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

[mystery-ak]

a minute ago
Cohen says he knows Stormy's statement about hush money was false because he 'paid it'

Michael Cohen admitted that he pressured Keith Davidson to have Stormy Daniels sign a statement denying she was paid hush money — as Cohen admitted it was false and he would know.

Prosecutors asked Cohen how he knew the statement was false, which he responded: "Because I'm the one who paid it."

The jury was shown a nervous text exchange by Cohen and Davidson where Cohen can be seen pleading and pressuring Davidson to get her to go on the "Hannity" show to deny the allegations.

Cohen sent blocks of texts like "Please call me" and "C'mon!" when he got frustrated. He described it as "persistence."

[catfish1957]

It is refreshing to see the GOP support.

Even us "nose holders" are rooting for him.  Good job dims.....   galvanizing support here for DJT is one of those extreme examples of invoking the laws of unintended consequences.

[mystery-ak]

a minute ago
Cohen admits 'misleading' Federal Election Commission about hush money payout

Cohen testified that a law firm repping him, McDermott Will and Emery, wrote a "misleading" letter in 2018 to federal authorities who were asking questions about his $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels.

The letter says that neither the Trump Organization nor the Trump campaign was "a party" to the transaction. But in fact, it was the "Donald J Trump revocable trust" that reimbursed Cohen for the hush money, trial evidence shows.

Cohen told jurors Tuesday that "omitted" this in the letter to the FEC to "protect" Trump, and "stay on message."

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a few seconds ago
Trump keeps his eyes closed during Cohen's testimony

Donald Trump remains lounged back in his chair with his eyes closed as Michael Cohen continues to testify.

[mystery-ak]

09:57
Appeals court rejects Trump's bid to overturn gag order

While Cohen is testifying a mid-level appeals court has denied Trump's latest effort to throw out the gag order that has been imposed on him.

Trump asserted the order violated his right to free speech and left him unable to respond to criticisms from people like Cohen.

The order, imposed by Justice Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the trial, prohibits Trump from making public comments about jurors, witnesses, and families of the judge and prosecutors if meant to interfere with the case.

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a minute ago
Vivek Ramswamy keeps looking at his phone while in court

Vivek Ramswamy had his head down glued to his phone before finally shuffling the device into his right jacket pocket — only to pull it out two minutes later.

At one moment, his phone was clearly visible over the wooden barrier separating Trump and the courtroom.

[catfish1957]

09:57
Appeals court rejects Trump's bid to overturn gag order

While Cohen is testifying a mid-level appeals court has denied Trump's latest effort to throw out the gag order that has been imposed on him.

Trump asserted the order violated his right to free speech and left him unable to respond to criticisms from people like Cohen.

The order, imposed by Justice Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the trial, prohibits Trump from making public comments about jurors, witnesses, and families of the judge and prosecutors if meant to interfere with the case.

Kind of moot now, that Trump has smartly started using high profile surrogates to get his message across. 

If anything, a subdued restrained Trump is much more of an appeal to the electorate.  LOL...   Backfiring on the dims again.   

[catfish1957]

a minute ago
Vivek Ramswamy keeps looking at his phone while in court

Vivek Ramswamy had his head down glued to his phone before finally shuffling the device into his right jacket pocket — only to pull it out two minutes later.

At one moment, his phone was clearly visible over the wooden barrier separating Trump and the courtroom.

Name one single Millennial who isn't addicted to their phone. 

[mystery-ak]

a few seconds ago
Cohen testifies about being raided by the FBI in 2019: 'Concerned, despondent, angry'

Cohen is testifying about when the FBI raided him on April 9, 2019 — describing that he was frightened and "concerned, despondent, [and] angry."

Cohen said he was staying at the Lowes Regency because his apartment had been flooded by the apartment in the floor above when officials arrived at the apartment.

When asked how he was feeling at the time, Cohen responded he was "scared"

"How to describe your life being turned upside down. Concerned, despondent, angry," Cohen said.

He said he found out that the feds raided his apartment, law offices and a TD Bank safety deposit box he had just opened to store valuables while his apartment was under construction.

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4 minutes ago
'Don't worry, stay tough,' Cohen says Trump told him in call after 2018 FBI raid

After FBI agents raided his home in 2018, Cohen says Trump called him on his cell phone and told him not to worry.

"He said, don't worry, I'm the president of the United States. Don't worry, there is nothing here. Stay tough, you are going to be ok," Cohen recalled.

Cohen was then asked if that was the last time he spoke directly to Trump.

"Yes," Cohen replied.

Trump had his eyes closed was leaning back in his chair during Cohen's testimony.

2 minutes ago
'Don't flip': Cohen responds to Trump's tweets about Cohen in 2018

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/987679848284999680

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/987679850545778689

Cohen read the series of tweets to the jury, and was asked by prosecutors about how he interpreted them.

"Stay in fold. Stay loyal. I have you, you're a fine person. Don't flip," Cohen said.

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3 minutes ago
Cohen: 'Mr. Trump did not want me to cooperate with the government'

"That Mr. Trump did not want me to cooperate with the government. Certainly not provide any information or flip," Cohen said right before the morning break.

3 minutes ago
Court takes morning break

A brief morning break and we'll be back soon.

[mystery-ak]

Rob Crilly
@robcrilly
·
9m
Michael Cohen just choked up as he described April 2018 FBI raid.
He then describes call with Trump: 'He said don't worry. I'm the president of the United States. There's nothing here... stay tough. You are going to be OK.'
Cohen says they never spoke again.

[mystery-ak]

10:10
Prosecution case falling 'significantly short' says legal expert

Legal scholar Jonathan Turley, a professor at George Washington University Law School, is not impressed with Cohen's testimony. He tells Fox News:

    It's almost as if he (Cohen) thinks there should have been a second lawyer watching him and advising Trump if he could believe what he (Cohen) was saying.

    He was the lawyer. He as drafting it. He was crafting these transactions.

    And we are still significantly short of any showing of intention to defraud to hide a crime, which has still not been defined by the prosecutors.

[mystery-ak]

10:25
Cohen asked about Trump 2018 Tweet about people who 'flip' to assist the government

Cohen got asked about an infamous 2018 Tweet after the FBI raid where Trump vouched for Cohen and said he wouldn't flip, amid a New York Times report on how he might respond.

'The New York Times and a third rate reporter named Maggie Haberman, known as a Crooked H flunkie who I don’t speak to and have nothing to do with, are going out of their way to destroy Michael Cohen and his relationship with me in the hope that he will “flip,” Trump wrote, in a tweet that the jury heard, with Haberman sitting in the coutroom.

After bashing the paper and its sources, Trump calls Cohen 'a fine person with a wonderful family. Michael is a businessman for his own account/lawyer who I have always liked & respected. Most people will flip if the Government lets them out of trouble, even if..it means lying or making up stories. Sorry, I don’t see Michael doing that despite the horrible Witch Hunt and the dishonest media!'

Hoffinger then asked Cohen who Trump was communicating the message to. 'To me,' he said. He said the message was: 'Stay in the fold. Stay loyal. I have you. You’re a fine person. Don’t flip.'


MOL

[mystery-ak]

10 minutes ago
Cohen resumes testifying after morning break

Michael Cohen has returned to the witness stand.

2 minutes ago
Cohen was concerned to work with attorney tied to Rudy Giuliani
By Kyle Schnitzer

Michael Cohen testified that he was concerned to work with attorney Robert Costello after the lawyer told him about his close ties to Rudy Giuliani.

Cohen said he was concerned that “anything I said would get back to him," referring to Trump.

Prosecutors asked about Costello who Cohen said told him that "he was incredibly close to Rudy Giuliani"

[mystery-ak]

a minute ago
Andrew Giuliani reacts to dad Rudy being mentioned in court
By kschnitzernyp

https://twitter.com/AndrewHGiuliani/status/1790409170383946039

[mystery-ak]

a few seconds ago
'You are loved...Sleep well tonight,' Rudy's lawyer emailed Cohen during FBI probe

Cohen read aloud an email in which Bob Costello, an attorney for Rudy Giuliani, told Cohen "you are loved” amid a federal law enforcement probe.

“Sleep well tonight, you have friends in high places,” the email added.

Cohen was then asked what Costello meant by "you are loved."

"By President Trump," he testified.

Costello also spoke to Cohen about setting up a back channel of communication between Cohen and Trump during the probe, Cohen testified.

[mystery-ak]

7 minutes ago
Who is Robert Costello? Trump loyalist wrapped up in hush money case
By Tamar Lapin

Cohen testified that he was pushed to hire criminal defense attorney Robert "Bob" Costello -- a longtime Trump ally with ties to Rudy Giuliani -- following the 2018 FBI raid on his hotel room.

Costello, at the request of Trump's team, testified to the Manhattan grand jury that ultimately voted to indict the ex-president.

After his testimony in March 2023, Costello blasted Cohen -- the prosecution's star witness -- telling reporters his former client had a "lie, cheat, steal" mindset.

"I'm trying to tell the truth to the grand jury," Costello said. "If they want to go after Donald Trump and they have solid evidence, then so be it. Michael Cohen is not solid evidence."

[mystery-ak]

11:09
Cohen huddles with family amid 'pressure' campaign

Cohen decided not to work with Costello, eventually hiring other lawyers.

He never told Costello about the Stormy Daniels matter, he said.

'I didn’t trust him. Meaning Bob Costello. And I still remained loyal to Mr. Trump,' he said.

Cohen ultimately decided to make his break after speaking to his family.

'My wife my daughter my son all said to me. Why are you holding on to this loyalty? What are you doing. We’re supposed to be your first loyalty,' he said.

Asked about his decision, he said he decided 'that it was about time to listen to them. To my wife my daughter my son and the country.'

By April he would plead guilty to crimes in federal court.

MOL

[mystery-ak]

11:10
Trump surrogates stump outside of courthouse for former president while wearing matching outfits

Multiple Republican politicians dawned blue suits with red ties while delivering stump speeches in support of Donald Trump outside of the courthouse.

Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Reps. Cory Mills and Byron Donalds all spoke out about the president's hush money trial.

They condemned the trial as politically motivated and illegitimate.

https://twitter.com/JMRaasch/status/1790408656166481953


MOL

[mystery-ak]

a minute ago
'I would not lie for President Trump any longer,' Cohen tells jurors

By the time he implicated Trump in his 2018 guilty plea in Manhattan federal court, Cohen decided he would no longer lie for Trump, he testified.

“I made a decision, based again on a conversation with my family, that I would not lie for President Trump any longer,” he said, shifting in his chair to face the jurors.

We're nearing what's likely to be the end of prosecutors' questions for him.

[mystery-ak]

3 minutes ago
'Worst day of my life': Cohen describes pleading guilty to tax charges
By Kyle Schnitzer

Michael Cohen testified that it was the "worst day of my life" when he pleaded guilty to tax charges and making false statements to a financial institution.

The case was not related to Trump.

[mystery-ak]

a few seconds ago
Alina Habba passes note to Trump's attorneys

Alina Habba was seen passing a note to Susan Necheles through two people sitting behind Trump.

The note was then passed down the line to Todd Blanche.

[mystery-ak]

11:26
Cohen testifies about serving time after his guilty plea

Cohen testifies about matters alrady in the public record – that he served time in jail and paid fines after his guilty plea.

He had already stated in court that the tax related charges he pleaded to did not involve Trump. They were for an unrelated business matter.

He said he was given a sentence of 36 months of incarceration, and paid the IRS '1,394,000.'

He ended up serving 13 months due to 'comorbidities' during covid.

He also paid a pair of $50,000 fines.

Then he described his 2019 testimony to Congress, where he revealed details became key to Trump's fraud trial.

'I apologized to congress I apologized to the country I apologized to my family.'

MOL

[mystery-ak]

11:17
Cohen describes 'pressure campaign' using 'spyish' language to get him to cooperate

Cohen disclosed the details of a 'pressure campaign' to get him to cooperate.

It was the backdoor deals and coersion that led to him turning on President Trump, despite years of loyalty, he explained.

He was describing an email communication with Costello where he didn't state Trump's name outright.

Cohen told the court that the reason behind that was 'to be covert.

'It’s all back channel, spyish. Didn’t want to put in anybody’s name,' he went on.

Cohen continued to detail correspondence with Costello who said Trump and Guiliani were trying to throw him under the bus.

'If you are really believe you are not being supported by your former boss, you should make your position known,' Costello advised Cohen.

'This is part of the pressure campaign,' Cohen said in court.

'The president still supports you, do not listen to what the journalists say and stay in the fold. Don’t flip, don’t speak, don’t cooperate.'

11:16
Judge delivers jury instruction

Judge Merchan tells the jury not to consider Cohen's guilty plea. He says it can assist the jury in assesssing Cohen's credibilty as a witness, and for 'context,' but for 'those purposes only.'

Merchan has read several similar instructions today.

[mystery-ak]

5 minutes ago
Trump exhibits behavior normally associated with sleeping as Cohen testifies
By Ben Kochman

After being more animated earlier in the day, Donald Trump was slouched deep into his chair at the defense table, his eyes closed, for more than 20 minutes while Michael Cohen testifies.

Trump's lawyer Emil Bove reached over Trump at some point to pass a note to Todd Blanche, another lawyer. Trump did not react.

Whether Trump is actually asleep, or whether he's engaging in some sort form of silent protest, is hard to say for sure.

But this is behavior consistent with someone who is asleep.

[mystery-ak]

https://twitter.com/MZHemingway/status/1790421448160420275

[mystery-ak]

https://twitter.com/TrumpWarRoom/status/1790421851161706783

[mystery-ak]

 

https://twitter.com/_johnnymaga/status/1790348509918474525

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4 minutes ago
Cohen says he started 'Mea Culpa' podcast while on home confinement
By Kyle Schnitzer

Cohen said he started his podcast "Mea Culpa" while on home confinement.

He said he named the podcast because it was "his responsibility" and it is his initials.

a few seconds ago
Cohen invited Stormy Daniels on podcast to make 'mea culpa' to her

Cohen testtfied he invited Stormy Daniels on his podcast because he "thought it was a good time to speak to her and make a mea culpa to her”

[mystery-ak]

a minute ago
Cross-examination of Michael Cohen to begin after lunch break

Court will resume after the lunch break with the cross-examination of Michael Cohen.

[mystery-ak]

17 minutes ago
Cohen says he regrets breaking his 'moral compass' working for Trump
By Ben Kochman

In the last question asked by prosecutors before the lunch break, Michael Cohen said he regrets breaking his "moral compass" with his work for Donald Trump.

"I regret doing things for him that I should not have, lying, bullying people in order to effectuate the goal," he testified.

"I don't regret working for the Trump Organization. As I expressed before, I had some very interesting and great times," he added. "But to keep the loyalty and to do things that he asked me to do, it violated my moral compass and I suffered a penalty, as did my family."

We'll be back with cross-examination at 2:15.

[libertybele]

11:10
Trump surrogates stump outside of courthouse for former president while wearing matching outfits

Multiple Republican politicians dawned blue suits with red ties while delivering stump speeches in support of Donald Trump outside of the courthouse.

Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Reps. Cory Mills and Byron Donalds all spoke out about the president's hush money trial.

They condemned the trial as politically motivated and illegitimate.

https://twitter.com/JMRaasch/status/1790408656166481953


MOL

It shows further unity I suppose. 

As a side note; it's too bad that Donalds lives in FL -- he'd make an excellent VP

[mystery-ak]

4 minutes ago
Prosecutors say Michael Cohen will be their last witness
By Post Staff

Michael Cohen will be the prosecution's 20th and final witness, Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass told the judge.

Prosecutors on Friday has said they would be calling Cohen and one other witness, but their plans appear to have changed.

It's unclear if the defense will call any witnesses.

[mystery-ak]

11:51
Prosecution prepares Cohen for a bruising cross-examination from Trump's lawyers

From Rob Crilly, Senior Political Reporter inside the courtroom

The prosecution is working hard now to inoculate Cohen against what will be a difficult cross-examination.

In particular, Cohen pled guilty to tax evasion and making a false statement to a bank.

But during a recent Trump civil case, under oath, he said the guilty plea was essentially a lie, that he wasn't guilty, making him a perjuror in one court or the other.

That is a problem for the prosecution which now has him at the center of its case. What will the jury make of the idea that this is a man who lies to courts?

The prosecution is trying to tease out that Cohen has accepted the facts of the case against him, that there was an omission in his bank forms and an error in his taxes.

His point, he explains, is that for a first time offender with a clean tax history, prosecutors came down on him in an unusually heavy way.

The prosecution now has to deal with the fact he lost his law license and is now an outspoken critic of Trump - issues that will all be emphasized when the defense gets its chance to ask the questions.

[mystery-ak]

13:14
Trump is back in the courtroom and Cohen is back on the stand

Former President Trump is back in the courtroom.

He looked toward the media and gave a slight nod as he came into the courtroom. Included in his entourage are Erica and Lara Trump, and lawyer Alina Habba, as well as Boris Epshteyn.

Vivek Ramaswamy is still here, seated a few seats down from Lara Trump.

Cohen is retaking the witness stand for the cross-examination.

[mystery-ak]

6 minutes ago
'Crying little s--t': Blanche brings up Cohen's TikTok immediately during cross-examination
By Kyle Schnitzer

Todd Blanche came out swinging against Michael Cohen — immediately bringing up his TikTok posts that he's harped upon during the trial.

Blanche asked Cohen whether he recently described Trump as "crying little s--t" on TikTok in an April 23 post.

"It sounds like something I would say," Cohen said, before prosecutors objected.

Blanche then asked Cohen about a post where he mentioned himself and attorney Susan Necheles before more objections.

The judge then had a brief sidebar with lawyers and ordered the questions and answers stricken from the record.

"The questions are stricken. I don't believe there was an answer," the judge said.

[mystery-ak]

4 minutes ago
Fired-up Todd Blanche brings up TikTok post in which Cohen calls Trump 'dictator douchebag'

Todd Blanche -- substantially more fired up than we've ever seen him -- confronted Michael Cohen right at the start of today's cross-examine over a TikTok tirade last month in which he called Trump a "dictator douchebag."

"Sounds like something I said," Cohen responded, speaking calmly and slowly.

[mystery-ak]

13:30
Blanche to Cohen: Why did you say Trump 'belongs in a f***ing cage' like an animal?

Cohen is confronted with his own foul-mouthed attacks

Jurors are showing no signs of blushing at Blanche’s series of direct and even profane questions using Cohen’s own words.

The lawyer is establishing a record of Cohen speaking about the case despite the judge’s admonitions.

‘You referred to President Trump as a dictator douchebag, didn’t you?’ he said.

‘Sounds like something I said,’ was Cohen’s response.‘You referred to President Trump when he left the courtroom,’ saying he ‘goes right into that little cage, which is where he belongs in a f****** cage like an animal,’ was Blanche’s next question.

[240B]

The Judge is just another attorney for the prosecution.
All the prosecution has to do is to 'OBJECT!' about anything, and it will automatically be granted.

[mystery-ak]

13:33
Trump is unimpressed so far

The cross-examination has started with fireworks. Cohen is being presented with things he has said or posted about Trump or this trial or the defense lawyers. The public gallery in the overflow room has erupted in laughter. Reporters are on the edge of their seats, waiting to see whether Cohen gets tripped up. The judge has made several interventions as objections have flowed.

Only one person is unmoved. Trump is sitting back in his chair, eyes closed. Either he had a good lunch and is suitably relaxed. Or he is putting on a show of how little he cares about any of this.

[mystery-ak]

2 minutes ago
Cohen testifies he wants to see Trump convicted in hush money case

"Do you want to see President Trump convicted in this case?" asked Trump attorney Todd Blanche.

"Sure," Michael Cohen said, drawing laughs from the overflow room.

4 minutes ago
Cohen: I spend six days a week talking about Trump on TikTok
By Kyle Schnitzer

Michael Cohen testifies that he charges $5.99 for monthly subscriptions to his TikTok, but doesn't spend every day of the week talking about Donald Trump on the social media platform.

“Well, I only do it six days a week," Cohen said, when responding to a question about how many nights a week he speaks about Trump.

He then admitted that he talks about Trump "six days a week.”

Cohen said he started the TikTok account six weeks ago.

9 minutes ago
Cohen says he doesn't know how many times he's been told not to speak about Trump case
By Kyle Schnitzer

Trump attorney Todd Blanche pressed Michael Cohen on how often he has been warned by the Manhattan District Attorney's office not to speak about the "hush money" case.

Cohen testified he was told that it was "probably better off if you don't speak about it."

Blanche then tried to twist Cohen's words, insinuating they don't "direct you" to not speak about the case.

"Well, I do have a First Amendment right. I can speak," Cohen shot back.

He said he doesn't recall how many times prosecutors have asked him to refrain from talking about the case since the indictment last year

[mystery-ak]

13:49
Blanche tears into Cohen for memory lapse

Cohen, an experienced attorney, is relying on a common answer in testimony and depositions: saying he doesn’t recall to multiple questions by Blanche. Blanche is trying to nail him down on repeated warnings from prosecutors to not talk about the case, or about other matters where he assisted prosecutors.

‘No sir, I do not recall that either,’ he said when asked if he got a warning from the DA. ‘Because I don’t recall ever agreeing not to go on television.’

You don’t recall the district attorney telling you that you were unwittingly helping President Trump going on TV?’ Blanche asked. ‘No sir, Cohen said, his voice dropping to measurably in volume.

That prompted Blanche to ask how he could firmly recall details of years-old conversations with Trump.

Cohen stood firm on his right to talk, despite not remembering getting admonished. ‘I do have a First Amendment right. I can speak,’ he said.

MOL

[mystery-ak]

a minute ago
Jury shown merch from Cohen's website including Trump t-shirt, 'Convict 45' pin
By Kyle Schnitzer

Jurors were shown images of merchandise that appears on Michael Cohen's "Mea Culpa" podcast website — including a pin that suggests convicting Donald Trump.

According to the images, a "Convict 45" enamel pin is being sold for $17.

For $22, you can purchase a Send Him To The Big House Not The White House" coffee cup.

Cohen was asked by Trump attorney Todd Blanche about a shirt depicting Trump in an orange jumpsuit behind bars. Blanche complained to the judge about the shirt last week.

"You actually wore that t-shirt last week on your TikTok Wednesday night," Blanche asked, which Cohen said he was wearing it.

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a few seconds ago
Cohen testifies that he still lives in a building with Trump's name on it
By Ben Kochman

"You still live in a building with Trump's name on it, correct?" Todd Blanche asked Michael Cohen.

"I do," Cohen replied.

[mystery-ak]

2 minutes ago
After perking up briefly, Trump now has eyes closed again

Trump perked up at the start of cross-examination, chatting animatedly to lawyers on both sides of him at the defense table.

But now he's slouched again deep in his chair with his eyes closed, leaning back.

He has not opened his eyes for the past 10 minutes.

a few seconds ago
Cohen: 'I was knee deep into the cult of Donald Trump' in 2015
By Kyle Schnitzer

“At that time, I was knee deep into the cult of Donald Trump, yes," Michael Cohen testified when being asked about comments of praise he made in 2015 about Trump.

Blanche asked him if he was "obsessed" with Trump during that period, but Cohen wouldn't budge.

“I don’t think I’d categorize the word obsessed. I admired him tremendously,” Cohen said.

a minute ago
Cohen says he read 'Art of the Deal' twice and called it a 'masterpiece'

Todd Blanche has used part of his time today to elicit testimony from Cohen that Cohen read Trump's book "Art Of The Deal" twice.

"You have called it a masterpiece?" Blanche asked.

"Yes," Cohen replied.

[mystery-ak]

14:04
Trump is asleep. Cohen is giving deadpan answers

Trump appears to have fallen asleep, while Cohen is keeping his cool.

The former president has his eyes closed with his chin resting on his chest.

Blanche brought up a February 2023 interview Cohen did on CNN with Don Lemon in which he said that the Manhattan District Attorney’s office asked him to hand over his two phones.

Blanche said that Cohen had ‘very specific recollections’ about calls with Trump in but ‘no recollection’ of promising prosecutors he wouldn’t go on TV.

In a flat voice, Cohen replied: ‘I don’t recall even having these conversations about not going on television’

Blanche tried asking the question again. Cohen replied: ‘I recall the conversations with President Trump at the time’

Blanche asked if Cohen asked if Cohen recalled a conversation with prosecutors last March in which they said ‘how important it was for you to stop talking?

Cohen said: ‘I don’t recall anything because I don’t recall agreeing not to go on television’

Blanche asked: ‘You don’t recall the District Attorney telling you you were unwittingly helping President Trump by going on TV?’

Cohen said: ‘No, sir’.

Cohen agreed that he had done about 200 episodes of his podcast and Trump was ‘mentioned in every single one’.

Turning to his posts on TikTok, Cohen said he started doing them to ‘vent because I have a difficult time sleeping, so I found an outlet’.


MOL

[mystery-ak]

14:06
The defense strategy is clear

Todd Blanche is leading the cross-examination. He has asked Cohen about the way prosecutors repeatedly asked him to stop commenting on the case, about the ways in which he might have monetized his views on Trump, including selling a $35 T-shirt depicting Trump in an orange jumpsuit behind bars.

What he hasn't asked him about yet is any of the evidence he presented about hush money payments and how he was reimbursed.

The strategy is clear: The defense wants to paint Cohen as an unreliable witness, who is obsessed by Trump and is consumed by hatred.

It makes for a spectacle. Whether it works is up to the seven men and five women of the jury.

MOL

[mystery-ak]

8 minutes ago
Court breaks for 15 minutes

We'll be back at 3:45 p.m.

10 minutes ago
Cohen testified that he turned to nightly TikTok rants as a sleep aid

Cohen testified today that he goes on TikTok for live streams six nights a week to "vent" and as a way to deal with struggles winding down at night.

"I was having a difficult time sleeping," he testified. He also described his TikToks as an "outlet."

[mystery-ak]

14:16
Jurors focus on Cohen as he defends anti-Trump merch: 'Send him to the big house, not the White House!'

After admitting that 'sure' he would like to see Trump convicted, Cohen is forced to confront anti-Trump items for sale on the web site for his podcast.

That includes a t-shirt that depicts Trump in an orange jump suit behind bars that Cohen was asked about.

It's part of an effort by defense lawyers to paint him as biased.

'Sure,' Cohen responded, with two jurors immedaitely turning their heads to catch his answer.

'If you go to the section that says mea culpa this shirt is available for sale. That’s one item,' Cohen said, getting in a plug with his answer.

'You actually wore that t-shirt last week on your ticktoc didn’t you on Wednesday night" Blanche asked trying to land a blow with the question.

'I did,' Cohen said, admitting to information that was widely available.

'Actually encouraging peole to go buy it right?' Blanche asked.

'Yes. It’s part of the merch store,' was Cohen's dry response.