Jury hears secret recording of Trump discussing catch-and-kill payment
Summary
TLDRIn a tense courtroom atmosphere, Michael Cohen, former attorney for Donald Trump, testifies in a criminal hush money trial involving the former president. The court session, covered by ABC News, includes discussions about payments to Karen McDougal and Stormy Daniels, with Cohen providing key testimony about Trump's involvement. The defense is expected to challenge Cohen's credibility, given his past convictions for lying. The trial has drawn significant attention, with notable figures such as senators and Trump's son, Eric Trump, present in the courtroom. The summary also highlights the lack of eye contact between Trump and Cohen, the jury's attentiveness, and the strategic seating arrangement that allows the two men to avoid looking at each other. The discussion anticipates a potential defense strategy to portray Cohen as the mastermind behind the hush money payments, and the importance of Cohen maintaining his composure under cross-examination.
Takeaways
- đ Michael Cohen, former lawyer for President Trump, is a star witness in a criminal hush money trial involving Trump.
- đ„ The trial is focused on 34 criminal counts, primarily related to the Stormy Daniels payment scandal.
- đŹ Cohen testified that he spoke with Trump multiple times a day, which could complicate the defense's argument regarding Trump's knowledge of Cohen's actions.
- đ There was a notable lack of eye contact between Trump and Cohen in the courtroom, with both men looking straight ahead.
- đ„ The jury appeared to be attentive and focused, taking notes throughout the proceedings.
- đš Brian Buckmire, a legal contributor, is anticipating a 'smoking gun' moment in the testimony that could significantly impact the trial.
- đ€ The defense is expected to focus on attacking Cohen's credibility, highlighting his past lies and convictions.
- đšâđ©âđ§âđŠ Several members of Trump's family and campaign apparatus were present in court, including Eric Trump and two U.S. Senators, signaling a show of support.
- đ€ Trump did not engage with anyone else in the courtroom, maintaining a forward gaze throughout the proceedings.
- đźââïž The presence of key figures in the courtroom suggests an attempt to keep Trump calm and project an image of unity and support.
- đ” Melania Trump is not expected to attend the trial, reflecting her past reaction to the Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal stories.
Q & A
What is the current status of the court proceedings mentioned in the transcript?
-The court is currently in recess after a tense morning of testimonies.
Who is the star witness providing testimony in the trial?
-Michael Cohen, former lawyer and fixer for President Trump, is the star witness.
What is the focus of Michael Cohen's testimony?
-The focus is on the alleged criminal hush money trial involving President Trump.
What are some key elements of the case that have been discussed so far?
-Key elements include the doorman's jewelry, the Karen McDougal story, and an audio recording of Donald Trump and Michael Cohen discussing the payment to Karen McDougal via AMI and David Pecker.
What is the significance of the Stormy Daniels story in this case?
-The Stormy Daniels story is central to the case, as the 34 criminal counts are built around it.
How did Michael Cohen describe his interactions with Donald Trump?
-Cohen testified that he spoke with Trump multiple times a day.
What is the defense's strategy regarding Michael Cohen's testimony?
-The defense is likely to focus on questioning Cohen's credibility, given his past convictions for lying.
What was observed about the demeanor of the jury during the court proceedings?
-The jury was observed to be stone-cold, watching everything, taking notes, and paying close attention to the proceedings.
What is the significance of the presence of Donald Trump's family and campaign apparatus in the courtroom?
-Their presence is a show of force and support for Trump, aiming to create an image of unity and strength.
Why might Melania Trump not be present at the court proceedings?
-Melania Trump has historically avoided public involvement in these types of scandals, and her absence is likely due to the personal nature of the allegations.
What is expected to be the defense's approach during Michael Cohen's cross-examination?
-The defense is expected to be surgical in their approach, focusing on Cohen's credibility and painting him as the ringleader in the alleged scheme.
Outlines
đ Courtroom Tensions and Testimonies
The first paragraph discusses the ongoing recess in the trial involving former President Trump's alleged criminal hush money payments. Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer, is a star witness whose testimony could significantly impact the trial's outcome. The discussion among ABC News contributors includes observations about the pace of the trial, the focus on the Stormy Daniels story, and the lack of eye contact between Cohen and Trump during the proceedings. The jury's attentiveness is highlighted, as is the contrast between this trial and a previous civil trial involving Trump.
đ„ High-Profile Attendance and Support for Trump
The second paragraph focuses on the notable figures present in court, signaling support for Donald Trump. Mentioned are two U.S. Senators, Tommy Tuberville and J.D. Vance, as well as Eric Trump, Trump's son. The paragraph explores the strategic reasons behind this show of force, including the political message it sends and its potential impact on Trump's demeanor during the trial. It also discusses the absence of certain family members, particularly Melania Trump, and the reasons why she and others might not be present.
đ”ïžââïž Anticipating Defense Strategy and Cohen's Conduct
In the third paragraph, the anticipation builds around Michael Cohen's performance on the witness stand and the potential tactics the defense might employ. There is speculation about whether Cohen might lose his composure under pressure, which the defense could use to their advantage by painting him as unstable. The discussion also touches on Cohen's background as an attorney and how that might influence his behavior during the cross-examination. The paragraph concludes with the observation that the trial is about to resume and the participants are preparing for the next phase of the proceedings.
Mindmap
Keywords
đĄMichael Cohen
đĄDonald Trump
đĄHush Money Trial
đĄKaren McDougal
đĄAMI (American Media Inc.)
đĄStormy Daniels
đĄJury
đĄCredibility
đĄCivil Case
đĄCampaign Apparatus
đĄDirect Examination
đĄCross-Examination
Highlights
Michael Cohen, former lawyer for President Trump, is testifying in a criminal hush money trial.
Cohen's testimony could be pivotal in determining the outcome of the trial.
The court proceedings have been tense and expedited, moving quickly into key issues.
Discussions about the payments to Karen McDougal and the involvement of AMI's David Pecker have been addressed.
The Stormy Daniels story is central to the case, with 34 criminal counts built around it.
Michael Cohen's eye contact, or lack thereof, in the courtroom has been noticeable.
Donald Trump and Michael Cohen have avoided looking at each other throughout the proceedings.
The jury has remained stone cold and attentive, taking notes throughout the testimony.
Legal contributor Brian Buckmire is anticipating a 'smoking gun' in the testimony.
The courtroom layout allows Trump and Cohen to avoid direct eye contact during the trial.
Eric Trump's presence in the courtroom is seen as a show of support and force.
The defense's strategy is expected to focus on casting doubt on Cohen's credibility.
Cohen's admission of lying for Trump may aid the prosecution's case.
The absence of certain Trump family members from the court is being highlighted.
Melania Trump is not expected to attend the proceedings due to past events.
The defense may attempt to paint Cohen as the ringleader of the hush money scheme.
Cohen's temperament and ability to remain calm under questioning will be tested.
Previous testimony hints at Cohen's emotional state, which the defense might use to question his stability.
Cohen's background as an attorney could both help and hinder his performance on the witness stand.
Transcripts
.
I AM DIANE MACEDO TODAY
ON ABC NEWS LIVE FIRST COURT
IS NOW IN RECESS.
A STAR WITNESS, MICHAEL COHEN,
TESTIFIES FORMER
PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CRIMINAL HUSH
MONEY TRIAL.
TRUMP'S FORMER LAWYER FIXERS
PROVIDING TESTIMONY THAT COULD
ULTIMATELY DETERMINE
THE OUTCOME OF THE TRIAL.
ABC NEWS EXECUTIVE EDITORIAL
PRODUCER JOHN SANTUCCI SENIOR
REPORTER, KATHERINE FAULDERS
AND LEGAL CONTRIBUTOR
BRIAN BUCKMIRE JOIN ME NOW FOR
>> JOHN, WHAT'S THE LATEST FROM
COURT?
WE'RE ON A BREAK.
IT'S BEEN A REALLY TENSE
MORNING SO FAR.
SO I THINK THAT BREAK IS NEEDED
FOR EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM.
I THINK WHAT'S BEEN INTERESTING
FROM JUST OUR TEAM'S
OBSERVATIONS IS HOW QUICKLY WE
MOVED PAST THE NICETIES, IF
YOU WILL RIGHT INTO THE MEAT
AND POTATOES.
THIS CASE, WE'VE GOTTEN
THE DOORMAN'S JEWELRY WE'VE
GOTTEN THE KAREN MCDOUGAL
STORY, WE'VE GOTTEN THE AUDIO
RECORDING OF DONALD TRUMP AND
MICHAEL COHEN TALKING ABOUT HOW
KAREN MCDOUGAL WAS GOING TO BE
PAID OFF BY AMI DAVID PECKER
IN THE "NATIONAL ENQUIRER".
I THINK IT'S REMARKABLE
HOW FAST THINGS ARE MOVING
IN THIS COURTROOM, BECAUSE
AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE KNOW
THERE IS GOING TO BE A LOT
OF TIME AND ENERGY NEEDED TO BE
SPENT ON THE STORMY DANIELS
STORY, BECAUSE THAT'S THE STORY
THAT IS THE ONE OF THIS ENTIRE
CASE, THESE 34 CRIMINAL COUNTS
ARE BUILT AROUND, DIANE.
SO IT'S INTERESTING IN THAT
RESPECT.
THE OTHER OBSERVATIONS JUST
FROM OUR TEAM COLLECTIVELY, IF
I CAN QUICKLY HIT THEM ONE.
THE EYE CONTACT AND LACK
THEREOF.
MICHAEL COHEN LOOKING STRAIGHT
AHEAD.
A PROSECUTOR, IS DONALD
TRUMP EYES CLOSED SOMETIMES
SWAYING HIS HEAD A LITTLE BIT,
BUT LOOKING STRAIGHT AHEAD
AS WELL.
VERY LITTLE FROM EITHER MAN
IN THAT COURTROOM.
AND TWO MEN.
LET'S BE CLEAR THAT TO EACH
OTHER MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY,
AS MICHAEL COHEN TESTIFIED.
THE JURY, INTERESTINGLY, STONE
COLD THROUGHOUT ALL OF THIS.
THEY'RE WATCHING EVERYTHING
TAKING NOTES, KIND OF LIKE
YOU'RE DOING RIGHT NOW,
PAYING ATTENTION TO EVERYTHING
THAT IS HAPPENING IN THAT
COURTROOM, BECAUSE I THINK
THERE'S A LOT THAT PROSECUTORS
ARE VERY QUICKLY TRYING TO TICK
THROUGH WITH MICHAEL COHEN
AS WE BUILD UP TO THE STORMY
DANIELS PAYMENT.
>> BRIAN, WHAT STICKS OUT
TO YOU FROM THIS TESTIMONY SO
FAR?
INTERESTING.
NOT THAT MUCH.
IT'S -- IT'S EXACTLY AS WE
EXPECTED IT TO KIND OF PLAY OUT
SO FAR, KIND OF MARCHING OUT
STEP BY STEP.
AND I'M ACTUALLY WAITING FOR
SOMETHING TO STICK OUT.
I'M WAITING FOR THAT KIND
OF SMOKING GUN.
AND I THINK WE MIGHT EXPECT IT
GOING FORWARD.
BUT RIGHT NOW, IF YOU TOLD ME
THIS WAS WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN
3 HOURS AGO, I WAS LIKE, YEAH,
THAT THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE
.
>> WHAT I DO WANT TO DO IS I
WANT TO GIVE A LITTLE CONTEXT
IN TERMS OF HOW THE COURTROOM
OPERATES BECAUSE MAYBE NOT
EVERYONE'S BEEN IN A
NEW YORK CITY COURTROOM.
WHEN YOU WALK INTO COURTROOM,
ON THE RIGHT SIDE IS ALWAYS
WHERE THE DEFENSE TABLE IS.
AND ON THE LEFT IS THE
PROSECUTION.
AND IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE
JUDGE, THE JUDGE HAS
THE TYPICALLY ON THEIR
RIGHT SIDE.
SO WHEN WHEN JOHN TALKS
ABOUT BOTH MEN BE ABLE TO JUST
STARE STRAIGHT FORWARD,
THEY CAN ACTUALLY SIT IN THAT
COURTROOM, WHICH SHOULD BE VERY
TIGHT AT TIMES AND NOT
ACTUALLY LOOK AT EACH OTHER.
>> SO, AGAIN, DONALD
TRUMP BEING ON THE RIGHT SIDE
IS LOOKING FORWARD AND COHEN
LOOKING DIRECTLY AT THE
PROSECUTORS TABLE WITH A JURY
TO HIS RIGHT.
BUT, JOHN, THAT'S A STARK
CONTRAST TO WHEN COHEN
TESTIFIED IN THE CIVIL TRIAL
AGAINST TRUMP.
>> WELL, BUT I ALSO THINK
THAT DONALD TRUMP WAS A SHARP
CONTRAST TO DONALD TRUMP IN
THESE PROCEEDINGS.
RIGHT.
BECAUSE THE CIVIL CASE,
HE COULD GO WHEN HE WANTED.
RIGHT.
IT'S ALMOST LIKE HE MADE AN
APPOINTMENT AT ONE POINT WHEN
MICHAEL COHEN WAS SUPPOSED
TO TAKE THE STAND.
IN THAT CASE, HE ACTUALLY ENDED
UP NOT GETTING CALLED BY
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL THAT DAY.
SO IN HINDSIGHT, WHICH
IS ACTUALLY INTERESTING HERE
IN THESE PROCEEDINGS, DIANE,
THIS IS THE REAL FACE OFF
THAT YOU CAN'T AVOID.
AND I THINK THAT FOR DONALD
TRUMP, THIS IS THE CASE WHERE
IT'S JUST IT'S SO PERSONAL,
RIGHT?
BECAUSE LOOK WHAT'S HAPPENED,
RIGHT?
WE TALK ABOUT THE CIVIL CASE.
THE CIVIL CASE WAS BIGGER THAN
MICHAEL COHEN, RIGHT.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL BEEN
WORKING ON IT FOR YEARS.
THERE WAS A LOT MORE DOCUMENTS
AND RECORDS AND MATERIAL
THAT WENT INTO THAT CASE BEYOND
ONE INCIDENT.
THIS IS ALL ABOUT ONE INCIDENT,
ONE INCIDENT THAT ONLY
THREE MEN KNEW ABOUT DONALD
TRUMP.
DAVID PECKER.
MICHAEL COHEN.
HERE'S THE PROBLEM ONE OF THEM
TALKED.
>> KATHERINE COHEN ALSO
TESTIFIED THAT HE SPOKE
TRUMP MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY.
AS JOHN JUST POINTED OUT.
HOW DIFFICULT DOES THAT MAKE IT
FOR THE DEFENSE TO TRY TO SAY
THAT TRUMP KNOW ABOUT SOME
OF THE THINGS THAT COHEN WAS
DOING?
>> YEAH IT DOES MAKE IT QUITE
DIFFICULT FOR THE DEFENSE TEAM.
I'M CURIOUS HOW THEY TRY
AND POKE HOLES IN THAT, GIVEN
THAT COHEN WAS ONE OF
THE CLOSEST TO TRUMP SINCE
THE VERY BEGINNING, FRANKLY.
SO THE FACT THAT THEY TALKED
EVERY DAY, HE RECALLS
CONVERSATIONS SPECIFIC,
CONVERSATIONS THAT HE HAD
WITH TRUMP ABOUT THESE
PAYMENTS.
IT DOES AT END OF THE DAY, MAKE
IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DEFENSE.
I THINK THE DEFENSE TEAM,
TRUMP'S LAWYERS ARE REALLY
GOING TO TRY AND FOCUS
ON COHEN'S CREDIBILITY.
ALL THEY HAVE HERE,
THEY'RE GOING TO SAY THAT HE'S
A LIAR AND HE'S BEEN
CONVICTED OF LYING
AND THEREFORE HE SHOULDN'T
BE BELIEVED.
FOR EXAMPLE, COHEN DID SAY
THAT HE ON THE STAND TODAY
THAT HE LIED FOR DONALD TRUMP.
THAT MIGHT HELP PROSECUTORS
IN TERMS OF THE REASONS WHY
HE WAS LYING.
BUT THAT'S WHAT TRUMP'S DEFENSE
REALLY HINGES ON HERE,
THAT BECAUSE HE'S LYING,
IT'S JUST HIS WORD AGAINST
THERE'S THERE'S NOTHING REALLY
TO BE BELIEVED HERE.
IT DOES MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT
THAT THIS IS SOMEBODY WHO TRUMP
HAD IN HIS INNER CIRCLE FOR
YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS.
>> AND JOHN COURT'S IN RECESS
NOW.
BUT WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF WHO'S
IN COURT TODAY?
I MEAN, THE BETTER QUESTION
IS WHO'S NOT IN COURT TODAY?
EVERYBODY IS IN COURT TODAY.
BASICALLY, SO MANY OF DONALD
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN APPARATUS
IS IN THERE.
WE HAVE TWO UNITED STATES
SENATORS IN THERE TODAY, TOMMY
TUBERVILLE, THE SENATOR FROM
ALABAMA, J.D. VANCE,
A POTENTIAL VEEPSTAKES
CONTENDER FOR DONALD TRUMP FROM
OHIO, IS IN THE COURTROOM.
HIS SON, ERIC TRUMP, IS IN
THE COURTROOM.
THIS IS A SHOW OF FORCE TODAY,
RIGHT?
THIS IS A WAY TO SHOW EVERYBODY
IS HERE SUPPORTING ME, BECAUSE
I'M THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE.
I SHOULD NOT BE HERE TODAY.
I SHOULD BE OUT ON THE CAMPAIGN
TRAIL.
MAYBE NOT SO MUCH ALABAMA
BECAUSE HE'S GOT THAT LOCKED UP
AS A REPUBLICAN.
BUT OHIO WILL BE A GOOD PLACE
TO GO.
ALL OF IT IS MEANT TO CREATE
THE IMAGE OF I DON'T NEED
TO HERE.
THIS IS A JOKE TO DONALD TRUMP.
IT'S ALSO, THOUGH I, THINK
IN PART A WAY TO HELP
KEEP DONALD TRUMP CALM.
RIGHT THE MORE PEOPLE THERE,
AS PEOPLE HAVE ARGUED AND YOU
AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS,
BRIAN, THAT IT'S A TACTIC.
RIGHT.
A LITTLE BIT OF JUST BEING ABLE
HIM TO LOOK AROUND AND TALK
TO PEOPLE, GET A HEAD NOT OR
SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES.
I WILL SAY, THOUGH, WITH ALL
OF THOSE PEOPLE IN THE ROOM,
EVERYTHING WE'VE OBSERVED
IN OUR TEAM IS LITERALLY
RIGHT BEHIND DONALD TRUMP THIS
MORNING.
DIANE HASN'T DONE THAT ONCE,
HASN'T TURNED AROUND.
HAS ANYBODY?
IT REALLY ENGAGED ANYBODY ELSE
IN THE ROOM?
I THINK THIS IS THE DAY THAT IS
JUST SO HARD FOR HIM TO HEAR
ANY BIT OF IT.
>> AND AGAIN, I SHARE THAT I
THINK JUST EARLIER.
BUT JUST TO GO AT IT AGAIN,
THIS WAS A PERSON THAT DIDN'T
WORK FOR DONALD TRUMP AND
SHOWED LOYALTY TO DONALD TRUMP.
IT WAS THAT REASON THAT HE
BECAME AN EMPLOYEE OF DONALD
TRUMP'S THAT TRUMP CREATED
A JOB FOR MICHAEL COHEN.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, DESPITE
THE STRONG SHOW OF SUPPORT HIM
ONLY ERIC TRUMP FROM THE FAMILY
HAS SHOWN UP.
ARE YOU SURPRISED WE HAVEN'T
SEEN MORE FAMILY MEMBERS?
I'M NOT IN COURT THROUGHOUT
COURSE OF THIS CASE.
I'M NOT PARTICULARLY NOW.
YEAH, I'M NOT BECAUSE YOU GOT
TO REMEMBER THAT EVERY MEMBER
OF THE TRUMP FAMILY IS A LITTLE
DIFFERENT.
AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT
IS IVANKA TRUMP HAS NOT BEEN
SEEN THIS ENTIRE.
RIGHT.
THINK ABOUT IT.
WHEN DONALD TRUMP ANNOUNCED
HIS FIRST PRESIDENTIAL BID,
WHERE MICHAEL COHEN ACTUALLY,
FUN STORY, RAN THE ROOM,
THERE'S A STORY I'LL TELL
YOU ALL CLIENTS REALLY GOOD BUT
ANYWAY TEASE BUT THE REALITY
IS THAT THAT WAS MICHAEL COHEN
SHOW BUT IT WAS A SHOW
THAT DEBUTED WITH IVANA TRUMP.
SHE INTRODUCED DONALD TRUMP,
THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE.
SHE HAS NOT BEEN TO HIS MOST
RECENT PRESIDENTIAL KICKOFF,
THOUGH.
SHE'S NOW A FLORIDIAN LIKE
DONALD TRUMP.
SHE DIDN'T MAKE THE DRIVE UP
FROM MIAMI, PALM BEACH.
YOU KNOW, DONALD TRUMP JR
IS MORE THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL FOR
DAD IS MORE OUT AND ABOUT DOING
OTHER.
AS WE JUST REPORTED ON ABC NEWS
A COUPLE OF SECONDS AGO,
DIANE DONALD JUNIOR
ACTUALLY WAS OUT OF FEDERAL
PRISON THIS WEEKEND VISITING
ALLIES OF DONALD TRUMP,
THE FORMER PRESIDENT BEING
PETER, OF COURSE, AS YOU KNOW,
HE WAS CONVICTED FOR NOT
COMPLYING WITH.
A JANUARY SIX COMMITTEE
SUBPOENA ULTIMATELY IS TRIED
TO APPEAL THAT.
SO FAR UNSUCCESSFUL.
HE'S GOT ONE MORE APPEAL OUT
THERE.
HIS TEAM HOPES.
BUT IT'S JUST NOT REALISTIC.
BUT I'M NOT SURPRISED.
I THINK THE OTHER QUESTION
THAT EVERYBODY HAS ASKED ME
THROUGHOUT ALL THIS COVERAGE
ARE, WE GOING TO SEE MELANIA.
NO, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SEE
MELANIA I'M SORRY, SHE'S NOT
GOING TO COME TO THESE
PROCEEDINGS BECAUSE, AGAIN,
THINK ABOUT WHEN ALL THESE
STORIES CAME OUT, WE REPORTED
IT IN REAL TIME.
I WISH YOU WERE UP HERE WITH ME
BECAUSE I'D BE LOOKING AT YOU
RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE DID THIS
TOGETHER.
MELANIA TRUMP LEFT THE WHITE
HOUSE WHEN STORMY DANIELS KAREN
MCDOUGAL CAME OUT WITH THEIR
STORIES.
SHE COULDN'T TAKE IT.
HOPE HICKS TESTIFIED THEY KEPT
NEWSPAPERS OUT OF THE RESIDENCE
JUST TO KEEP IT AWAY FROM
MELANIA AND DONALD TRUMP.
SO IF ANYBODY WOULD THINK
BE THERE TODAY OR ANY DAY FOR
THIS TRIAL NOW, IT'S NOT
HAPPENING.
CATHERINE, I SEE YOU NODDING.
YOU WANT TO ADD TO THAT?
WELL, NO, JOHN'S RIGHT.
SHE'S NOT GOING TO SHOW UP.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT JOHN AND I
HAVE TALKED ABOUT OFFLINE.
OBVIOUSLY, WHEN THIS HAPPENED,
SHE WAS NOWHERE TO BE.
I CANNOT IMAGINE THAT WE
WILL SEE AT LEAST MEMBERS
OF THIS CLOSE FAMILY.
WE'VE SEEN SOME.
BUT YOU CERTAINLY WILL NOT SEE
MELANIA TRUMP THERE.
>> BRIAN, HAVE YOU HEARD ANY
RED FLAGS IN MICHAEL COHEN'S
TESTIMONY SO FAR AREAS WHERE
YOU THINK THE DEFENSE IS GOING
TO JUMP ALL OVER THAT, NOT
AS YET?
I THINK THERE ARE DEFINITELY
PARTS OF HIS DIRECT EXAMINATION
WHERE THE DEFENSE WILL REVISIT
AND ASK SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT,
BUT NOTHING THEY'RE REALLY
GOING TO DIG INTO.
I THINK THEY'RE THEY'RE GOING
TO BE SOMEWHAT SURGICAL IN THIS
AND FOCUS ON HIS CREDIBILITY.
THE ACTUAL STORY OF TRYING
TO PUT TOGETHER THIS CATCH
AND KILL SCHEME.
THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO PAINT
HIM AS THE RINGLEADER.
AND DONALD TRUMP KIND OF JUST
IS THERE FOR THE RIDE, SO
TO SPEAK, BECAUSE MICHAEL COHEN
HAS ALREADY PUT OUT THAT HE
WOULD LIE FOR DONALD TRUMP.
BUT I THINK THEY'RE GOING
TO TRY TO PUT PEOPLE THAT
TOWARDS YOU LIE BECAUSE
YOU KNEW IT WOULD BENEFIT HIM.
YOU KNEW YOU LIED, YOU KNEW IT
WOULD BENEFIT YOURSELF.
THIS ISN'T A MASTER PLAN
OF DONALD TRUMP TO MASTER PLAN
OF YOURS.
I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE'RE
STARTING TO GET IN THE
TESTIMONY I THINK THAT'S WHERE
THEY'LL FOCUS COME
CROSS-EXAMINATION.
>> JOHN, WHAT ARE YOU WATCHING
FOR NEXT?
>> I'M WATCHING FOR WHEN
MICHAEL COHEN SAYS SOMETHING
THAT THE DEFENSE WILL JUMP
ON OR, LOSES HIS COOL AT ANY
POINT.
I THINK MICHAEL COHEN IS.
I MEAN, IT'S NO, NOT ME.
JUST HYPOTHESIZING.
MICHAEL COHEN'S KNOWN AS A
HOTHEAD.
I MEAN, EVERYBODY WHO'S BEEN
SCREAMED AT BY MICHAEL COHEN,
IF YOU COVERED DONALD
TRUMP BACK IN THE DAY, PRESENT
AND ACCOUNTED FOR AT THIS TABLE
IS A GUY THAT, YOU KNOW, WE
EVEN SAW IN THOSE TIC TAC
VIDEOS THAT WE BROKE FIRST
ON ABC NEWS, DIANE, THAT,
YOU KNOW, HE COULDN'T HELP
HIMSELF.
RIGHT.
TALKING ABOUT THE CASE EVEN
WHEN HE SAID PREVIOUSLY
HE WASN'T GOING TO.
AND WHEN OUR STORY CAME OUT
AND HE THEN SAID HE WASN'T
GOING TO AGAIN, HE THEN SHOWED
UP WEARING A T SHIRT OF DONALD
TRUMP BEHIND BARS, A CARICATURE
OF DONALD TRUMP.
>> SO I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW,
LISTEN, IT'S BEEN A COUPLE
HOURS.
IT'S ALL BEEN FINE.
BUT I THINK AS THE QUESTIONS
GET HOTTER, THE TOPICS
GET HEAVIER AS TIME GOES ON,
WHEN THE DEFENSE GETS UP THERE
,MICHAEL COHEN IS REALLY GOING
TO NEED TO BITE HIS LIP AND TRY
TO KEEP HIS COOL BECAUSE
WHAT THE DEFENSE WANTS TO DO,
RIGHT.
THEY WANT TO SHOW THE JURY
THAT THIS IS A GUY THAT'S NOT
STABLE.
THEY CAN'T KEEP IT TOGETHER.
AND THAT'S MICHAEL COHEN
IS REALLY GOING TO BE TESTED.
>> BRIAN, THERE WAS ALSO A PART
IN PREVIOUS TESTIMONY WHERE I,
I CAN'T REMEMBER NOW IF IT WAS
KEITH DAVIDSON OR DAVID PECKER
SAID THAT THEY WERE SO WORRIED
ABOUT MICHAEL COHEN WHEN
HE TALKED ABOUT HIS RESPONSE,
TRUMP LEAVING TO THE WHITE
HOUSE AND NOT HIRING MICHAEL
COHEN TO COME WITH HIM,
THAT ACTUALLY WORRIED MICHAEL
COHEN MIGHT TAKE HIS OWN LIFE.
DO YOU EXPECT THAT COME
BACK NOW IN TERMS OF AN ATTEMPT
TO QUESTION HIS STATE OF MIND?
IF IT DOES, THEN I THINK IT
WOULD BE SUSTAINED.
I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT A
JUDGE WILL ALLOW THAT.
I'M JUST KIND OF RUNNING
THROUGH THE EVIDENTIARY RULES
TO WHY THAT WOULD BE RELEVANT
AND WHY WOULD NOT
BE OBJECTIONABLE.
IT MIGHT BE A THEME THAT COMES
UP IN THE SENSE THE DEFENSE
WANTS TO ASK THAT QUESTION,
KNOWING THAT IT'S GOING TO GET
SUSTAINED.
BUT IT GOES TO THAT THEORY
OF YOU UNRING THAT BELL
AND IT'S UP TO THE JURY
TO DECIDE HOW THEY WANT
NAVIGATE THROUGH
THAT INFORMATION.
EVEN THOUGH A JUDGE WILL SAY
DON'T CONSIDER IT TO YOUR
ULTIMATE STANCE.
BUT YEAH, TO JOHN'S POINT, IF
YOU CAN SHOW THAT THE STAR
WITNESS IS UNSTABLE, THAT HELPS
THE DEFENSE IN EVERY WAY.
AND I THINK WE'RE NOT GOING
TO SEE THE AGGRESSIVE MICHAEL
COHEN ON DIRECT EXAMINATION.
BUT HOW WE SAW THE MICHAEL
SORRY, THE STORMY DANIELS
CROSS-EXAMINATION, WHICH
STARTED OFF PRETTY FIERY
AND CONTINUED ON AS WELL.
I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE
THAT AND THEN SOME WHEN IT
COMES TO MICHAEL COHEN TO TRY
TO THROW HIM OFF HIS GAME.
>> HE'S A HOTHEAD, BUT HE'S
ALSO AN ATTORNEY.
>> DOES THAT HELP YOU?
>> HE'S BEEN ON THE OTHER END
OF THIS OR SOME OF THE BIGGEST
HOTHEADS I KNOW OR ATTORNEYS
I'M NOT?
>> I'M NOT SURE I'M RELATED
TO A COUPLE.
YEAH.
YOU KNOW HE KNOWS HOW THIS
WORKS RIGHT HERE.
>> HE PRESUMABLY HE KNOWS
THE TRICKS.
>> HE CAN ANTICIPATE WHAT THESE
LAWYERS ARE GOING TO TRY TO DO.
AND THEY ALSO SAY AN
ATTORNEY WHO REPRESENTS HIMSELF
HAS A CLIENT FOR A FOOL.
AND THAT ARROGANT, I THINK
OF KNOWING YOU'RE AN ATTORNEY.
AND I WILL PUT MY HAND UP FIRST
AS WELL AS ONE OF THOSE
PEOPLE IS LIKE, YEAH, I CAN
PROBABLY OUTSMART MOST
PEOPLE TRY TO CROSS-EXAMINE ME,
BUT IN MY ATTEMPT TO DO THAT,
DON'T TOO HAPPY ABOUT THIS.
I THINK MY ARROGANCE AND MY
ANGER MAY COME OUT.
SO IT'S NOT NECESSARILY IF
I THINK I'M WINNING OR
THE ATTORNEY THINKS
HE'S WINNING, IT'S THE
PERCEPTION THAT THE JURY HAS.
AND YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE
TWO ATTORNEYS GOING BACK AND
FORTH AT EACH OTHER BECAUSE
AT THE END OF THE DAY,
THE ATTORNEY REPRESENTING
DONALD TRUMP IS THE ONE WHO'S
HAVING THEIR CREDIBILITY
EVALUATED BY THE JURY.
IT'S MICHAEL COHEN.
SO IT HELPS.
BUT I'VE SEEN THE GOVERNMENT
GO THE WRONG WAY AS WELL.
>> AND CATHERINE, IT LOOKS LIKE
THEY'RE GETTING READY TO RESUME
THIS TESTIMONY NOW.
>> YEAH, IT DOES.
LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE COMING
BACK IN THERE, RETURNING TO THE
COURTROOM AFTER THE BREAK,
COHEN IS SEATED ON THE WITNESS
STAND.
OUR TEAM, AT LEAST INSIDE SAYS
THAT TRUMP WAS CONFERRING
WITH HIS LEAD ATTORNEY,
TODD BLANCHE, WHEN COHEN
REENTERED THE COURTROOM.
SO, OF COURSE, WE WILL SEE.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
BUT HE IS ON THE WITNESS STAND,
SO I THINK WE'LL HAVE SOME NEWS
OUT OF THIS.
PRETTY SOON, DIANE.
>> ALL RIGHT.
WE'LL BE WATCHING.
JOHN SANTUCCI,
KATHERINE FAULDERS,
BRIAN BUCKMIRE YOU ALL.
AND WE WILL BE COVERING THIS
TRIAL ALL DAY LONG.
WE'L
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