God Almighty Damn

After weeks of testimony from the state, the jury is on their edge of their seats as state rests their case. Who will the defense call as their first witness? Who could it possibly be? High drama. It’s ….

Todd Blanche’s own paralegal.

— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) May 20, 2024

So their second witness was:

Regarding Trump’s second witness, Rudy Giuliani associate Robert Costello. https://t.co/lSpnE4ZRKl

— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) May 20, 2024

No idea what the paralegal said. No one seems to care, because:

After a lengthy sidebar, the jury is excused as the lawyers battle over Costello’s testimony.

— Katie Phang (@KatiePhang) May 20, 2024

MERCHAN: how can costello testify to what cohen felt?⁰BOVE: he can’t but he can testify to what Mr Cohen said and did. In that sense, that witness testimony is admissible

— Katie Phang (@KatiePhang) May 20, 2024

They’re resting their whole defense on Cohen. This is what I mean by “re-presenting” Trump.

It turns out Costello is the witness Trump wanted Cohen to be:

[Note: there have (understandably) been a lot of objections by the prosecution, several of which have been sustained. Costello is visibly irritated and muttering under his breath.]

During Costello’s latest:

COSTELLO (muttering with exasperation): JESUS
MERCHAN (LEANS OVER):…

— Katie Phang (@KatiePhang) May 20, 2024

Judge Merchan is ANGRY:

MERCHAN ASKS FOR THE JURY TO STEP OUT

MERCHAN: “I’d like to discuss proper decorum in my courtroom”
MERCHAN: “If you don’t like my ruling, you don’t say ‘Jeez’”
MERCHAN: You don’t say “strike it” because I’m the only one who can strike it.
MERCHAN:…

— Katie Phang (@KatiePhang) May 20, 2024

!!!!! Judge MERCHAN to Costello: "Are you staring me down right now? Clear the courtroom!" https://t.co/2k6g6qK8df

— Hugo Lowell (@hugolowell) May 20, 2024

I think most people thought Costello's testimony would be a disaster—but I'm not sure anyone predicted this.

— Tyler McBrien (@TylerMcBrien) May 20, 2024

Judge upholds objection to Costello answering a question

Costello exclaims, "Jesus"

Judge leans over: "I'm sorry?"

Jury gets it, some raise eyebrows, shake heads

— Norm Eisen (#TryingTrump out now!) (@NormEisen) May 20, 2024

As I was saying:

Michael Cohen was respectful. Bob Costello is acting like a clown. Jurors will notice and this will hurt Trump. Any concerns that jurors may have had about Cohen have now been overshadowed by Costello’s disrespect to the judge right in front of their faces. https://t.co/PNj0yAfaOa

— Kristy Greenberg (@KGreenberg_) May 20, 2024

Costello is so red in the face he resembles a strawberry

— Hugo Lowell (@hugolowell) May 20, 2024

Katie’s Sidebar: Although the dressing down of Costello took place outside of earshot of the jury, they witnessed firsthand Costello’s demeanor and petulance and heard firsthand his quips and remarks from the witness stand.

Perhaps Costello just reinforced to the jury why Cohen…

— Katie Phang (@KatiePhang) May 20, 2024

Literally cannot think of something dumber to do as a simple fact witness than what Costello just did https://t.co/2qRUhvfUQH

— Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) May 20, 2024

Joined @jaketapper to report out the craziest moment in the NY Trump trial so far that prompted judge to clear court. “This is unbelievable, and I know Bob Costello quite well. I’ve talked to him for about a decade, the fact that he would allow this to happen on the stand, it… pic.twitter.com/YlK89FdJIZ

— Paula Reid (@PaulaReidCNN) May 20, 2024

ETTD. And it’s clearly something about NYC.

The defense is frantically researching whether they can rest immediately and cut off cross examination of Costello.

Costello joins the collection of screwballs & wackos Rudy called in various places in 2020-21 to try & prove voter fraud, as yet another person who performs well on right-wing networks, then when rules apply & they are subject to questions from serious people they crumble.

— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) May 20, 2024

Judge: "Counsel, please approach."

It's past the usual 4:30 p.m. ET stop time, and once sidebar ends, trial closes for the day.

Day Two of Costello's cross coming up tomorrow.

— Adam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) May 20, 2024

Trump might as well testify now. It can’t get any worse.

Reid: So the fact that Costello would conduct himself in a trial like this potentially jeopardize a case like this… it validates the concerns that have been expressed by members of Trump's defense team pic.twitter.com/GTBxEXMmY2

— Acyn (@Acyn) May 20, 2024

He’s already turned this trial into a shitshow. He’s running the defense.