Defending Trump, Blanche attacked the evidence as nearly a decade old, part of an effort to poke holes in the allegations against Trump.
“There’s nothing wrong with trying to influence an election. It’s called democracy,” Blanche argued in the defense’s opening statements, calling the use of nondisclosure agreements “perfectly legal.”
Daniels, he said, had tried to “extort” money from Trump — a point that drew an objection from prosecutors — and Cohen, now a disgruntled former employee, was waging a vendetta against his client.
“You will learn, ladies and gentlemen, that Michael Cohen has pled guilty to lying under oath,” Blanche said.
Blanche had painted a picture of the “larger than life” former president, telling jurors how “he’s also a husband, a man, a father.”
“A man just like me,” he said, as Trump watched his defense attorney intently.