Trump Trials & Tribulations: N.Y. Trial Dispatch, May 20

On May 20 at 5:30 p.m. ET, Lawfare Senior Editor Roger Parloff will speak to Lawfare Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Wittes, Managing Editor Tyler McBrien, Senior Editor Quinta Jurecic, and Courts Correspondent and Legal Fellow Anna Bower for Lawfare's post-court dispatch. The livestream start time may be changed if the court lets out early or late. Any change in time will be announced on Lawfare's social media and here.
Material supporters will receive a link to join the webinar to watch it without ads. It will be livestreamed on KZbin for all other viewers.
You can help make this coverage possible by becoming a monthly material supporter of Lawfare at our Patreon page at patreon.com/lawfare. Or make a one-time donation to support Trump Trials coverage at givebutter.com....

[@joancramer7484]

Thank you for your wonderful reporting.

[@mountainmolerat]

Love this constellation of people: Smart, personable, funny, insightful.

[@anamakesthings]

:)) I wish all hype houses took after them

[@coffeekittie]

It's great to see Quinta again. Thanks, everyone.

[@CindyStock-js5kk]

Nice to see Quinta join you in 'the house'.

[@basketballsteve54]

Trump's lawyers are "bonkers" for listening to and following Trump's request. It's like a school bus driver letting a tantruming kindergartner insist they drive the bus on the wrong side of the freeway because it's a short cut. It's not a defense it's chaotic craziness for the MAGA base.

[@phylis3917]

Defendant’t fault; he a lousy attorney. 😅. That what he gets for trying to control everything.

[@jacquilee6882]

Thank you for such thoughtful analysis.

[@Michele-ie9ow]

His posse. Similar when he had cabinet mtgs while he was in White House…going around the table all cabinet members had to give thanks and praise to tump. 😜

[@nichst100]

Question: Blanche touched upon Dan Goldman preparing Cohen for testimony to Congress; this triggered my memory of Marjorie Taylor Greene raising a connection between Goldman and Judge Merchan's daughter in the Oversight shit-show, last week. Do you think Trump has ordered that Goldman's name be bandied about by Blanche and MTG? To what end?

[@stephenbevan2320]

I entirely agree. I also think that Costello’s performance in Congress and his antics in court were very possibly a contrivance to generate controversy around and within the trial..

[@nichst100]

@@stephenbevan2320 I only remembered the Judiciary thing after my OP. Sure as shit it's all coordinated! Just like the matching outfits of Trump's goon squad.

[@cherylj7460]

Paying off polling companies! I bet trump is doing that now!

[@Lonewolfmike]

Man, Donnie keeps screwing himself over and over and over, again. He is a Nghtmare as a client. Just look at all of the lawyer's who have lost their licenses.

[@alanburke1893]

Don't forget to Voice Blue before you Vote Blue....🇺🇸

[@jannichi6431]

IF need be, will there be time to retrial before the election?

[@stephenbevan2320]

The conspiratorial side of my imagination wonders whether the antics by Costello were not just an accident waiting to happen, but a deliberate contrivance concocted with Trump’s knowledge and approval. Trump and his acolytes have been baiting the judge for weeks. Costello’s bombast is inate, but also performative. Creating a controversy within the courtroom serves Trump’s larger narrative very well. And creates the appellate “talking point” contrived-but-useful ground of appeal argument that Trumpian lawfare is full of.

[@bobjohnson6548]

Interesting sponsor banner

[@kagadaza07]

Wouldn't it make sense to stipulate it because why would the defense object to it if the item was not important? Why do you keep on saying Michael Cohen is the main witness? The documents came in weeks ago. Are these people lawyers?

[@jannichi6431]

Trump math didnt add up even with the notes by Wiesselberg. $13Ok to $420k? Bet Do ald was p.o.ed.

[@gregshellylaios4104]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@donaldfarmer8421]

Jesus Christ. Is it possible to get over the personal bias and simply report? I stopped listening at the intro when Trump supporters were described as "groveling' or looking like a "mobster."

[@stephenbevan2320]

It’s a shame your personal bias got in the way of you listening to the astute analysis. Are your biases so strong that you are unable to filter. Poor you.

[@brianross2377]

Or it’s an honest depiction and paints an accurate picture of what was happening. It is telling that, once you hear something you don’t like, you stop listening.

[@DG-rc6rr]

thank you for all the very good work reporting and explaining

[@manicka111]

Hey Lawfare, I really like Roger doing the intro and moderating.

[@HandmadeDarcy]

I agree with Quinta, both the hysterical cross of Cohen and today's antics are highly reminiscent of Sean Spicer's performance insisting that Trump's inauguration crowd was the biggest "period!" - written and directed by by the defendant, and utterly ineffective.

[@CurtOntheRadio]

thanks!

[@phylis3917]

Defendant Wesley, hence, needs support of others BADLY.