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.
'Get control over this,' Trump allegedly said about Daniels story
Michael Cohen said that Donald Trump responded angrily when Cohen shared that Stormy Daniels was shopping her allegations in 2016.
"He was really angry with me," Cohen said, who said Trump told him, "I thought you had this under control. I thought you took care of this.
"He said this is a disaster, total disaster. Women are going to hate me," Trump said according to Cohen. "Guys may think this is cool, but this is going to be a disaster for the campaign."
"At the time, Mr. Trump was ... polling very poorly with women, and this coupled with the previous 'Access Hollywood' -- he just stated, 'This is a disaster, get control of the women,'" Cohen testified.
Cohen said that Trump directed him to purchase Daniels' story.
"He told me to work with David [Pecker] and get control over this -- purchase the life rights. We need to stop this from getting out," Cohen said.
Cohen added that Trump requested he delay the payment until after the election to avoid paying it outright.
Jurors see texts reconnecting Cohen with Daniels' lawyer
Jurors saw an October 2016 text message where National Enquirer editor Dylan Howard reintroduced Michael Cohen to Stormy Daniels' then-attorney Keith Davidson
"Connecting you both in regards to that business opportunity. Spoke to the client this AM and they're confirmed to proceed with the opportunity. Thanks. Dylan," Howard wrote.
"Over to you two," added Howard.
'Take care of it,' Cohen says Trump said of Daniels allegations in 2011
Michael Cohen recounted what he said was a 2011 conversation with Trump about the allegations from Stormy Daniels after TheDirty.com made a blog post about the relationship. Cohen successfully had the blog post taken down with the help of Daniels' then-attorney Keith Davidson.
"I asked him if he knew who she was. He told me he did," Cohen said of Trump.
Cohen said that Trump did not answer his question about the allegations.
"He turned around and said she was a beautiful woman," Cohen recounted.
Cohen said that Trump OK'd the 2011 effort to take down the blog post about the affair.
"Absolutely, do it. Take care of it," Trump responded, according to Cohen.
Cohen says Stormy Daniels story would have been 'catastrophic'
As Michael Cohen was attempting to do damage control for the "Access Hollywood" story on Oct. 8, 2016, National Enquirer editor Dylan Howard flagged to Cohen that adult film actress Stormy Daniels was shopping her allegations of a 2006 sexual encounter with Trump, which the former president has steadfastly denied.
Years earlier, Cohen worked with Daniels' attorney Keith Davidson to get a story taken down about the alleged affair.
Asked about the potential impact of Daniels' story, Cohen said it would have been "catastrophic."
"Horrible for the campaign," Cohen said.
Defense presses Cohen on representing Trump to the media
Defense attorney Todd Blanche pressed Cohen on how he represented Trump to the media during Trump's 2016 campaign.
"You never reached back out to a reporter, ever, without first checking with President Trump?" Blanche asked.
"It was my routine to always advise Mr. Trump," Cohen said. If he didn't, he said "it would mean the end of my job."
An incredulous Blanche asked, "You did that never on your own?"
"Only in consultation with President Trump?" Cohen responded. "If I did that and he didn't like the response, it would probably cost me my job"
Cohen, however, acknowledged that Trump's campaign grew frustrated with his comments to the media.
"I knew that they were upset about it; however, Mr. Trump had turned around and advised them that I don't answer to them," Cohen said.
Cohen added that his comments to the media were aligned with Trump's thoughts on an issue.
"I would always get comments or something in line with a conversation we had on that specific topic," Cohen said. "Again, if I did that and he didn't like the response, it would probably cost me my job."