Defense presses Cohen on social post criticizing Trump
Defense attorney Todd Blanche, playing aloud portions of Michael Cohen's Mea Culpa podcast, told the jury that the second recording predated Trump's 2023 New York indictment, suggesting that Cohen's animosity for Trump has been consistent for years.
Continuing a similar tactic from Tuesday, Blanche then confronted Cohen with past statements about Trump on on social media.
"You called him 'Dumba-- Donald', is that correct?" Blanche asked.
"Sounds correct," Cohen said.
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Blanche also asked Cohen to confirm that on April 21, 2024, he said on TikTok that he has "mental excitement over the fact that this trial was starting."
"Yes sir," Cohen said calmly, in contrast to his elevated tone the jury heard on his podcast audio.
Cohen confirmed that he made statements on social media about Trump despite knowing that a paralegal from the Manhattan district attorney's office was monitoring his posts.