"Do you know someone named David Pecker?" prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked Michael Cohen.

"I knew David Pecker even before Mr. Trump," Cohen replied about the then-National Enquirer publisher. He said the two men would communicate by email or by Signal because "sometimes we thought encryption, not having the event traceable, would be beneficial."

Cohen said he "rarely" interacted with Pecker before 2015. He provided an example of trying to use Pecker to raise for Harlem for Hoops, a charity to which Trump donated.

Before 2015, Cohen testified that the National Enquirer did not purchase stories to kill on Trump's behalf.

He testified he was not aware of National Enquirer parent company AMI ever buying stories for Trump prior to the 2016 campaign -- feeding into prosecutors' narrative this was a campaign-related scheme.

"Prior to Mr. Trump announcing his run for the presidency, are you aware of AMI ever paying to suppress stories?" Hoffinger asked.
"No ma'am," Cohen said.

In an emotional moment, Michael Cohen gave a candid, glowing response when asked what it was like to work for the Trump Organization.

"It was fantastic," he said. "Working for him during those 10 years was an amazing experience in many, many ways. There were great times, there were several less-than-great times, but for the most part I enjoyed the responsibilities that were given to me. I enjoyed working with my colleagues at the Trump Organization, the Trump children. It was a big family."

Trump, at the defense table, remained motionless during Cohen's description. His eyes appear closed.

After speaking positively about his time with the Trump Organization, Cohen acknowledged that he often lied for Trump.

"Because it was needed to accomplish the task," Cohen said.

Michael Cohen testified that normally spoke with Trump in person or over the phone. Cohen said he sometimes contacted Trump though his executive assistant Rhona Graff, his "personal attache" Keith Schiller, or Trump's children.

Like earlier witnesses, Cohen testified that Trump did not use email.

"Mr. Trump never had an email address," Cohen said. "He would comment that emails are like written papers. He knows too many people who have gone down as a direct result ... of emails ... that prosecutors could use in a case."

"By 'gone down', you mean getting in some sort of trouble?" Cohen was asked.

"Yes ma'am," Cohen replied.

Trump, at the defense table, did not react to this questioning.

Cohen said that he frequently reported to Trump when handling sensitive matters.

"As soon as you had a result or answer, you would go straight back and tell him, especially if it was a matter that was troubling to him," Cohen said.

"If you didn't immediately provide him with the information ... that wouldn't go over well for you," Cohen added.

Prosecutors appear to be laying the groundwork for how closely Trump and Michael Cohen worked together. Cohen said his office was at one point "maybe 50 or 60 feet" away from Trump's.

Cohen also told the jury they spoke "every single day, multiple times per day."

Cohen is answering questions in the same animated fashion that he often displays on TV. Asked if he threatened companies and people with lawsuits on behalf of Trump, Cohen didn't miss a beat: "Yes," he said, his eyebrows raising. Occasionally, he glances over to the jury.

Trump, at the defense table, is sitting back in his chair with his head slightly tilted. He does not appear to be directly looking at Cohen.

Defense attorney Todd Blanche turned his attention to the origins of the catch-and-kill arrangement with National Enquirer publisher David Pecker. He asked Michael Cohen about his past testimony regarding the August 2015 Trump Tower meeting with Trump and Pecker where prosecutors say the conspiracy was formed.

Cohen earlier testified that the meeting was important because the "power of the National Enquirer is its placements in supermarkets."

"Had you ever told anyone that before your testimony this week?" Blanche asked.

"Not that I recall," Cohen said.

Blanche asked about Dino Saludjin, the doorman who was paid off after falsely claiming that Trump had a love child.

"The story was false, correct?" Blanche asked.

"I believe so yes," Cohen responded.

"Do you have any doubt in your mind it was false?" Blanche asked.

"No sir," Cohen said.

Blanche Cohen asked if Trump "was worried about the story getting out because of his employees?" appearing to challenge Cohen's testimony about why hush money was paid.

"He mentioned that I should speak to them as well," Cohen said.