Michael Cohen Takes the Stand in Trump Hush Money Trial
Do you think Trump is guilty?
Updated May 15, 2024, 11:30 a.m. EST
- Michael Cohen, once Trump's personal lawyer, faced cross-examination in the former president's criminal trial this week. Trump's attorney, Todd Blanche, attacked Cohen for being evasive on the stand, having selective memory, and profiting off of his dislike of Trump.
- Cohen claims that the $130,000 at the center of the case was paid to Stormy Daniels after Trump directly told him to do so in order to keep Daniels from speaking publicly about a 2006 affair.
Updated May 9, 2024, 5:00 p.m. EST
- Adult film star Stormy Daniels, also known as Stephanie Clifford, spent two days on the stand in the criminal trial against Donald Trump. She sparred with the former president's lawyers over her motivation for signing the $130,000 settlement and nondisclosure agreement at the core of the trial, paid to her by Michael D. Cohen.
- Lawyer Susan Necheles pressed Daniels on her role as an adult film star, director, and screenwriter, attempting to discredit Daniels' story. Necheles tried to get Daniels to display inconsistencies in her recollections and admit that her story was fabricated, which prompted claims of denial from Daniels and sustained objections from the prosecution.
- Trump continues to plead not guilty to the 34 felony charges he faces and claims the trial is "election interference" as it disrupts his 2024 presidential campaign.
Updated May 6, 2024, 11:00 a.m. EST
- The criminal trial to determine whether Trump is guilty of falsifying records to cover up a sex scandal is entering its third week. Prosecutors say Trump falsified the records to conceal his reimbursement to Michael D. Cohen for hush money given to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
- Trump's former press secretary and White House communications director Hope Hicks spoke on the deep anxiety that was felt throughout Trump's 2016 campaign after the "Access Hollywood" tape resurfaced. Hicks said her strategy with other senior Trump aides throughout the campaign was to "deny, deny, deny."
- Judge Juan M. Merchan has held two hearings thus far on whether or not Trump is in violation of the gag order, prohibiting him from attacking witnesses, jurors, court staff, and more. Merchan has already fined Trump $9,000 for nine violations and threatened him with time in jail if he continues violating the order. The judge said:
"This court will have to consider a jail sanction. At the end of the day, I have a job to do. Part of that job is to protect the dignity of the justice system."
- Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen are expected to take the stand in the next stage of the trial.
Updated Apr. 15, 2024, 9:30 a.m. EST
- Today marks the beginning of the first criminal trial of an American president, as Donald Trump faces 34 felony charges accusing him of falsifying documents to conceal an affair with pornographic film star Stormy Daniels and hush money paid to her by lawyer Michael D. Cohen.
- Jury selection for the trial starts today, which could take more than two weeks. After that, the trial could go until June.
- Trump has denied the sexual encounter and may take the witness stand during the trial to defend himself. Judge Juan M. Merchan has already imposed a gag order, restricting the former president from attacking witnesses, prosecutors, jurors, and Merchan's own family.
Updated Feb. 15, 2024, 11:45 a.m. EST
- A New York judge ruled that Donald Trump's hush money trial will begin jury selection on Mar. 25, declining to push back the trial after urgings from Trump's defense lawyers.
- This will be the first of four criminal prosecutions against Trump to go to trial. It's expected to last up to six weeks, according to Judge Juan Manuel Merchan.
- Trump's lawyers are adamantly against this trial date, citing the presidential candidate's campaign schedule. Defense lawyer Todd Blanche said:
"It is completely election interference to say 'you are going to sit in this courtroom in Manhattan,' when there is no reason. What about his rights."
- Trump said:
"How can you run for election if you're sitting in a courthouse in Manhattan all day long? I'm supposed to be in South Carolina now."
- Observers have noted that Trump has repeatedly attended court proceedings where his presence was not required.
Updated April 5, 2023
"Our country is going to hell. The world is already laughing at us - for our open borders and the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan."
"The only crime that I have committed is to fearlessly defend our nation from those who seek to destroy it."
We are a nation in decline. And now these radical left lunatics want to interfere with our elections by using law enforcement. We can't let that happen."
Updated 4:00pm EST
- Trump was charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first degree and pleaded not guilty to all counts.
- The charges are class E felonies, the lowest category carrying a maximum prison sentence of four years each. Falsifying business records under New York law is normally a misdemeanor, but prosecutors can escalate the charge if the accused falsified the records to commit or hide another crime.
- Trump did not have to post bail as new policies don't require it for most misdemeanors or nonviolent felonies.
- State Supreme Court Justice Juan M. Merchan adjourned the case until an unspecified date, likely months from now.
- Manhattan DA, Alvin L. Bragg, assures the public that his politics will not play a role in the case. He added:
"Manhattan is home to the country's most significant business market. We cannot allow New York businesses to manipulate their records to cover up criminal conduct."
Updated 2:00pm EST
- Trump turned himself in at the district attorney's office in Lower Manhattan, escorted by an 11-vehicle motorcade. He will be fingerprinted while in custody before he appears before the court to be formally arraigned.
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene gave a brief speech across from the courthouse. Before being swarmed by conservative supporters and escorted out by NYPD, Greene said:
"We are here to peacefully protest against the persecution of an innocent man. Not just any innocent man, this is the former president of the United States of America."
- Rep. Jamaal Dowman (D-NY) made an appearance after the rally, saying:
"Do your freaking job, Marjorie Taylor Greene. You don't need to be in New York City talking that nonsense. Go back to your district."
Updated April 4, 2023, 10:30am EST
- Donald Trump is expected to appear today in a Manhattan courtroom and plead not guilty to the 30+ criminal charges he faces. New York City police officers are preparing for the high-profile event, putting fences around the courthouse and Trump Tower.
- Rep. George Santos (R-NY) arrived in New York for the pro-Trump demonstration at Collect Pond Park, outside the criminal court. City law enforcement created spaces for pro and anti-Trump protesters to stand away from each other.
- Journalists started lining up for the event more than 24 hours in advance in an attempt to report on an unprecedented moment in American history.
- Trump is not expected to be handcuffed or have a mugshot taken. Mugshots are meant to help authorities identify and find a defendant if they flee, which Trump is not expected to do. In New York state, law enforcement officials have discretion over whether or not to take a mugshot.
Updated April 3, 2023
- Trump is traveling from Florida to New York today as he prepares to appear in court tomorrow. U.S. Secret Service is conducting heavy security outside the lower Manhattan court building.
- One of Trump's advisors claims the former president has raised $7 million since the news of the indictment was released. Trump rallied his supporters, claiming the Manhattan DA's investigation was a "witch hunt." He asked the judge to block cameras in the courtroom after several major media outlets requested access to broadcast the hearing.
- As protests are being planned for tomorrow, police are heavily patrolling the streets outside the Trump Tower. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) is expected to headline a rally led by the New York Young Republican Club.
- New York Mayor Eric Adams spoke at a press conference this morning, encouraging all protesters to remain peaceful, including Rep. Greene. He said:
"While there may be some rabble-rousers thinking about coming to our city tomorrow, our message is clear and simple: control yourselves. New York City is our home, not a playground for your misplaced anger."
Updated March 31, 2023
- Trump is facing over 30 criminal charges related to alleged business and document fraud. The former president is scheduled to appear in Manhattan court next Tuesday, April 4.
- His lawyers say he will not be handcuffed for his court appearance and will plead not guilty to the charges. His defense attorney, Joe Tacopina, said the team plans to "aggressively" challenge the "legal viability" of the case.
Updated March 30, 2023
- A Manhattan grand jury voted Thursday to indict Former President Donald Trump for his role in paying hush money to pornographic film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election.
- While the exact charges are not known at this time, Trump is the first former or current president to be indicted.
- The indictment is currently sealed and will be released in the coming days.
- Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is reaching out to Trump's lawyers to discuss the former president's surrender and arraignment.
- An indictment would not bar Trump from his current presidential bid, nor would it impact a possible second term in office. The Constitution makes no mention of a criminal record in its eligibility requirements for president.
- Michael Cohen, the key witness in the case, and a former lawyer for Trump, said in a statement:
“For the first time in our Country’s history, a President (current or former) of the United States has been indicted. I take no pride in issuing this statement and wish to also remind everyone of the presumption of innocence; as provided by the due process clause. However, I do take solace in validating the adage that no one is above the law; not even a former President. Today’s indictment is not the end of this chapter; but rather, just the beginning. Now that the charges have been filed, it is better for the case to let the indictment speak for itself. The two things I wish to say at this time is that accountability matters and I stand by my testimony and the evidence I have provided to DANY.”
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
Updated March 23, 2023
- NYC prosecutors said Trump created a false expectation of his indictment, leading his supporters to interfere with the investigation of his payment to Stormy Daniels. As the Manhattan district attorney's probe nears its final stages, Trump remains resistant, claiming he is "100% INNOCENT" on his social media site, Truth Social.
- The Manhattan grand jury will not meet on Trump's case when it convenes today, pushing the inquiry to next week.
- Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg accused Republicans in the House of launching "an unprecedented inquiry into a pending local prosecution." General counsel Leslie Dubeck said the GOP's prod for information "only came after Donald Trump created a false expectation that he would be arrested the next day and his lawyers reported urged [them] to intervene." Dubeck called their claims politically motivated and "unfounded."
- New York officials are still bracing for potential protests and unrest if the arrest occurs. So far this week, Trump supporters have been outnumbered by those in support of the indictment.
What’s the story?
- Former President Donald Trump expects to be arrested on Tuesday, March 21, for one of the five accusations against him currently being investigated.
- The latest indictment, led by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, examines whether Trump and his company broke state laws by giving Stephanie Clifford, the adult film star Stormy Daniels, hush money after a sexual encounter in 2006. Despite continuously denying the claim, his company paid Clifford $130,000 for her silence during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.
- Former prosecutor Mark Pomerantz said Trump’s company falsely hid the payments as legal fees, which violates New York criminal law. Michael Cohen, Trump’s longtime personal attorney, pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2018 on the arranged payments that Trump told him to make. Trump could be held responsible for the false records.
What happens next?
- While the rumor that Trump will be arrested started with him, several media outlets reported that law enforcement in New York is making security preparations for the indictment but said the event would arrive “in the coming weeks.”
- It is ultimately up to Bragg whether or not to press charges against the former president. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the rumored arrest.
- If Bragg does press charges, coordination between Trump’s lawyers, the Secret Service, and local law officials would be necessary. The former president would likely appear in New York court for an arraignment, which would be complicated by public attention.
What would happen if Trump is arrested?
- Since posting about his arrest, Trump has encouraged his supporters to protest if it comes to fruition. He wrote on Truth Social, telling his followers to protest and “take our nation back,” as well as:
“We just can’t allow this anymore. They’re killing our nation as we sit back and watch.”
- The threats are being taken very seriously as many compare Trump’s words to those that led to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol in 2021. In response to the threat, Bragg wrote an email to his employees saying, "we do not tolerate attempts to intimidate our office or threaten the rule of law in New York.” Bragg continued to assure his staff that their safety was his first priority.
- Many Republicans are also attempting to discourage protests. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) said he does not think people should protest the arrest and believes Trump feels the same way. However, McCarthy and other GOP leaders are defending Trump. McCarthy tweeted:
Here we go again — an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA who lets violent criminals walk as he pursues political vengeance against President Trump.
— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) March 18, 2023
I’m directing relevant committees to immediately investigate if federal funds are being used to subvert our democracy by… https://t.co/elpbh7LeWn
Do you think the Manhattan DA should press charges against Trump?
-Jamie Epstein & Josh Herman
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I am looking forward for the battle between the Manhattan DA, the Georgia DA, and several different DOJ prosecutors over who gets to have the first perp-walk of the trump in chains to his different trials.
I know that the trump is kind of looking forward to a perp-walk becuase he thinks he can use it to solicit more funds out of the poor fools that support him. That ay be true, but most of the electorate, I believe, are still in favor of the rule-of-law and equal justice for ask convicted criminals.
It will be interesting to see how the trump himself reacts when his illusion of wealth and power is finally seen by everyone as the optical illusion of smoke nad mirrors tha it actually is. I imagine that once a narcissist's shield of presumed wealth and power is taken away, they will have a major emotional reality to deal with.How will the trump deal with it?
When he is found guilty, all his presidential perks MUST BE RESCINDED. He is a traitor to our country. He tried to make us a dictatorship, for God's sake! We must not allow a traitor to receive a salary, Secret Service protection, free postage or whatever benefits a true president would have. On January 6th, and afterward with the stolen documents, he relinquished any rights to be treated as a former president would be - WITHOUT A DOUBT!
And isn't it wonderful to see how the Fox News hosts TRULY FEEL about their audience? Amazing how so many can continue to show their ignorance by still watching them.
This will bring the MAGA supporters out of the woodwork.
I believe the statue of limitations has expired BTW
I am amazed how long justice takes to happen in the US whenever it is someone rich and powerful like Donald Trump getting sued or prosecuted. I mean, how much more evidence would any prosecutor or judge need finally put the guy behind bars? He literally called for his supporters to illegally protest Congress to prevent him from leaving office! Come on, lawyers! Prosecuting Trump should have been a walk in the park, man!
This is not about setting a precedent. This is about asking a man who is NO LONGER a sitting president to pay for his crimes as the rest of us would. He relinquished the title and rights of President on January 6th! Who would EVER believe that a treasonous, and at the time, sitting President would ever be allowed to run rampant committing crime after crime without any consequences. Certainly not our Founding Fathers in the Constitution they labored over and created. Does the Dump walk free just because our Founding Fathers never believed that such a thing would be possible? They would think that CRAZY; just as any educated, common sense, moral person would. Should he be found guilty, he must lose all his presidential perks. He violated our country as never before. He was instrumental in the hundreds of thousands Covid deaths, even before the deaths on January 6th. It is way beyond time for this man to be held responsible for his crimes. Enough already! He deserves no special treatment. Those who think otherwise are absolutely incorrect.
All lies just to stop Trump from running again. We need to arrest the Biden's for accepting payments from China. It's all coming out and you socialists can't stop it
Post Conviction
'Uncomfortable': Expert says Trump will 'fail' upcoming court mental health questions - Raw Story https://www.rawstory.com/trump-court-mental-health-questions/
No idea if a mental exam is actually part of the procedure, but the article seems legit so...
<Quote>
David Henderson, a legal analyst describedby CNBC as “a seasoned trial lawyer, civil rights attorney, and communications consultant,” appeared on MSNBC on Saturday to discuss another aspect of the legal proceedings.
...
... Henderson brought up the “questions he will find uncomfortable.”
“For example, they are allowed to assess his mental health and determine whether or not he needs counseling and whether or not he would cooperate with participating in counseling. I think he fails part of the exam. And they will also ask how he feels about the charges brought against him and whether or not he accepts the jury verdict. As you said, he doesn’t have to answer but the problem here is it’s not difficult to look at statements he’s made publicly about both and it’s impossible for Judge Merchan to ignore those and it’s impossible to ignore the fact that Judge Merchan appears to be someone who cares about fairness and it’s almost impossible not to compare Trump with Michael Cohen.”
<End Quote>
More...
D.C. ethics board recommends Rudy Giuliani be disbarred
The recommendation comes after Giuliani represented Donald Trump in a Pennsylvania court case that sought to overturn the state’s 2020 election results
Anyone / anything associated with bozo the mobster goes down in flames - be it institutions, attorneys, business, supporters and worse of all country!
hey elon welcome to the losers club ...
That is because ever day is a new day for him, a man who lives in the past!
Dow Jones's soared over verdict! Stock market believes in democracy, capitalism, freedom, democracy, rule of law and the constitution!
The right wing, just like Trump, are absolutely unamerican, can not handle the truth, abide by rules and regulations and judge by their peers the out come. Trump could have testified, brought in witnesses to testify and the ones he did bring helped the prosecuting attorney. He has not leg to stand on. The evidence was over whelming against him. He had his day in court!
The law and order President, unless of course that applies to him. A pathetic and shameless example of an American and human being. Lock him up. This all speaks volumes to the disastrous state of the Republican party.
Get that sick evil man out of here. Trump should be in jail not in the oval office.
Poor victim Donald now saying he "wanted to testify" in the trial.
Well, Donald, if you really are the "strong man" you want us to believe you are, then nothing, not even a lawyer, could have stopped you from testifying.
Who is stupid enough to believe Donald actually wanted to testify and someone held him back?
Republicans the Supreme Court is corrupt and cannon is corrupt why aren't you clowns complaining about them. You've ruin our great country.
Jim Jordan if you and republican friends aren't doing anything for the American people don't run for office. You just spent 2 years doing nothing.
Republican congress instead of trying to convince people that trump is being framed for all 100 charges. Do something for the American people. 1stop taxing social security after we retire. Work on getting lower drug prices you get yours free for doing nothing. This congress has done nothing for the Americans keep voting republican.
Trump stop your lies. Why didn't you take stand you did everything right. You need to go to jail. Just so you can keep your mouth shut. You had sex with 2 women and paid them off. You fixed the 2016 election. Get out of the race you crook.
Convicted now of 43 Felonies,
found liable of sexual deviance in an $80 million lawsuit,
his business convicted of fraud to the tune of $450 million dollars.
impeached not once but twice,
(in the Senate approved by majority)
found to be a lier In 36 courts across the country in his crazed bid to say the election was a fraud,
directed his followers to the Capital and told them to "fight like hell" after which they followed his directions and rippped the capitol to shreds literally pooping on the floors and peeing on the walls. Not to mention the fact that people died,
but Trump says he's never done anything wrong in his "perfect" life.
Literally to Trump everyone is wrong but him. He has he said many times his behavior is "perfect "! All of the hundreds of people involved and all this litigation are in the wrong but this one single person,Trump.
What kind of person in his shoes would say this?
That's easy, a Sociopath.
(as the saying goes if it walks like a duck and it sounds like a duck, it is a duck)
The real question, the real sad question is what kind of a person and what kind of political party would still support this.....
Convicted on ALL 34 FELONY COUNTS!
Trump guilty on all 34 counts! Decided by a group of his peers and some of them his supporters! Trump is an absolute disgrace of a human being, lock this man up and let's move on as a country. 34 convicted felonies, convicted of sexual deviance, convicted of business fraud and found to be an absolute liar in over 30 courts across this country. He has absolutely no redeeming qualities lock this pathetic example of a person up.
Changed my vote to gulity above as I'd waited for the jury to decide.
I am still working through medical issues with my wife. She is getting better but still needs a lot of help - and I am really a terrible nurse.
We watched Dune2 on Memorial Day and I discovered some great similarities of some of the characters in Dune with the Republican Cartel.
The Harkonian leader was a self serving sociopathic narcissist willing to lie, cheat and steal to gain power. He was a hugely overweight blob laying submerged in a vat of dark swamp grease - who occasionally poked his head out to send his acolytes off to dispatch his enemies and spread disinformation to the great houses and the emperor - all to to secure and increase his power.
He was unashamedly vile, brutal and devious - and a master at corrupting others to lock them into his causes. He was the definition incarnate of a GLOAT!
I watched the movie to get away from politics and sadly saw the thump and the Republican Cartel profiled in this movie. SAD!
So let's get this correct laws don't apply to Trump only to everyone else.
republicans let's hope your party isn't all stupid. This guy has almost 100 felony charges. Lock him up he fixed the 2016 election do you job republicans now.
Lock this idiot up and let's all move on with our lives. On another note, any positive attributes that I thought Nikki Haley might've had she has totally destroyed, turns out she's just another bootlicker.
Do the world of favor and lock this idiot up. In addition, I have to say this.:The Republican House Ethics panel opens inquiry into Rep. Cuellar in wake of federal indictment. The committee said it was compelled to act due to its “obligations to safeguard the integrity of the House.” LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!'
since, when do the Republicans care about the integrity of the house is this a joke? The Republican lack of integrity is boundless.