
really accomplished in front of that
jury yeah wow I you know I have the
exact same thought that you have about
about this I mean this is just shocking
that they would call Costello I thought
he was going to be called to say that uh
certain statements that Michael Cohen
made to me were lies like or had an
email that would or something that would
prove that Michael Cohen lied about
something but it doesn't seem he didn't
seem to land any punches and the biggest
thing that landed today in my opinion is
the prosecution just blew the one
defense C the one defense po point that
they have landed against Michael Cohen
out of the water let's keep going with
Castello though what what my my question
to you was him him being chastised in
front of the jury for um disrespecting
the judge what do you think and the jury
now picking up on that and laughing at
Castello not with him as he as he acts
out and continues to act out in front of
the judge what do you think this is
doing what what fact are they trying to
prove for the defense that's that's that
goes to the elements of the crime or
provide a defense for which Mike Robert
Costello was worth it and what do you
think it's doing to the jury I think it
was well don't forget right Costello
testified in the grand jury he was the
only uh defense witness that went into
the grand jury at the request of the and
so the prosecution knew what he was
going to say I think it was just to say
that um that and you know you probably
know better than I but I think it was
just to say um that he spoke to Michael
coh I think something like 75 times and
over and over and over again he would
say they're trying to pressure me
meaning the feds are trying to pressure
me to give up Trump and I don't have
anything on Trump and said something
like I swear to you if I had something
on Trump I would tell you and I you know
all that kind of stuff and so he's just
I think it's a general discrediting of
him and that he's lying about all of
this because um because of that I don't
know what what is your what is your
theory you know again I think this is a
case where this was um too smart by half
of a trial strategy because it's it's
being concocted in from the fevered mind
of Donald Trump and necklace and blanch
once again show that they have
no um ability to speak truth to power
and tell their client this is a terrible
idea he's not prepared he's not
controllable and what are we trying to
prove with him to try to discredit
Michael Cohen which was the point that
the uh Susan hoffinger and others in
your old office made to the judge like
why is this guy here to criticize and
and give his opinions about Michael
Cohen the the narrow path that Costello
I think needed to walk as you said which
he was never going to be able to do he's
just genetically incapable of doing what
he was required to do was to sort of
demonstrate that that Michael Cohen is a
liar because he at the moment in time in
real time when if he had the goods on
Donald Trump he would have confessed to
it but the jury's already heard that
when Michael Cohen in his words was
elbow deep in the cult of Donald Trump
he did and said things that were both
untrue and embarrassing they even got
today in redirect the prosecution even
got out on purpose it wasn't an accident
that Michael Cohen stole from the Trump
organization about 30 Grand in a
consulting fee to this madeup company
that he that he set up and so we are
getting the full picture the jury knows
jury's a bunch of New Yorkers they know
who Michael Cohen is they know his good
bad and ugly but they know the part
where he's been telling the truth and I
think all these things have only
reinforced that by contrast to have a
member of the
bar try to stare down the judge and just
so people understand what happens why
don't we have a clip from uh from CNN in
real time that goes over what happened
and then you and I can sort of comment
on it salty can we run that clip the
fact that this has escalated to this
extent this is part of why there was
disagreement within the Trump World
about whether they should call Bob
Costello the only reason he is being
called is because the client insisted
that he'd be called there were people on
Trump's team that thought he would be
too much of a liability and the fact
that the judge has now reprimanded him
for staring him down this is really
taking a turn so yeah that's I was I was
getting to that he told Costello in a
raised voice when he told the jury to
leave Mr Costello you're to remain
seated the jury leaves then Costello
after another sustamed OB objection
Costello rolls his eyes lets out an
audible sigh side glances the the judge
the judge says I want to discuss proper
decorum in my courtroom the judge says
you don't give me a side eye and you
don't roll your eyes the judge says when
there's a witness on the stand if you
don't like my ruling you don't say G's
you don't say strike it Costello holds a
long glare at the judge judge Maran says
are you staring me down then the judge
says clear the courtroom there's yelling
by security officers at the press to
leave the video is cut court security
says nobody can come back in Paula uh
you have a JD you've been covering court
cases for quite some time have you ever
seen anything like
this no this is unbelievable and I know
Bob Costello quite well I've talked to
him for about a decade the fact that he
would allow this to happen on the stand
it suggests in many ways that he is
probably posturing for the defendant
remember it's the defendant that
overrode his own defense attorneys they
said this is not a good idea do not put
Costello on the stand he overrode them
because he loved Costello's performance
uh in Congress last week where he
attacked not only Bob Costello but also
this case and the judge so the fact that
Costello would conduct himself in a
trial like this potentially jeopardize a
case like this I am actually pretty
surprised but it validates the concerns
that have been uh expressed by members
of Trump's defense team about why they
did not want to call Costello and also
reminds us why when the defendant calls
the shots and not the defense attorneys
you can have something like this happen
andul yeah and Karen it didn't stop
there when he when the jury came back in
apparently it was a little bit of a hot
mic moment when the judge wasn't done
reprimanding Castello and the jury was
filing back in but they got the they got
the hint and when and when the testimony
resumed Costello did another when
another objection got sustained against
him he he let out an audible Jesus and
the I thought the judge was gonna clear
the courtroom again all this for a
peripheral witness that was never gonna
win the case for Donald Trump it's
almost like he knows he's going to lose
he's gonna get his money's worth I'm
talking you think's you think he's
auditioning for a role in in the
administration absolutely Ely I mean he
wants to whatever reason he wants to be
he just wants to continue to Curry favor
with Donald Trump and the and it had to
be a White Knuckle moment I got to see
the face on uh blanch when he's standing
in front of that bicycle rack for the
press conference today because this was
not what they what they wanted and of
course Donald Trump's not gonna testify
they'll finish up with Castello Donald
Trump is not
testifying um whether they wanted him to
or not but um yeah Castello was always a
wild card that's why I you know I know
you were looking at things the wedding
and I said at the wedding point blank no
way Bob Castello goes on what criticize
Michael Cohen yeah it just seems like
you know look I I've practiced obviously
you know I've practiced in that
courtroom for 30 years I've had many
trials I've put gang you know unlike
unlike many lawyers I was not a white
collar practitioner I was a violent
crime practitioner so I have put some
incredibly unsavory people on the
witness stand literally people who have
been accused of all sorts of things I
have never had a judge have to clear the
courtroom ever I mean I even had in a
murder trial I'll never forget it on
murder trial there was a defendant that
didn't like the we were playing the um
the confession he didn't like it even
though it was him him confessing to the
murder he didn't like it and he gets up
and he starts walking towards the judge
and you know it turns out he was just
walking out of the courtroom through the
back because he was incarcerated ated
right so and and the and the court
officers were like I am not going to
jump on this murderer who's walking
towards the judge because that'll cause
a mistrial you know it'll be prejudicial
in front of the jury they had the sense
to not do that to just kind of guide him
in the back and then after that the
judge says you know we're going to take
a break but there was no like clear the
courtroom dramatic moment like that is
so dramatic you know when you think when
you think about it I you know I can't
imagine
what that must have been like at the
time that is just one of these moments
he's an officer of the court and he was
staring down the judge that is just and
to remind people that don't practice in
courtrooms like Karen and me the jury
was in the courtroom and the judge said
clear the courtroom I mean you know they
may not know why and they're not there's
no Curative instruction I'm sure they
know why I'm sure they saw it real quick
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[Music]
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