Trump's Trial: Dr. Phil and CNN Host Spar Over Due Process

CNN's Abby Phillip and Dr. Phil McGraw engaged in a heated debate on whether former President Trump received a fair trial in his recent conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

CNN host Abby Phillip and Dr. Phil McGraw locked horns on Thursday over whether former President Trump received due process in his criminal trial, where he was found guilty on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

McGraw, who appeared on CNN's show to discuss his interview with Trump earlier that day, expressed sympathy for the former president's experience, claiming that he didn't receive proper due process. "I think it was not proper due process for him," McGraw asserted. "I would say the same if it was Biden or anyone else in that process."

However, Phillip pushed back on McGraw's claims, arguing that she didn't understand his reasoning. "I don't understand how you can say that because someone…signed a non-prosecution argument that their testimony cannot be presented before the jury if they were part of the alleged scheme," she stated.

McGraw took issue with the testimony of Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer, arguing that the jury heard prejudicial information that had nothing to do with the case at hand. Cohen, who had entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors, testified against Trump in the trial.

Phillip, however, pointed out that it's common for prosecutors in complex cases, such as mob trials, to use witnesses who have taken plea deals to testify against co-conspirators. "That’s kind of how a lot of these prosecutions work," she said. "I don't understand how you can say that because someone…signed a non-prosecution argument that their testimony cannot be presented before the jury if they were part of the alleged scheme."

Despite Phillip's attempts to clarify the use of witness testimony in criminal trials, McGraw continued to argue that Cohen's involvement prejudiced the jury. "I think the fact that he made an agreement to say that he is guilty of the crime that the defendant is being tried for prejudices the jury that ‘Hey, here’s someone that’s supposedly an accomplice that has said, I’m guilty of this,’" McGraw contended. "That prejudices a jury about the person that’s currently on trial for the same crime."

Phillip retorted that Cohen was not prosecuted for falsifying business records like Trump, before steering the conversation back to the issue of due process.

McGraw, who has criticized the "weaponization" of the justice system in the past, emphasized the importance of avoiding revenge and seeking solutions to social and political divisions. "Look, this is not going to help this country," he said. "If you get into a position of power and your agenda is one of revenge, retribution saying, ‘Ok, you came after me so now I’m going to come after you,' America picks up the tab for that. That's not anything that's good to do," he warned.

The debate between Phillip and McGraw highlighted the differing perspectives surrounding Trump's trial and the complex issues of due process, witness testimony, and the role of personal bias in criminal justice.