Cohen asked about work he's done for Melania Trump

Dramatic day in court as defense begins to present case in Trump trial

By CNN's Kara Scannell, Lauren Del Valle and Jeremy Herb in the courthouse

Updated 1:24 p.m. ET, May 21, 2024
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10:40 a.m. ET, May 20, 2024

Cohen asked about work he's done for Melania Trump

Michael Cohen is being asked about the work he's done for Melania Trump.

Cohen says he met with Melania Trump in New York in March and April of 2017 over legal matters.

Attorney Todd Blanche confirms with Cohen that he helped Melania Trump with her Madame Tussauds' negotiation in February, March and April of 2017.

Blanche says that these were all things that lawyers would do for a client.

"Your job was being President Trump's lawyer, correct?" Blanche asks.
"Yes sir," Cohen says.

10:39 a.m. ET, May 20, 2024

Cohen says he didn't play a role in appointing Kasowitz

Trump attorney Todd Blanche is asking whether Michael Cohen helped figure out how to serve subpoenas on government agencies, like the State Department.

He showed Cohen an email that Trump leaned in to look at.

Blanche noted that Trump initially appointed Marc Kasowitz as his attorney to handle the Mueller investigation. Blanche asked if Cohen played a role in that?

"No sir," Cohen says.

Blanche asked if Cohen was "happy, sad or indifferent" about the initial Kasowitz hire. Cohen said probably happy because he had a good relationship with him.

10:39 a.m. ET, May 20, 2024

Cohen maintains measured tone as defense cross-examines him on the witness stand 

Michael Cohen is answering a lot of questions with "yes, sir" and "correct" maintaining the same measured tone as he had the prior three days on the witness stand.

10:31 a.m. ET, May 20, 2024

Jury is shown Cohen's goodbye email to Trump Org.

The jury is being shown Michael Cohen's goodbye email to the Trump Organization dated January 27, 2017.

In the email, Cohen announces his new role as Trump's personal attorney and notes he'd no longer be working with them at Trump Tower.

Trump attorney Todd Blanche asked whether Cohen continued representing Trump in legal matters after moving into his new role.

"You had a matter with Marc Kasowitz representing President Trump?" Blanche asked.

"Yes sir," Cohen said.

10:32 a.m. ET, May 20, 2024

Cohen talks about being proud of his role as former President Trump's personal attorney

Attorney Todd Blanche confirmed with Michael Cohen that his email signature after Trump took office announced his title in every message he sent. “It always said personal attorney to President Donald J Trump."

Blanche continued, “His job changed — meaning President Trump’s job changed — your job didn’t.”

“Correct,” Cohen confirmed.

"You told everybody that was happening, Correct?" Blanche asked.

"Not everybody, but I was certainly proud of the role and I announced it," Cohen said, confirming on follow-up questions that he told TMZ, the New York Times, and when he went on Sean Hannity's show to announce it.

10:27 a.m. ET, May 20, 2024

Cohen says Trump's sons signed the checks because they were the trustees

Trump attorney Todd Blanche pulled up an email from Allen Weisselberg to Jeff McConney, noting that the checks were signed off by Donald Jr. and Eric Trump. He asked why they signed them and not former President Donald Trump.

"Because they were the trustees," Cohen said.

10:45 a.m. ET, May 20, 2024

Long break between summations and verdict instructions is "useless" for both sides, former judge says

From CNN's Maureen Chowdhury

Judge Juan Merchan told the lawyers that a verdict will not be reached this week, which means there could be a long break between the summation of arguments and instructions — this is not ideal either side, Diane Kiesel, former New York Supreme Court judge said.

"I think it's kind of a wash," Kiesel told CNN, adding that both the defense and prosecutors want summations to be fresh in the minds of the jurors.

"It's almost kind of a useless exercise if it's going to be a week after they hear that before they actually sit down and listen to the judge's instructions and get to work," she said.

10:23 a.m. ET, May 20, 2024

Defense is now showing emails to Cohen from Weisselberg

Trump attorney Todd Blanche is now showing emails to Michael Cohen from Allen Weisselberg on January 31, 2017, with the subject: "Note and mortgage modification agreement for Trump Park Avenue Condominium."

"Thank you. You never stopped on for a bro hug. Anyway please prepare the agreement discussed" so we can pay you monthly, Weisselberg wrote.

10:25 a.m. ET, May 20, 2024

Cohen is asked about his conversations with Weisselberg about retainer agreement

"So, the conversation that you had with Mr. Weisselberg about the retainer agreement and the fact that there would not be one all took place in the meeting you had," along with the meeting with Trump, Blanche asked

"Yes sir," Cohen said.

"If you would have had one, would have it been between you and your client?" Blanche asked.

"Correct," Cohen said.

"Who would that have been?" Blanche asked.

"Mr. Trump," Cohen said.