Previously a supporter, now a rival - Michael Cohen, a critic of Trump, testifies before the court.
On Thursday, the person on trial had the third most influential politician in the United States by their side, House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson (52)... and other high-ranking Republicans. During this tense moment, the party boldly unites behind their chosen candidate. Johnson described it as a fraudulent "trial in mockery" - a common phrase used by Trump.
Witness Stormy Daniels (45) wore a bulletproof vest as she walked into court.
Trump allegedly paid by check
Crown witness Michael Cohen (57), former Trump aide turned vindictive Trump opponent, was back on the witness stand. Cohen had testified earlier that Trump masterminded a plan to cover up embarrassing sexual stories by paying hush money during his 2016 election campaign.
Ex-porn star Daniels received $130,000 from Cohen. He was later reimbursed $420,000 (with taxes and bonuses) by Trump in twelve $35,000 payments - each payment was made by check with Trump's recognizable signature. According to Cohen, Trump's rationale was the fear of losing the election campaign - rather than fearing his wife Melania (54). If Melania left him, Trump once joked, he wouldn't be single for long, added Cohen.
Cohen remembered a meeting with Trump at the White House on February 8, 2017, after he took office as the 45th US president. Cohen had gone to the famous "Briefing Room" to snap photos and met Trump in the Oval Office.
Trump asked Cohen in the Oval Office: "Do you need money?"
"Is everything okay with you? Do you need money?" Trump inquired. And he directed Cohen to talk to "Allen", referring to Allen Weisselberg (76), the CFO of the Trump Organization, who had been responsible for creating the payment plan. Afterwards, Cohen issued twelve invoices and acknowledged that the "legal services" mentioned were false.
The central aspect of the 34-count indictment is the falsification of business records. After the FBI raided Cohen's apartment in 2018, Trump and his team panicked, fearing he could be coerced into becoming an informant. Trump reassured him: "Don't worry, I'm the President of the United States. Everything will be fine."
In recent years, Cohen has become known for his vehement hatred of Trump. He served a 13-month prison sentence and authored books, as well as producing podcasts. He had Stormy on as a guest once and apologized to her.
Cohen was set to be depicted as untrustworthy during cross-examination
But it was now Trump's defense attorneys' turn: lead lawyer Todd Blanche criticized Cohen for his derogatory comments about Trump, describing him as a "dirtbag dictator" who should be locked away like a wild animal. "We've never personally known each other," Blanche began, "But you once called me a piece of trash..."
When Cohen couldn't answer Blanche's questions multiple times, the defense attorney accused him of being confused and a liar, selling his hatred of Trump.
And Trump? Once again, he dozed off several times...
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Source: symclub.org
