Lawyers for former President Trump’s hush-money trial said the presumptive Republican presidential nominee had carefully crafted his defense strategy in the case that ended with him being found guilty on 34 charges on Thursday.
“It was both of us,” Todd Blanche told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins when she asked who was in charge. “If an attorney comes in and says he’s in charge of his defense strategy, then he’s not doing his client any favors.”
Blanche said the decision was made as a team.
Collins asked Blanche because it was reported that Trump had been slapping and tapping her on the arm to communicate in court during the trial.
“Historically, every defendant whose life is on the line will occasionally contact their lawyer and ask, ‘Hey, what about this? What about that?'” Branshay said.
Trump was seen laughing with Blanche just before the guilty verdict was read, but his demeanor quickly changed as he sat with his arms crossed, occasionally whispering to his lawyers as he waited for the 12 jurors to arrive in the courtroom.
Branche said he and the former president got along well during the trial and were “on the same page about strategy.” The lawyer said Trump’s demeanor in court on Thursday should impress people.
“What stuck with me today is that he inspired everyone who was able to see what happened today,” he said.
“His behavior throughout the entire trial, as a Republican candidate, not campaigning, just sitting in the courtroom all day, I’ve been with him all along and have no complaints,” Blanche said.
Trump’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention, where Republicans are expected to formally elect Trump as the party’s delegate on the ballot this fall.
