Former President Donald Trump is on trial in New York City, where he is facing felony charges related to a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. It marks the first time in history that a former U.S. president has been tried on criminal charges.
Trump last April pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment charging him with falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment his then-attorney Michael Cohen made to Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.
Defense asks Cohen about positive publicity he received
Defense attorney Todd Blanche then transitioned the topic of the cross-examination to Cohen's involvement in encouraging Trump to run for president.
"You worked very hard during your time working for Trump to get positive stories into the press about President Trump and all the things you were doing?" Blanche asked Cohen.
"Yes sir," Cohen said.
"You worked very hard to make sure there were positive stories about you at times?" Blanche asked.
"Yes sir," Cohen said.
The testimony slightly cuts against one prong of the alleged conspiracy with the National Enquirer -- running positive stories about Trump -- to show that Cohen got some positive press too.
May 16, 2024, 2:31 PM EDT
Jury sees text messages Cohen exchanged before calling Schiller
Jurors are now seeing the text message between Cohen and a 14-year-old prank caller that the defense says precipitated Cohen's call to Trump aide Keith Schiller on Oct. 24, 2016..
"This number has just been sent to secret service for your ongoing and continuing harassment to both my cell as well as to the organization's main line," Cohen wrote.
"It wasn't me," the teen responds.
"My friend told me to call," the teen wrote.
"I'm sorry for this," they wrote again. "I won't do it again."
"You will 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 wrote.
"I DIDNT DO IT," the teen continues.
"I'm 14," they continued.
"Please don't Do this," they wrote.
"Please have your parent guardian contact me," Cohen responded. "Before secret service reaches out to them."
May 16, 2024, 2:24 PM EDT
Cohen cross-examination resumes following break
The defense is now resuming its cross-examination of Michael Cohen following the lunch break.
Lawyers meet with Justice Juan Merchan during former President Donald Trump's criminal trial in Manhattan state court in New York City, May 16, 2024 in this courtroom sketch.
Jane Rosenberg via Reuters
A juror informed Judge Merchan that they have a scheduling conflict next Thursday, so Merchan said they'll try to work out a solution later today.
May 16, 2024, 1:01 PM EDT
Defense accuses Cohen of lying about Trump phone call
Defense attorney Todd Blanche accused Michael Cohen of lying about a phone call Cohen testified he had with Donald Trump on Oct. 24, 2016.
Blanche read texts between Cohen and Trump aide Keith Schiller on that date, in which Cohen asked Schiller, "Who can I speak to about harassing calls to my phone and office?"
According to Blanche, Schiller asked Cohen to call him at 8:02 p.m.
"This is the call that you testified about on Tuesday that you had a conversation with President Trump?" Blanche said.
Cohen, who testified on Tuesday that he had called Schiller to speak with Trump, agreed.
Nearly shouting, Blanche alleged that Cohen lied during his testimony on Tuesday.
"That was a lie," said Blanche, adding that Cohen texted Schiller the phone number of the 14-year-old prank caller at 8:04 p.m.
"Part of it was the 14-year-old, but I knew that Keith was with Trump at the time," Cohen responded.
Former President Donald Trump appears at Manhattan Supreme Court during his trial on May 16 2024.
Mike Segar/Pool/Reuters
"That was a lie. You did not talk to President Trump that night," Blanche said, raising his voice. "You can admit it."
"No sir, I can't," Cohen said. "Because I'm not sure that's accurate."
"This jury doesn't want to hear what you think happened," Blanche said.
Trump, at the defense table, appeared engaged and furrowed his eyebrows.
The jury was then shown text messages from that evening between Cohen and Schiller, which Blanche suggested prosecutors omitted from their exhibit.
"Mr. Cohen, you just said that you don't recall a phone call ... on Tuesday you testified that you remembered the phone call," Blanche shouted, again growing animated and speaking quickly.
Cohen stood by his testimony, saying he spoke to both Trump and Schiller.
"Based upon what was going on and based upon the other messages regarding the Stormy Daniels matter, yes I believe I was telling the truth," Cohen said.
Judge Merchan subsequently recessed the court for lunch.
