Did Donald Trump Help in the Release of Bill Cosby? Revisiting the Controversy Surrounding His Release

With Donald Trump assuming the Presidential office soon in the United States of America, all eyes are on him to see what he does in his second term. His campaigns and rallies have been quite impactful since he won over the swing states to claim a majority. In light of the election results, people are finding more skeletons in Trump’s closet, including his link to comedian Bill Cosby.

Was Trump responsible for making Cosby walk scot-free after his trial? Here’s what we know so far about the unlikely connection between the duo.

Allegations made against Bill Cosby

Portraying the iconic American Dad trope, Bill Cosby became a household name with his quirky antics. However, his fall from fame was as quick as his rise to prominence when over 60 women accused the comedian of misconduct and s*xual assault.

After numerous testimonies and an entire trial, Cosby was found guilty and sentenced to prison. It felt like a huge win for women who thought justice was never going to be served for powerful men who tend to get away with everything.

However, the Pennsylvania court overturned the judgment and declared Cosby a free man. The outrageous move was criticized by many across the country who deemed the system dysfunctional. The cry for justice among the women who endured his criminal actions was completely ignored as Cosby walked out of jail in 2018.

Link Between Donald Trump and Bill Cosby

While the two may not be directly connected, Donald Trump indirectly had a role to play in Cosby’s acquittal. The District Attorney at the time of Cosby’s sentencing, Bruce Castor, was also the lawyer who represented Trump when he was impeached for the second time. When no attorney wanted to touch the case with a ten-foot pole, Castor reportedly stepped up and helped Trump.

In 2005, Castor struck a deal with Cosby’s attorney which involved the comedian testifying in a civil case in court in exchange for not getting any criminal charges filed. Moreover, Castor claimed that there was “insufficient credible and admissible evidence” to prosecute Cosby despite there being over 60 women who came forward with their testimonies and proof of assault. Justice Kevin Dougherty, who sat on the bench of judges who heard the case when it reopened, said,

If district attorneys had the power to dole out irrevocable get-out-of-jail-free cards at will and without any judicial oversight, it would invite a host of abuses. One might reasonably wonder if such abuses were at work in this case, particularly given Castor’s odd and ever-shifting explanations for his actions.

Cosby was in prison for barely 3 years before the conviction was overturned and he walked out of it a free man.

Bruce Castor Criticized for Donald Trump’s Defence in Impeachment Trial

When Trump’s first choice of lawyers walked out of the trial a week before it was set to begin, the Republican candidate tapped into Castor and David Schoen’s expertise to fight his second impeachment trial. However, just after the opening statements where Castor rambled on for 48 minutes as per BBC, Trump was seemingly unhappy with his defense.

Castor made no substantial claims or offered any prudent statements that could go towards making Trump’s case. The legal community blasted him over his remarks and expected the attorney to do a better job.

The empty claims that lacked substance and poise deemed both Castor and Schoen useless in the case with the former even claiming that Trump can be arrested if he is found guilty. Their effectiveness as lawyers came into question despite Trump being acquitted yet again.