Author Topic: Live Thread: Trump's hush money trial begins in NYC (Read 135425 times)

American Girl · « **Reply #850 on:** May 11, 2024, 07:41:40 am »

I can’t believe this is not a parody.

This is just too much, they mock our country not just Trump!

https://www.rightjournalism.com/not-a-satire-the-latest-stormy-daniels-development-shows-how-this-trial-is-a-total-circus/

American Girl · « **Reply #851 on:** May 11, 2024, 08:07:56 am »

Wow, they exposed Trump's allies!
These people are desperate.
Evil.
I know it has been said, but you don’t hate the news media enough.

https://defiantamerica.com/during-trumps-hush-money-trial-a-list-that-contained-the-names-of-the-people-with-whom-trump-spoke-most-frequently-one-name-surprised-everyone/

Mod2 · « **Reply #852 on:** May 11, 2024, 09:59:31 am »

Merged threads

mystery-ak · « **Reply #853 on:** May 13, 2024, 08:48:02 am »

DAY 16: Michael Cohen's Testifies

mystery-ak · « **Reply #854 on:** May 13, 2024, 09:38:44 am »

11 minutes ago
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is here as well
By Ben Kochman

District Attorney Alvin Bragg walked into the room wearing a dark blue suit and followed by a handful of aides. He took a seat in the courtroom's second row.

mystery-ak · « **Reply #855 on:** May 13, 2024, 09:42:31 am »

a minute ago
Michael Cohen takes stand to testify against his ex-boss

Michael Cohen entered the room through a side door and walked, as all witnesses have, behind the defense table where Trump is sitting.

He did not make eye contact with Trump as he took the stand to testify against his former boss.

mystery-ak · « **Reply #856 on:** May 13, 2024, 09:49:09 am »

a minute ago
Cohen points Trump out in courtroom
By Ben Kochman and Kyle Schnitzer

When asked to identify Trump in the courtroom, Cohen craned his head to the left, and then stood up for a split second, before pointing his former boss out at this seat at the defense table.

"He's wearing a blue and white tie," Cohen said.

mystery-ak · « **Reply #857 on:** May 13, 2024, 09:58:45 am »

a minute ago
Cohen made $525K a year while working for Trump: testimony

Michael Cohen is testifying about when he first started working for Donald Trump and the Trump Organization — and said he made $525,000 a year working under the title "Executive Vice President and Special Council to Donald J. Trump."

Cohen said that there was a bit of a bump in the road when he first started negotiating with Trump over his salary.

He said it was a "little bit of back and forth" while negotiating, admitting Trump offered him an amount that was "probably not going to work."

Cohen then countered with his number and the two met in the middle, Cohen testified.

He said that his base salary was $375,000 at the time when he first started working for Trump in his 30s, and bonuses were "to be discussed" — which eventually added up to $525,000.

mystery-ak · « **Reply #858 on:** May 13, 2024, 09:59:16 am »

mystery-ak · « **Reply #859 on:** May 13, 2024, 10:05:18 am »

2 minutes ago
Trump had Cohen work on 'personal matters' like when a yellow cab hit his limo: testimony
By Kyle Schnitzer

Michael Cohen said that Donald Trump had him work on personal matters while working under him — including a time when Trump's limo was hit by a yellow taxi cab.

"Knowing I had deep roots in the yellow cab industry, he asked me to reach out to the driver who provided me the police report," Cohen said.

He admitted that he had the yellow cab company "pay the repair on the vechcile."

Quote

4 minutes ago
Cohen admits threatening reporters with lawsuits on behalf of Trump
By Ben Kochman

Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger is walking jurors through Michael Cohen's history of doing tasks at the personal direction of Donald Trump.

One of Cohen's jobs was to call up reporters and threaten to sue them if they did not change or remove articles that Trump did not like.

"With the press, as an example, if they said something that angered him, I would reach out to the press and I would express to them they would either have to redact or take down the article down or we would file an action against them," Cohen said.

mystery-ak · « **Reply #860 on:** May 13, 2024, 10:07:24 am »

08:00
'Fantastic!' Cohen earned Trump's approval by stiffing Trump University vendors

Cohen is describing some of the tasks he did for Trump, like figuring out how to pay now-defunct Trump University vendors, when bills were far beyond the $2 million in a company bank acount. Cohen said he 'came up with basically 20 percent of everyone’s invoice' - the amount each vendor would get. He 'contacted each and every one.' All but two accepted the low ball offer, other than two, who got nothing. Cohen testified he would tell Trump about each arrangement. Trump said it was 'fantastic.' Asked how the accomplishment made him feel, Cohen said it was 'like I was on top of the world.'

MOL

mystery-ak · « **Reply #861 on:** May 13, 2024, 10:08:02 am »

2 minutes ago
Trump's eyes closed as Cohen testifies about working together
By Kyle Schnitzer

Donald Trump has been slouched back in his seat with his eyes closed, sitting between attorneys Todd Blanche and Emil Bove, during Michael Cohen's testimony.

Cohen is testifying about his working relationship with Trump, saying that when Trump tasked him with something, Trump would say, "Keep me informed, let me know what's going on."

corbe · « **Reply #862 on:** May 13, 2024, 10:14:08 am »

So according to Cohen the Trump University was over $10M in debt to just Vendors, never mind the students who got stiffed. Great Businessman.

mystery-ak · « **Reply #863 on:** May 13, 2024, 10:15:14 am »

Quote

4 minutes ago
Michael Cohen gets emotional as he testifies about working for Trump: 'It was a big family'
By Kyle Schnitzer

Michael Cohen appeared to choke up briefly while testifying that working for Trump was like working for a "big family."

Cohen described it was a "fantastic" experience in his 10 years under Trump, calling it

"An amazing experience in many, many ways. There were great times, there were several less than great times but for the most part I enjoyed the responsibilities that were given to me," Cohen testified.

He said it was a "big family" working together with Trump and his children.

Cohen testified that he would call Trump "boss" or "Mr. Trump" when addressing him.

Quote

2 minutes ago
Cohen admits lying and bullying for Trump to make his boss 'happy'

After describing most of his time working for Trump as "an amazing experience," Cohen was then asked whether he lied on Trump's behalf.

"Did you lie for him?" prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked

"I did," Cohen replied.

"It was what was needed in order to accomplish a task," he added.

"Did you bully people for him?" Hoffinger continued.

Cohen said that he did.

"The only thing that was on my mind was to accomplish tasks to make him happy," he testified.

mystery-ak · « **Reply #864 on:** May 13, 2024, 10:19:54 am »

a minute ago
Cohen testifies about relationship with David Pecker

Michael Cohen said he knew ex-National Inquirer publisher David Pecker before he knew Donald Trump, but it wasn't until he started working for Trump that he spoke with Pecker, often by phone, email or Signal, an encrypted messaging app.

Cohen said he met Pecker at a function on Long Island before he became "reacquainted" with him under Trump.

He said they would use Signal to communicate "depending on the matter" and how those conversations not being "traceable would be beneficial."

"Depending upon the matter. Sometimes we thought that encryption and not having the event traceable would be beneficial," Cohen said.

mountaineer · « **Reply #865 on:** May 13, 2024, 10:27:48 am »

Jim Banks
@Jim_Banks
You can tell a lot about a case by who they bring in as their closer.

Biden/Bragg is going up in smoke, so they turn to notorious LIAR Michael Cohen.

No one has lied under oath more than Michael Cohen -- just what the prosecution needs to salvage their dumpster fire case!
10:23 AM · May 13, 2024

mystery-ak · « **Reply #866 on:** May 13, 2024, 10:32:19 am »

Quote

a minute ago
Trump warned 'women will come forward' before kicking off 2016 presidential bid: testimony

Michael Cohen testified that Donald Trump warned him that negative stories would surface about him when he announced his presidential bid in 2016 — and to "be prepared" that "a lot of women" could come forward.

“Just be prepared – there’s going to be a lot of women coming forward," Cohen said Trump told him at the time.

Quote

7 minutes ago
Cohen: Trump didn't run for president in 2011 because of 'The Apprentice'
By Kyle Schnitzer

Michael Cohen testified that Donald Trump decided to not run for president in 2011 because he had another season of "The Apprentice" to take care of.

Trump had "several real estate" projects in addition to "another season of 'The Apprentice,'" Cohen testified.

“As Mr. Trump told me, ‘You don’t leave Hollywood, Hollywood leaves you,'" Cohen said.

Cohen later testified that Trump "promised" him that he would run in the next election cycle when he didn't run in 2011.

Quote

9 minutes ago
Cohen speaking slowly in his signature Long Island accent as Trump slouches
By Ben Kochman

Wearing a dark blue suit and pink tie, the salt-and-pepper-haired Michael Cohen is speaking slowly and clearly in his signature Long Island accent during his testimony so far.

Donald Trump is sitting slouched way down in his seat at the defense table. He has closed his eyes for several stretches of 30 seconds to a minute.

mystery-ak · « **Reply #867 on:** May 13, 2024, 10:34:33 am »

Quote

08:16
Prosecutors get to the heart of the issue: Trump didn't leave a paper trail and didn't use emails

From Rob Crilly, Senior Political Reporter inside the courtroom.

Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger has got quickly to the heart of one of the issues about this case: That Trump has not left a paper trail.

Did Trump ever use email, she asks Cohen. No, he replies.

'During certain conversations, he would comment that emails are like written papers,' he continued.

'He knows too many people who have gone down ... by having emails that prosecutors can use in a case.'

Quote

08:15
Cohen says he could be described as Trump's 'fixer'

Michael Cohen testified that it would be 'fair' to characterize him as Trump's former 'fixer.'

'Some have described me as that,' he told prosecutors.

'If it was in order to place a story that would be advantageous I would speak with them,' he said. He would also bring down the hammer. 'If there was an article that caused him displeasure I’d speak with them as well,' he said.

He agreed his role was to minimize negative stories and enhance positive stories.

Trump has not looked directly at Cohen thus far.

MOL

mystery-ak · « **Reply #868 on:** May 13, 2024, 10:45:22 am »

3 minutes ago
Cohen testifying about Trump Tower doorman's phony Trump 'love child' story
By Kyle Schnitzer

Michael Cohen testified that Donald Trump told him to take care of a story that circulated about Trump having fathered a "love child."

"I spoke, I went to him immediately to advise him that there was a story because it was a negative story for him and to get his direction on what he wanted me to do," Cohen said.

"He told me to make sure that the story doesn’t get out — 'You handle it,'" Cohen added.

Cohen then testified about the deal that the National Enquirer had arranged to own the story.

“They were going to pay $30,000. They were executing an agreement with the doorman in order to obtain the life rights of this story," Cohen testified.

When asked by prosecutors whether the life rights meant to publish or not publish the story, Cohen said to "not publish the story" and "to take it off the market."

mystery-ak · « **Reply #869 on:** May 13, 2024, 10:50:15 am »

a minute ago
Trump's reaction to Playboy model's story of affair with Trump: 'She's really beautiful'

Trump didn't deny having an affair with Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal when he was married to his wife Melania when Cohen brought it up to him, Cohen testified.

"His response to me was, 'She’s really beautiful,'" Cohen said.

mystery-ak · « **Reply #870 on:** May 13, 2024, 10:52:23 am »

Quote

08:42
Delivery of testimony by Cohen is 'cautious and flat' as he tries to get jury on his side

From Rob Crilly, Senior Political Reporter inside the courtroom:

Michael Cohen's delivery is considered, cautious, flat.

If jurors were expecting a 'pants on fire' type, or a 'jerk', as other witnesses put it, then they are not getting one.

And that is exactly why prosecutors were so happy to get previous witnesses to dish the dirt on him.

In doing so, they have 'inoculated' the jury against his worst points.

We know that Cohen is a convicted perjurer but the prosecution is hoping the jurors are all thinking: Oh, maybe he's not so bad after all.

Quote

08:41
'It’s fantastic! That’s unbelievable!' Trump's reaction to National Enquirer stories

Donald Trump was over the moon when the National Enqurier ran positive stories about him or negative ones about his rivals.

The tabloid magazine would send over stories before they were published, and the editorial team often sought input from Trump.

Cohen would show Trump, and he would say: 'It’s fantastic! That’s unbelievable!'

Quote

08:39
Cohen: Trump said a lot of women would come forward when he announced his run for president

Donald Trump was concerned that many women would come forward when he announced his run for president, Michael Cohen told the court.

The former president’s ‘fixer’ also detailed how he would preview National Enqurier stories and covers before they were published.

Trump and his team knew the power the tabloid had as it was sold in so many supermarkets and bodegas.

Therefore they tried to place positive stories about Trump and negative articles about his opponents.

Cohen revealed that he was in close contact with the National Enquirer publisher at the time, David Pecker, and editor Dylan Howard.

‘Negative ones (stories) I would receive from David or Dylan Howard was Hillary Clinton wearing very thick glasses, some allegations she had some brain injury

‘It was Ted Cruz, a photo of his father with lee Harvey Osawald claiming (he) was involved in the assaination of JFK

‘Article on Marco Rubio in a swimming pool with a bunch of other men claiming they were having a drug binge of some sort.’

MOL

mystery-ak · « **Reply #871 on:** May 13, 2024, 11:02:14 am »

08:58
How Trump melted when Cohen told him about Karen McDougal: 'She’s really beautiful'

Prosecutors took Cohen through the period where he learned about bombshell claims by former Playboy playmate Karen McDougal's claims of an extended affair with Trump. 'Boss I gotta talk do you,' Cohen told Trump as he walked into his office on the 26th floor of Trump Tower, he recalled.

'Come in,' I went in

Cohen says he asked Trump if he knew who Karen McDougal was, or 'anything about the story.'

'His response to me was: 'She’s really beautiful.'

'I said, "Okay but there’s a story ..."' Cohen testified.

That was just one early scene in a chain of events that would result in a $150,000 payment to McDougal. According to Cohen, ex-National Enquirer boss David Pecker would put up the money, but Trump told him, 'I’ll take care of it,' meaning he would pay him back.

MOL

mystery-ak · « **Reply #872 on:** May 13, 2024, 11:07:03 am »

2 minutes ago
Trump is either sleeping or showing a lot of discipline in keeping his eyes closed for full half hour

At this point, here's what I can say: Trump is either sleeping or staying very disciplined to his plan of keeping his eyes closed during Cohen's testimony.

He's now been sitting slumped in his chair with his eyes closed for at least 30 minutes.

He has jerked his head forward slightly at least twice. Besides that, he's been completely still

mystery-ak · « **Reply #873 on:** May 13, 2024, 11:13:26 am »

Eric Trump is posting to X from the courtroom

'I have never seen anything more rehearsed!' Eric wrote on X in the middle of Cohen's testimony.

He is seated immediately behind his father in the courtroom Monday.

https://twitter.com/EricTrump/status/1790032069797482582

mystery-ak · « **Reply #874 on:** May 13, 2024, 11:24:31 am »

a few seconds ago
Trump perks up before his voice is heard on secret recording about hush money made by Cohen

Trump perked up, opened his eyes and appeared to say something to his lawyer Todd Blanche right before his own voice was heard on a recording secretly made by Cohen discussing setting up a "company for the transfer of all of that info about our friend David."

"David" was David Pecker, and the conversation was about a $150,000 payoff to Karen McDougal, Cohen testified.