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Closing arguments have finished in the first criminal trial of a former president in U.S. history.

Judge Merchan tells jurors court will start again on Wednesday at 10am ET.

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass as he nears the end of his closing argument: 'You will see that the people have proven this case beyond a reasonable doubt.'

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass calls Hope Hicks' testimony 'devastating,' saying she burst into tears because she realized the impact of what she'd told the court.

Trump lawyer Todd Blanche objects to that characterization, but Judge Merchan allows it.

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass to the jury: 'These documents are so damning that you almost have to laugh' at the defense's arguments.

NBC News: Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass says that phone records show six calls between Michael Cohen and Allen Weisselberg over three years, two of which were in late October 2016 — right before the Stormy Daniels deal was reached.

This appears to be the first time the calls have

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass tells jurors the Sept. 6, 2016 tape of Michael Cohen and Trump shows Trump suggesting paying in cash. Steinglass says they were trying to take steps that would not get noticed.

“This tape unequivocally shows a presidential candidate actively engaging

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass describes the 2015 meeting at Trump Tower almost as a 'subversion of democracy.'

He says the entire purpose of the meeting was to 'pull the wool over [voters'] eyes' before they made their decisions.

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass to the jury: 'It's difficult to conceive of a case with more corroboration than this one.'

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass defends Michael Cohen's past to the jury:

'The lies he told to Congress had to do with the Mueller investigation and the Russia probe, and what he lied about was the number of dealings the defendant had with Russia, and the only benefit was he stayed

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass to the jury on Stormy Daniels' testimony: 'It certainly is true you don't have to prove that sex took place — that is not an element of the crime, the defendant knew what happened and reinforces the incentive to buy her silence.'

'Her story is messy.

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass to the jury: 'You don’t need Michael Cohen to prove' a conspiracy.

He says Hope Hicks, Rhona Graff, Madeleine Westerhout, Jeffrey McConney and Deborah Tarasoff were all witnesses who like Trump but still confirmed Cohen's testimony.

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass to the jury: 'You don't get to commit election fraud or falsify your business records because you think you've been victimized.'

'In other words, extortion is not a defense for falsifying business records.'

'You've got to use your common sense

Judge Merchan tells the jury that Trump lawyer Todd Blanche's comment was 'improper, and you must disregard it.'

'If there is a verdict of guilty, it will be up to me to impose a sentence.' He adds: A 'prison sentence is not required in the event of a guilty verdict.'

Judge Merchan scolds Trump lawyer Todd Blanche for suggesting to the jury that Trump could go to jail if convicted.

'That was outrageous, Mr. Blanche. Someone who's been a prosecutor as long as you have, someone who's been an attorney as long as you have,' knows that's 'highly

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass blasts Trump lawyer Todd Blanche's comment to the jury about prison time as a 'blatant and whole inappropriate move' by the defense.

Steinglass asks Judge Merchan to provide a curative instruction to the jury.

At the end of Robert De Niro's remarks outside the courthouse, a Trump supporter called Harry Dunn and Michael Fanone, who were beside De Niro, 'traitors.'

De Niro shot back: 'They stood there. They didn’t have to. They stood there and fought for us. They fought for you, buddy.

Biden campaign members have arrived outside the courthouse with Robert De Niro and Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn.

Judge Merchan to jurors before closing arguments: 'You are the finders of fact, and it is for you and for you alone to determine the facts from the evidence.'

He reminded the jury that the 'lawyers are not witnesses,' and nothing in their summations constitutes 'evidence.'

'You

Closing arguments begin today in the first criminal trial of a former president in U.S. history.

NBC News: Just hours after Trump asked libertarians for their party's nomination and votes, the party chair said he never submitted the appropriate paperwork to actually be considered at the party's nominating convention. nbcnews.com/politics/2024-…