Trump lawyer Todd Blanche to Michael Cohen: 'That was a lie!': Hush money trial recap
Former President Donald Trump's defense team tried to undermine star witness Michael Cohen's credibility in a fiery exchange at Trump's New York hush money trial Thursday.
"That was a lie!" Trump lawyer Todd Blanche exclaimed about Cohen's earlier testimony that a call with Trump's bodyguard Keith Schiller was about paying porn star Stormy Daniels to stay silent about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump.
Trump watched his former hatchet man's testimony through squinted eyes from the defense table as Cohen defended making a secret recording that was allegedly about a hush money deal to help his client.
Cohen delivered crucial testimony for the prosecution early this week, telling the jury not only that Trump instructed him to pay $130,000 to Daniels ahead of the 2016 election, but also that Trump approved a scheme to cloak his reimbursement to Cohen as monthly payments for legal services. Trump is charged with more than 30 counts of falsifying business records.
"Just do it," Trump allegedly told Cohen. "He approved it," Cohen said.
Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide
Here are highlights from Thursday's testimony at Trump's historic trial:
Trump says Chinese leader plans to seize Taiwan
Speaking to reporters after his hush money trial closed on Thursday, former President Donald Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are working together “to do damage” while Trump is stuck in court.
“Take a look at what President Xi said today,” Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, said. “He fully expects to take Taiwan. He made that statement today. That’s a big statement. And I’m sitting here in an ice box.”
Trump has consistently complained that Judge Juan Merchan's courtroom is too cold.
– Bart Jansen
Trump complains again about trial keeping him off campaign trail
Former President Donald Trump left his New York hush money trial Thursday complaining again about the “ice box” of a courtroom where he has been kept off the campaign trail for nearly four weeks, noting “we still have a long way to go.”
“They want me to spend my time and my money,” Trump said. “I’m willing to do it because ultimately we have to fight for the Constitution.”
– Bart Jansen
More:Jurors in Trump's hush money trial are not sequestered, but can they stay anonymous?
Thursday proceedings end; trial back in session Monday
Judge Juan Merchan dismissed the two legal teams for the rest of Thursday. Friday is an off day in the trial to allow former President Donald Trump to attend the high school graduation of his youngest child, Barron Trump.
Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer and fixer, is set to re-take the witness stand for more cross-examination on Monday.
– Aysha Bagchi
More:Who is Barron Trump? What to know about Donald Trump's son graduating high school
Judge tells lawyers to be ready to give closing arguments Tuesday
Although the end time for witness testimony remains uncertain, Judge Merchan instructed the prosecution and defense to be prepared to give their closing arguments as soon as Tuesday.
Merchan said he will try to arrange things so the two sides give the summations together, adding he hates to break the arguments up across two days.
Judge Merchan told the lawyers he is open to scheduling suggestions.
– Aysha Bagchi
More:'Women will hate me:' Trump's concerns on 2016 scandals were about campaign, Cohen testifies
Will Trump testify? Still no decision
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche indicated he expects to be done cross-examining Michael Cohen before the short morning break on Monday. The Trump team also discussed other potential witness testimony Monday, once the prosecution rests its case and the defense is able to call witnesses.
"Sounds like we might possibly be done with the presentation of evidence on Monday," Judge Juan Merchan said.
Blanche then interjected that there wasn't yet a decision on whether Trump will testify.
Merchan then said there's a "possibility" the presentation of evidence in the trial ends on Monday, with emphasis on that word.
– Aysha Bagchi
Watch:Speaker Mike Johnson on Michael Cohen: 'No one should believe a word he says'
Blanche smiling after exchange with Trump
Trump lawyer Emil Bove and prosecutor Matthew Colangelo have been discussing potential expert witness testimony and the instructions on the law that Judge Juan Merchan will give the jury before deliberations. During that discussion, Trump lawyer Todd Blanche began what appeared to be a warm exchange with Trump.
Trump looked much more alert and engaged than he did in the afternoon, when Michael Cohen was testifying. Trump grinned as he and Blanche had a private back-and-forth, speaking into each other's ears, and Blanche remained smiling for several seconds afterwards.
– Aysha Bagchi
More:Judge Juan Merchan, presiding over Donald Trump's NY criminal trial, has already ruled against him
Jurors sent home while lawyers make arguments
The jurors were sent home a little before 4 p.m. EDT, in keeping with a promise Judge Merchan made earlier in the week. However, lawyers for the prosecution and defense have remained for some arguments about legal issues.
Cohen has left the witness stand. Cross-examination of him is set to continue on Monday. Merchan previously agreed to have a day off on Friday, May 17, so Trump can attend his son Barron Trump's high school graduation.
– Aysha Bagchi
More:Would cameras in the courtroom change Donald Trump's New York hush money trial?
Trump appears stoic and placid as Cohen is testifying
Trump is seated at his defense table in a relaxed fashion as his former fixer – who is now providing damaging testimony against the former president – continues to be cross-examined. Before the lunch break, there were a few fiery moments as Trump lawyer Todd Blanche exclaimed that Cohen should admit he lied about a phone call with Trump where they discussed paying hush money to Stormy Daniels.
However, Blanche's cross-examination since then has been somewhat meandering and slow, as it largely was in the morning − as well as on Tuesday afternoon.
Trump's energy appears to mirror that plodding style. Sometimes he is looking at Cohen with squinted eyes, as if peeking out when his eyes would otherwise be closed. Sometimes his eyes are closed for a short time. And sometimes he is looking at a document shown on a small monitor directly in front of him.
– Aysha Bagchi
More:Fresh off visit to Trump trial, Matt Gaetz takes to Twitter to echo Proud Boys shoutout
Michael Cohen asked about Stormy Daniels wanting to go public in 2016
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche asked Cohen which ABC News reporter he was told Stormy Daniels planned to share her story with, after Cohen missed a deadline to pay her an agreed-upon sum of hush money in 2016. Blanche suggested it was John Santucci, and Cohen agreed.
Blanche suggested Cohen never confirmed Daniels was really going to share her story with ABC before he paid the hush money. However, Cohen said he spoke to Santucci about it.
More:Secret call tapes, rally videos, and murky denials: See the evidence Trump trial jury sees
Cohen agreed he went several weeks without paying Daniels before handing over the money less than two weeks before the 2016 election.
Cohen previously testified that delay was at the direction of Trump, who allegedly hoped to push the payment date past the election − and then not pay at all.
– Aysha Bagchi
Cohen unhesitatingly confirms he secretly recorded client Donald Trump
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche asked if Michael Cohen surreptitiously recorded his client in order to play the recording to a third party. Cohen quickly confirmed having done so.
Cohen has already testified that he recorded himself talking to Trump about a hush money deal involving David Pecker, who ran the parent company of the National Enquirer supermarket tabloid. The company paid former Playboy model Karen McDougal $150,000 as part of a deal that bought her silence about an alleged affair with Trump.
Cohen testified he recorded himself with Trump in order to show Pecker that Trump planned to reimburse the hush money. Pecker testified he later decided against getting the McDougal money back from Trump after consulting with an attorney.
– Aysha Bagchi
More:Looking back at former Trump fixer on the stand in hush money trial: Who is Michael Cohen?
Cohen cites 'crime-fraud' rule when asked about recording Trump hush money conversation
Jurors have already heard a recording that Michael Cohen testified involves him discussing a hush money deal with Trump. The deal, according to Cohen, was to buy the silence of former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who has said she had a months-long affair with Trump.
Blanche asked if Cohen – who was Trump's lawyer at the time – agreed that lawyers aren't generally supposed to record clients. Cohen responded that there are exceptions, and mentioned in particular the "crime-fraud exception." The crime-fraud exception is an exception to attorney-client privilege for communications that are in furtherance of committing a crime or fraud.
It wasn't clear if Cohen was saying the exception allowed for his recording. Cohen lost is law license after he was convicted in federal court of lying to Congress, tax fraud, and campaign finance violations stemming from payments to McDougal and adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
– Aysha Bagchi
More:Listen in as Donald Trump allegedly talks hush money in secret recording
Cohen questioned about motivations for reporter relationships
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche asked Michael Cohen to confirm that his relationships with reporters are aimed at influencing what gets published.
Specifically, Blanche asked Donald Trump's former fixer to confirm that his reasons for cozying up to reporters included: to have a chance to respond before an article is written, to push information when Cohen thought an article should be written, and to try to shape the article a way that is more favorable to Cohen or − prior to their split − to Trump.
"That's correct," Cohen said.
– Aysha Bagchi
More:Here's what to know about Donald Trump's lead lawyer in his hush money trial
Cohen asked about feeding stories to NYT's Maggie Haberman
Blanche asked Cohen a series of questions about being a source to New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman, who appears to currently be in Cohen's line of sight in the main courtroom, although I didn't see him look at her.
Cohen confirmed giving Haberman scoops a number of times, and confirmed he remembered sending her a recording in February of 2018. Blanche asked if it was a recording Cohen made with a different person that Cohen was providing to help Haberman write the story. Cohen said he didn't remember the specific nature of the recording.
Blanche asked Cohen if Haberman has written "a lot" of articles about Cohen, who said he didn't know how to characterize "a lot." Blanche asked if 38 is a lot and Cohen said: "Sounds like it, yes." Blanche then showed Cohen a screenshot of articles Haberman wrote about Cohen, which Cohen confirmed included a story just two weeks ago. Jurors and the audience didn't see the screenshot.
More:Books on Donald Trump still sell: Maggie Haberman's 'Confidence Man' a best seller
It's not clear if Blanche is aiming to show jurors something about Cohen's behavior with reporters, or if perhaps Blanche believes his client wants answers to these questions.
Cohen is now generally looking at Blanche while answering questions, rather than at the jurors.
– Aysha Bagchi
Cohen insists he always got Trump's approval to feed reporters stories while working for Trump
Cohen pushed back when Trump lawyer Todd Blanche suggested he sometimes fed reporters stories without getting Trump's approval.
"It was my routine to always advise Mr. Trump," Cohen said. He said if he hadn't, "it would cause him to blow up at me." Cohen added that failing to do so "would probably be the end of my job."
When Blanche continued the line of questioning, Cohen clarified that he sought Trump's approval to feed the initial story. "After one newspaper puts out a story, somebody else tends to follow it, so we just mimic the same response to the next magazine or the next newspaper, and so on," Cohen said.
– Aysha Bagchi
More:Freezing temps and colorful characters: Trump's hush money trial from the inside
Cohen looking in jurors' eyes as he describes approach to reporters
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche asked Michael Cohen how he used to get reporters to say nice things about the Trump Organization.
As Cohen responded, he looked straight at the jurors to his left, rather than at Blanche in front of them.
"I have a longstanding relationship with many of them," Cohen said, speaking of his relationship with reporters at various outlets. He said he would ask if a reporter was interested in doing an article on a specific topic and would offer the reporter an exclusive.
As Cohen was looking directly at jurors, a few appeared to be taking notes, but most were looking straight back at him.
The approach reflects a tactic seasoned witnesses, such as experts who regularly testify at trials, will sometimes use: looking straight at jurors while testifying, with the hope of building trust with the jury.
– Aysha Bagchi
Cohen says his CNN appearance on Trump indictment came after unsealing
In line with Judge Merchan's instructions before jurors returned to the courtroom from lunch, Trump lawyer Todd Blanche asked Cohen in front of the panel to confirm he wasn't leaked Trump's indictment before it was unsealed. Cohen agreed.
Merchan called the lawyers up to his bench and, after a private conversation there, Blanche also had Cohen clarify that the indictment was unsealed before Cohen made a related appearance on CNN. Cohen agreed. He described learning about the indictment from reading a New York Times article.
– Aysha Bagchi
Cohen returns to courtroom for more cross-examination
Michael Cohen re-entered the courtroom at 2:16 p.m. EDT to undergo further cross-examination.
– Aysha Bagchi
Judge to allow Blanche to clear up that indictment wasn't leaked
Following the lunch break, Trump lawyer Todd Blanche said he had some wording prepared to clear up that Cohen wasn't leaked the Trump New York indictment before it was made public. The prosecution complained earlier that questioning about Cohen's communications with a detective could have left jurors with the false impression that the indictment was leaked to Cohen.
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass said he would prefer Judge Merchan give jurors an instruction himself about it, but Merchan said he would allow Blanche to clear it up when he begins questioning Cohen again.
– Aysha Bagchi
Where to watch Trump trial?
Former President Donald Trump's New York hush money trial isn't televised. However, reporters are permitted to use laptops in the courtroom to provide live updates on developments throughout the day.
– Aysha Bagchi
Trump and Matt Gaetz return to courtroom
Trump and his defense team entered the courtroom at 2:09 p.m. EDT to continue cross-examining prosecution star witness Michael Cohen after lunch. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. remains with Trump's in-the-courtroom supporters, although Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), who was here this morning, hasn't returned.
– Aysha Bagchi
Prosecution arrives for afternoon proceedings
The prosecution team entered the courtroom at 2:04 p.m. EDT for this afternoon's proceedings. We are still waiting for Trump's defense team, the judge, and the jury.
– Aysha Bagchi
Who is Stormy Daniels and what is her real name?
Stormy Daniels, born Stephanie Clifford, is an adult film star.
Daniels says she had an affair with Trump in 2006, months after Melania Trump gave birth to Barron Trump. Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen paid her $130,000 to stay quiet about the alleged affair ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
Trump's lawyers tried to block Daniels from being called to the witness stand, but New York Judge Juan Merchan ruled that Daniels can testify because her allegations are "inextricably intertwined" with the criminal allegations.
– Kinsey Crowley, Bart Jansen
Who is Michael Cohen
Michael Cohen, the former Trump lawyer and fixer, is the key in the New York hush-money trial that could send the former president to prison.
Cohen testified that Trump directed him to engineer payments to two women who alleged in the runup to the 2016 presidential election that they had affairs with the married candidate.
While Cohen is Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's star witness, he may also be the prosecution's greatest vulnerability, given his history of perjury and a felony conviction.
– Josh Meyer
Judge announces lunch break after fiery questioning
Judge Juan Merchan announced the lunch break after Blanche's cross-examination of Cohen turned heated. Proceedings will resume at about 2:15 p.m. EDT.
– Aysha Bagchi
'That was a lie!' 'You can admit it!': Trump lawyer heatedly accuses Cohen
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche shifted his questioning to the heart of Cohen's testimony against Trump regarding the hush money cover-up charges, asking Cohen about having a call with Keith Schiller, who was Trump's bodyguard. Blanche suggested that was a call about getting harassing phone calls from a 14-year-old, not the call about paying hush money to Stormy Daniels that Cohen previously described.
"That was a lie!" Blanche exclaimed about Cohen's earlier testimony.
But Cohen said he believed the call was at least also about the hush money payment. "Always run everything by the boss immediately," Cohen said. In this case, that could have simply meant – in regard to the Daniels payment – telling Trump everything's being taken care of.
"That was a lie!" Blanche said again, adding Cohen didn't talk about the Daniels hush money. "You can admit it!"
"No, sir," Cohen responded. He said he couldn't admit it because he's "not certain" Blanche is accurate. Cohen said he believes he also spoke to Trump and told him everything regarding the Stormy Daniels matter was being worked on and was going to be resolved.
"We are not asking for your belief!" Blanche said heatedly. "This jury does not want to hear what you think happened!" Blanche exclaimed, again in a fiery tone.
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger at that point made an objection, which Judge Juan Merchan sustained.
– Aysha Bagchi
House Republicans speak for Trump against judge, Cohen outside courthouse
About a dozen House Republicans assembled outside the courthouse to blast aspects of former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial because he has a gag order that, at least in certain circumstances, prevents him from commenting on witnesses or the judge’s daughter.
“We’re here of our own volition because there are things that we can say that Trump is unjustly not allowed to say,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla. “This is a corrupt judge. These are corrupted witnesses. This is a corrupt prosecution that belies any sense of the facts or the law. We’re going to keep speaking out against this.”
A state ethics panel cleared Judge Juan Merchan to preside at the trial. But Rep. Bob Good, R-Va., called the judge corrupt because his “daughter is one of the leading fundraisers for the Democrat Party.”
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said witness Michael Cohen, former personal lawyer to Trump, admitted he lied to Congress. “We know this is nonsense and should not be happening in the United States of America,” she said.
“This is not a prosecution, this is a persecution,” added Rep. Andrew Ogles, R-Tenn. “We have a two-tiered justice system in this country and if a former president can be targeted by a woke and corrupt judge, then you can be targeted as well. Mr. President, we’ve got your back.”
– Bart Jansen
Cohen insists he only wanted the role he got during Trump presidency
Blanche asked Cohen to confirm he was disappointed that, after all the work he had done for Trump for nine and a half years, no one offered Cohen a position in the White House.
"That's not accurate," Cohen said.
Blanche continued, suggesting Cohen was embarrassed about only being named personal attorney to the president.
"That's the role that I wanted," Cohen insisted. He described telling Trump, during a conversation with the real estate mogul and a third person, that was the exact role he should have because he could monetize it. "Which I did," Cohen added.
– Aysha Bagchi
Cohen asked about conversations with daughter on Trump White House
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche is asking Cohen about conversations Cohen had with his daughter in 2016 on potential roles in Trump's White House. As with a lot of his cross-examination today and on Tuesday, Blanche isn't just asking one or two questions that make a quick point to the jury and move on, unlike some of the more aggressive cross-examinations we saw from the Trump lawyers Susan Necheles and Emil Bove earlier in the trial.
Instead, Blanche is asking question after question about the same topic for several minutes. Right now, it's about the conversations with Cohen's daughter. The pair have also had similarly lengthy – and sometimes plodding – conversations about Cohen's efforts to reduce his criminal sentence and the pressure he felt to plead guilty to federal crimes.
Cohen confirmed complaining to his daughter that Reince Priebus, who was Trump's first White House chief of staff, got to decide, and that Priebus "wouldn't even be in this spot" were it not for Cohen.
Blanche is standing behind a lectern during these back-and-forths, often leaning back on a wooden barrier behind him that's about half his height, with his hands in his pockets.
– Aysha Bagchi
Matt Gaetz nods to Proud Boys line in Trump trial post
Also joining Trump's entourage this morning is Matt Gaetz, the Republican Congressman from Florida who led the movement that ousted former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in October 2023.
In a post on X, Gaetz appeared to call back on Trump's infamous 2020 debate line, "Proud Boys - stand back and stand by." The Proud Boys national chairman was sentenced to 22 years in prison for seditious conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election, one of several lengthy sentences handed down to Proud Boys members in relation to the Jan 6. 2021 Capitol riots.
Gaetz posted a photo of himself in the background of Trump's entrance to the courthouse with the caption, "Standing back and standing by, Mr. President."
– Kinsey Crowley
Blanche's cross-examination continues to focus on Cohen's baggage
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche's cross-examination of Michael Cohen is continuing to focus on Cohen's animus against Trump, his motivation for helping the prosecution, and his reasons for pleading guilty to federal crimes in 2018. Very little of Blanche's questions either on Tuesday afternoon or this morning have asked Cohen about the allegations at the heart of this case: that Trump authorized Cohen to pay porn star Stormy Daniels hush money and approved a scheme to falsely characterize the nature of his reimbursement to Cohen.
"Let's talk about your desire to work at the White House," Blanche just said, before asking about a potential title Cohen could have had in Trump's White House. Cohen has previously testified that his ego was hurt when he wasn't on the list of candidates for Trump's chief of staff, and that he wanted to make money from being named personal attorney to the president.
– Aysha Bagchi
No trial proceedings this coming Wednesday
After a short morning break, Judge Merchan said the jurors indicated they can't all come to trial proceedings if they are held next Wednesday. Merchan asked them earlier to tell a sergeant during the break whether Wednesday proceedings would work for them. Usually there are no proceedings on Wednesdays, but Merchan was wondering about holding proceedings this time in light of unusual off-days coming up, including on May 17 and May 24.
Because proceedings on Wednesday won't work for the jury, they won't be held, Merchan indicated.
– Aysha Bagchi
Cohen says he talked to Giuliani-connected Robert Costello about potential pardon
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche is asking Michael Cohen about having explored the potential for a presidential pardon.
Cohen confirmed he had talked to lawyer Robert Costello about it. Cohen testified Tuesday that he met with Costello, who proposed creating a back channel of communication with Trump through Rudy Giuliani, at a time when Cohen was facing criminal jeopardy. Cohen described Costello as "sketchy," and said he didn't sign an agreement to retain Costello.
Continuing to ask about Cohen's interest in a pardon, Blanche pointed to Cohen's testimony to Congress in 2019: "I have never asked for, nor would I accept, a pardon from President Trump." Cohen responded that he asked his lawyers to look into the potential for a pardon.
"I wanted this nightmare to end," Cohen said. With it being dangled, seeing it on TV, he asked his lawyers if they could find out if a pardon was truly being talked about, he said.
– Aysha Bagchi
Trump lawyer questions whether Cohen accepted responsibility
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche has been questioning whether Michael Cohen truly accepted responsibility, given Cohen has also said he lied when he previously pleaded guilty to federal crimes and didn't believe he should have been charged.
Blanche asked if Cohen agreed that when someone pleads guilty to a crime and is lying, that's not accepting responsibility.
"I accepted responsibility" and was suffering the consequences as a result, Cohen said.
– Aysha Bagchi
Is Michael Cohen still married?
Cohen testified earlier in this trial that he is 57 years old and his marriage is going on 30 years. He has repeatedly expressed care and concern for his family during the trial.
When describing his decision to plead guilty to federal crimes in 2018, including crimes involving the hush money at issue in this case, Cohen said he decided at that time that his loyalty should be "to my wife, my daughter, my son, and the country."
– Aysha Bagchi
Cohen asked about being pressured into past guilty plea
Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to several federal charges, including tax evasion and campaign finance violations. Trump lawyer Todd Blanche is asking Cohen about that.
Cohen just told jurors he was given 48 hours to accept a plea or face an indictment from federal prosecutors in the Southern District of New York that would also target Cohen's wife.
"I elected to protect my family," Cohen said.
Blanche is continuing to question Cohen about whether he really believed he was guilty. Cohen said he never denied the underlying facts in his past guilty plea, but he didn't believe he should have been criminally charged for the offenses.
Asked by Blanche who told him he only had 48 hours, Cohen said his lawyer told him that.
It's unclear what Blanche is aiming to show jurors with this line of questioning, but it could be to show Cohen isn't honest and can't be trusted. Cohen has previously said he was guilty of tax omission rather than tax evasion, even though, before that comment, he pleaded guilty to evasion.
Blanche may also want to cast doubt, for the sake of Trump's case, on whether Cohen actually violated campaign finance laws. Prosecutors in Trump's case claim the real estate mogul committed felonies because he allegedly falsified records in order to conceal the violation of campaign finance laws through a hush money payment he authorized Cohen to make to porn star Stormy Daniels.
– Aysha Bagchi
'They may have gagged (Trump). They didn’t gag me.': Rep. Lauren Boebert
Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., joined Trump at the courthouse Thursday, along with a handful of other Republicans.
Many of the supporters appearing behind Trump over the last several days have lobbed attacks against people in the trial, which Trump is largely barred from doing under a gag order.
Boebert made it clear she is getting Trump's message out while avoiding the gag order, in a Thursday post on X.
"They may have gagged President Trump. They didn’t gag me. They didn’t gag the rest of us," the post reads, before questioning witness Michael Cohen and Judge Juan Merchan's daughter. "This is a pathetic political witch hunt!"
– Kinsey Crowley
'Fills me with delight': Cohen celebrates Trump indictment on recording
Blanche played an audio recording for jurors in which Cohen thanked Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, adding that he has spent time with Bragg. Bragg leads the New York office that brought charges against Trump in this case.
Cohen went on to say in the recording that Trump is about to get a taste of what Cohen went through. "I promise you, it's not fun," Cohen added.
What's happening to Trump "fills me with delight and sadness all at the same time," Cohen said on the recording. He explained he feels sadness because it's an embarrassment to the office of the presidency.
Cohen added that he truly hopes Trump ends up in prison, using an expletive before the word "hope." He said he wants Trump to go down and to "rot inside for what he did to me and my family."
– Aysha Bagchi
Cohen confirms saying he had 'Goliath on his back'
Blanche asked Cohen if he previously said he had "Goliath on his back." Blanche seems to be saying Cohen was referring to having gotten Trump on his back. "Sounds correct," Cohen responded.
In popular phrasing, a fight between "David" and "Goliath" is often used to refer to an underdog, David, taking on a stronger adversary, Goliath.
– Aysha Bagchi
Cohen says he didn't learn of Trump indictment from detective
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche has opened his cross-examination of Michael Cohen today with questions about when Cohen learned Trump was being indicted, and whether he learned from a detective, Jeremy Rosenberg. Cohen said he learned from a New York Times article.
Blanche has shown some messages to Cohen that appear to be inspiring his questions. The messages weren't shown to jurors or the rest of the courtroom.
– Aysha Bagchi
Four House GOP members attend Trump trial
Four Republican lawmakers – Reps. Matt Gaetz and Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Bob Good of Virginia – are attending Trump’s trial Thursday.
They add to the string of surrogates defending Trump, including vice presidential candidates such as Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, and former rivals for the presidency, such as North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum. The officials sit in the courtroom and then give statements outside the courthouse defending Trump and echoing his arguments against the judge and prosecutors.
– Bart Jansen
Trump complains about former DOJ official on prosecution team
Former President Donald Trump echoed a complaint that House Republicans have made about a former Justice Department official participating in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s team because Trump contends without evidence that President Joe Biden is pulling the strings behind the prosecution.
Trump didn’t name him, but prosecutor Matthew Colangelo was formerly an acting associate attorney general. The head of the House Judiciary Committee has asked state Attorney General Letitia James about Colangelo’s work in her office.
"In fact, a lead person from the DOJ is running this trial,” Trump told reporters outside the courtroom. “So Biden's office is running this trial. This trial is a scam and it's a sham and it shouldn't happen."
– Bart Jansen
Merchan asks jurors about holding trial on Wednesday
Judge Merchan apologized to jurors for the delay this morning bringing them in and starting up proceedings. He then spoke to them about scheduling, noting that the upcoming trial schedule is broken up by holidays and conflicts.
There are no proceedings Friday, May 17, because Merchan is allowing Trump to attend his son Barron Trump's high school graduation. There are also no proceedings the following Friday, May 24, due to a juror's scheduling conflict.
"It may be necessary for us to work next Wednesday," Merchan told the jurors. Wednesdays are typically a day off in trial proceedings.
Merchan asked the jurors to let a sergeant know if that creates a hardship for them, adding that if they can't work Wednesday, that will be fine, but it's important to know for planning.
– Aysha Bagchi
Judge apologizes – but doesn't explain – 'whispering'
Judge Merchan apologized for all the "whispering" in the private conversation he had with lawyers at his bench, after he asked about scheduling. However, Merchan didn't describe in open court what was said at his bench. It's 9:47 a.m. EDT and we are now getting ready for Michael Cohen and the jury to be brought in.
– Aysha Bagchi
Donald Trump and Joe Biden agree to two debates
Through a social media joust, former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden agreed Wednesday to two televised debates, one in June and the next in September.
The two bucked tradition by scheduling the first debate so early and leaving behind the Commission on Presidential Debates. Instead, CNN will host the June 27 debate in Atlanta. ABC will host the second debate on Sept. 10.
While it has been unclear if these debates would materialize at all, the two presumptive candidates have been escalating challenges against each other for months, often in the public eye of the internet via Truth Social and X.
– Kinsey Crowley
Lawyers in lengthy private conversation with judge after schedule question
Judge Merchan opened the proceedings today with a question for the lawyers about scheduling. The lawyers then approached Merchan's bench, where they have been having a private conversation for several minutes.
– Aysha Bagchi
Trump joined by Matt Gaetz and Lauren Boebert in courtroom
Trump entered the courtroom at 9:20 a.m. EDT today, flanked by a particularly large group beyond his defense lawyers. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) have joined Trump in the courtroom today. Eric Trump is also with his father today. He has attended several days of the trial.
– Aysha Bagchi
What happened Tuesday in Michael Cohen cross-examination?
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche began cross-examining former Trump lawyer and star witness Michael Cohen on Tuesday afternoon. Blanche's cross-examination largely focused on Cohen's animus toward Trump and motivation to help the prosecution. Asked whether he was being truthful when he said nice things about Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, Cohen responded: "At that time, I was knee deep into the cult of Donald Trump, yes."
Cohen confirmed to Blanche that he makes money from holding sessions on TikTok in which he often references Trump, although he also said he has trouble sleeping and the sessions allow him to vent. He also described his efforts to alleviate a criminal sentence he is under based on his cooperation with the prosecution in Trump's case.
– Aysha Bagchi
Prosecution arrives in courtroom
The prosecution team entered the courtroom at 9:14 a.m. EDT. We are still waiting on Trump and his defense team as well as the judge and jury.
– Aysha Bagchi
Trump motorcade on route to the courthouse
As of 8:45 a.m. EDT, former President Donald Trump's motorcade was on route to the courthouse.
– Aysha Bagchi
When will we know the results of Trump's trial?
The prosecution told Judge Merchan on Tuesday that Michael Cohen will be their last witness before they rest and the Trump defense team has a chance to call witnesses. It's not clear if the Trump team will call witnesses. Trump lawyer Todd Blanche told Merchan on Tuesday that the defense may or may not call an expert witness, who wouldn't be available before Monday, and that they still haven't decided whether Trump himself will testify. The prosecution has indicated they may call an expert witness when they have the opportunity to rebut testimony from any witnesses the defense calls.
After both sides have finished calling witnesses, they will have the opportunity to present closing arguments before the jury begins deliberating. If the Trump defense team chooses not to put on witnesses, those deliberations could start as early as next week.
– Aysha Bagchi
Could trial conflict with Biden and Trump debate?
Former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden have agreed to two presidential campaign debates, one on June 27 and the other on Sept. 10. While Trump has complained that the New York criminal trial is preventing him from being out on the campaign trail, the trial – which began on April 15 – should be over well before the first debate. It was initially estimated to last between six and eight weeks, according to a court media advisory.
– Aysha Bagchi
Foe-turned-friend: How Michael Cohen and Rosie O’Donnell’s relationship blossomed
Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen has a best friend rooting for him outside the courthouse: comedian and actress Rosie O’Donnell.
Just before he took the stand in Trump’s hush money trial Monday, Cohen received a text from O’Donnell that read, “breathe - relax - tell the truth - u got this - i love u,” according to The New York Times. He then replied back, “Thank you and truly love you.”
But the two weren’t always so friendly.
Cohen helped Trump carry out insults against her, including mocking her for her looks and weight. After he was sentenced to prison for pleading guilty to tax evasion and campaign finance violations, O’Donnell wrote a six page letter to Cohen thanking him for turning against his former boss and saying she believed in redemption, the Times reported.
She also visited him in prison, where he apologized for helping Trump insult her. After he was released, the two continued to stay in touch.
“We talk and communicate on a regular basis,” O’Donnell told the Times. “I know this has been a tumultuous time, so I check in. It’s a big thing to be in a position to be able to change the whole country in some way.”
– Sudiksha Kochi
Trump’s lawyers to continue challenging Cohen’s credibility
Key witness Michael Cohen is back for continued cross-examination Thursday morning. As Donald Trump’s former lawyer, Cohen testified that the former president knew he was paying off porn actress Stormy Daniels for silence about their alleged affair. But Trump’s defense lawyers will continue trying to chip away at Cohen’s credibility and reliability.
Cohen testified that he discussed with Trump the $130,000 payment to Daniels while mapping out how he would be reimbursed in $35,000 monthly installments. “He approved it,” Cohen said of Trump.
Cohen also testified that Trump sought the nondisclosure agreement with Daniels to avoid publicity before the election about her allegation of having sex with him while married. “Women are gonna hate me,” Cohen recalled Trump saying of Daniels’ allegations. “Guys may think it’s cool, but this is going to be a disaster for the campaign.”
Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records to hide the payments to Cohen, and he denied having sex with Daniels.
Trump’s defense lawyers will continue their cross-examination of Cohen on Thursday to remind jurors that Cohen was imprisoned for lying to Congress and the Internal Revenue Service. Defense lawyer Todd Blanche said Cohen submitted invoices for “legal services” and Trump signed checks to pay them.
“None of this was a crime,” Blanche said in his opening statement.
– Bart Jansen
House GOP demands info about Trump prosecutor
The head of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, sent a letter to New York Attorney General Letitia James demanding documents about one of the prosecutors in Donald Trump’s hush money trial.
The letter is the latest salvo in Jordan’s and Trump’s accusations that Democrats are pursuing the former president with political litigation in an election year.
James won a $454 million judgment against Trump in a civil fraud trial. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is prosecuting Trump for falsifying business records to hide a payoff to a porn actress before the 2016 election, with a team including Matthew Colangelo, a former associate attorney general at the U.S. Justice Department and former chief counsel for federal initiatives in the state Attorney General’s Office.
Republicans have accused the Democratic prosecutors of coordinating their attacks on Trump. James and Bragg have denied bringing their cases for political reasons and accused Jordan of federal interference in their state level cases.
Jordan asked James for communications and documents about Trump related to Colangelo’s previous employment in the state Attorney General’s Office.
“Mr. Colangelo’s recent employment history demonstrates his obsession with investigating a person rather than prosecuting a crime,” Jordan wrote to James.
– Bart Jansen
What is Trump on trial for?
Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Prosecutors allege Trump falsified records to cover up unlawfully interfering in the 2016 presidential election through a $130,000 hush money payment he authorized Michael Cohen to send to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
The allegedly falsified records all tie to 2017 payments to Cohen that were labeled as legal expenses. Witnesses have testified to recognizing Trump's personal signature on some of the checks to Cohen. Jurors have also seen invoices from Cohen requesting monthly payments pursuant to a retainer agreement that Cohen has now testified didn't actually exist. A retainer agreement is a compensation agreement that reserves a lawyer or pays for future services.
Trump has pleaded not guilty in the case.
– Aysha Bagchi