Trump trial: Cohen faces Trump team grilling over past lies, recollections

Michael Cohen, his testimony done for the day, left the courtroom without looking at Trump.

During a bench conference, defense attorney Todd Blanche said he wants to explore with the court and the opposing counsel the admissibility of a defense expert witness before deciding whether to call him.

The judge set a conference to take place Thursday at 4 p.m. ET, after the jury is excused slightly early for the day.

Asked about Thursday's timing for the remainder of his cross-examination of Cohen, Blanche told the judge, "If I finish, it's at the end of the day."

The rest of the parties then departed the courtroom.

Michael Cohen told the jury that he wanted the Manhattan district attorney to publicly acknowledge his cooperation in this case to assist in his bid for a reduced sentence in his federal conviction on charges related to the Stormy Daniels hush money arrangement.

"You wanted the district attorney's office to publicly acknowledge that you were cooperating?" Blanche asked.

"I would say so, yes," Cohen said.

"You were trying to get your sentence ... lowered, right?" Blanche said.

"I was looking for a reduction in the home confinement portion," Cohen said.

However, the DA's office never publicly announced Cohen's cooperation.

"There was no letter or public announcement made about your cooperation," Blanche asked.

"That's correct," Cohen said.

Blanche asked Cohen if he had ever met DA Alvin Bragg in person.

"No sir," said Cohen.

Testimony subsequently concluded for the day, with Cohen's cross-examination scheduled to continue when court resumes on Thursday.

Defense attorney Todd Blanche returned to confronting Michael Cohen with his own public remarks about Trump, saying he called Trump a "boorish cartoon misogynist."

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

He also asked if he called Trump a "Cheeto dusted cartoon villain."

"That also sounds like something I would say," Cohen responded.

The attorneys, as well as as Cohen and Judge Merchan then donned headphones to review a recording of Cohen's Mea Culpa podcast.

Trump also appeared to be listening to the audio, holding one ear of the headphones up to his ear.

The jury did not ultimately hear the audio, but it appeared to have been Cohen saying Trump "needs to wear handcuffs" and his assertion that people won't be satisfied until Trump is in a cell.

"Is it fair to say that you are motivated by fame?" Blanche asked.

"No sir, I don't think that is fair to say," Cohen said.

"Is it fair to say that you are motivated by publicity?" Blanche asked.

"I don't know if that is fair to say. I am motivated by many things," Cohen said.

Blanche then read a portion of Cohen's book where he said he was motivated by "power and the good life" and "public acclaim."

"Yes, those are my words," Cohen said.

Following the mid-afternoon break, defense attorney Todd Blanche continued to press Michael Cohen on his motives for cooperating with the Manhattan DA's investigation that led to this trial.

Blanche asked Cohen about what happened in 2019 when the DA's investigators visited him in federal prison, where he was serving time for his role in the Stormy Daniels payout and other charges.

"One of the first things you wanted to talk to the prosecutors about was ... what is the benefit to you?" Blanche asked, noting that Cohen had told the prosecutors he had been "screwed" by the system.

"You wanted to know why you should meet with them, which is fair, right?" Blanche asked. "You wanted to know what the benefit was to you for being there, correct?"

"Correct," said Cohen.

Blanche then brought up what is known as a Rule 35, which "gives the judge a right to give you a lower sentence if certain things happen like cooperation." He noted it had to be made within one year.

"Do you remember a conversation where your lawyers asked the district attorney whether they would be willing to help with the rule 35 motion in federal court?" Blanche asked.

"I believe so, yes," Cohen said.

Blanche suggested that timing was of the essence because he was sentenced in December 2018, meaning the clock was clicking to file a Rule 35 motion.

Cohen's Rule 35 motion was eventually denied. He subsequently completed his sentence in 2021.