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Donald Trump slammed "weak" questioning from defense attorneys during the first day of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' disqualification hearing in the Georgia election interference case against the former president.
Trump posted on Truth Social, "Does anybody really believe that Fani Willis paid cash to her 'lover' whenever they took expensive 'trips' together. Really? Where did she get the CASH? Pretty weak questioning yesterday!!! I guess they don't want to insult her. No way she can explain any of this corruption away!!!"
The Context
Willis is prosecuting Trump for alleged election interference following the 2020 presidential race. But attorneys representing Michael Roman, one of the co-defendants, are seeking to disqualify Willis because of her relationship with Nathan Wade, an attorney Willis hired as the case's lead prosecutor. Defense lawyers allege the pair benefited financially from taxpayer money. Willis has denied any wrongdoing.
What We Know
During Thursday's testimony, Wade testified that Willis reimbursed him in cash for trips the two took together.
Roman's attorney Ashleigh Merchant pressed Wade on how these trips were paid for. He replied that the trip expenses were roughly split evenly between the two and that any reimbursements Willis made were in cash. This means there are no credit card statements documenting these payments.
Both legal experts and Trump supporters have raised concerns about these cash reimbursements.
Among other things, Willis' investigation of the former president examined his January 2, 2021, call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. In the call, the former president asked him to find enough votes to tilt the election in his favor. The probe also looked into an alleged plot to submit a false slate of pro-Trump electors from Georgia to the Electoral College.
Trump has insisted on his innocence in the Georgia case, has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has accused Willis of targeting him for political purposes.
Willis had admitted to having a personal relationship with Wade but says this does not disqualify her from prosecuting the case against Trump and 18 co-defendants.
Trump did not appear in the Atlanta-based courtroom on Thursday, instead making a court appearance in New York.
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee is overseeing the trial and all proceedings related to the Georgia case.
Views
Dave Aronberg, the state attorney in Florida's Palm Beach County, previously told Newsweek that it is "hard to believe that Willis always reimbursed Wade in cash."
Reactions to Thursday's hearing varied, as some legal experts said the testimony from Wade and Willis' former friend Robin Bryant-Yeardie, who alleged the relationship began earlier than initially disclosed, did little to help the DA's case. Others, however, said defense attorneys failed to prove that the relationship is grounds for Willis' dismissal from the Georgia case.
Former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance said on MSNBC Thursday night that the hearing was "a lot of spectacle but not very much substance." She said she did not believe the defense met the "burden" to disqualify Willis.
"I think the judge will look at the evidence, and he'll make a hard calculation based on whether the defense met its burdens. And unless they've got more evidence tomorrow, they didn't do it today," she said.
What's Next
The court reconvened Friday morning for a second day of testimony. Although Willis was expected to continue testifying, the state opted against further questioning, so she will not be on the stand.
Later in the day, the court is expected to hear testimony today from Terrence Bradley, Wade's business partner, who was also his divorce attorney. Fulton County special prosecutor Anna Cross, who is representing the county district attorney's office, is also expected to call witnesses.
Once the hearing concludes, McAfee will determine whether Willis will be removed from the Georgia case against Trump and the co-defendants. If she is, the case would not be dismissed. Instead, another district attorney, or state Attorney General Christopher Carr, a Republican, could take over the prosecution.
Update 2/16/24, 10:49 a.m. ET: This story was updated with additional information and background.
Update 2/16/24, 11:07 a.m. ET: This story was updated with additional information and background.
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About the writer
Andrew Stanton is a Newsweek weekend reporter based in Maine. His role is reporting on U.S. politics and social issues. ... Read more