Donald Trump Criminal Trial Verdict Watch Begins as Jury Deliberates

The Manhattan jury begins its deliberations, and the Trump team thinks it may have a sympathizer on the inside. Tommy and Strict Scrutiny's Melissa Murray break down the range of potential outcomes, from conviction to full acquittal to a hung jury. Plus: Robert De Niro mixes it up with protestors outside the courthouse, and Justice Alito formally refuses to recuse himself over what he says is his wife's constitutionally guaranteed freedom to fly insurrectionist flags.
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Intro & Melissa joins
1:47 - Trump trial
23:52 - Robert De Niro at the court
26:40 - Trump runs as an outlaw
29:33 - Killing Justice & VSA
31:13 - Classified Documents case
34:40 - Justice Alito
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Crooked believes that we need a better conversation about politics, culture, and the world around us-one that doesn’t just focus on what’s broken, but what we can do to fix it. At a time when it’s increasingly easy to feel cynical or hopeless, former Obama staffers Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, and Tommy Vietor have created a place where people can have sane conversations that inform, entertain, and inspire action. In 2017 they started Crooked with Pod Save America-a no-bullshit conversation about politics. Since then, we continue to add shows, voices, and opportunities for activism, because it’s up to all of us to do our part to build a better world. That’s it. End of mission.
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#podsaveamerica #trump #robertdeniro

[@kellylewis7190]

Justices Alito and Thomas are the two best reasons to vote Biden and the Democrats.

[@peterford9369]

Maybe for y'all intellectuals, DeNiro is a negative for Joe Biden. But I've been reading a lot of positive comments on other channels, praising DeNiro and backing Joe Biden.

[@nancychandler3673]

De Niro isn't a negative for intellectuals.

[@lhoward9593]

And the future opportunities for Scotus picks. Imagine if Trump gets to choose 2-3 more justices. We will be living in the real-life Handmaid's Tale.

[@DennisMoore664]

I'd argue that Donald Trump is still the best reason to vote Biden and the Democrats - Project 2025 is right up there as well.

[@walterpetrik5668]

Biden didn't move at all on the Supreme Court. Alito and Thomas could freely enjoy their corrupt life and actions with Biden in office. All his promises of stuffing the court never substantiated. No, the number one reason to vote for Biden is Trump, period.

[@Christine-jz1qj]

I love listening to Melissa Murray. Her background sign “Rage + Women = Power.” I am a 73 year old grandmother who proudly wears Crooked Media’s tee shirt “Las Vulvas Stay Out of My Strip” to support women’s health care and right to reproductive choices.

[@stacygilbert9316]

And that is (one of many reasons, no doubt) why you are an amazing 73 yr old grandma. We need to stand strong for our daughters, granddaughters, nieces, friends, neighbors, total strangers! I refuse to accept the dystopian vision of a future of tRumpian / Project 2025 ideals. Fuck those guys.

[@kathiestickel9247]

I’m a 70 year old Gramma and I want one of those t-shirts.

[@kathiestickel9247]

I remember those days when we were struggling and fighting for rights that the Republicans are slowly taking away. I won’t stand for it now as I did not stand for it then.

[@MitchellColbert]

Personally, I think DeNiro gave us all a Masterclass in tactfully responding to a moronic heckler.

[@jonathanfagerlund976]

"The Audacity of Taupe." That's a deep dive. I lol'd.

[@joannakasper5486]

The only reason I came into the comments was to make sure someone else caught this. 😀

[@Tanagra180]

​@@joannakasper5486Same! 😂

[@diaphanouswaffle]

@@joannakasper5486 yes !

[@Sickoftheinsanity]

For older voters like me, DeNiro was perfect. He tells it like it is and is a private citizen and not an elected official. But yes, the mega baby stars need to step up too for democracy!

[@LaRevolution0]

Deniro got owned for the clown he is hahaha. We are not a democracy, we are a republic.

[@gregoryamour3388]

A vote for a third party candidate or staying home is a vote for a Rt Wing Supreme Court forever!

[@diannef315]

Truly, the two older Conservative justices will retire and Trump will choose 2 very young people to fill the vacancies and far right conservatives will rule SCOTUS for many decades. Or Trump will disband the DOJ and SCOTUS, Project 2025, Agenda 47. Thanks to the Federalist Society.

[@DennisMoore664]

Depends on which state someone lives in.

[@Sustain.Able.Future]

De Niro has played EVERY STRONG MAN in Hollywood!!! He was kinda perfect. Many-a-middle aged man loves him some De Niro… ✌🏻🌊💙

[@Jackie371]

Agree. Women, too. And, I have no idea who those (famous?) people are that Melissa mentioned. Also, Donald Trump knows DeNiro and was triggered by him.

[@bradley244ify]

⁠

[@kt550]

He was walking around with a mask on outside 😂 get a grip

[@LaRevolution0]

Deniro is a JOKE hahaha

[@kathiestickel9247]

@@LaRevolution0? Jealous?

[@yorkbizz]

Are we for term limits for these Justices yet?

[@arcticgoddess]

I would guess that 60-70% of the country is. There are some institutional change that we are just never going to get from Biden though-term limits and expanding the court, included. I say this as a Progressive who considers him more successful in getting progressive policy passed in 4 years than Obama did in 8, and I am an Obama stan. In a perfect world, President Raskin and VP Ocasio-Cortez and their supermajorities in the House and Senate can get this done in '28 or '32. Maybe Trumpers will be so angry about Biden's re-elect, that they will move to Hungary. 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻😂

[@karenm2334]

I’m for impeachment for Alito and Thomas. Also, Aileen Cannon. There’s no hope of it winning, but they ought to be impeached and removed.

[@auntlynnie]

I sure am!

[@margaretmcnamee6411]

I think 10 to 15 yrs. should be the absolute limit.

[@fatemakarim5054]

Absolutely!

[@carolbulmer8253]

John and Melissa, this was an excellent discussion! Thank you👏👏👏👏👏

[@joannakasper5486]

Tommy, not Jon, but yeah, excellent discussion. 🙂

[@63JoshuaB]

And the biggest LIE Alito made was that 'He nor his wife knew what EITHER flag meant'🤣

[@johng3287]

I think Deniro was great... everyone is sick of hearing MTG, Trumps whiney kids, 1/2 a billion dolla Habba, and his comfort flunkies in matching outfits...that finally having someone on our side push back was necessary.

[@MegMcCormack]

Omg can I just say thank you for ramping up your pods!? Thank you!

[@alexhanna2445]

This is like an all stars episode for me with Tommy and Melissa as hosts 😍

[@SuperLogurt]

Melissa’s energy in this show was SPOT ON. Love it, love her.

[@robertbritt6134]

Imagine the hairs that never get split when one of us ends up in court. Try to appeal to the SCOTUS someday…

[@karenm2334]

17:04 “…whether there’s a likelihood of recidivism…” 🤔, ABSOLUTELY YES!

[@diannef315]

Like Adam Schiff said in 2018, "you can’t change him, you can’t stop him." Our only hope is for the legal system to finally hold him accountable.

[@jennifermacharg792]

Every time trump speaks, I feel like I’m in Gotham.

[@abortretryfail9350]

Yes, exactly, I've said it a million times, but the POTUS, for better or worse, has always been the "moral compass" of the country, and the zeitgeist has usually reflected that, so to me, making Trump the president, was like putting The Penguin in the White House, which effectively turned America into Gotham, so yeah, here we are....

[@curtisevans4100]

Real Presidents of DC. And after all that lecturing from Republicans over the years about character. They never gave a damn about any of it.

[@Kelbel30]

I’m so ready for this to be over! It’s even exhausting me. 😳😳

[@lauriehancock1005]

Gulliani, would be the perfect penguin

[@JackilynChristine]

This is the most perfect analogy I have ever heard.

[@johnannada]

You had me at "House Alito." Subbing Strict Scrutiny now.

[@shanaralls157]

DUDE. The archives are GOLD. I found the show maybe a year ago and have been reveling in the old episodes (and new) since then. Chef's kiss.

[@karenm2334]

20:33 if the reaction of Trump‘s followers is affecting possible consequences for him, their threats have won. It’s a nice country you’ve got there. It’d be a shame if something happened to it. STOP GIVING HIM SPECIAL TREATMENT 😡

[@elibnem4126]

Agreed, we cannot allow worries of what might happen to control decisions/ punishments based on our laws. Punish everyone according to what they have done, nevermind the "what if" BS.

[@hardcandy921]

She's brilliant and funny--she totally passed the vibe check when you said, "We have to get into character." What a perfect co-host!

[@chantalchandler-pease8206]

Just a shout out to Melissa, you're so smart and legitimately compelling to listen to, I found myself agreeing with you out loud!? Also I love your bookshelf so much!

[@friendoquail]

"the audacity of taupe" WOW

[@dross24MA]

"We don't normally do this. " Well, maybe "we" need to start because what "we" are doing is not working.

[@FRANCENEKELLY]

GREAT show. Tommy ROCKS. Melissa RULES.

[@Laurenlilly902]

Melissa is HILARIOUS!!!!

[@mattosborne1366]

"The Audacity of Taupe" Name of my New Wave band 😅

[@ethanherschenfeld]

Melissa is a superstar. First time hearing her. Great interview.

[@kindredanastasia]

Give her pod Strict Scrutiny a try. It's the only podcast i can't listen to double speed and will often re-listen. True Crooked fan here, and if they come out with any more great pods it'll cut into my sleep 😅

[@shanaralls157]

@@kindredanastasia Cosign. @ethanherschenfeld Strict Scrutiny is MAGNIFICENT. Three brilliant, badass female law professors who blend blistering intellect, righteous indignation, and all the lulz. Nothing can really make this garbage better, but it's nice to feel like you have such amazing people sitting in the garbage with you. 😂

[@Laurenlilly902]

MELLISSA IS HILARIOUS!!! I can listen to her all day!!!!

[@darrahhopper6437]

The audacity of taupe is a line I need to remember forever.

[@seanmurphy9776]

The chasm between Trump and any other person's treatment in the judicial system is gross and depressing. How can anyone pretend that we have equality under the law? It's a damning indictment of our system.

[@kindredanastasia]

There's often only as much justice as a person can afford. it's fucking depressing.

[@Rugelacharugula]

Anyone watching now, breathe easier. *GUILTY ON ALL 34 COUNTS*

[@donnacamp9869]

This was a GREAT show. guys.

[@mattosborne1366]

Melissa Murray is awesome..

[@maryfranco3810]

Just got my hands on a copy of "The Trump Indictments!" Looking forward to reading it!

[@chrystya]

So did I!

[@mathdadclt3683]

A judge came to me - a big judge, a supreme judge - with tears in his eyes. "Sir," he said, "how do you avoid any accountability in the face of so much clear evidence of personal corruption?"

[@chrystya]

Ha

[@ivocanevo]

Every single day, KZbin recommends me Pod Save America. It's usually over an hour long. While that sometimes gives me pause, the time spent was ALWAYS worth it. Thank you 💙

[@vanessawhitneypro]

LOVE Melissa!

[@bcapetta]

Obama and "the audacity of taupe" Love how Melissa slid that one in. Nicely done.

[@kellylewis7190]

This is one of the best explanations what the verdict in this case is about that I've heard. Thanks Tommy/Melissa/Crooked.

[@01akqueen]

It's sad how he gets a pass because we (the judge/the law) are afraid of violence from his followers. How is that not just BONKERS!

[@cosmicstroller]

Agreed! And for what other defendant does anyone care how a guilty verdict would affect their day job - or their ability to campaign.

[@ktube332]

Wow! Hanging out with Melissa and her Martharita!!!🌊😂

[@kateobrien1209]

Loved DeNiro, Dunn & Fanone showing up at the courthouse - it will play to blue collar Biden voters who think the party is too far to the left and too weak to stand up to Trump.

[@Vaeldarg]

No Biden voter thinks the party is "too far to the left". Trump voters are the ones who have been telling you that, not Biden voters.

[@kt550]

Right….. the mask wearing 80 year old washed up actor bashing trump will surely bring in the blue collar vote 😂

[@guillermoelnino]

No amount of TDS will convince someone NOT to vote for tr ump

[@Vaeldarg]

@@guillermoelnino That kind of proves that the real TDS is in those voting for Trump, if he can literally not do anything (including shooting someone, as he has said) to lose their votes.

[@Vaeldarg]

@@guillermoelnino (since my reply seems to have disappeared) TDS is more like what is making you vote for him. Voting for such a person is deranged.

[@reneetoday3779]

DeNiro got under Trump’s skin and that’s always a plus!

[@LincolnMaurice]

De Niro probably didn't really need to do this, but I felt he was more of a badass in this moment than in The Irishman.

[@kt550]

Dude was wearing a mask outside 😂

[@AM-fs1je]

​@@kt550 Gasp. The audacity of mask.

[@alexwilson5320]

Love hearing from the ladies for strict scrutiny!

[@liaboyd8464]

I ❤ Melissa Murray. Martharitas all around!

[@alioxinfree]

26:40 Obama's audacity of taupe. Good one. 😂

[@pamstanton6696]

Epic show! Thank you both.

[@preciousroy6079]

Maybe I'm late to the party but I had to put down my drink and giggle at "the audacity of taupe."

[@user-fd1qi2hp4t]

Great episode

[@annstevning-roe6804]

Love you Melissa!

[@damianBTSot7]

Watching an ad for "Ezra" starring Robert DeNero, before getting to watch the verdict watch, and then you mention DeNero right away is just😘👌 Also Im watching this belatedly on Thursday night so GUILTY!!!!!!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 So very, VERY GUILTY!😂

[@notyou8397]

I have an idea for a new Disney movie. Former President gets convicted of a felony, but they don’t wanna throw him in jail so they make him do community service as a hockey coach for a team that has never won a game.

[@therealbatman-mi3kc]

HOW is calling his judge corrupt is NOT. A violation of gag order?

[@meganm1074]

The gag order doesn’t apply to the judge. It’s a failing if the US legal system can’t stop attacks that endanger lives & falsely undermine the legal system.

[@meganm1074]

The right to free speech is why the gag order doesn’t apply to the judge. Supposedly Trump as a political candidate should be free to attack the judge & lead prosecutor. That shouldn’t be allowed where it endangers people & falsely undermines the legal system.

[@plod985]

Judge is walking a tightrope, didn’t include himself in gag order

[@anniekate76]

The judge didn’t include himself because he wanted to make it clear that the gag order is not self serving, it is just protecting innocent and less powerful folks like the court employees and jurors from harassment and worse for doing their jobs.

[@JB-pu8ik]

Pretty sure ragging on Michael Cohen again was a violation of the gag order.

[@mrmaskerville]

expand court to 13

[@tonihodges5972]

19

[@diaphanouswaffle]

Thank you Tommy & Melissa for putting words to my feelings of overwhelming outrage at SCOTUS and Alito's misconduct-while also giving us some humor & snark/sass to help leaven the awfulness (bc we all gotta' survive somehow).

[@blaisemacpherson7637]

DiNiro be like "you gonna vote for Trump again? Fahgetabouddit

[@antispeedrun]

"The audacity of taupe" thanks that's my band name now

[@kelly2fly]

’ll be serving Ginny tonics and Martharitas when 45 goes to prison.

[@aninapolina]

SHE BY SHEREE!!! Melissa Murray is the best!!!!!

[@shiskaberry1]

OK so here is my thing, there is nothing, absolutely nothing that Jack Smith or any other prosecutor can do that will not be labeled as Political by the Trump team. STOP GIVING IN TO WHAT HE WANTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MasterOfDarkness42069]

I didn't think the De Niro thing was weird at all. I enjoyed it thoroughly. A lot of people who never really were public with their political views are coming out and speaking out against Trump. Ken Burns is another who just did the same.

[@jimmerb.4722]

You two are a great duo...thank you!

[@devrasays]

I don't think DeNiro was such a bad idea - New Yorker vs. New Yorker. Anyway, I think if the Biden campaign wants to reach GenZ, they need to really go hard on Pres. Biden's climate change policies & successes - no one talks that up. The youngsters care about this (as they should).

[@windlessoriginals1150]

Melissa is so great.

[@anthonybrown311]

The audacity of taupe 😂

[@cherylgibson7038]

Very interesting conversation.! Thank you for sharing!

[@tdsoldier3198]

Trump belongs in Gitmo.

[@allynnamccleod8862]

Sounds like a guaranteed way to get the current inmates to file a class action suit for cruel and unusual punishment. I mean, waterboarding and sleep deprivation are one thing, subjecting them to his 24/7 whining would definitely violate the Constitution.

[@Vanillastump]

Trump belong in Hell

[@guillermoelnino]

The more y ou ha te him the more we're going to vote for him.

[@AS-oy5rg]

I agree with Melissa on Maggie!!!!

[@shannonhoffman7873]

Sigh. Well thanks to you both for that uplifting snapshot of "big D" democracy. Think I'll go drink a bottle of wine and make sure my passport is up to date. 😂

[@margaretmcnamee6411]

Time to pack the court. The norms don't work.

[@kennethsilver5978]

"The audacity of taupe" Incredible.

[@AS-oy5rg]

When the judge told the jury to disregard the "prison" comment, he said that he determines the sentence and prison is not warranted in this type of conviction. So, I don't know why everyone keeps going on about a prison sentence??

[@reginaldgarner4321]

@AS-oy5rg, perhaps it's hopeful, wishful thinking ahead to future trials, gag order violations, illegal campaign and criminal activity; traitors, domestic terrorists, and extreme nationalists standing by

[@crusaderrabbit1970]

Trump calling other people "corrupt." That's rich!

[@blueberry-ri7eb]

Not long ago he told Oil execs he would give them all they wanted if they gave him 1 billion

[@haruruben]

Lock him up! Lock him up! Lock him up!

[@KnialPiper]

Vote! Voice it!

[@kathiestickel9247]

Love Melissa!

[@BottleConcreteBlond]

So interesting! Great discussion!

[@Sickoftheinsanity]

Also, from what Karen Friedman Agnifilo said, in NY courts, the jury doesn’t get transcripts, so everytime the jury wants a refresher, exact quote or any clarification, they have to send a note about the exact item the the court reporter has to go in and actually read the transcript to the jury. It’s an inefficient and time consuming system. So that’s probably why the prosecution took so long because they wanted to go over all the evidence (so much) to refresh the jury memories and counter the crazy defense’s defense.

[@chrystya]

No it works

[@stacygilbert9316]

Poor Barack Obama…and the audacity of taupe… 😂😂😂 I just woke the dog up when I almost rolled out of bed laughing! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@Hollywood041]

Did you two get tipsy to do a broadcast, hahaha. I love it. Melissa Murray is definitely saying things she wouldn't otherwise. Thank you. Thank you so much

[@kindredanastasia]

Have you listened to her on Strict Scrutiny? She's epic.

[@shanaralls157]

This is her baseline! Last week's episode was 💯

[@js46644]

That beer has a nice color

[@shanalincoln7012]

"The audacity of TAUPE" I'm ded LOL

[@Kelbel30]

The multiple charges make sense to me. People can be charged with murder in the first PLUS reckless endangerment and a jury could find them guilty of only one of those charges within a trial where both charges are present.

[@user-cx4nj8vu6e]

Great show!

[@curtisevans4100]

Nice to know the Alitos are spitters.

[@Vanillastump]

I would have sung along, top-of-lungs to "Because I Got High" all 10 times.

[@Jackie371]

Melissa Murray - Agree, I was thinking the same thing - that the closing arguments go on too long. I think they need to have a time limit, like one or two hours.

[@keister1169]

No GOP administrations until the SC is blue. Vote in November!!

[@The_Dance_Club_of_Gene_Kelly]

SC will never be #Blue with Jamie Harrison as Chair of the DNC

[@vanessawhitneypro]

I’m good with NO GOP Administration EVER again… But, I get what you’re saying… 🗳️💙

[@petec6611]

I'll settle for Louisiana

[@guillermoelnino]

Don't worry, y ou r party will just do what y ou did last time. The DNC will make 2 020 look plausible by comparison.

[@andrewscottbell]

What beer, Tommy?

[@brianmengini]

Glad it’s not just me. Saw that and thought it looked like a nice glass of lager lol

[@andrewscottbell]

@@brianmengini wait if it's not beer what is it??

[@brianmengini]

@@andrewscottbell I couldn’t come up with anything lol. I just know I instantly got thirsty lol

[@anndjohnson7255]

More Deniro !!

[@Tcb0835]

Surely, a judge shouldn't take into account the reaction of someone's 'followers', or the impact on their political career, when considering a sentence.

[@arthurnitzschke6991]

Prediction correct, Tommy!

[@snosister]

if he is loathe, it is t Rump's behavior that should determine - IF he can't be an adult about this, when can he? and consequently, HOW can he be electable???

[@lynnhettrick7588]

Always love seeing a puppy in the background!

[@diamonddog3685]

Cant wait for this to be over. None of it will matter at all.

[@jodysheridan604]

Thank!!!

[@waunahavefun954]

“Marco Rubio is on the SHORT list.” 😂😂😂😂😂

[@deborahpitcher7723]

I don’t know how alito expects anybody to follow the law when he chooses not to follow it and blatantly breaks it so why should anybody follow any laws when our supreme court is this disgraceful?

[@nitraM321]

i think Bob De Niro was great, because he is saying what he really feels.

[@RabbiJoeInJerusalem]

"Flag Saga"? How unwieldy! It's The Flaga!™