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.
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 suggests Cohen didn't get WH job he wanted
Defense attorney Todd Blanche is confronted Michael Cohen with past communications -- with friends and his daughter -- to suggest Cohen was vying to be chief of staff or attorney general after Trump was elected in 2016.
"You told your daughter were disappointed?" Blanche asked about Cohen's response after Reince Priebus was named Trump's chief of staff.
"That I wasn't considered -- yes sir," Cohen said.
Blanche also suggested that Cohen wanted to be attorney general or special counsel the president.
"You told people you would like to be attorney general?" Blanche asked.
"I don't recall that," Cohen said.
An earlier witness -- Stormy Daniels' lawyer Keith Davidson -- testified that Cohen told him that he wanted to be chief of staff or attorney general.
Cohen pushed back on Blanche's suggestion that Cohen wanted a job other than the one he was ultimately given: personal attorney to President Trump.
"I wanted a hybrid position -- one where I would still have the access to President Trump but not be a White House employee," Cohen testified, echoing his testimony from earlier this week.
"You still, even after November, were still looking for a position in the White House?" Blanche said.
"Yes sir," Cohen said before quickly correcting himself. "No."
"I didn't want the General Counsel's office - I made that crystal clear," Cohen said. "There was no shame in being personal attorney to the president of the United States."