That payment also is at the heart of the Manhattan District Attorneys case.
At that time I was knee-deep into the cult of Donald Trump, yes, Cohen replied.
Is that your testimony?
Donald Trump speaks to reporters on Tuesday.Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
Blanche asked, sounding incredulous.
He also admitted that he talks about Trump on nearly every episode of his podcasts,Mea CulpaandPolitical Beatdown.
Blanche also ventured some psychoanalysis, telling Cohen, You were actually a little bit obsessed.
He asked Cohen if he loved going on television as a Trump campaign surrogate.
Cohen said he did.
Do you love it now?
Yes, but less, Cohen replied.
The trial resumes on Thursday.
Cohen will face questioning from Trumps lawyers when the trial resumes after lunch.
He said he paid more than $1 million in back taxes and fines.
I was going to take responsibility, because the underlying factors, I never disputed, Cohen told Hoffinger.
Cohen said he has written a book, calledRevenge, about the case against him.
He called the book a forensic dissection of a corrupt prosecution and a weaponization of the Justice Department.
He had on adult entertainer Stormy Daniels once as a guest to apologize to her, he said.
He sells advertising and merchandise through the podcast, including one item aimed satirically at Trump.
Cohen said theMea Culpapodcast was the first time that he and Daniels ever spoke.
Hoffinger asked, a variation on a question she would repeat several more times.
Yes, maam, Cohen replied.
Cohen testified that there was, in fact, no retainer and there were no services rendered.
Looking at the pay stubs, which listed RETAINER.
Hoffinger asked, Were the descriptions here on this check stub false?
Cohen said they were.
And whose signature is on the check?
Donald J. Trump, Cohen replied.
They repeated the drill until they reached the last check in December.
But his involvement with Trump continued.
Trumps attorney Todd Blanche immediately objected.
At the time, Cohens home had been raided by the FBI, setting off a media firestorm.
Trump told him, Dont worry.
Im president of the United States.
Everything is gonna be OK. Stay tough.
Youre gonna be OK, Cohen testified.
That was the last time that he and Trump spoke directly, Cohen said.
His Justice Department should go nowhere.
So I felt reassured and I remained … in the Trump camp.
Cohen said his only communications with Trump from that point forward were through surrogates who reinforced the then-presidents message.
Cohen didnt name the intermediaries but summarized their message: Youre loved.
Hes got your back.
Most powerful guy in the country.
if not the world.
Youre going to be okay.
Sorry, I dont see Michael doing that despite the horrible Witch Hunt and the dishonest media!
Cohen said the message he received from those tweets was, Stay in the fold.
Youre a fine person.
Cohen is still on the stand for the prosecution, but he could face cross examination later today.
When he would task you with something, Cohen testified, he would then say, Keep me informed.
Let me know whats going on.
Especially if it was a matter that was troubling to him.
Last week Judge Juan Merchan urged prosecutors to take a stab at put Weisselberg on the stand.
Schiller, who followed Trump to the White House, is a recurring figure in witness accounts.
Checks sent from Trump Tower for the president to sign in the Oval Office went through Schiller.
Cohen said he knew that sometimes when he couldnt reach Trump directly, to call Schiller.
So what do we got to pay for this?
Trump said on the recording.
Why Cohen would record a client without his knowledge is a question likely to be asked by the defense.
But a potential violation of attorney-client privilege could be ammunition for a defense team looking to undermine Cohens believability.
Ted Johnson contributed to this report.
