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 admits making 'misleading' statement to FEC
Michael Cohen acknowledged that his lawyers sent the Federal Election Commission a "misleading statement" on Feb. 8, 2018.
"Neither the Trump Organization nor the Trump campaign was a party to the transaction with Ms. Clifford, and neither reimbursed Mr. Cohen for the payment directly or indirectly," the letter to the FEC read.
Cohen described the statement as "misleading" because the reimbursement came from Trump directly.
"It was the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust or Donald Trump himself," Cohen told jurors, though he said he "omitted" that from the letter to the FEC.
Cohen said Trump approved the statement.
"That's a true statement, but it's deceptive, it's misleading," Cohen said. He did so "in order to protect Mr. Trump, stay on message, demonstrate my continued loyalty," he said.
As Cohen discussed his conduct related to the FEC, Judge Merchan offered a limited instruction to the jury, telling them that the testimony can be used to provide context for the surrounding events and help determine Cohen's credibility -- but not Trump's guilt.
Cohen explains why he lied to Congress, others
Michael Cohen told jurors that he lied to Congress in 2017 when he understated Trump's involvement in a Trump Tower project in Moscow.
Cohen told Congress that he spoke to Trump about the project three times, but they actually spoke ten times according to Cohen. He added that he misrepresented the timeline of those conversations.
"Why did you make those false statements to Congress?" prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked.
"Because I was staying on Mr. Trump's message that there was no Russia, Russia, Russia and in coordination with the joint defense team. That was what was preferred," Cohen said.
Cohen said he also initially lied about the hush payment to Stormy Daniels.
"Did you tell the truth about Mr. Trump's role in the payoff?" Hoffinger asked.
"No ma'am," Cohen said.
Cohen told jurors that he pressured Daniels' attorney Keith Davidson to have Daniels sign a false statement denying her affair with Trump.
"Did you know this statement by Stormy Daniels was false?" Hoffinger asked.
"Yes," Cohen said.
Trump, at the defense table, scoffed when Cohen testified that he told Trump he got Stormy Daniels to deny their affair in 2018 so that he could "get credit" with Trump.
Cohen says said he continued to protect Trump
Michael Cohen testified that during this time period, in 2017, he continued to lie and try to protect Trump.
"Did you continue to try to protect him?" prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked Cohen.
"Yes," he said.
"Continued to lie for him?" Hoffinger asked.
"Yes," said Cohen. "Out of loyalty, and in order to protect him."
During this exchange, Trump shifted his head then whipped around to whisper to his attorney Emil Bove.
Cohen testifies he did 'minimal' work for Trump in 2017
Cohen told the jury he did minimal work for Trump in 2017, working on small issues for which he "didn't expect to be paid" -- despite the invoices he submitted throughout the year being designated as retainer fees.
The work he performed included a trademark issue and others, Cohen testified.
Asked if he submitted an invoice, Cohen said no.
"I didn't expect to be paid," he said
Cohen estimated he spent "less than 10" hours working for Trump in 2017.
"Was the $420,000 dollars that you received from Mr. Trump ... did that have anything to do with the minimal work you did for him in 2017?" prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked.
"No ma'am," Cohen said.
Trump, during this testimony, has been sitting back in his chair with his eyes closed. He occasionally shifts in his seat.
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.