Day 15 in the Trump Hush Money Trial

Closing arguments in the former president's historic criminal hush money trial wrapped up in a lower Manhattan courtroom tonight. The prosecution told jurors they’ve seen a “mountain of evidence” to prove that Donald Trump falsified business records in order to cover up a damaging story involving an alleged affair with adult film star Stormy Daniels at the end of the 2016 election. On the other side, Trump's team told the jury that this whole case relies on the testimony of his former fixer Michael Cohen, who according to them is the "MVP of liars" and is out to get Trump. Wednesday morning, after hearing instructions from Judge Juan Merchan, jurors will have the case and the former President's fate in their hands. Tonight, Anderson spoke with Michael Cohen's attorney Danya Perry and Stormy Daniels' attorney Clark Brewster to get their thoughts on closing arguments and how they think jury deliberations will go.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The judge in the former president's criminal hush money trial case has issued the final jury instructions to the prosecution and defense teams. The instructions are not expected to be released publicly before closing arguments, which are scheduled for Tuesday. Former federal prosecutor Temidayo Aganga-Williams and former New York state supreme court justice Jill Konviser discuss what might be included in the jury instructions. Plus, today marks two years since 19 students were killed in the shooting at Robb Elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. Shimon Prokupecz went back to Uvalde to speak with some of the survivors.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tonight former President Trump held a campaign rally in the Bronx, a largely Hispanic and Black area of New York City. President Biden won the county, a Democratic stronghold, by about 68 points four years ago. But as Mr. Trump seeks reelection in November, he’s trying to reach out to those voters. Anderson talks about the campaign’s efforts with former Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Republican strategist Shermichael Singleton. Plus, it's been nearly 19 years since Hurricane Katrina slammed into New Orleans and parts of Mississippi, killing more nearly 1,400 people. A mother and her twin baby boys survived the hurricane but were struggling with dehydration and starvation when Lt. Gen. Russel L. Honoré stepped in to help. Stephanie Elam shows us how those twins, who just graduated from high school, are thanking Honoré. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A shouting match broke out today between attorneys during pre-trial proceedings in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case. The disagreement was over a long-disputed 2022 meeting between a prosecutor and an attorney for former President Trump’s personal aide Walt Nauta. Plus, Judge Aileen Cannon seemed skeptical of arguments to dismiss charges against Trump and his co-defendants. But, she has yet to rule on the motions she considered on Wednesday. Former Trump White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci and former U.S. District Court Judge Shira Scheindlin talk to Anderson about the case. Also, in a 360° exclusive, CNN’s Elizabeth Wagmeister talks to a woman who alleges Harvey Weinstein assaulted her nearly a decade ago. The woman also says she was the target of a "catch-and-kill" effort by the National Enquirer, similar to what's been described in the former president's hush money trial.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Trump defense rested today in the criminal hush money trial without calling the former president to the witness stand after he said at one point that he'd testify. The trial is adjourned until next Tuesday when closing arguments are expected. CNN legal commentator Robert Ray, counsel to former President Trump in his first impeachment trial, and former New York Supreme Court judge Diane Kiesel break down what happens next. Plus, a video was posted on the former president’s Truth Social account Monday that included images of a fake newspaper article that contained the words "unified Reich." The video was removed from his account Tuesday morning, and a Trump campaign spokesperson said in a statement that the video was not created by the campaign and was “reposted by a staffer who clearly did not see the word, while the president was in court.” CNN political commentators Van Jones and Alyssa Farah Griffin talk about how something like this happens and why it took so long to take it down.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There was high drama and tension in the former president's hush money trial on Monday. At one point, Judge Juan Merchan admonished defense witness Robert Costello. According to the court transcript, the judge told Costello “if you try to stare me down one more time, I will remove you from the stand."  New York Times' senior political correspondent Maggie Haberman and former chief judge of the U.S. Middle District Court of Pennsylvania John E. Jones III join AC360 to break down today’s proceedings. Plus, Anderson speaks with television host Bill Maher about his new book "What This Comedian Said Will Shock You" and the current state of play for American politics.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A blockbuster day during former President Trump’s criminal hush money trial. Trump attorney Todd Blanche repeatedly raised questions about Michael Cohen’s honesty during cross-examination. In another notable development, sources tell CNN the defense may call attorney Robert Costello to the stand to continue their claim that Cohen is a liar. Anderson Cooper and Kaitlan Collins lead a full debrief tonight with guests including jury and trial consultant Renato Stabile, courtroom sketch artist Jane Rosenberg, one of Trump's former attorneys William Brennan, and Cohen's former attorney and current legal adviser Lanny Davis.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sources say former President Trump's attorney Todd Blanche plans to go after Michael Cohen as he continues his testimony tomorrow. Blanche plans to challenge Cohen's recollection of at least one conversation he claimed to have had with Trump as well as other inconsistent statements Trump's team believes Cohen has made. Former chief judge for the US Middle District of Pennsylvania John E. Jones III, former federal prosecutor Jeffrey Toobin, former counsel to House Democrats during the former President's first impeachment Norm Eisen, and CNN's Kara Scannell talk to Anderson about what is expected in court tomorrow. Plus, ABC News anchor and veteran of the Clinton White House George Stephanopoulos discusses Trump and Biden's potential debate stage rematch, and his new book "The Situation Room: The Inside Story of Presidents in Crisis."  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How is Michael Cohen coming across in the eyes of jurors? Renato Stabile, a jury consultant and attorney, talks about what the jury might be thinking about during the cross-examination of Trump’s former “fixer” during the hush money trial. Plus, CNN Senior Political Commentator David Axelrod talks with Anderson about the many Republican allies coming to the courthouse to support the former President.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump's former “fixer” Michael Cohen took the stand and testified his one-time boss was directly involved in the hush money scheme to keep Stormy Daniels from telling her story publicly before the 2016 election. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and denies having an affair with Daniels. Cohen is a central witness in the prosecution's case although he is a convicted felon with a public persona that revolves around attacking the former President. His blockbuster testimony is expected to continue tomorrow. And, in a 360° exclusive, Stormy Daniels' attorney Clark Brewster joins Anderson to discuss the day's developments as well as Daniels' own testimony. Plus, sketch artist Christine Cornell gives perspective from inside the courtroom.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices