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.
Long sidebar conference concludes
After speaking at the bench to Judge Merchan at a private sidebar for approximately 18 minutes, the lawyers returned to their seats.
At the defense table, attorney Todd Blanche leaned in to whisper to Trump.
"I think we are ready to get started," Judge Merchan said.
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.
Cohen says invoices he submitted were false records
Michael Cohen told jurors that he submitted 11 invoices to the Trump Organization over the course of 2017 to get his reimbursement for the Stormy Daniels hush money payment and other expenses -- but that they were false records because they were not for their stated purpose of a retainer fee.
Asked the purpose of the $420,000 payment over the year, Cohen said "the reimbursement to me of the hush money fee along with Red Finch, and the bonus."
"Was this invoice a false record?" prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked.
"Yes ma'am," Cohen said.
"Were any of those invoices you submitted for services performed pursuant to a retainer agreement?" Hoffinger asked.
"No," Cohen replied.
Hoffinger then walked Cohen through each of the false invoices he sent, and the checks that he received in return.
As Hoffinger showed Cohen each document, he confirmed that there was no retainer agreement at the time and that the invoices were false.
"Is that a false record?" Hoffinger asked about each invoice.
"Yes ma'am," Cohen said.
After each invoice, Cohen identified the check he received.
"Did you receive this check for $35,000 in response to that false invoice?" Hoffinger asked.
"Yes ma'am," Cohen replied.
"Whose signature is it?" asked Hoffinger.
"Donald J. Trump" said Cohen.
"Was this the last check that you received from Mr. Trump or anyone at the Trump Organization?" Hoffinger asked about a December 2017 check for $35,000.
"Yes," Cohen said, explaining that the "full reimbursement of the $420,0000 had been paid."