Trump trial: Judge rebukes Michael Cohen ahead of expected testimony Monday

Jurors heard a surreptitiously recorded phone call between then-Trump attorney Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels' then-attorney, Keith Davidson.

"I just didn't want you to get caught off guard, and I wanted to let you know what was going on behind the scenes," Davidson says on the recording. "And I would not be the least bit surprised if, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if you see in the next couple of days that Gina Rodriguez's boyfriend goes out in the media and tells the story that Stormy Daniels, you know, in the weeks prior to the election was basically yelling and screaming, and calling me a p----."

"Can I, can I ask you a question? Right," says Cohen.

"No, hold on one second," says Davidson. "I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he comes out and says, you know what, Stormy Daniels, she wanted this money more than you can ever imagine. I remember hearing her on the phone saying, you f------ Keith Davidson. You better settle this goddamn story. Because if he loses this election, and he's going to lose, if he loses this election we lose all f------ leverage this case is worth zero. And if that happens, I'm going to sue you because you lost this opportunity. So settle this f------ case. That's a far cry, that's a far cry from far cry from being, you know, bullied and pushed into settling a case."

Trump, sitting at the defense table, appeared highly pleased with this testimony -- he hunched forward over the table in leaned into the monitor on his table that displayed the transcript of the call, firmly nodding is head yes in agreement repeatedly when the tape said "we lose all f------ leverage."

Trump then looked directly at the witness stand when Daniels responded to the tape, saying she never yelled at Davison.

Stormy Daniels told defense attorney Necheles that despite the nondisclosure agreement effectively killing her story, the deal resulted in a "paper trail" that made her feel safe.

"I wanted the truth to be printed with some paper trail," Daniels said. "With a target on my back on my family's -- it was the perfect solution."

Necheles, who suggested on Tuesday that Daniels had been attempting to extort Trump, then resumed those efforts.

"You were threatening that you would try to hurt Trump politically if he didn't give you money?" Necheles said.

"False," Daniels retorted.

Defense attorney Susan Necheles resumed her cross-examination of Stormy Daniels by focusing on Daniels' motivation for selling her story ahead of the 2016 election.

Daniels previously testified that she wanted to get her story out but was afraid for her safety, so she opted instead to sign the nondisclosure with Trump and receive $130,000.

Pressed on the topic, Daniels said she initially wanted to get her story out.

"I was asking to sell my story to publications to get the truth out," Daniels. "I wanted to do a press conference."

Daniels added that she thought she was "running out of time" to get the story out.

"You were running out of time to get money?" Necheles asked.

"No, to get the story out," Daniels responded.

Daniels said she opted to sign a nondisclosure agreement to prioritize her safety.

"I choose to be safe," Daniels said.

"You choose to make money, right?" Necheles said.

"I choose to take a nondisclosure," Daniels replied.

"Good morning, Mr. Trump," Judge Merchan said as he opened the day's proceedings.

The judge began the morning by precluding defense lawyers from questioning Daniels about a past arrest that never resulted in a conviction.

"Anybody can be arrested," Merchan said. "That does not prove a thing."

Stormy Daniels entered the courtroom and took her seat on the witness stand for the defense to resume its cross-examination. Judge Merchan reminded her that she is still under oath.

Trump appeared to glance at her as she passed his counsel table.