Trump blames hush money lawyers for 'guilty as hell' optics: 'Art of the Deal' writer
Former President Donald Trump is lashing out at the lawyers over his less-than-innocent optic in his Manhattan hush money criminal trial, "The Art of the Deal" writer Tony Schwartz argued Tuesday.
Schwartz appeared on MSNBC to discuss with anchor Joy Reid Trump's reported habit of throwing his lawyers under the bus — and what it might mean for the first of four criminal court cases he faces.
"There's reporting [Trump is] unhappy with Todd Blanche, his attorney, who, when I saw him in court, he seemed very fidgety and not confident," Reid told Schwartz. "He wants more aggression out of Todd Blanche. He's not happy with the lack of aggression."
Schwartz commiserated with Blanche and the difficult challenge he faces; representing a former president accused of falsifying business records to cover up hush money paid to an adult film star.
Trump has pleaded not guilty and denies the affairs, but according to Schwartz, Blanche's defense isn't going well.
"Well, you can't win as a lawyer for Trump," said Schwartz. "Particularly when you're losing. Particularly when Trump recognizes that this isn't going his way."
Schwartz, contradicting repeated reports that Trump frequently falls asleep during proceedings in Manhattan criminal court, said the former president is a tough client to control.
"Whether it was this lawyer or any other lawyer, this is a really tough case to litigate," he said. "You have a client who's almost impossible to keep in his seat."
Schwartz argued Blanche's performance didn't matter as much as that of the client he's tasked with defending.
"I think the issue is that Trump is going to beat up on anybody who is falling short of making him look innocent," Schwartz said, as opposed to "guilty as hell."
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