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.
Cohen testifies that he renegotiated Trump's bills
According to Michael Cohen, one of his frequent jobs was renegotiating bills on Trump's behalf.
"A law firm would send an invoice. He didn't believe that the invoice was fair, reasonable or justified, so he would give me the task of renegotiating a specific bill," Cohen said.
Cohen recounted his work repaying approximately 50 vendors related to Trump University at a discounted rate. All but two of the fifty vendors agreed to the discounted rate.
"They just went away," Cohen said of the two vendors.
"Did you pay then?" prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked.
"No, ma'am," Cohen responded.
Cohen said Trump told him the outcome of the negotiation was "fantastic" and "great."
"How did that make you feel?" Hoffinger asked.
"Like I was on top of the world," Cohen responded.
Cohen says Trump hired him after he did legal favors
Cohen told jurors that he began working for Trump after helping Trump with a series of legal favors.
"We ended up overtaking the board and resolving the issue which was to Mr. Trump's satisfaction," Cohen said about the first favor related to a board at a Trump property. "He liked the way that occurred and then continued to ask me if I would assist in other legal issues or matters he had."
"Did he pay you for that work?" prosecutor Susan Hoffinger said.
"No, ma'am," Cohen said
According to Cohen, Trump offered him a job after he presented Trump a $100,000 bill for legal costs related to the earlier favors.
"Would you want to come work for me?" Cohen recounted Trump saying. "I was honored, I was taken by surprise, and I agreed"
When asked about the $100,000 legal bill, Cohen said Trump "asked if I would like to get fired on the first day." The bill was never paid, according to Cohen, who immediately left his law firm to work for the Trump Organization as Trump's special counsel and a senior vice president.
When asked about the kind of work Cohen did for Trump, Cohen responded, "It was whatever concerned him -- whatever he wanted."
Cohen said he reported "just to Mr. Trump."
Cohen identifies Trump in court
Michael Cohen briefly introduced himself to the jury, telling them how his father immigrated to California after surviving the Holocaust.
"Four children later, here I am," Cohen said about his parents.
Cohen told the jury that he went to law school at the urging of his family, though he did not want to practice law.
"I wanted to go to Wall Street," Cohen said.
He briefly explained how he acquired wealth with real estate investments and taxi medallions.
"I ended up going into business with a friend of mine who had grown up with me and we started purchasing buildings," Cohen said.
Cohen stood up in the witness box so he could identify Trump in the courtroom.
"He is wearing a blue and white tie," Cohen said while looking toward Trump.
Cohen takes the stand
"The people call Michael Cohen," prosecutor Susan Hoffinger said.
Michael Cohen entered the courtroom and took his seat in the witness box.
Donald Trump stared straight forward as Cohen walked into the courtroom. He did not appear to look toward Cohen.
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."