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.
Judge denies state's request regarding Weisselberg
Judge Merchan began by denying the state's request to enter into evidence former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg's separation agreement with the company.
"It would come in as a business record, but I am not going to allow it in," Merchan said. "It doesn't prove any element of the offense, it doesn't move the ball in any way."
Prosecutors sought to introduce the agreement -- which allotted Weisselberg $2 million after he left the Trump Organization-- to explain why Weisselberg was not testifying at the trial. Weisselberg is currently serving a five-month sentence on Rikers Island for perjury.
Trump, meanwhile, has been waiting patients at the defense table for the jury to enter, which is taking a bit longer than usual.
"Where's the jury?" one individual in his entourage could be heard whispering.
Proceedings are underway
Judge Juan Merchan took his seat on the bench and opened the day's proceedings.
Each of the lawyers made brief introductions before Merchan addressed Trump in his usual fashion.
"Good morning, Mr. Trump," Merchan said from the bench.
Trump, Bragg enter courtroom
Donald Trump has entered the courtroom. He looked around the room as he made his way to the front.
The former president is joined by his attorneys, as well as numerous associates and Secret Service.
Eric Trump and attorney Alina Habba are seated together in the first row, immediately behind Trump. Behind them in the second row, which is completely full, are Trump's legal adviser Boris Epshteyn, Natalie Harp, and J.D. Vance.
Campaign team members Jason Miller and Karoline Levitt are seated in the very back of the courtroom.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has also entered the courtroom.
Prosecutors enter courtroom
Prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorney's office have entered the courtroom.
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger, who is expected to lead Michael Cohen's direct examination, placed a hefty three-inch binder at the lectern before returning to the counsel table.
Defense suggests Cohen hasn't taken responsibility for lying
Focusing on Michael Cohen's 2018 guilty plea for lying to Congress in 2017, Blanche attempted to suggest that Cohen has not accepted responsibility for the crime and instead blames Trump.
"The reason why you lied was because of your loyalty to President Trump?" Blanche said.
"We crafted this document -- a two page document -- in order to stay on message we all knew Mr. Trump wanted, including Mr. Trump's attorney at the time," Cohen said.
"Are you saying you accept responsibility or blaming the joint defense agreement," Blanche asked.
"Accepting responsibility…" Cohen said.
Blanche continued to recount the many lies Cohen has acknowledged telling in the past, including in answering questions before the House Intelligence Committee and federal investigators.