Defense presses Cohen on past admiration for Trump
"You're actually obsessed with President Trump?" Blanche asked, pursuing a line of inquiry that he drew attention to in the defense's opening statement.
"I don't know that I would characterize obsessed," Cohen said. "I can't recall using that word, but I can't say it would be wrong."
Blanche asked if Cohen was "knee-deep in the cult of Donald Trump" when he said flattering things about Trump in the past.
"That's how I felt," Cohen said.
"Fair to say you admired President Trump when you were working for him?" Blanche asked.
"Yes sir," Cohen said.
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Blanche questioned Cohen about Trump's book "The Art of the Deal," which Cohen has read more than once. Blanche noted that Cohen has publicly called the book a "masterpiece."
Cohen replied, "I viewed it as an excellent book."
"You've actually called it a masterpiece?" Blanche asked.
"Yes, a masterpiece," Cohen said.
As Blanche asked Cohen about his past praise of the former president, Trump quickly grabbed a stack of Post-it notes from the counsel table, jotted down a note, and passed it to attorney Emil Bove, who Trump poked to get his attention.