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Jim Trusty , a former attorney for Donald Trump , on Thursday criticized the former presidents current legal team for what appeared to be a shift in strategy during Trumps hush money trial in New York.

Trusty, appearing on CNN , questioned why Trumps lawyers spent so much time cross-examining adult film actor Stormy Daniels when the case really centers on the documents that Trump allegedly falsified to cover up a hush money payment to her during the 2016 election. Trump denies the claim.

I mean, the relationships irrelevant, Trusty told anchor Laura Coates. The fact that there was [a nondisclosure agreement] is not disputed. I think there was a shift of strategy thats not great.

The defense teams strategy should be to make it a referendum on former Trump attorney and fixer Michael Cohen, who has already served time behind bars for his role in the scheme, Trusty said. The entire case rises or falls on his credibility. Thats the perfect battlefield, he added.

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With their grilling of Daniels, though, Trusty said Trumps legal representatives started off kind of disciplined then they had the ability to regroup over time, and it developed into a different case.

Trumps personal desire to attack Daniels and respond to the more intimate details that she revealed on the stand about their alleged sexual encounter likely played a part too, Trusty suggested.

I dont think that was particularly helpful, he said of the apparent tactic change.

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