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.


What to know about the hush money case

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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.


Defense presses Cohen on recording of Trump conversation

Defense attorney Todd Blanche questioned Michael Cohen about his secretly made recording of the September 2016 conversation between him and Trump. Cohen testified earlier that be believed the recording ended abruptly because he got a phone call.

Blanche asked Cohen what Trump meant, on the recording, when he told Cohen to use "cash" to repay David Pecker for the Karen McDougal catch-and-kill agreement, suggesting that Trump was talking about not using financing, rather than going "down to the bank with bags full of cash."

"That's not what he was talking about, was he?" Blanche said.

Following up, Blanche asked, "You're recording him but the phone rings and you just answered that call?"

"I did," Cohen said, adding that he remembers being the victim of identity theft.

"When you hung up with the bank you were still talking to President Trump?" Blanche asked.

"For a few seconds," said Cohen. He said did not restart the recording.

Trump, angled toward the witness stand to get a better view of Cohen, appeared attentive during this questioning.