Trump trial: Cohen faces Trump team grilling over past lies, recollections
The defense questioned Trump's former lawyer on Day 18 of the hush money trial.
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.
Top headlines:
- No decision yet about Trump testifying
- Defense argues Cohen's lack of retainer agreement was not an issue
- Defense accuses Cohen of lying about Trump phone call
- Defense challenges Cohen on past perjury
- Cohen says Trump approved payment of $420K, paid monthly
- Jury hears secret recording of Trump discussing payment
What to know about the hush money case
READ MORE: Here's what you need to know about the historic case.
Sidebar discussion continues
As the private sidebar continues, Judge Merchan is standing slightly back on the bench with his arms crossed, as Trump attorney Todd Blanche speaks.
At one point, Blanche and prosecutor Joshua Steinglass appeared to laugh.
Trump, seated at the defense table, is leaning back in his chair and his eyes appear to be closed.
Proceedings are underway
"Good morning, Mr. Trump," Judge Juan Merchan said in his usual fashion after taking the bench.
The proceedings immediately began with a private sidebar between the parties and Merchan.
Trump enters courtroom with several lawmakers
Donald Trump has entered the courtroom accompanied, like yesterday, by an entourage that includes several members of Congress.
Reps. Lauren Boebert and Matt Gaetz are among those seated in the front row of the gallery.
The group is so large that a few members are sitting at the back of the courtroom because the first two rows of the gallery do not have enough space.
Prosecutors enter courtroom
Prosecutors for the Manhattan district attorney’s office have entered the courtroom.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is not currently in attendance.
Cohen says he was 'beyond angry' after bonus was cut
Prosecutors introduced text messages between Michael Cohen and his daughter related to Cohen not being considered for Trump's chief of staff after Trump won the 2016 election.
"My daughter and I are very close -- we are very much connected and she was concerned that I was upset that I was not being considered for the role," Cohen said. "I explained to her that there are so many opportunities."
By December 2016, Cohen said, he was "beyond angry." His Trump Organization bonus had been cut by two-thirds.
"I was truly insulted, personally hurt. Didn't understand it," Cohen said of his feelings. "It made no sense, after all that I had gone through in terms of the campaign as well as things at the Trump Organization, and laying out $130,000 on his behalf to protect him."
"It was insulting that the gratitude shown back to me was to cut the bonus by two-thirds," Cohen said.
Cohen said he was "truly pissed off and angry," he recalled telling then-CFO Allen Weisselberg.
At that point, Cohen had not been paid back for the Daniels advance and expressed as much to Weisselberg.
"The best that you get for extending yourself as I did is to have your bonus cut by two-thirds?" Cohen recalled saying. He said Weisselberg responded by saying, "We'll make this right."
Trump, at the defense table, showed no reaction as Cohen recounted his emotional response to having his bonus cut.