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

[mystery-ak]

6 minutes ago
Still no word on if Trump will testify
By Post Staff

It's still unclear if Trump will take the stand.

Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan asked Trump attorney Todd Blanche if there was any indication the ex-president would testify, to which the lawyer responded "no."

Cohen, who is now being cross-examined by Blanche, will be prosecutors' last witness after which the defense will have a chance to put on their case.

5 minutes ago
'Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain': Cohen confirms Trump digs on his podcast

Blanche brought up Cohen's statements on his Mea Culpa podcast where he called Trump a "boorish cartoon misogynist."

"Sounds like something I would say," Cohen answered.

Other confirmed statements included “Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain."

[mystery-ak]

a minute ago
Cohen composed as he testifies about home confinement

Cohen is remaining calm as he testifies about being on home confinement. He said that he would get three hours a week where he could be outside of his home.

He testified that he first wore an ankle bracelet which eventually became a phone, where authorities would call him randomly to check in on him.

3 minutes ago
Trump attorney pushes Cohen on 'lie' during Mueller probe

Before the break, Trump attorney Todd Blanche pushed Cohen to admit he lied during the Robert Mueller special counsel investigation on Russian interference in the 2016 election.

“Yes, the info I gave was not accurate,” Cohen conceded, referring to bogus info he gave investigators years ago about the Trump Tower real estate project in Moscow.

“Is not accurate information a lie?” Blanche probed.

“Sure. It was inaccurate, yes," Cohen said, prompting Blanche to push "Was it a lie?"

After more back-and-forth, Cohen eventually admitted: “Sure, I’ll say it’s a lie.”

[mystery-ak]

OKAY....what is the crime Trump committed?....when Trump was arraigned what did he plea not-guilty to????
 How come no one asks that question?

[mystery-ak]

3 minutes ago
Cohen still on supervised release until later this year
By Kyle Schnitzer

Michael Cohen confirmed that he is still on supervised release until November.

[mystery-ak]

4 minutes ago
Court breaks for day with Michael Cohen still on the stand

We'll be back Thursday at 9:30 a.m. with more cross-examination of Michael Cohen.

Court is off on all Wednesdays.

[libertybele]

4 minutes ago
Court breaks for day with Michael Cohen still on the stand

We'll be back Thursday at 9:30 a.m. with more cross-examination of Michael Cohen.

Court is off on all Wednesdays.

Gee, I can't wait to hear more testimony from Cohen.   

[corbe]

OKAY....what is the crime Trump committed?....when Trump was arraigned what did he plea not-guilty to????
 How come no one asks that question?

   Being a person of low character and even in NY that is not a crime.

[mystery-ak]

Trump takes shot at Alan Dershowitz over being a Democrat: 'Ought to have your brain examined'

Donald Trump took a shot at Alan Dershowitz over identifying as a Democrat as the ex-president read aloud several news clippings after he left court on Tuesday.

"Alan Dershowitz, a great gentleman," Trump began outside the courtroom. "This is election interference at the most obvious...and every American no matter whether you're on the Trump team or against him, whatever political affiliation it is and he goes on to say he's a Democrat, he can't be right about everything.

"He's making a big mistake. If you're Jewish, and you're a Democrat -- and that includes Alan Dershowitz -- you ought to have your head examined when you see what's going on with Israel."

The former president proceeded to read several more news clippings that sided with him in the "hush money" trial.

[Right_in_Virginia]

[Wingnut]

   Being a person of low character and even in NY that is not a crime.

No, in NY it is a benefit.

[Wingnut]

4 minutes ago

Court is off on all Wednesdays.

When I was a youngin all the Barber shops in town were closed on Wednesdays.

[240B]

Wednesday is derived from "Woden's day". Woden is an old germanic way of sayin 'Odin'.
In some weird joke of history, Wednesday = Odin's day

[Cyber Liberty]

Wednesday is derived from "Woden's day". Woden is an old germanic way of sayin 'Odin'.
In some weird joke of history, Wednesday = Odin's day

That is correct.  Tomorrow is Thor's Daeg.

[mystery-ak]

DAY 18



Michael Cohen is set to retake the stand Thursday, the third day this week he is doing so as a star witness in former President Trump’s hush money trial.

He will undergo further cross-examination by Trump’s attorney, who at the start of the proceeding attempted to paint the former president’s ex-personal attorney as someone who profited over his hatred of his former boss.

Cohen is expected to be the prosecution’s last witness in the historic trial, which has stretched into its fourth week.

Michael Cohen is expected to be the prosecution’s final witness in their case in chief, though they may later call a rebuttal witness if Trump has an expert testify in his defense.

“We had indicated that, potentially, that we could call another witness, that was going to be another book publisher, but we’ve decided that we really don’t need to do that,” Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass said during a sidebar conference on Tuesday.

The exchange was out of the earshot of reporters but surfaced in the court transcript.

“So, Mr. Cohen will be the last witness,” Steinglass said.

Cross-examination of Cohen from Trump’s attorneys is expected to last most, if not all, of Thursday.

Court will not meet on Friday so Trump can attend his son’s graduation, so it is possible Cohen will need to return on Monday.

— Zach Schonfeld

08:38 AMMay 16, 2024
-
rrahman
Long lines form at courthouse for Cohen testimony

The lines to get into the courthouse to catch a glimpse of Trump’s hush money trial were already long at about 5:30 a.m. this morning.

Members of the public and the press were huddled underneath umbrellas to face the rainy weather.

Despite the early hour, most members of the public will likely not get in due to a very limited number of seats inside.

By 6:30 a.m., police appeared to already close off the line.

—Lauren Sforza

[mystery-ak]

14 minutes ago
Trump slams 'sham' 'hush money' case: 'Biden's office is running the trial'
By David Spector

Former President Donald Trump slammed the conditions of his "hush money" trial in early morning remarks before proceedings were to begin.

"Outside it's like Fort Knox," Trump said, lamenting the immense security surrounding his trial.

"A lead person from the DOJ is running the trial, so Biden's office is running the trial," raged the former president.

Trump resumed slamming the judge in his case as "conflicted" and cited legal scholars such as Alan Dershowitz to support his view that there's "no case."

"This trial is a scam and a sham and it shouldn't happen," Trump said.

The Manhattan District Attorney's Office is a state office and does not answer to President Biden.

One of the prosecutors on the case, Matthew Colangelo, was a high-ranking DOJ official, but he also worked with Bragg earlier at the New York Attorney General's Office.

There is no evidence that Biden is involved in this prosecution.

[rustynail]

 There is no evidence that Biden is involved in this prosecution.

 “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence”

[libertybele]

'I took some credit': Cohen confirms he bragged about role in Trump indictment, praised arrest

Michael Cohen said in court Thursday that he "took some credit" for the Manhattan District Attorney's Office's 34-count indictment of former President Donald Trump.

Trump lawyer Todd Blanche played a clip in court of Cohen saying during a 2020 podcast interview, "I absolutely hope he ends up in prison..."

Asked by Blanche whether he believes he played a role in Trump's indictment from New York prosecutors, Cohen responded, "I took some credit."

Blanche then asked Cohen if there are other similar podcasts where he called Trump names. He responds, “correct” and confirms it has continued even during the trial.

Asked by Blanche whether he referred to Trump as “dumb*ss Donald," Cohen confirmed.

Cohen also said Thursday that he has never met Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

During a May 2023 podcast, Cohen praised Bragg and the case brought against Trump, saying, “I wanna thank the DA’s office and fearless leader Alvin Bragg ... for countless hours of laying out payments and crimes ... Trump having his picture taken and fingerprinted brings me nothing but delight ..."

That audio was played for those in court on Thursday.

https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/may-16-trump-trial-michael-cohen-cross-examination

[Cyber Liberty]

Cohen keeps calm as Blanche walks him through past lies under oath -- which he says he did for Trump
By Ben Kochman

Michael Cohen, wearing a dark suit and yellow tie, is so far staying calm as Donald Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche walks him through his history of lies under oath -- which Cohen says he did to protect Trump.

"You lied under oath, correct?" Blanche asked Cohen.

"Yes, sir," Cohen calmly replied.

[Cyber Liberty]

Trump has eyes closed at defense table even as lawyer lands some blows on Cohen
By Ben Kochman

Donald Trump has remained slumped in his chair with his eyes closed even as his lawyer Todd Blanche grills Michael Cohen about Cohen's history of lying under oath.

Cohen has admitted today to lying to Congress, to a federal judge, and to federal investigators,

But Trump has not perked up for any of this.

[Cyber Liberty]

Cohen, on a tape:

“I truly f–king hope this man ends up in prison,” Cohen said in the tape, later adding, “You better believe I want this man to go down and rot for what he did to me and my family”

[libertybele]

Cohen keeps calm as Blanche walks him through past lies under oath -- which he says he did for Trump
By Ben Kochman

Michael Cohen, wearing a dark suit and yellow tie, is so far staying calm as Donald Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche walks him through his history of lies under oath -- which Cohen says he did to protect Trump.

"You lied under oath, correct?" Blanche asked Cohen.

"Yes, sir," Cohen calmly replied.

So how is he even remotely a credible witness???  He lied.  He admittedly hates Trump.   

[Cyber Liberty]

Court takes morning break

The judge asked jurors to let the sergeant know if they cannot work next Wednesday.


8 minutes ago
Cohen admits he once wanted be pardoned by Trump: ‘I wanted this nightmare to end’

Michael Cohen said he once wanted Donald Trump to pardon him while Trump was president — despite telling Congress that he never asked for one in 2019.

“At that present moment, it was true. I wanted this nightmare to end," Cohen testified.

In his opening remarks to the House Oversight Committee, Cohen said at the time: "I have never asked for, nor would I accept, a pardon from President Trump."

[corbe]

Defense pushes Cohen on walking back guilty plea


Trump’s attorney is bringing up Cohen’s various statements after he pleaded guilty to tax crimes in which he appeared to walk back his admission of guilt.

In his book, Cohen called the charges “bogus,” and attorney Todd Blanche brought up how the witness at one point had even called one of his judges “corrupt” and “in on it.”

Cohen has repeatedly tried to clarify he doesn’t dispute the underlying facts of his guilty plea, but he believes he should not have been charged because he was not “given the same opportunities” as others to first correct any issues with his taxes.

“I did not believe that it was a crime that I should have been charged with,” Cohen said.

— Zach Schonfeld

[Cyber Liberty]

Gaetz said Trump is on trial for a "made-up crime" and that the jury had "great appreciation for the liar Michael Cohen was."

"The radical left wants President Trump to simply go away," said Boebert (R-Colo.), "they're doing everything they can to interfere in yet another election."

Boebert says the group of allies were at the courthouse to "stand with" Trump.

Boebert went on to slam Cohen's "lack of credibility."

[Cyber Liberty]

Rep. Matt Gaetz, Lauren Boebert, and more Trump allies slam judge's family, Cohen in press conference
By David Spector

Rep. Matt Gaetz, Rep. Lauren Boebert and several other Donald Trump allies held a press conference outside the NYC courthouse while the ex-president's "hush money" trial was on break.

"There is no branch of government Michael Cohen has not lied to," said Gaetz (R-Fla.), "he committed these lies for his own benefit."

Gaetz went on to slam the "corrupt judge" whose "own family is making six figures off Democrat politics."

[corbe]

Defense presses Cohen on whether he wanted to work in White House


Blanche repeatedly asked Cohen whether he hoped he would be offered a position in the White House once Trump took office in 2017.

Blanche asked Cohen twice whether he “really wanted” to work in the White House, to which Cohen responded “no sir.’

“You hoped that you would be named the White House chief of staff, not just be considered, but be named the White House chief of staff?” Blanche said.

“No, sir,” Cohen responded.

— Lauren Sforza

11:59 AM
MAY 16, 2024
-
RRAHMAN
Cohen's cross-examination stays away from hush money deals


Most of Trump attorney Todd Blanche’s cross-examination has comprised him bringing up instances where he believes Cohen has lied over the years.

But Blanche has not asked Cohen any questions today so far about the hush money deals or the alleged reimbursement scheme at the center of Trump’s case.

— Zach Schonfeld

[Cyber Liberty]

Cohen admits sending lawyer fake legal cases in bid to end sentence early

Cohen, a disbarred attorney, just admitted that he sent his lawyer fake legal decisions generated by an AI tool as part of his bid to get off supervised release early in his Manhattan federal case.

Cohen claimed Thursday that he found the phony cases after using a "Google AI" tool that "created a whole bunch of phantom results because AI wants to please the user."

He then handed them to his lawyer, who included the fake rulings as fake "legal precedent" for why Cohen should be released early.

“The three cases that you gave to your lawyer were not real cases correct?" Todd Blanche asked him.

“Correct,” Cohen replied.

Cohen was busted for this late last year, and admitted that he had done it in a federal court filing.

[Cyber Liberty]

A pro-Trump demonstrator released nearly 100 penis-shaped balloons with the faces of Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, Judge Merchan and other foes of the ex-president on them outside the NYC courthouse.

Other balloons feature images of Jack Smith who brought charges against Trump in his federal election interference and mishandling of classified documents cases.

It is unclear who released the balloons at this time.

https://twitter.com/LibbeyDean_/status/1791143992668598678

[catfish1957]

Gaetz and Bobert?  Shit, why didn't MTG just show up and call it the 3 stooges.

Trump needs to have sane GOP folks like Johnson, Cruz, RDS, et.al  show up to this trial for support, rather than the fringe.

[Cyber Liberty]

Congressmen and women outside the Courtroom.  There are two Reps from AZ in the group.

[Cyber Liberty]

Court takes lunch break

"We'll see you at 2:15 p.m.," says the judge.

(I have been excerpting from the New York Post.)

[catfish1957]

Court takes lunch break

"We'll see you at 2:15 p.m.," says the judge.

(I have been excerpting from the New York Post.)

You and Nancy have done a great job keeping us posted.  Thanks.....

[Cyber Liberty]

You and Nancy have done a great job keeping us posted.  Thanks.....

The pleasure is mine!

[libertybele]

Gaetz and Bobert?  Shit, why didn't MTG just show up and call it the 3 stooges.

Trump needs to have sane GOP folks like Johnson, Cruz, RDS, et.al  show up to this trial for support, rather than the fringe.

Byron Donalds has shown up to support him...I don't cosinder him "fringe".

Cruz showing up in support of Trump???  He's fighting for his seat and he's already been ridiculed and mocked for supporting Trump because of how Trump beat up his character, ridiculed his wife and called his father an assassin.  Cruz has publicly commented in his defense recently and has been met with ridicule. 

Trump attacked DeSantis in much the same way, he has stated that he will campaign for Trump, but .... that has also been met with some reservations by his supporters.

Trump has created much of his own problems.  No, I don't think this court circus is warranted, but neither was Trump's character assassination of Cruz and DeSantis.

[catfish1957]

I know we have a few lawyers here.  Any predictions yet?

From my vantage point, here is my guess......


1. Trump is found guilty with 12 biased NY jurors coming to agreement.
2. Biden watches polling, and if the verdict hurts Trump, I predict that he under advise of counsel is told not to debate a convicted felon.
3.  If there isn't any polling that hurt DJT, Biden bows out due to health reasons.

I might be totally wrong on this, but any other thoughts/predicitons?

[catfish1957]

Byron Donalds has shown up to support him...I don't cosinder him "fringe".

Cruz showing up in support of Trump???  He's fighting for his seat and he's already been ridiculed and mocked for supporting Trump because of how Trump beat up his character, ridiculed his wife and called his father an assassin.  Cruz has publicly commented in his defense recently and has been met with ridicule. 

Trump attacked DeSantis in much the same way, he has stated that he will campaign for Trump, but .... that has also been met with some reservations by his supporters.

Trump has created much of his own problems.  No, I don't think this court circus is warranted, but neither was Trump's character assassination of Cruz and DeSantis.

No argument from me on the interpersonal concerns you bring up, and I know you are well aware that I am not a Trump fan.  But, from the nose holding perspective, I think we are at the "circle the wagon" phase, no matter how big a POS Trump is.   We can not survive 4 more years of Pedo Joe.

In any case, my negative comments were just directed towards Bobert and Gaetz

[Bigun]

I know we have a few lawyers here.  Any predictions yet?

From my vantage point, here is my guess......


1. Trump is found guilty with 12 biased NY jurors coming to agreement.
2. Biden watches polling, and if the verdict hurts Trump, I predict that he under advise of counsel is told not to debate a convicted felon.
3.  If there isn't any polling that hurt DJT, Biden bows out due to health reasons.

I might be totally wrong on this, but any other thoughts/predicitons?

I'm not a lawyer but my guess is that the best we can expect from this bunch is a hung jury.

[catfish1957]

I'm not a lawyer but my guess is that the best we can expect from this bunch is a hung jury.

Agree.  But as easy as dims are able to rig elections, rigging juries should be a cakewalk.

[Cyber Liberty]

Trump lawyer claims Cohen was actually whining about teen prankster when he said he was speaking to ex-prez about Stormy Daniels payoff
By Tamar Lapin

In a heated back-and-forth before the lunch break, Donald Trump lawyer Todd Blanche tried to get Michael Cohen to admit that he lied when he claimed he spoke to the ex-president about the Stormy Daniels payment -- arguing that Cohen was actually busy complaining about a teenage prankster.

Blanche said Cohen's claim was a lie because at the time, Cohen was actually speaking to Trump bodyguard Keith Schiller "about getting harassing phone calls from a 14-year-old.”

“Part of it was about the phone calls, but I knew that Keith was with Mr. Trump at the time, and it was more than potentially just this,” Cohen responded.
Sketch of Michael Cohen being cross-examined by defense lawyer Todd Blanche in courtroom during Donald Trump's trialSketch of Michael Cohen being cross-examined by defense lawyer Todd Blanche in courtroom during Donald Trump's trial. REUTERS

His voice growing louder, Blanche countered: “You had enough time in that 1 minute and 36 seconds to update Mr. Schiller about all the problems you were having with this harassing phone call and also update President Trump on the status of the Stormy Daniels situation?”

Cohen said he believed he was telling the truth about the conversation, but the phone logs and records showed by Blanche refreshed his memory.

“Yes, I believe I was telling the truth," he testified.

“We are not asking for your belief," Blanche shot back even more loudly. "This jury does not want to hear what you think happened."

With Post wires

[Sighlass]

Character matters....

________________________________

Thanks for another three-ring circus and destruction of any high ground claimed by the right in politics. - American Leftists

________________________________

Wish I had never heard of Donald Trump.

_______________________________

You may now return to your daily soap opera.... As the Donald Turns....

[Cyber Liberty]

I DIDNT DO IT': Texts between Cohen, 14-year-old prankster shown to jurors
By Kyle Schnitzer

Text messages between Michael Cohen and a 14-year-old prank caller were shown to the jury — where Cohen said he called the Secret Service on the kid, who begged for mercy.

“I DIDNT DO IT,” says a text message from the teen on October 24, 2016.

“Im 14,” another text reads. “Please… don’t….do this.”
Defense attorney Todd Blanche making a swearing-in hand gesture during cross-examination of Michael Cohen, with Donald Trump and Judge Juan Merchan in courtroomDefense attorney Todd Blanche making a swearing-in hand gesture during cross-examination of Michael Cohen, with Donald Trump and Judge Juan Merchan in courtroom. AP

Cohen sent the first text to the number notifying them that he had reported the “ongoing and continuous harassment” to the Secret Service.

“This number has just been sent to Secret Service for your ongoing and continuous harassment to both my cell as well as the organization’s main line,” Cohen wrote in a message.

When the prankster said that it wasn’t them but a friend who told them to call Cohen, they told Cohen that they were “sorry” and they wouldn’t “do it again.”

“You’ll need to explain this to secret service as we have been receiving dozens of these harassing calls over the past 3 days. If you are a minor I suggest you notify your parent or guardian,” Cohen writes.

[Cyber Liberty]

Michael Cohen has 95 secret recordings on his cellphone: testimony
By Kyle Schnitzer

Asked by Trump attorney Todd Blanche whether Cohen has 95 “secret recordings” on his cell phone, Cohen confirmed, adding that he taped conversations with former CNN boss Jeff Zucker.

[mystery-ak]

1 hour(s) ago
Pinned
Trump attorneys accuse Cohen of lying about call with Trump about Stormy Daniels

Trump lawyer Todd Blanche drew the court's attention to text exchanges and a phone call between Michael Cohen and Keith Schiller, Donald Trump's former bodyguard, on Oct. 24, 2016.

Cohen confirmed he called Schiller that evening. Blanche asked if Cohen testified the call was to speak with Trump about the Stormy deal. Cohen confirmed.

In a text, Cohen asked Schiller who he can speak with about harassing calls from an alleged 14-year-old prankster. Schiller responded, “Call me.”

Cohen testified Tuesday that the Oct. 24 phone call, which lasted for one minute and 36 seconds, was made to Schiller to talk to Trump.

Blanche asked if the testimony on Tuesday was a lie because Cohen said then that he called to speak with Trump.

Cohen said, “Part of it was the 14-year-old ... but I know Keith was with Mr. Trump."

Blanche again accuses Cohen of lying and insists he never spoke with Trump that day.

Cohen responded, “I always ran everything by the boss immediately."

"That was a lie, you did not talk to President Trump,” Blanche said.

“I’m not certain that’s accurate,” Cohen responded.

Cohen maintains, based on the records that he was able to review, that he spoke with Schiller but also believes he spoke with Trump about the Stormy Daniels deal.

"We’re not asking what you believe," Blanche responded.

Fox News' Maria Paronich and Grace Taggart contributed to this report.
Posted by Kyle Morris

[mystery-ak]

14 minutes ago
Cohen has 95 secret recordings on his cellphone: testimony
By Kyle Schnitzer

Asked by Donald Trump attorney Todd Blanche whether Michael Cohen has 95 “secret recordings” saved on his cellphone.

The conversations were recorded without the other person's knowledge, Cohen testified. He said he recorded Trump, ex-CNN boss Jeff Zucker and journalists.

[mystery-ak]

https://twitter.com/JJDJ1187/status/1791183496007831964

[mystery-ak]

https://twitter.com/VEtFeMaLE/status/1791185066040631467

[mystery-ak]

a minute ago
Cohen confirms Trump was worried about how Melania, kids seeing Playboy model story

Michael Cohen confirmed that Donald Trump didn't "initially" think the Karen McDougal story would hurt him — but said that Trump was worried about how the story would be perceived by Melania and his children.

Trump attorney Todd Blanche asked Cohen if Trump "at least initially" didn't think the story from the former Playboy model would hurt him. Cohen confirmed: "Initially, yes"

He then agreed that Trump one of his worries about the story was with his wife and kids.

[Cyber Liberty]

It's good to have you back online, @mystery-ak!

[mystery-ak]

May 16, 2024
-
rrahman
Cohen says he recorded people without them knowing

Cohen testified during the cross examination that he recorded people without them knowing, many of them journalists.

He noted that it was not illegal for him to record others in a conversation, adding that New York is a one-party consent state.

He said he recorded 40 separate conversations with journalists. Some of the people he recorded included Jeff Zucker and Trump, he testified.

He confirmed there were 95 “secret recordings” stored on his phone when asked by Blanche.

–Lauren Sforza



May 16, 2024
-
rrahman
Trump attorney questions how Cohen can recall years-old calls

Trump attorney Todd Blanche has repeatedly questioned Cohen about how he can vividly remember certain phone conversations during the hush money negotiations in 2016.

“You have a specific recollection of that phone call on June 16, 2016?” Blanche asked at one point, sounding skeptical.

Earlier, Blanche had noted that Cohen answered “I don’t recall” about certain more recent events.

Cohen rebutted the accusation by noting he has been publicly discussing certain matters related to the case for years.

— Zach Schonfeld

[mystery-ak]

It's good to have you back online, @mystery-ak!

Good to be back...I am tired of doctors...