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 says he wanted help reducing sentence
Michael Cohen told the jury that he wanted the Manhattan district attorney to publicly acknowledge his cooperation in this case to assist in his bid for a reduced sentence in his federal conviction on charges related to the Stormy Daniels hush money arrangement.
"You wanted the district attorney's office to publicly acknowledge that you were cooperating?" Blanche asked.
"I would say so, yes," Cohen said.
"You were trying to get your sentence ... lowered, right?" Blanche said.
"I was looking for a reduction in the home confinement portion," Cohen said.
However, the DA's office never publicly announced Cohen's cooperation.
"There was no letter or public announcement made about your cooperation," Blanche asked.
"That's correct," Cohen said.
Blanche asked Cohen if he had ever met DA Alvin Bragg in person.
"No sir," said Cohen.
Testimony subsequently concluded for the day, with Cohen's cross-examination scheduled to continue when court resumes on Thursday.
Defense questions Cohen about his motivations
Defense attorney Todd Blanche returned to confronting Michael Cohen with his own public remarks about Trump, saying he called Trump a "boorish cartoon misogynist."
"Sounds like something I would say," Cohen responded.
He also asked if he called Trump a "Cheeto dusted cartoon villain."
"That also sounds like something I would say," Cohen responded.
The attorneys, as well as as Cohen and Judge Merchan then donned headphones to review a recording of Cohen's Mea Culpa podcast.
Trump also appeared to be listening to the audio, holding one ear of the headphones up to his ear.
The jury did not ultimately hear the audio, but it appeared to have been Cohen saying Trump "needs to wear handcuffs" and his assertion that people won't be satisfied until Trump is in a cell.
"Is it fair to say that you are motivated by fame?" Blanche asked.
"No sir, I don't think that is fair to say," Cohen said.
"Is it fair to say that you are motivated by publicity?" Blanche asked.
"I don't know if that is fair to say. I am motivated by many things," Cohen said.
Blanche then read a portion of Cohen's book where he said he was motivated by "power and the good life" and "public acclaim."
"Yes, those are my words," Cohen said.
Defense continues to press Cohen on his cooperation
Following the mid-afternoon break, defense attorney Todd Blanche continued to press Michael Cohen on his motives for cooperating with the Manhattan DA's investigation that led to this trial.
Blanche asked Cohen about what happened in 2019 when the DA's investigators visited him in federal prison, where he was serving time for his role in the Stormy Daniels payout and other charges.
"One of the first things you wanted to talk to the prosecutors about was ... what is the benefit to you?" Blanche asked, noting that Cohen had told the prosecutors he had been "screwed" by the system.
"You wanted to know why you should meet with them, which is fair, right?" Blanche asked. "You wanted to know what the benefit was to you for being there, correct?"
"Correct," said Cohen.
Blanche then brought up what is known as a Rule 35, which "gives the judge a right to give you a lower sentence if certain things happen like cooperation." He noted it had to be made within one year.
"Do you remember a conversation where your lawyers asked the district attorney whether they would be willing to help with the rule 35 motion in federal court?" Blanche asked.
"I believe so, yes," Cohen said.
Blanche suggested that timing was of the essence because he was sentenced in December 2018, meaning the clock was clicking to file a Rule 35 motion.
Cohen's Rule 35 motion was eventually denied. He subsequently completed his sentence in 2021.
Defense suggests Cohen cooperated for reduced jail time
Defense attorney Todd Blanche asked Michael Cohen if he was angling to reduce his prison sentence when he decided to begin meeting with lawyers from the Manhattan district attorney's office in 2019.
"You were very much looking in the fall of 2019 for a way to get your sentence reduced?" Blanche asked.
"Yes, sure," Cohen responded.
Blanche suggested that attorney Anthony Scaramucci -- who Cohen said visited him in prison -- told him that cooperation might lead to a reduced sentence.
In total, Cohen said he met with prosecutors three times while incarcerated in 2019 -- on August 27, Sept. 19, and Oct. 3.
'Just do it,' Cohen says Trump told him about Daniels payment
Michael Cohen testified that as the clock ticked toward the 2016 election, it became increasingly clear he could no longer delay the nondisclosure arrangement with Stormy Daniels.
Cohen said Trump agreed.
"He stated to me that he had spoken to some friends, some individuals, very smart people. It's $130,000. Just pay it. There's no reason to keep this thing out there. Just do it. So he expressed to me, 'Just do it,'" Cohen said.
Then-Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg allegedly suggested that Cohen could fund the account that would ultimately wire the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels through one of Trump's golf courses, either through a membership or a wedding.
In a meeting with Weisselberg, Cohen said he suggested two options: "One option was to see if I knew anybody who wanted to purchase a golf membership," and a second option was for "somebody who was having a family affair, like a wedding or a bar mitzvah" pay that account and redeem the value as a "credit on their invoice."
"Why don't you pay?" Cohen testified he asked Weisselberg.
"He said to me that he wasn't financially in a position to do it," Cohen said.
Cohen said he eventually agreed to make the payment.
"I said I'll pay for it," Cohen said.
According to Cohen, both he and Weisselberg discussed the plan with Trump;
"Allen and I spoke to Mr. Trump and we expressed to him that I was going to front the money for it, to which he was appreciative," Cohen said.
Cohen said Trump replied, "Good, good."