These phone calls are things Ive been talking about the last six years, Cohen testified.
They were extremely important and all-consuming.
It was over an hour, he said, and he recorded it.
Donald Trump in court on Thursday.Photo by Steven Hirsch-Pool/Getty Images
You understand that its not ethical for a lawyer to record a conversation with his client?
Cohen agreed it was not, but protested that there is a crime fraud exception to the rule.
Cohen didnt say he recorded the conversation at Trump Tower under that exception.
Im just giving you an example, he testified.
He also recorded dozens of those calls, he said.
Over an objection from prosecutors, Cohen testified that he told a former assistant Manhattan D.A.
But in your mind, then and now, this is a perfectly legal contract, correct?
Yes, sir, Cohen replied.
Cohen returns to the stand on Monday.
Blanche said he expected to finish cross-examining Cohen on Monday morning.
The defense can put on rebuttal witnesses, but the only one discussed today was a campaign finance expert.
Blanche said a decision on whether Trump will testify has not yet been made.
Judge Juan Merchan told everyone to prepare for the possibility that closing arguments could begin on Tuesday.
And I just want to thank all the lawyers involved because theyve been really working hard.
And Im spending a lot of time and Im spending a lot of money which is what they want.
They want me to spend my time and my money.
That was a lie, said Todd Blanche, his voice rising.
You did not talk to President Trump on that night.
The moment was a highlight of todays proceedings in the hush money trial of the former president.
Cohen was Trumps former attorney and so-called fixer.
Cohen said this afternoon that his recollection was based on his review of phone records provided by prosecutors.
But he admitted that he didnt remember the problem with the prankster until seeing the texts with Schiller today.
I believe I also told Trump Cohen began, referring to the 90-second call over Schillers phone.
We are not asking your for belief, Blanche snapped, cutting him off.
This jury doesnt want to hear what you think happened.
The comment drew an objection from Assistant Manhattan District Attorney Susan Hoffinger.
The trial paused for lunch shortly after that exchange.
Blanche had jurors listen to Cohen saying revenge is a dish best served cold last October in a podcast.
Cohen said in the same podcast that he wanted Trump to go to prison, just as he had.
Cohen today repeated that he just wanted to be asked about those roles.
That was for my ego, Cohen said.
Correct, Cohen replied.
Thats largely the thesis of Cohens book,Revenge.
I dont dispute the facts of the case but I should not have been prosecuted, Cohen testified today.
Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to Congress in 2017 about Trumps business activities in Moscow.
In truth, Cohen had previously directed his lawyers to explore the possibility of a pardon.
Trump baselessly called Colangelos involvement proof that President Biden is running this trial.
Boebert and Gaetz took seats directly behind Trump in the gallery next to Trumps oldest son, Eric Trump.
He also said he hopes to overcome this gag order.
I do have a lot of surrogates and they are speaking very beautifully, Trump replied.
So far the particulars of the DAs case against Trump havent come up in cross examination.
This morning Trump blamed the heavy security.
Outside, if you take a look, it looks like Fort Knox.
So many police and they dont allow people to come.
Youre not allowed to have friendly protests, were not allowed to have anything here.
The park across the street from the courthouse, in fact, remains open to protestors.
