3:21 pm ET, April 26, 2024
Analysis: Trump’s long-term assistant was an opportunity for defense to humanize the former president
From CNN’s Elise Hammond
In its cross-examination of Donald Trump’s long-time assistant, the defense is looking for another opportunity to humanize the former president, according to CNN anchor and chief legal analyst Laura Coates.
Rhona Graff testified that she worked for Trump for 34 years at the Trump Organization, sitting outside his office on the 26th floor of Trump Tower.
“This is not a time to, as a cross-examiner, to attack her as if she is out to get Donald Trump. You’re going to see a softer touch for this particular witness,” Coates said.
That’s compared to the cross-examination of the last witness, former tabloid publisher David Pecker, who testified about the National Enquirer’s efforts to suppress negative stories that could have harmed Trump’s 2016 campaign.
Still, the defense ended the questioning of Pecker with a question also aimed at humanizing the former president. Defense attorney Emil Bove asked Pecker if he believed Trump cares about his family. He replied, “Of course I do.”
Graff is another opportunity for the defense to continue to tell that story about Trump to the jury, Coates said.
“You hear a lot about the myth of Donald Trump and of course, all the bravado, what you think might happen in Trump Tower. Her role is to demystify all of that and portray him as somebody who is approachable,” Coates said.
