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The prosecution rested its case Monday in the criminal hush money trial against former President Donald Trump. Robert Costello, a witness for the defense, will return to the stand Tuesday. Live updates have ended.
May 20, 2024 at 05:22 PM EDT
Daily recap: Cohen stole from Trump Org, judge clears court over defense witness’ behavior
Today marked day 20 of the criminal hush money trial against former President Donald Trump – and it turned out to be a wild day in court. Prosecutors' star witness Michael Cohen admitted to stealing $30,000 from the Trump Organization and Judge Juan Merchan cleared the courtroom after the defense's witness Robert Costello gave "side eye."
Here's a recap: Cohen returned for a fourth day of testimony. During cross-examination, Cohen admitted that he stole $30,000 from the Trump Organization because he was angry that his annual bonus had been cut by two-thirds that year. He said he billed his former employer $50,000 for the Red Finch reimbursement, but that he only paid the owner of the tech firm $20,000.
After Cohen finished and the prosecution wrapped up, the defense called two witnesses. The first, a paralegal to verify phone calls. The second, attorney Robert Costello, a move that drew gasps from the overflow room. After a short time on the stand, Merchan excused the jury to reprimand the witness.
"Mr. Costello... I'd like to discuss proper decorum in my courtroom," the judge warned him. "As a witness on the stand, if you don't like my ruling, you don't say 'jeez!' and then you don't say, 'strike it' because I'm the only one who can strike testimony in the court. If you don't like my ruling, you don't give my side eye or roll your eyes."
As the jury filed back in, Merchan gawked at Costello, "Are you staring me down?!"
The prosecution rested its case today. The defense closed out the day moving to dismiss the case, which is routine.
What's ahead: Costello will return to the stand tomorrow morning for continued cross-examination. The defense says Costello will be their final witness, and if so, Trump will not take the stand. The defense may rest its case tomorrow. Merchan doesn't expect closing arguments until next Tuesday.
May 20, 2024 at 05:18 PM EDT
Trump: “You saw what we saw, a tyrant”
Former President Donald Trump walked out of the courtroom, after a wild few moments between Judge Juan Merchan and the defense's witness Robert Costello.
"You saw what we saw," Trump told reporters, with papers in hand. "That was an incredible... I've never seen anything like it in my life. A tyrant. And everyone is talking about it."
Trump cannot go into further details due to the gag order.
"Hopefully the motion to dismiss this trial will go through because this trial is a disaster for our country, it's a disaster for New York state, New York City," he said.
May 20, 2024 at 05:06 PM EDT
Eric Trump: Judge’s treatment of Costello is “disgraceful”
Former President Donald Trump's son Eric slammed Judge Juan Merchan's "treatment" of witness Robert Costello. Eric has been in court all day and watched as Costello and Merchan verbally fought.
"The judges treatment of Bob Costello is truly disgraceful - he will not allow him to tell his story - the same story he told Congress - as he knows it will be devastating and end this sham trial. This is not justice!" he wrote on X.
May 20, 2024 at 05:00 PM EDT
Defense asks for dismissal of charges
Trump attorney Emil Bove says the defense does not plan to call another witness after Robert Costello, although that could change. Judge Juan Merchan says it seems the defense will rest its case "very early in the morning" tomorrow.
Trump attorney Todd Blanche is now arguing an order of dismissal. Blanche argues there's no evidence of criminal intent and so the court should "return a verdict in favor of the defendant." He says the decision should not be decided by the jury and that Michael Cohen's entire testimony should not be considered.
"You said his [Cohen's] lies are irrefutable, but do you think he's going to fool 12 New Yorkers?" Merchan asks Blanche.
The judge reserves his decision.
May 20, 2024 at 04:37 PM EDT
Costello to return to the stand tomorrow
Judge Juan Merchan announces to the jury that we're going to stop at this time. Robert Costello will return to the stand tomorrow. Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger says she has about 30-45 minutes left of cross-examination.
May 20, 2024 at 04:14 PM EDT
Jury brought back into courtroom
After a fight between Judge Juan Merchan and Robert Costello, the courtroom was cleared. The jury is now being brought back in.
Defense attorney Emil Bove has resumed his questioning of Robert Costello. Merchan interrupts Costello's answers after sustaining an objection. "Again, please just answer the question," the judge says.
Costello says he did not put pressure on Cohen to communicate with Rudy Giuliani. He explains that his firm sought payment from Cohen, but Cohen never paid.
Costello confirms he's frequently appeared in media conversations about this case. Direct finishes. Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger is up, leading cross-examination.
Costello says he was not interested in having Cohen as a client, he met with him because Citron had made an arrangement and asked him to come along. Costello admits it would have been a high-profile case that would have given his practice media attention.
Hoffinger asks if getting Cohen as a client would be a big win for Costello's firm. Costello reiterates he didn't want Cohen.
"Would it be something you'd announce on your firm's website?" Hoffinger asks. Costello says he doesn't know what the firm would do.
Prosecutors show an email exchange where Costello informs his son that he will be representing Cohen. "Wow. That's big news. Congrats Dad. I hope this leads to a lot of good things coming your way," his son responds.
Hoffinger asks if Costello knew Cohen had been through something traumatic, referring to the FBI raid. Costello says, "I would say, sure," but adds that he "wouldn't use the term 'raided.'"
"They executed a search warrant," he says. Hoffinger asks Costello if he thought Cohen was being a "drama queen." Costello says Cohen was "putting on a show" and had told them he was "going to jump off and kill himself because he couldn't handle the pressure" of the investigation into him.
May 20, 2024 at 04:06 PM EDT
Judge clears courtroom over Costello’s outbursts
Robert Costello repeatedly gets frustrated while on the witness stand.
After another sustained objection, Costello says loudly, "Jeez!" Judge Juan Merchan is heard responding, "I'm sorry?"
Costello says Cohen wanted him to ask Rudy Giuliani about how the investigation began, if it was referred from D.C., how it got to SDNY, etc.
After more sustained objections, Costello blows raspberries. Merchan calls for a break, asks jury to step out. He tells Costello, firmly, to remain seated.
Merchan used the opportunity to discipline Costello.
"Mr. Costello... I'd like to discuss proper decorum in my courtroom. As a witness on the stand, if you don't like my ruling, you don't say 'jeez!' and then you don't say, 'strike it' because I'm the only one who can strike testimony in the court. If you don't like my ruling, you don't give my side eye or roll your eyes."
Costello says he understands, but then Merchan erupts, "Are you staring me down?!"
"Get out of the courtroom," the judge orders.
May 20, 2024 at 03:58 PM EDT
Costello testifies about Stormy Daniels’ payment
Robert Costello testifies that Michael Cohen talked about the payment to Stormy Daniels and that Donald Trump knew "nothing" about it.
"Michael Cohen said numerous times that President Trump knew nothing about those payments," Costello says. "That he did this on his own. And he repeated that numerous times."
"When I sustain an objection, you don't need to answer it," Merchan instructs Costello, after the witness starts answering a question that had been successfully objected to.
May 20, 2024 at 03:50 PM EDT
Robert Costello takes the stand
After a break, Robert Costello has taken the stand.
Judge Juan Merchan says Trump attorney Emil Bove can respond to the pressure campaign arguments with Costello, but warns that he will not "allow this to become a trial within a trial."
"This pressure campaign and how it affected Cohen—that's not the purpose of the trial," the judge says.
Costello has been sworn in.
Costello says he met Michael Cohen at the Regency Hotel in Manhattan on April 17, 2018. He was accompanied by Jeff Citron, who knew Cohen. He recalls Cohen telling them he had just been raided by the FBI. Costello says Cohen was "manic" and pacing around the room.
"I explained to Michael Cohen that this entire legal problem would be resolved by the end of the week if he had truthful information about Donald Trump and cooperated with SDNY," Costello says.
Costello recalls Cohen making the same statement 10-12 times that day: "I swear to God, I don't have anything on Donald Trump."
Merchan asks counsels to approach after sustaining an objection to the question about what Cohen said of the Trump family during his first meeting with Costello.
May 20, 2024 at 03:29 PM EDT
Defense calls Robert Costello, judge asks jurors to step outside
The defense calls its second witness, attorney Robert Costello. Gasps are heard from the overflow room. Counsels have approached the bench for a sidebar.
Judge Juan Merchan just asked the jury to step outside.
"I do wish we had discussed this earlier," Merchan says before allowing prosecutors to make their arguments against Costello's testimony.
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger says the DA's office doesn't think Costello's testimony should be admissible, but if it is admitted, it should be limited. She argues that the defense is not entitled to elicit Costello's opinions about Cohen's credibility.
Trump attorney Emil Bove argues that Costello's testimony would rebut the government's argument that there was a pressure campaign from Trump. He says defense put in notice days ago, "There's not mystery here."
"Of course, I'm not going to elicit Mr. Costello's opinion of Mr. Cohen's credibility."
Bove argues that "It's not collateral at all" and that Costello's testimony would go to the "heart" of the government's theory.
Hoffinger says the defense did not put Costello on its witness list. Bove argues that Costello will be able to provide "direct evidence of perjury" regarding Cohen.
Judge Merchan says he'll take 5 minutes and orders counsels not to leave the courtroom.
Who is Robert Costello? Costello once served as a legal adviser to Michael Cohen. In March of 2023, he was called by Trump's legal team to testify before a Manhattan grand jury. Read more here.
May 20, 2024 at 03:16 PM EDT
Defense calls its first witness
Things are moving right along and the defense has called its first witness to the stand, Daniel Sitko. He is a paralegal for Blanche Law.
Sitko is verifying a call summary of phone records between Michael Cohen and attorney Robert Costello in April of 2018. At least six of the 75 calls between the two lasted longer than half an hour, Sitko testifies. That includes a 96 minute call made on May 27, 2018.
This concludes the defense's direct questioning of Sitko. The prosecution is now up for cross-examination. On cross, Sitko confirms some of the calls come from the general firm line and there's no way to know if those calls were made by Costello.
He also testifies that the 75 calls on the summary include several where the phone was not answered. Sitko steps down.
Who is the defense calling to testify? Along with Sitko, it appears the defense has one other witness in the courtroom ready to take the stand. Trump attorney Todd Blanche said it's likely the defense may rest its case today. If so, it's highly unlikely that former President Donald Trump will testify.
May 20, 2024 at 03:14 PM EDT
Prosecution rests its case
The prosecution has rested its case and Michael Cohen is leaving the stand after four days of testifying.
Prosecutors called 20 witnesses to testify over five weeks. Michael Cohen was their star witness, and will be the last witness the DA's office calls to the stand.
Counsels are now approaching the bench.
May 20, 2024 at 03:10 PM EDT
Cohen blames Trump “in part” for losing his law license
After technical difficulties, the recording between Michael Cohen and Trump's former bodyguard Keith Schiller is played.
Cohen is heard telling Schiller, "I can't even tell you how many times [Trump] said to me, you know, 'I hate the fact that we did it.'" Cohen says "it" was in reference to the Daniels payment.
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asks Cohen if the attacks on him have been painful to him and his family. Cohen says "very much so." Hoffinger has nothing further for redirect.
Trump attorney Todd Blanche is back at the podium. Cohen confirms that lawyers in New York lose their license to practice if they're convicted of a felony, but says he still blames Trump "in part" for the lost of his license.
Blanche asks Cohen if his testimony is that in the 90-second call, he spoke with Schiller about the harassing phone calls, got Schiller to take care of it, "but also had time for Schiller to pass the phone" to Trump to discuss Stormy Daniels' deal. "Yes sir," Cohen answers.
May 20, 2024 at 02:49 PM EDT
Michael Cohen back on the stand
Michael Cohen is back on the witness stand. Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger introduces the photograph into evidence after reading the stipulation to the jury. The picture shows Trump's bodyguard Keith Schiller standing behind the former president, who is only seen by a sliver in the photo.
Cohen says he had "more than 20" conversations with Trump about the Daniels deal in October of 2016. Court is on another short break after some technical difficulties in playing an audio recording of a call between Cohen and Schiller.
Before lunch, the defense wrapped up its cross-examination of Cohen, the prosecution is now continuing its re-direct. If you're just joining us, here's a brief recap of what happened so far in court today.
Cohen admits to stealing: Michael Cohen took the stand for the fourth day Monday morning. The former Trump attorney and fixer admitted to stealing from the Trump Organization and said he is considering running for Congress.
Cohen testified that he paid Red Finch $20,000 of $50,000 for work regarding polling, pocketing the other $30,000. When Trump attorney Todd Blanche asked Cohen if he stole from the Trump Organization based on this transaction, Cohen answered, "yes, sir."
Quite a bit of discussion today surrounded the photo of Schiller and Trump. After nearly bringing back a witness to admit the photo into evidence, a resolution was reached and jurors were shown the photo, with a stipulation.
The defense indicated it's ready to call two witnesses and could rest its case today.
Scheduling: Closing arguments were anticipated as early as tomorrow. This morning, Judge Juan Merchan said it's not likely until next Tuesday – pushing the case beyond Memorial Day weekend.
May 20, 2024 at 02:45 PM EDT
DA’s office witness will no longer appear
After a lengthy back-and-forth of discussing the return of C-SPAN archivist Dr. Robert Browning to admit a photo into evidence, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass announces that the prosecution and defense has found a way to shorten the process.
They agree to allow the photo of Trump and bodyguard Keith Schiller into evidence, with a stipulation. It must be a still image taken from the end of a video, concluding at 7:57 p.m., on the night of the phone call with Michael Cohen.
May 20, 2024 at 02:35 PM EDT
Prosecutors’ witness will return tomorrow
C-SPAN is currently booking travel so that archivist Dr. Robert Browning can be at the courthouse by 9:30 a.m. tomorrow morning, prosecutors say.
Judge Juan Merchan gives Trump attorney Todd Blanche the option of splitting up the defense's case with Browning's testimony, or to adjourn early today and put their case on tomorrow after the C-SPAN archivist returns.
Blanche is now conferring with Trump's legal team.
May 20, 2024 at 02:31 PM EDT
Defense may rest its case today
The defense is ready to call their witnesses, Trump attorney Todd Blanche tells the court, adding "there's a likelihood" they will rest today. It appears the defense has two witnesses ready to testify.
Judge Juan Merchan just called for a recess so prosecutors can check again as to whether C-SPAN archivist Dr. Browning can return tomorrow morning to testify regarding the photo of Trump and bodyguard Keith Schiller. The jury is familar with Dr. Browning, who briefly testified a couple of weeks ago.
May 20, 2024 at 02:25 PM EDT
Judge sides with defense on Trump-Schiller photo
Court is back from lunch. Judge Juan Merchan begins by siding with the defense on the photo of former President Donald Trump and his bodyguard Keith Schiller. He agrees with prosecutors that the image is relevant, but doesn't see how they will get around the hearsay issue.
The DA's office says they're on getting the C-SPAN representative Dr. Robert Browning back to testify so the photo can be brought into evidence. Prosecutors offer to give Merchan an update by the end of the day.
Trump attorney Todd Blanche argues this will delay the trial.
May 20, 2024 at 12:55 PM EDT
Prosecutors want to admit photo of Trump, Schiller into evidence
The jury is dismissed a bit early for lunch today.
Judge Juan Merchan is taking up an issue with a photo that prosecutors want to introduce into evidence. The photo is of former President Donald Trump and his bodyguard Keith Schiller taken on Oct. 24, 2016 – the day of the phone call Michael Cohen testified about.
The defense opposes, not disputing Trump and Schiller being together, but the contents of the call.
"It seems like it's neither here nor there, but the rules of evidence still have to apply," Trump attorney Todd Blanche argues.
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass says the prosecution is entitled to establish Trump and Schiller were together at the time of the call. "Relevancy is a low threshold," Steinglass says.
"There was no foundation laid for this document," Blanche says while arguing that the testimony from C-SPAN representative Dr. Browning was not for this photo. He says the prosecution should have brought the witness back today.
"I'm not concerned by the relevancy issue," the judge says. "I want to look into the hearsay issue."
The issue will be discussed after lunch. Court will resume at 2:15 p.m.
May 20, 2024 at 12:31 PM EDT
Protesters yell over Trump allies’ press conference
A group of Trump allies stepped outside of the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse to hold a late morning press conference. Protesters are gathered around yelling over the group as they try and deliver remarks.
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson called the trial a "sham," as shouting and yelling continued.
May 20, 2024 at 12:02 PM EDT
Defense ends cross-examination of Michael Cohen
After a span of three days, Trump attorney Todd Blanche has finished his cross-examination of Michael Cohen. Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger is now up for the redirect.
Hoffinger begins by correcting Cohen's testimony about lying to Congress. Cohen clarifies he lied to Congress in 2017, not 2019.
Hoffinger is now asking about the call between Cohen and Trump's bodyguard Keith Schiller. "Is it possible that other matters may have been discussed on that call, but you're sure the Stormy Daniels payment was discussed?" she asks. "Yes," Cohen replies.
She asks Cohen if he was "too busy" in October of 2016 to get Trump's approval on the Stormy Daniels' payment. "No, ma'am," Cohen answers.
Hoffinger is now asking Cohen questions about Red Finch. Cohen explains he reached out to the company to help with polling results – to buy IP addresses to rig polling in favor of Trump, so that he would "rise and rise significantly into this poll." Cohen says Trump wanted to finish first, but that it wasn't a good idea because it would "raise red flags."
Cohen confirms he is appearing as a witness in the case, and is not actually the person on trial. "The other one—my life was on the line. I was the defendant in that case. Here, I'm just a non-party subpoenaed witness," Cohen says.
"Did the $420,000 have anything to do with the legal services you provided in 2017?" Hoffinger asks. "No," Cohen responds.
May 20, 2024 at 11:56 AM EDT
Cohen has a financial interest in trial’s outcome
Michael Cohen tells the court he has financial interest in the outcome of the hush money case.
"Do you have a financial interest in the outcome of this case?" Trump attorney Todd Blanche asks. "Yes, sir," Cohen replies. "
Because if President Trump is convicted, it would benefit you financially, personally?" Blanche follows-up. "No, sir," Cohen responds.
Cohen explains that he understood the question in reference to his podcasts and TikTok page – he talks about the case on both platforms. "Whether Trump is ultimately determined innocent or guilty is not going to effect whether or not I'm going to speak about it or not," Cohen says.
Cohen says it would be better for him if Trump is not convicted "because it gives me more to talk about in the future."
May 20, 2024 at 11:51 AM EDT
Cohen considering a potential run for Congress
Trump attorney Todd Blanche is asking Michael Cohen about his future endeavors. Cohen confirms that he's mulling a run for Congress.
He also confirms he's been in talks about a TV show on his life and self-given title of "fixer" and is also considering a third book. Neither have been picked up yet.
Cohen argues his name recognition is "part of the journey that I've been on," which he says is affiliated with Trump, but not because of him.
Before the morning break, Blanche asked Cohen about his earnings. Cohen said he made $4 million between 2017 and 2018. He did not make any income between pleading guilty and writing his book/starting his podcasts in fall of 2020. Since then, Cohen agrees he's made $4.4 million on a yearly basis.
May 20, 2024 at 11:02 AM EDT
Cohen: Trump was unaware of Stormy Daniels’ payment
Michael Cohen affirms that he told people, including reporters, that Donald Trump knew nothing about the Stormy Daniels payment when the story broke in early 2018.
"You didn't keep it quiet, right?" Trump attorney Todd Blanche asks. "I did not," Cohen answers.
Cohen confirms that in April of 2018, he asked attorney Robert Costello to speak with Rudy Giuliani to figure out how his FEC problems ended up in SDNY and which justice approved it.
Blanche asks Cohen if he'd be surprised to learn that he communicated with Costello over the phone 75 times. "Seems excessive but possible," Cohen says. He's not surprised that the two spoke for 9 hours over a few months.
Court is now taking morning recess.
May 20, 2024 at 10:43 AM EDT
Trump’s sons blast Cohen for stealing from Trump Org.
Former President Donald Trump's two eldest sons slammed Michael Cohen for admitting he stole from the Trump Organization during cross-examination.
Eric Trump has been watching Cohen's testimony from inside the courtroom. "This just got interesting: Michael Cohen is now admitting to stealing money from our company," Eric posted on X.
Trump's eldest son Donald Jr. also blasted his father's former attorney.
The "Star witness" strikes again. LOL," Donald Jr. wrote on X. "Michael Cohen just admitted to stealing tens of thousands of dollars from the Trump Organization. So he's a convicted liar and now also a thief."
Both Donald Jr. and Eric currently serve as executive vice presidents of the Trump Organization.
May 20, 2024 at 10:38 AM EDT
Cohen was “proud” to be Trump’s personal attorney
Trump attorney Todd Blanche is clarifying Michael Cohen's role as former President Donald Trump's personal attorney.
"You told everybody that was happening, correct?" Blanche asks Cohen about the position. "Not everybody, but I certainly was proud of the role and I announced it," Cohen replies.
Blanche continues, and even though Trump's job changed, "yours didn't?" Cohen confirms that is correct. Cohen says part of his job as personal attorney was finding lawyers to represent Trump in cases that fell out of his expertise.
He says his relationship was affected by the Robert Mueller probe, but he does not recall being advised not to communicate with Trump because of it.
In 2017, Cohen made $4 million from six consulting clients, he testifies. One of those clients was AT&T, which paid him $50,000 per month for a year for consulting and advisory work related to acquisition plans for Time Warner.
"It was Mr. Trump who would introduce the CEO of AT&T to me," Cohen recalls.
Blanche asks if Trump was frustrated that Cohen signed a deal with AT&T. The prosecution objected to that question; the objection is sustained.
May 20, 2024 at 10:20 AM EDT
Photos: From inside the courthouse
May 20, 2024 at 10:19 AM EDT
Trump attorney presses Cohen about stealing from Trump Org.
Trump attorney Todd Blanche is pressing Michael Cohen about stealing from the Trump Organization.
Cohen tells the court the owner of Red Finch came to his office, where Cohen paid him $20,000 of the $50,000 that he received from the Trump Organization for financial services. He says he handed the cash over in a "small brown paper bag."
Cohen admits he billed the Trump Organization for the full Red Finch expense, even though he never paid for it in its entirety.
"Did you have to plead guilty for larceny? Did you have to pay back the Trump Organization for the money you stole from them?" Blanche asks. "No," Cohen responds.
Cohen confirms that a legal retainer agreement would be between him and his client, in this case Trump, not with the Trump Organization or the trust. Although Cohen notes the trust "controlled [Trump's] cash flow."
When Blanche asks Cohen if he stole from the Trump Organization based on the Red Finch reimbursement, Cohen answers, "Yes, sir."
May 20, 2024 at 09:48 AM EDT
Michael Cohen back on the stand
Michael Cohen is back on the stand for a fourth day of testimony. The defense previously said it would wrap up cross-examination before the morning break.
Trump attorney Todd Blanche begins by asking Cohen how many reporters he's talked to since court was last in session Thursday.
"I've spoken to reporters who just called to say hello, to ask how I'm doing," Cohen answers. "But I did not talk about this case."
Cohen tells Blanche the number of times he's met with prosecutors is close to 20. The last time was "approximately 10 days ago." He says they asked about similar topics but doesn't recall specific questions.
"There were many questions I had not heard before," Cohen says.
Cohen does not remember exactly what Trump was doing on Oct. 26, 2016, when the two allegedly spoke through bodyguard Keith Schiller's phone. Cohen says he remembers talking about Stormy Daniels' deal because it was "personally" important to him.
Cohen says he did not talk to Trump about his property opening at the post office building in D.C., which was happening that same day, nor about Tiffany Trump, who Cohen was helping with an extortion problem in the days leading up to Oct. 26.
...
May 20, 2024 at 09:08 AM EDT
Watch: Trump’s remarks before court
Former President Donald Trump addressed reporters before walking into the courtroom this morning.
"It looks like we're gonna have a very big gap between days and it's going to be determined right now in court, but we're here about an hour early today," Trump began.
"I'm not allowed to have anything to do with politics because I'm sitting in a very freezing cold courtroom for the last four weeks. It's very unfair. They have no case, they have no crime."
May 20, 2024 at 09:03 AM EDT
Judge considers expert witness
Judge Juan Merchan is now reading his ruling on the expert witness issue stemming from admissible testimony from former Federal Election Commission commissioner Bradley Smith.
Merchan rules that Smith's testimony would fall "under the umbrella of legal opinion" and would require for him to allow the DA's office to bring their own expert to testify about the same legal principles.
Trump lawyer Emil Bove thanks Merchan for his guidance, but argues that the definitions Smith would testify about would be "absolutely critical for the jury to understand the allegations in this case."
"You've known for months, this is not new," Merchan says. "You've known for months what my position would be." Bove tries to interject. "Just relax," Merchan tells the Trump attorney.
Merchan says he is going to remain consistent with his past rulings on the matter.
May 20, 2024 at 08:57 AM EDT
Closing arguments expected next week
The criminal hush money trial against former President Donald Trump will continue for longer than expected.
Judge Juan Merchan expects closing arguments will happen next Tuesday, the day after the Memorial Day weekend. Previously, closing arguments were anticipated as early as tomorrow.
The prosecution is now arguing against the introduction of emails between Michael Cohen and attorney Robert Costello, calling it heresy. The defense wants to impeach Cohen's testimony through this evidence. Merchan sides with prosecutors. Those communications will not be allowed in.
May 20, 2024 at 08:53 AM EDT
Soon: Michael Cohen resumes testimony
Good morning, it's almost 9 a.m. in New York City.
Michael Cohen will take the stand for a fourth day of testimony in Trump's criminal trial in about 30 minutes. Cohen is prosecutors' 20th and final witness. It's still unknown if Trump will take the stand. We expect to learn more about potential witnesses for the defenses this morning.
Early start: Court is starting earlier than usual this morning to address issues that need to be taken up before the jury comes in.
Several allies are joining Trump in court today, including: South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Reps. Eric Burlison, Andrew Clyde, Mary Miller, Keith Self, as well as John Coale, Alan Dershowitz, Will Scharf, Steve Witkoff, Bernie Kerik, Kash Patel, Vernon Jones, Jerry Kassar, Chuck Zito. Inside court, Eric Trump, Alina Habba and Dershowitz are among those sitting in the front row.
What does the prosecution need to prove? Prosecutors must prove that Trump knowingly falsified business records relating to Daniels' payment in order to illegally conceal information that could impact his 2016 election campaign.
Get caught up: Here's what happened Friday in court.
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