'The Five': Alvin Bragg's case against Trump suffers 'embarrassing' set-back

Fox News
3 May 202407:16

Summary

TLDRThe transcript discusses the eleventh day of the trial against Donald Trump, where the prosecution's ninth and most significant witness, Hope Hicks, a long-time Trump aide, was brought in. The meeting between Trump and David Pecker is highlighted as critical to Bragg's case. Trump is criticized for his response to the trial, accusing the government and the District Attorney's office of allowing violent crime to flourish. The conversation suggests that the prosecution has not yet proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, with key witnesses like Stormy Daniels and David Pecker not implicating Trump directly. Hope Hicks' testimony is noted for its emotional impact, and there's speculation that Michael Cohen might be the ultimate witness. The discussion also touches on public perception, with some suggesting that the case appears to be a farce and that the jury might acquit Trump even if they are biased against him.

Takeaways

  • 📚 Day 11 of the trial against Donald Trump has concluded with Hope Hicks, a longtime Trump aide, being the prosecution's ninth and most significant witness.
  • 💥 Donald Trump criticizes the government, DOJ, and the District Attorney's office, accusing them of allowing violent crime to flourish and labeling them as 'radical left lunatics'.
  • 🤔 Trump denies allegations of falling asleep in court, asserting that he is attentive and dismisses the proceedings as a setup.
  • 🚫 Alvin Bragg's case against Trump faces challenges as key witnesses, including Stormy Daniels and David Pecker, provide testimony that weakens the prosecution's argument.
  • 🧐 The prosecution has not yet directly implicated Donald Trump in any wrongdoing after 11 days and nine witnesses.
  • 📉 Public polling suggests that the prosecution has not convinced the American people of any criminal conduct, despite the embarrassing and salacious nature of the testimony.
  • 🤬 Trump is reported to have been concerned about the impact of the allegations on his family, particularly his wife Melania, indicating a desire to protect his marriage.
  • 👉 Michael Cohen, a key witness for the prosecution, is also the person who provided advice that led to Trump's charges, raising questions about his credibility.
  • 🛌 Trump's defenders argue that the trial is a farce and that he should not be bothered by it, suggesting that the jury may also see it as such.
  • 😢 Hope Hicks' testimony was emotional, and she cried during her appearance, showing the personal toll the trial has taken on those involved.
  • 👥 The presence of lawyers on the jury is seen as beneficial for Trump, as they may be able to provide insight if other jurors are influenced by the sensational aspects of the case.

Q & A

  • What is the significance of Hope Hicks being called as a witness in the trial against Donald Trump?

    -Hope Hicks is a longtime aide to Donald Trump and her testimony is considered critical to the prosecution's case, as she may provide insights into Trump's actions and decisions during the period in question.

  • What does Donald Trump claim about the allegations against him?

    -Donald Trump has blasted the allegations, suggesting that the government, DOJ, and the Office of the District Attorney are allowing violent crime to run rampant and are politically motivated against him.

  • What is the role of David Pecker in the case against Donald Trump?

    -David Pecker, the head of AMI, is a key figure as he was involved in discussions regarding payments that are central to the allegations against Trump. However, he testified that he did not discuss these matters with Trump as campaign contributions.

  • Why is Michael Cohen considered a pivotal witness in the case?

    -Michael Cohen, a former attorney for Donald Trump, is seen as pivotal because he was closely involved with Trump's business dealings and has provided information that led to the charges against Trump.

  • What was the reaction of Stormy Daniels' former lawyer, Davidson, to the case?

    -Davidson stated that he would not use the term 'hush money' to describe the payments in question, suggesting that the case presented by the prosecution is weak.

  • What did Hope Hicks reportedly say about Donald Trump's reaction to the news of potentially damaging information coming out?

    -Hope Hicks testified that when Trump heard about the information, he expressed a desire not to have his wife, Melania, see anything in the newspapers, indicating his concern for his marriage rather than campaign contributions.

  • What is the general perception among the commentators regarding the strength of the prosecution's case?

    -The commentators seem to agree that the prosecution has not yet proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt, and some suggest that the case may result in an acquittal even if the jury is biased against Trump.

  • What does Judge Jeanine imply could be the outcome if the prosecution continues on its current path?

    -Judge Jeanine implies that if the prosecution continues on its current path, there could be an acquittal, even with a jury that may be biased against Trump.

  • What is the importance of a unanimous verdict in this trial?

    -The importance of a unanimous verdict is that it is a legal requirement in many jurisdictions for criminal cases, ensuring that all members of the jury agree on the defendant's guilt or innocence.

  • Why is there skepticism about Michael Cohen's credibility as a witness?

    -There is skepticism about Michael Cohen's credibility because he was the one who provided advice to Trump that led to the charges and has a vested interest in the outcome, which could potentially bias his testimony.

  • What does Donald Trump deny regarding his behavior during the trial?

    -Donald Trump denies reports that he was falling asleep during the trial, stating on 'Truth Social' that he was attentive and taking everything in.

  • What was the impact of Hope Hicks' testimony on the perception of Donald Trump's involvement in the case?

    -Hope Hicks' testimony did not implicate Donald Trump directly, leading to the perception that the prosecution has not yet made a strong case tying Trump to the alleged wrongdoing.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Trial Against Trump and Hope Hicks' Testimony

The first paragraph discusses the eleventh day of the trial against Donald Trump, where Hope Hicks, a long-time Trump aide, was called as the prosecution's ninth and most significant witness. The meeting between Trump and David Pecker is highlighted as critical to Bragg's case. Trump is reported to have criticized the government and the District Attorney's office, accusing them of allowing violent crime to run rampant. The paragraph also notes that despite the prosecution's efforts, no evidence has been presented that directly implicates Trump in wrongdoing. There is a mention of Michael Cohen, who is suggested to be a key witness, and a discussion about the burden of proof and reasonable doubt in the case.

05:00

🤔 Public Perception and the Jury's Perspective

The second paragraph focuses on the public and jury's perception of the case. It suggests that the case appears to be more fabricated than Joe Biden's memories, implying a lack of credibility. The discussion includes opinions on whether the jury will view the case as a farce and the importance of the jury's role in deciding the case. There is an agreement with the judge's perspective that there is no clear evidence of a crime but rather embarrassing and salacious details. The paragraph also touches on the emotional impact of the trial on Hope Hicks, who is described as kind and who broke down during her testimony. The speakers express sympathy for Trump and his family, who are under worldwide scrutiny, and they argue that they deserve better.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Trial

A trial is a formal examination of evidence before a judge and jury in a court of law to determine guilt or innocence in a criminal case or to make a determination in a civil dispute. In the context of the video, it refers to the ongoing legal proceedings against Donald Trump, which is the central theme of the discussion.

💡Prosecution

The prosecution is the legal team that represents the side initiating a criminal lawsuit against an individual or group. In the video, the prosecution is trying to build a case against Donald Trump, with Hope Hicks being their significant witness, highlighting the adversarial nature of the trial process.

💡Donald Trump

Donald Trump, the 45th President of the United States, is the central figure in the video's discussion. He is the defendant in the trial being discussed, and the script mentions his reactions and involvement in the case, which is pivotal to understanding the video's narrative.

💡Hope Hicks

Hope Hicks is a longtime aide to Donald Trump and is portrayed as a key witness in the trial. Her testimony is highlighted in the video, indicating her importance to the prosecution's case and the overall theme of the legal proceedings.

💡David Pecker

David Pecker, the former Chairman and CEO of American Media, Inc. (AMI), is mentioned in the context of a meeting with Donald Trump. His testimony is critical to the case, as it pertains to discussions around campaign contributions and hush money, which are significant elements in the legal case being discussed.

💡Hush Money

Hush money refers to payments made to individuals to prevent them from disclosing certain information that could be damaging to someone else, often used in legal contexts to refer to attempts to conceal scandalous or incriminating details. In the video, the term is used to describe alleged payments made to Stormy Daniels, which is a key aspect of the case against Donald Trump.

💡Michael Cohen

Michael Cohen is an attorney who formerly worked as a personal lawyer for Donald Trump. He is mentioned as a potential key witness for the prosecution, indicating his role as a significant figure who could influence the outcome of the trial due to his past advice and actions related to Trump.

💡Reasonable Doubt

Reasonable doubt is a legal standard used in criminal trials where the jury must be convinced of the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt for a conviction to occur. The video discusses the concept in the context of whether the prosecution has met this standard in the case against Trump.

💡Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA)

An NDA is a legally binding contract that establishes a confidential relationship between parties, typically used to protect sensitive information or trade secrets. In the video, it is suggested that Trump's motivation for entering into such agreements was to protect his marriage rather than for campaign contributions, which is a key point in the legal and ethical debate.

💡Jury

A jury is a group of people sworn to render a verdict in a trial based on evidence presented. The video discusses the potential bias and perception of the case among the jury members, emphasizing the jury's role in determining the outcome of the trial.

💡Acquittal

An acquittal is the legal declaration that a defendant has not been proved guilty. The video suggests that if the prosecution continues on its current path, there may be an acquittal even by a jury that may be perceived as being against Trump, indicating the high stakes and potential outcomes of the trial.

Highlights

Day 11 of the trial against Donald Trump with the prosecution bringing in their ninth and biggest witness, Hope Hicks.

Meeting between Donald Trump and David Pecker is critical to Bragg's case.

Donald Trump criticizes the government, DOJ, and the Office of the D.A., accusing them of letting violent crime run rampant.

Alvin Bragg's case against Trump faces more setbacks with Stormy Daniels' ex, Davidson, refusing to describe payments as 'hush money'.

Prosecutors have not proven their case against Trump, with no evidence presented that Trump was involved in the alleged wrongdoing.

Donald Trump denies reports of falling asleep in court, stating he is attentive.

Judge Jeanine suggests that if the prosecution continues on the current path, there will likely be an acquittal even by an anti-Trump jury.

David Pecker, head of AMI, testified that he did not discuss campaign contributions with Donald Trump.

Hope Hicks, a key witness, did not implicate Donald Trump in any wrongdoing.

Michael Cohen is identified as the key witness who could potentially save the case for the prosecution.

Harold suggests that while there may be embarrassing and salacious details, there is no evidence of a crime.

The burden of proof lies with the people to establish the case beyond a reasonable doubt for a unanimous verdict.

Hope Hicks' testimony indicates that Trump's concern was to protect his marriage, not about campaign contributions.

Greg criticizes the prosecution's case, comparing it to a futile attempt to improve an inherently flawed situation.

Brian discusses the impact of worldwide scrutiny on individuals involved in the case, highlighting their unpreparedness for it.

Polling suggests that the prosecution has not convinced the American people that a crime was committed.

Hope Hicks' testimony about Trump's desire to shield his family from embarrassment is highlighted.

Transcripts

00:06

>> Katie: DAY 11 OF THE

00:07

DEMOCRATS LOST THEIR TRIAL

00:08

AGAINST DONALD TRUMP IN THE

00:09

PROSECUTION BRINGING IN THEIR

00:10

NINTH AND BIGGEST WITNESS YET,

00:16

LONGTIME TRUMP AID HOPE HICKS.

00:19

IN A MEETING BETWEEN

00:20

DONALD TRUMP AND DAVID PECKER.

00:22

CRITICAL TO BRAGG'S ENTIRE CASE.

00:29

AS USUAL DONALD TRUMP BLASTING

00:30

THE WHOLE THING UP TO RECORD.

00:31

>> THE GOVERNMENT, DOJ,

00:35

ET CETERA, AND IN PARTICULAR,

00:37

THIS OFFICE OF THE D.A. WHICH IS

00:39

LETTING VIOLENT CRIME RUN

00:40

RAMPANT ALL OVER OUR CITIES, IT

00:44

IS A VICIOUS, VICIOUS, RADICAL

00:45

LEFT LUNATICS, THE D.A.,

00:50

SORROWS-BACKED, SO I JUST WANT

00:51

TO WISH EVERYBODY A VERY GOOD

00:53

WEEKEND.

00:53

WE HAVE A COUNTRY TO BUILD.

00:57

WE HAVE TO REBUILD IT.

00:59

OUR COUNTRY HAS GONE TO HELL.

01:01

WE ARE A NATION IN DECLINE.

01:03

TO BE >> Katie: THAT COMES AS

01:04

ALVIN BRAGG'S CASE AGAINST TRUMP

01:06

SUFFERS MORE EMBARRASSING SETBA.

01:08

STORMY DANIELS OF FOSTER'S

01:09

EX-DAVIDSON SAID HE WOULD NOT

01:11

USE THE TERM HUSH MONEY TO

01:17

DESCRIBE -- AND THE CASE IS

01:20

WEAK.

01:20

SPEAK A PRECIOUS LITTLE

01:23

PRESENTED YET THAT TRUMP WASN'TG

01:26

ABOVE.

01:32

GETTING THIS ACCOMPLISHED.

01:33

CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.

01:35

>> A LOT OF THAT IS GOING TO

01:36

COME FROM MICHAEL COHEN.

01:38

>> PROSECUTORS HAVE NOT PROVEN

01:41

THEIR CASE, THE BURDEN BY ANY

01:42

STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION.

01:44

SOMETHING THAT CERTAINLY HAS NOT

01:45

BEEN ESTABLISHED THUS FAR, EIGHT

01:47

OR NINE DAYS IN, WHAT WAS --

01:48

WHAT CAN WE SAY ABOUT THE

01:51

INVOLVEMENT OF THE ACTUAL

01:52

DEFENDANT?

01:52

>> WE NEED THE RECEIPTS.

01:54

>> Katie: MEANWHILE

01:55

DONALD TRUMP IS DENYING REPORTS

01:56

SAYING HE IS FALLING ASLEEP IN

02:03

COURT.

02:03

SINGH AND TRUTH SOCIAL" I

02:04

SOMETIMES CAUSE MY BIG BEAUTIFUL

02:06

BLUE EYES AND TAKE IT ALL

02:11

IN."

02:11

PROSECUTION HAS NOT PROVEN ITS

02:12

CASE AND A REASONABLE DOUBT OR

02:16

AT ALL?

02:17

>> Judge Jeanine: IF THEY

02:18

CONTINUE ON THIS VEIN, THERE

02:20

WILL BE AND ACQUITTAL EVEN BY AN

02:23

ANTI-TRUMP JURY.

02:26

JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY HATES

02:29

DONALD TRUMP, ON THIS JURY.

02:32

BUT I THINK THE SIGNIFICANT

02:34

THING IS DAVID PECKER, WHEN HE

02:36

TESTIFIED, THE HEAD OF AMI, AND

02:39

THE TABLOID, SAID HE DIDN'T

02:40

DISCUSS THIS WITH DONALD TRUMP,

02:42

AND HE CERTAINLY DIDN'T DISCUSS

02:43

THE FACT THAT THIS WAS A

02:46

CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION.

02:47

DAVIDSON WOULD NOT COME AS YOU

02:48

JUST SAID, AGREE IT WAS

02:49

HUSH MONEY, HE SAID IT WAS

02:51

CONSIDERATION, WHICH IS PART OF

02:52

A CONTRACT.

02:52

AND HE DENIED IT WAS HUSH MONEY.

02:55

AND THEN TODAY WE HAD

02:57

HOPE HICKS.

02:57

HOPE HICKS DIDN'T LAY A FINGER

02:59

ON DONALD TRUMP.

03:00

SO WE ARE IN DAY 11, WITH A

03:03

NINTH WITNESS, AND NOBODY HAS

03:04

TOUCHED DONALD TRUMP.

03:06

SO WHAT THAT TELLS ME IS THAT

03:08

MICHAEL COHEN IS THE KEY HERE.

03:11

AND TRUMP AND HIS LAWYERS WILL

03:12

DESTROY HIM.

03:14

I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING VERY

03:15

IMPORTANT TO GO BACK TO END IT

03:17

IS FUNDAMENTAL.

03:18

THE PEOPLE HAVE THE OBLIGATION

03:19

TO PROVE THIS CASE BEYOND A

03:22

REASONABLE OUT TO 12 PEOPLE COME

03:23

IT HAS TO BE A UNANIMOUS

03:25

VERDICT.

03:25

AND IF THERE IS AN EXPLANATION

03:27

OTHER THAN WHAT THE PROSECUTION

03:30

SUGGESTS, THAT IS REASONABLE

03:31

DOUBT RIGHT THERE.

03:35

SO HOPE HICKS SAID TODAY THAT

03:36

DONALD TRUMP, WHEN HE HEARD

03:38

ABOUT THE INFORMATION COMING

03:40

OUT, I DON'T KNOW, ABOUT WHICH

03:42

WOMAN, HE SAID, DON'T LET

03:43

MELANIA AT THE NEWSPAPERS, I

03:45

DON'T WANT HER SEEING ANYTHING.

03:47

THAT IS PROOF POSITIVE THAT THIS

03:49

WAS NOT ABOUT A CAMPAIGN

03:50

CONTRIBUTION.

03:51

THIS WAS ABOUT SAVING HIS

03:52

MARRIAGE, AND HE DIDN'T WANT TO

03:53

GET IN TROUBLE, WHICH IS THE

03:56

CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF WHY MEN ENTER

03:57

INTO NDA'S.

03:59

>> Katie: WELL, GREG, IF

04:00

MICHAEL COHEN IS THE ULTIMATE

04:01

WITNESS, I'M SURE HE WILL SAVE

04:03

THE CASE.

04:04

>> Greg: THIS GUY, DAVIDSON,

04:05

THEY MAKE MICHAEL AVENATTI LOOK

04:07

LIKE THURGOOD MARSHALL.

04:10

THESE KEY WITNESSES ARE SO SLIMY

04:12

THEY LEAVE A TRAIL BEHIND THEM.

04:15

IN SIMPLEST TERMS, THE KEY

04:18

WITNESS MICHAEL COHEN IS THE

04:20

SAME PERSON WHO SUPPLIED TRUMP

04:21

WITH THE ADVICE THAT GOT HIM

04:23

CHARGED.

04:23

SO IT GIVES LIKE A PATIENT

04:24

HAVING A WRONG KIDNEY REMOVED

04:28

AND THE HOSPITAL AND THE DOCTOR

04:28

ARE SUING THE PATIENT FOR

04:31

MALPRACTICE.

04:31

YOU CAN GIVE 100 COATS OF PAINT

04:33

ON THIS TURD, IT IS STILL A TURD

04:39

AND IT SEEMS LIKE DONALD TRUMP

04:41

IS BRUSHING IT DOWN ALVIN BRAGG.

04:44

IF THERE IS A TIME AND A PLACE

04:46

TO SLEEP, IT IS THERE.

04:49

HE SHOULD BRING A BLANKET AND A

04:51

NECK PILLOW, MAY BE A LITTLE

04:53

COCOA, HAVE A LOW AMBIENT MUSIC

04:55

ON THE SIDE BECAUSE YOU KNOW

04:57

WHAT?

04:58

HE SHOULDN'T DEVOTE ANY

04:59

ATTENTION TO THIS BECAUSE IT IS

05:00

A FARCE.

05:02

THE JUDGES RIGHT.

05:03

WILL THE JURY SEE IT AS A FARCE?

05:06

BUT EVERYBODY IS PAYING

05:06

ATTENTION NOW SEES IT FOR WHAT

05:08

IT IS.

05:10

THIS IS MORE FABRICATED THAN

05:12

JOE BIDEN'S MEMORIES.

05:13

>> Katie: JUST RESTING HIS

05:14

BEAUTIFUL BLUE EYES, HAROLD,

05:15

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS MEANT TO

05:16

HAPPEN HERE?

05:18

>> Harold: I TEND TO AGREE

05:19

WITH THE JUDGE ON ONE BIG  

05:23

ASPECT.

05:23

THIS WILL GET TO A JURY AT SOME

05:25

POINT.

05:25

THUS FAR, WHAT I HAVE READ IN

05:27

THE PUBLIC NARRATIVE, THERE IS

05:28

NOTHING THAT SAYS THERE WAS A

05:30

CRIME, EMBARRASSING AND

05:31

SALACIOUS THINGS BUT NOTHING

05:32

CRIMINAL HERE.

05:33

I DIFFER WITH THE JUDGE IN THIS

05:34

REGARD.

05:35

I THINK THE JURY CAN BE FAIR AND

05:35

I THINK THIS JURY, I THINK THOSE

05:38

TWO LAWYERS ON THAT JURY, IF YOU

05:41

ARE IN PRESIDENT TRUMP'S SHOES,

05:42

YOU WANT LAWYERS THERE TO BE

05:43

ABLE TO HELP, IF PEOPLE ARE

05:48

ENRAGED OR INTRIGUED BY SOME OF

05:50

THE SALACIOUS THINGS.

05:52

I TEND TO AGREE WITH THE FELLOW

05:53

ON CNN WE PLAYED.

05:55

I HAVE NOT READ OR SEEN ANYTHING

05:56

COME I HAVE IT ON IN THE

05:57

BACKGROUND, JUST KIND OF READ

05:59

THE THINGS, WE ARE NOT IN THE

06:02

COURTROOM, OBVIOUSLY, BUT IT

06:03

DOESN'T APPEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO

06:05

PROVE THAT THEY HAVE PROVEN.

06:06

>> Katie: BRIAN, IT SEEMS LIKE

06:07

THE POLLING HAS PROVEN THEY HAVE

06:10

NOT PROVEN IT TO THE AMERICAN

06:11

PEOPLE WHICH IS WHAT THE LEFT

06:15

ARE TRYING TO DO, CANNOT PROVE A

06:17

CRIME WAS COMMITTED HERE.

06:18

>> Brian: THEY ONLY WANT TO

06:18

SHOW HE ONLY CARES ABOUT HIS

06:21

CAMPAIGN, DOESN'T CARE ABOUT HIS

06:22

FAMILY, HE CAME OUT AND SAID HE

06:24

DID NOT WANT TO MELANIA TO KNOW,

06:26

DEEPLY EMBARRASSING, WANTED HIS

06:27

FAMILY TO BE PROUD OF THEM, THAT

06:29

WAS HOPE HICKS.

06:30

TOWARDS THE END OF THE

06:32

TESTIMONY, SHE BROKE DOWN AND

06:34

STARTED CRYING.

06:35

SHE CAME BACK, SORRY COME AT IT

06:37

JUST GOES -- YOU MET HER.

06:39

SHE IS OF THE KINDEST --

06:40

>> Judge Jeanine: SHE IS SO

06:43

SWEET.

06:43

>> Brian: I'VE SEEN THINGS

06:46

COME AT TRUMP FROM EVERYWHERE, 6

06:50

CAMPAIGN, NEVER LOST IT, ALWAYS

06:51

CALL HIM, ALWAYS PRESSURE, AND

06:54

YOU REALIZE -- MONOGRAPH IS

06:55

ANOTHER ONE -- THESE ARE THE

06:56

NICEST PEOPLE YOU WANT TO MEET

06:58

AND ALL THE SUDDEN

06:59

WORLDWIDE SCRUTINY THEY ARE

06:59

NOT BILLED FOR IT AND THEY

07:01

DESERVE BETTER.

07:02

>> Katie: ALSO SHE MOVED ON

07:03

FROM T