Live Thread: Trump's hush money trial begins in NYC

[240B]

This is a stupid question, but how is ANY of this, is ANY of this rehashing old news, connected to a mislabeled book-keeping entry?

[corbe]

   Since we're asking Stupid Questions.  If the Stormy/Karen affairs had come out after the Nomination/Convention and before the Election 'Would Ryan/McConnell/Priebus paid a Visit to NYC/Trump Tower to address the Crisis in the GOP'?

[rustynail]

This testimony is Devastating.  Cohen shows real gravitas he has this jury enthralled.

[mystery-ak]

a few seconds ago
NY Rep. Malliotakis, Ohio Sen. Vance back in court to support Trump

New York Rep. Nicole Malliotakis and Ohio Sen. JD Vance were spotted walking into the courtroom shortly after Trump returned from the lunch break at about 1:54 p.m.

The two pols and other Republicans have been in court to support the presumptive GOP presidential nominee and held a press conference earlier bashing the prosecution's star witness, Michael Cohen.

[mystery-ak]

a few seconds ago
Cohen has resumed his testimony

[corbe]

Michael Cohen walks jurors through how he set-up Daniels payment
Following the lunch break, prosecutors are having Cohen walk jurors through how he slow-walked the Stormy Daniels deal but ultimately set up a bank account and a shell company to make the $130,000 payment.

The jurors have already seen many of exhibits that prosecutors are pulling up, which include emails and texts Cohen sent or received.

— Zach Schonfeld

[corbe]

Jury sees Melania Trump’s text to Cohen
The jury saw a text from Melania Trump, the former president’s wife, to Cohen on the morning of Oct. 18, 2016.

“Good morning Michael, can you pls call DT on his cell. Thanks,” Melania Trump wrote.

“Of course,” Cohen responded moments later.

Cohen said he left a voicemail for Trump the prior night indicating that Stormy Daniels was looking to pull out of the hush money deal, because she hadn’t received her $130,000 payment yet.

Cohen testified that he told Trump he no longer believed they could stall things past the election.

— Zach Schonfeld

[corbe]

Cohen says he used home equity line of credit to avoid wife’s suspicions


Cohen used his home equity line of credit (HELOC) to fund the $130,000 payment to Daniels.

On the stand, Cohen said he couldn’t pull the money directly from his bank account because he owned it jointly with his wife, who would raise suspicions, but Cohen stressed that he couldn’t tell her about the deal.

“My wife was the CEO of the household,” Cohen said.

— Zach Schonfeld

[mystery-ak]

3 minutes ago
Cohen asked David Pecker to cover Daniels' hush money payment, but was denied

Cohen testified that, fearful that Daniels would sell her story to the Daily Mail, he asked David Pecker to pay the $130,000 to Daniels to keep the porn star's story quiet.

"I figured, why not ask?" Cohen testified, drawing some chuckles in the room.

But Pecker, who had already paid Karen McDougal $150,000, blanched at paying Daniels as well.

"Not a chance," Pecker told Cohen, Cohen recalled.

11 minutes ago
Weisselberg wanted to generate $130K through golf memberships, bar mitzvah at Trump properties: Cohen
By Kyle Schnitzer

Michael Cohen testified that Allen Weisselberg, the former chief financial officer of the Trump Organization, talked about possibly generating $130,000 through golf memberships or holding a wedding at one of Trump’s facilities.

The conversation happened when Cohen was scrambling to find a way to fund the LLC account to pay off Daniels, when Weiselberg suggested that he should see if someone wanted to buy a membership at one of Trump’s golf clubs.

Other options included finding someone to host a wedding or bar mitzvah, Cohen said.

He testified that it “wasn’t a possibility because each of those entities have a Trump name” attached to it and he wanted to keep it away from Donald Trump’s name.

22 minutes ago
Cohen used Yom Kippur as excuse to delay Stormy Daniels hush money payment
By Ben Kochman

Michael Cohen testified that Donald Trump told him to delay paying Stormy Daniels the $130,000 until after the election.

As part of this plan, Cohen emailed Daniels' lawyer Keith Davidson on Oct. 12, 2016, that he couldn't talk on the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur -- but it was just part of their ruse to stiff Daniels, Cohen testified.

Trump believed that if they could merely push off the payment until after the election, "it would not matter," Cohen told jurors.

Yom Kippur is the most sacred day on the Jewish calendar, and is intended to be used for atonement and repentance.

29 minutes ago
Cohen said he had to change LLC name because it had same name as friend's company
By Kyle Schnitzer

Michael Cohen admitted he had to change the name of the LLC for hush money payments because it had the same name as his friend's company.

“I realized during the process but I couldn’t realize why we called it Resolution Consultants," Cohen testified.

"It’s actually the name of a company of someone that I know who is out of state, and I don’t think he’d appreciate using the same name as his company."

Cohen said he changed the name to "Essential Consultants LLC."

Cohen then testified he lied on paperwork filing out the form to say it was a management consulting company because he wasn't sure if it would go through knowing it was money for a porn star.

"I'm not sure if they would've opened it if it stated 'to pay off an adult film star for a nondisclosure agreement,'" Cohen said.

[mystery-ak]

2 minutes ago
Cohen had two phone calls with Trump before executing hush money payment: testimony
By Kyle Schnitzer

Michael Cohen testified that he had two phone calls with Donald Trump right before he walked to a bank to make the payment to Stormy Daniels' lawyer, Keith Davidson.

The jury was shown a call log from October 26, 2016, which showed Cohen had two calls with Trump around 8:30 a.m.

Explaining the situation, Cohen said: "I wanted to ensure that once again he approved what I was doing because I require approval from him on all of this."

[mystery-ak]

13:52
Cohen tells the jury he decided to fund $130,000 himself from a home equity loan

Cohen told the jury he decided to fund the $130,000 himself from his HELOC, or home equity loan, to keep it away from his wife.

He said: ‘My wife as chief executive of the household would not understand if there was $130,000 missing from out joint bank account

‘That would have been a problem for me. Once I received the money back from Mr Trump I would deposit it and nobody would be the wiser’

[240B]

Keep in mind during all of this 'testimony' that this is Cohen's last chance. He will be fighting like a trapped animal and will lie about anything as freely as a prisoner under torture. Cohen has no choice.

Cohen will never work again as any kind of lawyer or consultant. His employed life is over, unless he can get some anti-Trump gig with CNN or MSNBC. He is done. He is finished when this trial ends. So he is flailing about throwing anything and everything at Trump because he has nothing to lose.

[mystery-ak]

a minute ago
Cohen says he paid off Daniels with Trump's approval - and a promise he'd be repaid
By Ben Kochman

Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked Cohen whether he would have paid Daniels the hush money without Trump approving it first.

“Everything required Mr. Trump’s sign off,” Cohen testified.

Cohen added that he wanted to let Trump know about the payoff in advance to ensure he'd be paid back.

“On top of that, I wanted the money back," he testified.

[mystery-ak]

a few seconds ago
Michael Cohen, an ex-con who's served prison time

Michael Cohen pleaded guilty in two separate federal cases in 2018 and did prison time for the crimes.

Cohen first copped to tax evasion, making false statements to a bank and to campaign finance violations in August 2018 in connection to the hush money payments he arranged to be paid to porn star Stormy Daniels and to Playboy model Karen McDougal on President Trump's behalf.

He then pleaded guilty in November 2018 for lying to Congress about his efforts during the presidential campaign to seek approvals and financing from the Russian government for a Trump development project in Moscow. Cohen said he lied to match his story with Trump's "political messaging."

Then in December, Cohen was sentenced to three years behind bars but he was released to home confinement after just over a year in May 2020 in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID in prisons.

Cohen was freed from home confinement in November 2021.

He previously testified against Trump at a civil fraud trial last year, where Trump's team sought to discount his testimony based on the fact he's a convict and admitted liar. Trump's lawyers will likely also attack Cohen's credibility at the current trial.

5 minutes ago
Cohen says he 'wanted credit for myself' after Stormy Daniels deal was done
By Post Staff

Michael Cohen told jurors he immediately told Donald Trump that the Stormy Daniels deal was done on Oct. 27, 2016 -- two weeks before the presidential election -- because he wanted "credit" from his then-boss.

“The task he gave to me was finished, accomplished and done,” Cohen testified, adding he sent Trump the update “to take credit for myself so that he knew I had done it and finished it, because this was important.”

7 minutes ago
Court takes an afternoon break

We will be back soon.

8 minutes ago
Cohen says he spoke with Hope Hicks, David Pecker after learning about WSJ story
By Kyle Schnitzer

Michael Cohen said he spoke with Donald Trump's communications chief Hope Hicks and National Enquirer publisher David Pecker to plan a defense after learning that a Wall Street Journal story set to be published would not only mention Playboy model Karen McDougal but also would mention Stormy Daniels.

Jurors were shown a call log of Cohen’s calls, which he confirmed and then explained the situation.

He said he spoke with the pair “so that we could all coalesce around this issue in an attempt to again quell the potential effects of an article like this."

[mystery-ak]

a few seconds ago
Trump listed as 'David Dennison' and Daniels as 'Peggy Peterson' in hush money contract shown to jurors

Jurors took another look this afternoon at a copy of a hush money contract struck between Cohen and Daniels that used fake names to describe Trump and Daniels.

Daniels' name was marked down as "Peggy Peterson," while Trump's was "David Dennison," the document shows.

Cohen also said he falsely called the $130,000 a "retainer" on a wire transfer form, when it was really a hush money payment.

A year later, Trump's company falsely marked the reimbursements to Cohen as "legal services" on filings throughout 2017, trial evidence shows.

[rustynail]

"Peggy Peterson,"?  That name could give a look into Cohen's proclivities.

[mystery-ak]

2 minutes ago
Prosecutors to continue questioning Cohen on Tuesday

The DA's office said just now that they expect their questioning of Cohen to go into at least part of Tuesday. That means Trump's lawyers won't be able to start what's expected to be a fiery cross-examination until at least tomorrow

[mystery-ak]

14:17
Michael Cohen's crisis response to Wall Street Journal's McDougal bombshell: blame 'Clinton machine'

Cohen testified about how key figures responded to a Wall Street Journal report that blew open the Karen McDougal story, after spending hours speaking about his role in 'catch and kill' matters.

Hope Hicks, who testified earlier, emailed Cohen with some proposed responses, which Cohen tersely described as an effort to 'deny.' She called the story 'false' and wanted to call out a 'publicity hungry individual.'

'We have nothing to do with this final attempt by the liberal elite to disparage Donald Trump and stop this historic movement,' was one of HIcks' proposed responses, just hours before the election.

Cohen wrote back with his preferred language

'Instead, say these accusations are completely untrue and just the latest despicable attempt by the liberal media and the Clinton machine to distract the public …' Cohen advised.

Asked if Trump was angry during this frantic period of damage control that could surface the Stormy Daniels story, Cohen said 'Yes. Because there was a negative story that could impact the campaign as a result of women.'

MOL

[mystery-ak]

a minute ago
Cohen disappointed Trump didn't consider him for Chief of Staff position

Michael Cohen said he was disappointed that Donald Trump didn't consider him for his Chief of Staff role in the White House.

Trump didn't offer him the position, and Cohen even admitted he didn't "believe" the role was the right fit, but he just wanted his name included with other candidates.

“I had other ideas for myself that I wanted but I wanted to be considered. It was more about my ego than anything," Cohen said.

[mystery-ak]

Testimony a little boring today...cross should be good...lol

[mystery-ak]

3 minutes ago
How Cohen tried sweet-talking Trump into making him 'personal attorney to the president'
By Kyle Schnitzer

Cohen said he pitched Trump on being the personal attorney to the president, and even brought in another lawyer to help sweet talk Trump into giving him the role.

“He went through this pitch explaining the importance and necessity of having a personal attorney for his own protection and why I fit exactly that role," Cohen testified.

Trump had his eyes closed during Cohen's speech, as he has several times throughout his former attorney's testimony.

Cohen said he didn't not "expect to be compensated" for the role and did not discuss compensation.

[mystery-ak]

2 minutes ago
'Pissed off': How Cohen reacted to Trump cutting his bonus in 2016

Michael Cohen explained how Trump dished out annual bonuses around the office — and how he reacted having his bonus cut by two-thirds in 2016.

"I used quite a few expletives," Cohen said recalling a conversation with Allen Weisselberg about his skinny bonus.

Cohen said he used "colorful language about how truly pissed off and angry I was."

Trump would have Rhona Graff, his personal assistant, walk around the office and give employees a Christmas card signed by Trump and others, Cohen testified — explaining that inside the card would be a check for the bonus that year.

“Rhona came and delivered the envelope and the Christmas card," Cohen said about the 2016 year.

Cohen said he was "angry – beyond angry. Cut my bonus by two-thirds.”

He said he was personally insulted by Trump cutting his bonus after he laid out "$130,000 on his behalf to protect him."

“I was truly insulted, personally hurt. I didn’t understand it, made no sense, after all I had gone through – the campaign, things at the Trump Organization," Cohen testified.

"Laying out 130K on his behalf to protect him – it was insulting the gratitude shown back to me was to cut a bonus by two-thirds."

Trump took a few scratches to his neck during Cohen's testimony.

[mystery-ak]

Square profile picture
🇺🇸Travis🇺🇸
@Travis_4_Trump
JUST IN:  The prosecution is currently making a great case, against Michael Cohen.  So far, every piece of evidence has been conversation between Cohen and others.  The only thing Cohen has against Trump is his word.   Conveniently, the really damaging evidence was on an encrypted messaging app, so it can’t be recovered. 

It’s becoming increasingly apparent that Cohen acted of his own free will doing things to please Trump because he worshipped him.   He’s yet to say Trump demanded he do anything, only that he felt pressured because he was afraid. 

Why is this loser even allowed to testify?  He’s a coward and a sellout

[mystery-ak]

a minute ago
Cohen texted 'Taxi King' Gene Friedman gloating about becoming 'personal counsel' to Trump

A text shown to jurors sent by Michael Cohen to Gene Friedman shows Cohen telling the "Taxi King" that he was going to be "personal counsel to Pres Trump."

The text, dated January 17, 2017, shows Cohen texted Friedman, who he identified as the "operator of yellow cabs" he owned, writing: Thank u. I leave tomorrow for DC and just between us, I will be personal counsel to Pres Trump."

Friedman was stripped of 800 medallions by the Taxi & Limousine Commission in 2017 shortly before his arrest for tax fraud.

[mystery-ak]

3 minutes ago
Michael Cohen to resume testimony on Tuesday
By Ben Kochman

We’re done for the day. We’ll be back tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. with more testimony from Trump’s fixer-turned foe, Michael Cohen.

4 minutes ago
Here's how Trump's business reimbursed Cohen for the hush money payout, per trial evidence
By Ben Kochman

Then-Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg wrote down notes explaining the scheme to reimburse Michael Cohen for his $130,000 payout to Stormy Daniels, trial evidence shows.

Weisselberg scrawled messy notes explaining the scheme on a copy of a bank statement for Cohen's shell company that was used to make the Daniels payout, Essential Consultants LLC.

Here's how it worked:

-- They started with a $130,000 payment to reimburse Cohen for paying the Daniels hush money.                 

-- They then added $50,000 owed to Cohen to reimburse him for paying an IT firm called "Red Finch," which Cohen testified he hired to rig online polls in favor of Trump in 2015.                                                     

-- Then they doubled $180,000 to $360,000 to make up for the roughly 50% taxes the Midtown Manhattan resident would have to pay because he was in a high tax bracket.

-- They then added an extra $60,000 as a "bonus" to make up for Trump apparently stiffing Cohen on a bonus the previous year.

-- Weisselberg told Cohen that the new total of $420,000 would be paid out in 12 installments of $35,000 throughout 2017.

7 minutes ago
Trial is done for day, back tomorrow at 9:30 a.m

We're done for the day. We'll be back tomorrow with more testimony from Trump's fixer-turned foe, Michael Cohen.

[mystery-ak]

3 minutes ago
Trump accuses trial judge of being 'corrupt' and 'conflicted' on his way out of court
By Post Staff

Trump again ripped Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan as "corrupt" on his way out of court.

He called Merchan, who was first appointed to the bench in Bronx family court in 2006 by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, then a Republican, of being "highly conflicted."

Merchan became an acting justice in Manhattan Supreme Court, presiding over felony criminal cases, in 2009.

Trump also reiterated his claim that "there's no problem here" and "no crime" in the case.

"It's really a sad day for the country. It's sad for New York," he told reporters.

[mountaineer]

Reminder:

[mystery-ak]

DAY 17: Michael Cohen's Testifies

 Speaker Johnson to appear at courthouse amid Trump hush money trial
by Mychael Schnell - 05/14/24 8:05 AM ET



Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) will appear at the Manhattan courthouse Tuesday as former President Trump sits for another day of his hush money trial, a source confirmed to The Hill.

Johnson is the latest Republican lawmaker to visit the court amid Trump’s ongoing criminal trial, which has kept him largely off the campaign trail as he vies for another term in the White House.

His expected appearance was first reported by Punchbowl News.

The Speaker’s trip to New York, however, comes less than one week after the House overwhelmingly blocked an attempt by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) to oust him from office, an outcome that some have in-part attributed to the former president’s backing of Johnson.

Trump voiced support for Johnson on a number of occasions amid the ouster threat — including during a joint appearance at Mar-a-Lago — and he urged Republicans to vote to table Greene’s motion to vacate. That Truth Social post, however, published minutes after the vote closed.

[mystery-ak]

2 minutes ago
Trump arrives to court with son Eric, and entourage of supporters

Trump just entered the room followed by son Eric Trump and supporters like entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and North Dakota governor Doug Burgum.

Michael Cohen's testimony will resume shortly.

[mystery-ak]

29 minutes ago
Trump accuses judge of 'MAKING BIG MONEY OFF OF THIS SCAM' in early morning post
By David Spector

Former President Donald Trump accused Judge Juan Merchan of being "TOTALLY CORRUPT" in an early morning rant on his Truth Social account.

"Judge Merchan is TOTALLY COMPROMISED, CONFLICTED, AND CORRUPT," Trump said.

The former president went on to accuse the judge in his "hush money" trial of "MAKING BIG MONEY OFF OF THIS SCAM AND ITS OUTCOME."

Trump has been fined numerous times for violating the judge's gag order and Merchan has even threatened him with jail time.

[mystery-ak]

Speaker Mike Johnson will address 'sham prosecution' of Trump outside courthouse, days after surviving MTG's ouster attempt

House Speaker Mike Johnson's move to join Trump's court entourage is an extraordinary move for the man who is third in line for the presidency, and is another sign of the total embrace Trump is getting from congressional Republicans.

It comes days after days after the House rejected an effort by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) to remove Johnson from office through a procedural motion.

Trump sided with the speaker in the spat, meeting with Johnson and posting in advance that 'this is not the time' to move to vacate the chair, as Greene was proposing.

The Speaker's office left no doubt which side he is on.

'The Speaker will then address media outside of the ongoing sham prosecution of President Trump,' his office announced.

'Speaker Johnson will address the political persecution of the 45th President of the United States by President Biden’s weaponized Department of Justice and the left-wing Manhattan district attorney.'

https://twitter.com/Liz_Cheney/status/1790365490868846815

MOL

[mystery-ak]

6 minutes ago
House speaker a no-show in the courtroom
By Ben Kochman

House Speaker Mike Johnson's support of Donald Trump today may be limited to the court's hallway, as he's nowhere to be seen inside the courtroom.

Trump has, by my rough count, 11 supporters in the rows of seats that are designated for him inside the room.

14 minutes ago
Johnson, Ramaswamy spotted at Manhattan courthouse
By David Spector

House Speaker Mike Johnson was spotted entering the Manhattan courthouse for former President Donald Trump's "hush money" trial.

Johnson (R-La.) is the highest-ranking Republican official to be seen supporting Trump in court.

[libertybele]

Speaker Mike Johnson will address 'sham prosecution' of Trump outside courthouse, days after surviving MTG's ouster attempt

House Speaker Mike Johnson's move to join Trump's court entourage is an extraordinary move for the man who is third in line for the presidency, and is another sign of the total embrace Trump is getting from congressional Republicans.

It comes days after days after the House rejected an effort by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) to remove Johnson from office through a procedural motion.

Trump sided with the speaker in the spat, meeting with Johnson and posting in advance that 'this is not the time' to move to vacate the chair, as Greene was proposing.

The Speaker's office left no doubt which side he is on.

'The Speaker will then address media outside of the ongoing sham prosecution of President Trump,' his office announced.

'Speaker Johnson will address the political persecution of the 45th President of the United States by President Biden’s weaponized Department of Justice and the left-wing Manhattan district attorney.'

https://twitter.com/Liz_Cheney/status/1790365490868846815

MOL

Liz is nothing but a loser BIT**!!

[mystery-ak]

08:41
Prosecutors ask for a bench conference at the start of the day

Before things can get underway, the prosecution asks for a bench conference. Lawyers for Trump and the government huddle with Judge Merchan. Trump chats with lawyer Emil Bove while Todd Blanche speaks with the judge.

Members of Trump's entourage are chatting, with Doug Burgum rustling in his seat and Vivek Ramaswamy turning backward to speak to Lara and Eric Trump.

Ramaswamy also flashes a cell phone, which was in his hand.

[mystery-ak]

08:47
Michael Cohen is back on the stand - and brings testimony inside the Oval Office

Michael Cohen is back on the stand. He began his testimony with a 'good morning' to prosecutor Susan Hoffinger.

After speaking about an internal document related to invoices, he speaks about his Feb. 8, 2017 trip to the White House.

'I was stiting with President Trump. And he asked me if I was okay. He asked me if I needed money. I said no all good because I can get a check,' Cohen said.

One piece of evidence establishes that he is as giddy to be there as any tourist. Cohen is seen posing in front of the podium in the White House briefing room.

[mystery-ak]

a few seconds ago
'No ma'am,' Cohen says when asked whether his 'legal retainers' were actually for legal work
By Ben Kochman

Cohen is speaking calmly and slowly and responding to the prosecutors' questions with short "yes, ma'am and "no, ma'am" answers.

He testified that payments earmarked by Trump's company as "legal retainers" were actually for "the reimbursement to me of the hush money fee" to Daniels, plus a bonus and other non-legal-related fees.

[mystery-ak]

08:58
Cohen testifies that about a 'false' record where he submitted an invoice for 'services rendered'

Cohen testifies about a Feb. 14, 2017 memo.

'Pursuant to the retainer agreement, kindly remit payment for services rendered for the months of January and Februaryu, 2017,' it says. Cohen says he created the invoice after speaking to Jeff McConney, who reported to Allen Weisselberg.

Cohen had asked McConney via email how much the monthly agreement was for. '$35,000,' he responded.

'Does the invoice say that it’s for services rendered not only for the month of January but February,' Hoffinger asks. Cohen agrees.

'In truth was this invoice for any services that you had rendered for those two months?' she asked him. Cohen says it wasn't.

He gets asked if the reimbursement for services rendered was a truthful statement. He says it isn't.

'The reimbursement to me for the hush money fee as well as Red Finch and the bonus,' he said.

[mystery-ak]

09:03
'Is that a false record?': Cohen is going through monthly bills, and check stubs he got – some signed by 'Donald J. Trump'

Hoffinger takes Cohen through a series of invoices, checks, and pay stubs.

She repeatedly asks him to answer, 'Is that a false record,' and he agrees. He also identifies signatures on checks he received, including one by 'Donald J. Trump,' and one by Donald Trump, Jr.

Cohen lists 'payment for services rendered' in monthly invoices that are continuing through the spring and summer of 2017.

https://twitter.com/robcrilly/status/1790382261713420367

[mystery-ak]

a few seconds ago
Cohen received monthly payments of $35,000 for 'retainer agreement': testimony
By Kyle Schnitzer

Invoices shown to jurors show Michael Cohen received monthly payments of $35,000 for a false retainer agreement, Cohen testifies.

Checks for the month are being shown to jurors with Donald Trump's signature in a black, bold Sharpie.

We're onto October 2017 right now.

[mystery-ak]

a few seconds ago
Cohen points out typo in November 2017 invoice

Michael Cohen pointed out a glaring typo in a November 2017 invoice he sent to Allen Weisselberg for his monthly $35,000 payments.

The invoice is missing the "20" in "2017."

“It should say 2017,” Cohen says.”

[mystery-ak]

09:12
The 'entire Republican party' is in the courtroom supporting Trump

From Rob Crilly, Senior Political Reporter inside the court room

Eric Trump is sitting in the second row next to his wife Lara.

He just gave up his seat in the front row to accommodate Rep. Byron Donalds. 'Incredible show of support,' he messages DailyMail.com.

'The entire Republican Party is in this room.' Trump himself looks more relaxed today, smiling as he talks to lead defense lawyer Todd Blanche.

MOL

[240B]

a few seconds ago
'No ma'am,' Cohen says when asked whether his 'legal retainers' were actually for legal work
By Ben Kochman

Cohen is speaking calmly and slowly and responding to the prosecutors' questions with short "yes, ma'am and "no, ma'am" answers.

He testified that payments earmarked by Trump's company as "legal retainers" were actually for "the reimbursement to me of the hush money fee" to Daniels, plus a bonus and other non-legal-related fees.

One would think Cohen would know better than this. He is digging a hole he which will not be able to crawl back out.

[libertybele]

09:12
The 'entire Republican party' is in the courtroom supporting Trump

From Rob Crilly, Senior Political Reporter inside the court room

Eric Trump is sitting in the second row next to his wife Lara.

He just gave up his seat in the front row to accommodate Rep. Byron Donalds. 'Incredible show of support,' he messages DailyMail.com.

'The entire Republican Party is in this room.' Trump himself looks more relaxed today, smiling as he talks to lead defense lawyer Todd Blanche.

MOL

It is refreshing to see the GOP support.

[libertybele]

One would think Cohen would know better than this. He is digging a hole he which will not be able to crawl back out.

Lying under oath is a punishable offense.

[mystery-ak]

4 minutes ago
Cohen says he worked with Melania on Madame Tussauds figurine
By Kyle Schnitzer

Michael Cohen testified that he worked with Melania Trump on an agreement with the wax museum Madame Tussands, who wanted to create a figurines of her for the museum in 2017.

“As far as Melania, it had to deal with some trademarks or some Madame Tussands agreement,” Cohen said.

He then added: “I revised an agreement that Madame Tussands sent to her was to create her likeness and image for their museum.”

Cohen said he didn't bill for the work because "it wasn't enough work to have me send an invoice."

[mystery-ak]

10 minutes ago
Cohen confirms $420K reimbursement had been paid
By Kyle Schnitzer

"The full reimbursement of $420,000 had been paid," Michael Cohen says, as prosecutors show the last invoice from December 2017.

Cohen testifies he had received 11 checks and deposited them.

a minute ago
Cohen says he did more legal work for Trump in 2018 than he did in 2017, when company sent him phony 'retainer' funds

Cohen was just asked whether he did more legal work for Trump in 2018 than he did in 2017 -- when the Trump Organization paid him $420,000 for "legal services" he said did not happen.

But he said he wasn't paid for any of the legal work he did for Trump in 2018.

[mystery-ak]

a few seconds ago
Cohen says he worked less than 10 hours for Trump in 2017

Earlier, Cohen testified that he thinks he spent less than 10 hours on work for Trump in 2017 — the year when he received $420,000 from the Trump Organization.

Prosecutors asked Cohen whether the $420,000 he was paid had anything to do with the limited work he did for Trump in 2017, Cohen answered: "No, ma'am."

[mystery-ak]

a few seconds ago
Cohen: I continued to lie for Trump 'out of loyalty and in order to protect him'

Michael Cohen testified that he continued to lie for Donald Trump "out of loyalty and in order to protect him."

Cohen was testifying about holding the title of Trump's personal counsel.

He said he held the role for "approximately 15 months."

a few seconds ago
Cohen says he lied to Congress about Trump Tower Russia plan to 'protect' Trump

Cohen admitted that he lied to protect Trump several times, "out of loyalty and in order to protect him.”

Cohen testified Tuesday that he lied to Congress about Trump's role in an aborted project to build a Trump Tower in Russia, "because I was staying on Mr. Trump's message that there was no Russia, Russia Russia."

[mystery-ak]

a few seconds ago
Cohen pressed people to lie for Trump about deals with Karen McDougal, Stormy Daniels

Cohen testified that in 2018 he continued to tell people to lie about the hush money deals with Karen McDougal and Stormy Daniels.

One of the names mentioned was Keith Davidson, Stormy Daniels' lawyer.

Cohen said he did it "in order to protect Mr. Trump."

[mystery-ak]

https://twitter.com/robcrilly/status/1790370348241707464