First witness testifies in Trump hush money trial following opening statements

NBC News
22 Apr 202420:07

Summary

TLDRIn a groundbreaking legal event, former President Donald Trump is on trial for criminal charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 election. The trial, which marks the first time a former U.S. president has faced criminal allegations, centers around 34 counts of falsifying business records. The prosecution alleges a criminal conspiracy involving Trump, his former attorney Michael Cohen, and David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer. The defense counters that Trump was unaware of the payments and that the financial transactions were legitimate legal expenses. The trial is expected to last five to seven weeks, with key witnesses including Pecker, Cohen, and potentially Daniels herself. The outcome could significantly impact the political landscape, as Trump is also a presumptive nominee for the upcoming presidential election.

Takeaways

  • 📰 Former President Donald Trump is standing trial for criminal charges related to hush money payments, marking the first time a former president has faced such a situation.
  • 💌 Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection to a 2016 payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged affair.
  • 🧐 The prosecution alleges a criminal conspiracy and intends to prove that Trump directed payments to Stormy Daniels and later reimbursed his lawyer, Michael Cohen, for those payments.
  • 🀝 David Pecker, former publisher of the "National Enquirer," is a crucial witness for the prosecution and is expected to testify about a 2015 meeting with Trump and Cohen.
  • 📉 Trump's defense argues that the case is about financial records and that Trump was simply compensating his personal lawyer, not engaging in a cover-up.
  • 📞 The prosecution has corroborating evidence including emails, text messages, phone calls, and a bank transaction trail that they say supports their case.
  • 🎙 Trump's defense team has questioned the credibility of Michael Cohen, who has a history of campaign finance violations and served prison time.
  • 🚫 The judge has allowed the prosecution to introduce previous trial determinations against Trump, which could impact the jury's perception of his credibility.
  • 🀔 The defense is considering Trump's potential testimony, which would bring into question his previous public statements and require him to address specific case details.
  • 🏛 The trial is expected to last five to seven weeks, with other key witnesses including Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen yet to take the stand.
  • 📈 The ongoing trial and its outcome may have implications for Trump's presidential campaign, although the extent of this impact is still uncertain.

Q & A

  • What is the nature of the charges against former President Donald Trump?

    -Former President Donald Trump is standing trial for criminal charges related to falsifying business records. These charges are in connection with a 2016 payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about an alleged sexual encounter, which the former president has denied.

  • Who is David Pecker and what is his role in the case?

    -David Pecker is the former publisher of the 'National Enquirer.' He is a crucial witness for the prosecution and has agreed to work with federal investigators. He is expected to discuss a 2015 meeting with Michael Cohen and Donald Trump, outlining a 'catch and kill' scheme to handle salacious stories like that of Stormy Daniels.

  • What is the significance of the 'catch and kill' scheme mentioned in the trial?

    -The 'catch and kill' scheme is significant as it is the alleged plan concocted by Michael Cohen, Donald Trump, and David Pecker to acquire and suppress potentially damaging stories, such as that of Stormy Daniels, ahead of the 2016 election. The scheme is central to the prosecution's case for a criminal conspiracy.

  • What does the defense argue regarding the payments made to Stormy Daniels?

    -The defense argues that Donald Trump did not commit any crime and that the payments to Stormy Daniels were not hush money to cover up her story before the 2016 election. Instead, they claim it was a legal payment to Michael Cohen as Trump's personal lawyer.

  • What evidence does the prosecution have to support their case?

    -The prosecution has corroborating evidence through emails, text messages, phone calls, and bank records. They also have phone call records between Donald Trump and Michael Cohen around the time the payment to Stormy Daniels was arranged.

  • What is the potential impact of this trial on Donald Trump's presidential campaign?

    -While it is difficult to predict the exact impact, the trial could affect public perception and voter sentiment. The former president has claimed that he would otherwise be out campaigning and has suggested that the trial is part of political persecution. However, recent polling indicates that about 50% of people believe he is being treated fairly under the law.

  • What is the current stance on the gag order that has been mentioned?

    -The gag order is a partial restriction on what can be said publicly about the case. It has been a point of contention for the former president, who has claimed it is unfair. There is an upcoming hearing regarding potential violations of the gag order.

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  • What is the role of Michael Cohen in this trial?

    -Michael Cohen, former personal lawyer to Donald Trump, is expected to be a key witness in the trial. The defense has questioned his credibility, and the prosecution is preparing to counter any attacks on his character during the trial.

  • What is the significance of the judge's decision to allow previous trial determinations against Donald Trump?

    -The judge's decision allows the prosecution to introduce evidence of previous legal findings against Donald Trump, including a defamation case and a civil fraud trial, to establish a pattern of behavior and potentially influence the jury's perception of his credibility.

  • How does the defense plan to counter the prosecution's case?

    -The defense plans to argue that the financial transactions in question were legitimate legal expenses and that those responsible for maintaining the financial records within the Trump Organization were the ones accountable for their accuracy.

  • What is the timeline for the trial and what can we expect next?

    -The trial is expected to last between five to seven weeks. The next steps include further testimonies from witnesses, including Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen, with David Pecker resuming his testimony the following day.

  • What is the potential outcome of the trial for Donald Trump?

    -The outcomes of the trial could range from Donald Trump being found guilty, found innocent, or potentially a hung jury. The trial's result will significantly impact his legal fate and possibly his presidential campaign.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Opening Statements and Testimony Begin in Trump Criminal Trial

Former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial commences with opening statements from both the prosecution and defense. The prosecution alleges a criminal conspiracy involving Trump, Michael Cohen, and David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer. The case revolves around a 2016 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged affair, which Trump denies. Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records. The defense argues that Trump was unaware of the payment and that it was a legal fee to his personal lawyer, Cohen. David Pecker is set to testify as a crucial witness for the prosecution, discussing a 2015 meeting with Trump and Cohen.

05:01

📞 Prosecution's Evidence Includes Phone Calls, Texts, and Emails

The prosecution in Trump's criminal trial has strong corroborating evidence to support their case, including emails, text messages, and phone calls. Key among this evidence are two phone calls between Trump and his former lawyer Michael Cohen in October 2016, after which Cohen allegedly set up a bank account and wired $130,000 to Stormy Daniels. The defense argues that the case is about financing and maintaining financial records, asserting that those responsible for keeping the records in the Trump Organization should be held accountable, not Trump. The defense also emphasizes Trump's innocence and attempts to relate him to the jury as a relatable father and husband.

10:02

🀵 David Pecker's Testimony and the Alleged Conspiracy

David Pecker, former publisher of the National Enquirer, is a critical witness for the prosecution in Trump's criminal trial. Pecker corroborates Michael Cohen's testimony and supports the alleged conspiracy between Trump, Cohen, and Pecker to suppress scandalous stories during the 2016 election. The prosecution aims to downplay Cohen's lack of credibility by highlighting Pecker's testimony and the documentary evidence that corroborates it. The defense may argue that Pecker is biased due to his cooperation with the government.

15:03

🚫 Trump's Testimony, Gag Order, and Impact on Presidential Campaign

Trump has indicated he may testify in his own defense during the criminal trial. However, he has not answered specific questions about the case, including his knowledge of the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels. The judge has allowed the prosecution to introduce evidence of previous trial determinations against Trump, which could impact his credibility. The trial's impact on Trump's presidential campaign remains to be seen, though recent polling suggests about half of the public believes he is being treated fairly under the law. The partial gag order in place limits Trump's public comments about the case but allows him to speak out in campaign settings. A hearing on potential violations of the gag order is set for the following day.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡NBC News Special

NBC News Special refers to a dedicated broadcast by the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) to cover significant news events. In this context, it signifies a high-profile case that has been deemed newsworthy and requires focused coverage. The script indicates that the news special is reporting on the trial of a former president, highlighting its importance and relevance to the public.

💡Jury

A jury is a group of people sworn to render a verdict in a trial, based on evidence presented. In the script, the jury is central to the legal process as they will determine the outcome of the case against the former president. The mention of the jury hearing testimony underscores the active role they play in the adjudication of the case.

💡Criminal Conspiracy

Criminal conspiracy refers to an agreement between two or more persons to commit a crime. In the context of the video, the prosecution is alleging that there was a criminal conspiracy involving the former president, suggesting a coordinated effort to engage in illegal activities, which is a key element of the case being presented.

💡Falsifying Business Records

Falsifying business records is the act of intentionally making false entries in a business's official documents. The script mentions that the former president pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of this crime, which are tied to the payment made to Stormy Daniels. This charge is significant as it pertains to the alleged cover-up of the payment, indicating a potential breach of trust and integrity in business practices.

💡Hush Money

Hush money is a payment made to someone to prevent them from revealing potentially damaging information. In the script, the reference to hush money pertains to the $130,000 paid to Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about an alleged sexual encounter. This payment is at the heart of the criminal charges against the former president.

💡David Pecker

David Pecker is the former publisher of the 'National Enquirer' and is portrayed as a crucial witness for the prosecution. His agreement to cooperate with federal investigators and his testimony about a 2015 meeting with Michael Cohen and Donald Trump are integral to establishing the alleged conspiracy, making him a pivotal figure in the trial's narrative.

💡Catch and Kill Scheme

A 'catch and kill' scheme is a practice where a publication acquires the rights to a story with no intention of publishing it, in order to suppress the information. The script describes this scheme as part of the alleged conspiracy to prevent the story of Stormy Daniels from reaching the public before the 2016 election, highlighting a strategic effort to control the narrative and influence the election outcome.

💡

💡District Attorney's Office

The District Attorney's Office refers to the official workplace of the district attorney, who is an elected official responsible for prosecuting crimes within a particular jurisdiction. In the script, the team from District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office is prosecuting the case against Donald Trump, indicating the high level of legal scrutiny and the formal process of the trial.

💡Financial Fraud Allegations

Financial fraud allegations involve claims that someone has used deceit for personal gain or to damage another's financial data. The script suggests that the former president is facing allegations of financial fraud related to the handling of the payments to Stormy Daniels. This is a serious charge that could have significant legal and reputational consequences.

💡Gag Order

A gag order is a legal restraint that prevents certain parties from publicly discussing a case. The script mentions the potential violation of a gag order by the former president, which could have legal ramifications. It is a significant aspect of the case as it pertains to the legal process and the rights of all parties involved.

💡Political Persecution

Political persecution refers to the unfair treatment or targeting of an individual based on their political affiliations or beliefs. In the script, the perception that the former president is a victim of political persecution is highlighted, reflecting the broader debate about the motivations behind the legal actions against him and their potential impact on public opinion.

Highlights

NBC News reports on the criminal hush money trial of former President Donald Trump, marking the first time a former president has faced criminal charges.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a 2016 payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

David Pecker, former publisher of the National Enquirer, is a crucial witness for the prosecution and is expected to discuss a 2015 meeting with Trump and Michael Cohen.

The prosecution alleges a conspiracy where Trump directed payments to Stormy Daniels and later reimbursed Michael Cohen for those payments.

The defense argues that Trump was unaware of the specifics of the payments and that they were made as part of his legal fees to Cohen.

The trial could last between five to seven weeks, with key witnesses including Stormy Daniels and Michael Cohen.

The defense team questions the credibility of Michael Cohen, who previously served as Trump's personal lawyer.

The prosecution has corroborating evidence through emails, text messages, phone calls, and bank records.

The case involves a 'catch and kill' scheme planned by Trump, Cohen, and Pecker to suppress scandalous stories.

Trump's defense team argues that the financial transactions were legal and that Trump was compensating Cohen for his services as his personal lawyer.

The prosecution is expected to introduce previous trial determinations against Trump to challenge his credibility.

The judge has allowed the prosecution to present evidence of Trump's alleged pattern of dishonesty in court.

The trial's outcome could have significant implications for Trump's potential run for president in the upcoming election.

Public opinion polls suggest that about 50% of people believe Trump is being treated fairly under the law.

The gag order's violation hearing is set for the next day, with potential incremental penalties for Trump if violations continue.

Trump's ability to campaign may be affected by the trial, although he could potentially hold events on non-court days.

The defense attempts to humanize Trump by emphasizing his roles as a father and husband, and his status as a New Yorker.

The prosecution's case is built not just on witness testimony but also on a substantial paper trail and phone call records.

Transcripts

00:03

♪

00:06

♪

00:06

>>> THIS IS AN NBC NEWS SPECIAL

00:09

REPORT.

00:10

HERE'S LESTER HOLT.

00:12

>> GOOD DAY, EVERYONE, WE'RE

00:14

COMING ON THE AIR WITH BREAKING

00:15

NEWS IN NEW YORK.

00:16

THE JURY IN FORMER PRESIDENT

00:19

DONALD TRUMP'S CRIMINAL HUSH

00:22

MONEY TRIAL JUST HEARD TESTIMONY

00:23

FROM THE FIRST WITNESS IN THE

00:25

CASE AFTER OPENING STATEMENTS

00:26

WRAPPED UP FROM BOTH SIDES.

00:27

THE PROSECUTION LAYING OUT ITS

00:30

CASE FOR WHAT IT CALLS A

00:31

CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY AS THE

00:33

DEFENSE PREVIEWS HOW IT PLANS TO

00:35

REFUTE THAT.

00:36

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME A FORMER

00:38

PRESIDENT AND A PRESUMPTIVE

00:40

NOMINEE IS STANDING TRIAL FOR

00:42

CRIMINAL CHARGES.

00:43

MR. TRUMP PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO

00:46

34 COUNTS OF FALSIFYING BUSINESS

00:47

RECORDS.

00:48

THOSE COUNTS ARE RELATED TO A

00:52

2016 PAYMENT MADE TO ADULT FILM

00:54

STAR STORMY DANIELS TO KEEP HER

00:56

QUIET ABOUT AN ALLEGED SEXUAL

00:58

ENCOUNTER, ALL OF WHICH THE

00:59

FORMER PRESIDENT HAS DENIED.

01:01

WE WANT TO GO RIGHT NOW OUTSIDE

01:03

THE COURTHOUSE, NBC'S VAUGHN

01:05

HILLYARD IS THERE.

01:06

VAUGHN, WHAT CAN WE EXPECT NEXT

01:08

IN THE CASE?

01:11

>> Reporter: LESTER, THIS IS AN

01:12

INTENSE THREE HOURS, AND DAVID

01:13

PECKER WILL TAKE THE STAND

01:16

TOMORROW AGAIN AFTER TESTIFYING

01:17

FOR 30 MINUTES HERE BEFORE THIS

01:20

JURY OF 12 AND 6 ALTERNATES.

01:22

DAVID PECKER WAS THE FORMER

01:24

PUBLISHER OF THE "NATIONAL

01:25

ENQUIRER."

01:26

HE IS A CRUCIAL WITNESS FOR THE

01:27

PROSECUTION.

01:27

HE HAD ALREADY AGREED TO WORK

01:29

WITH FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS IN

01:31

THE PAST AND IS NOW ON THE STAND

01:33

HERE TODAY.

01:34

HE HAS ALREADY BEGUN HIS

01:36

TESTIMONY HERE IN WHICH

01:38

PROSECUTORS HAVE OUTLINED THAT

01:41

HE WILL DISCUSS A 2015 MEETING

01:43

BETWEEN MICHAEL COHEN, DONALD

01:44

TRUMP, AND HIMSELF.

01:46

THIS WAS JUST TWO MONTHS AFTER

01:48

HE LAUNCHED HIS PRESIDENTIAL

01:49

BID.

01:49

THIS IS WHERE THE THREE OF THESE

01:52

INDIVIDUALS PROSECUTORS WILL

01:54

OUTLINE CONCOCTED A CATCH AND

01:55

KILL SCHEME PLAN TO CATCH

01:58

SALACIOUS STORIES LIKE THAT OF

02:00

STORMY DANIELS, WHO IN OCTOBER

02:01

OF 2016 WHEN SHE CAME FORWARD TO

02:04

THE "NATIONAL ENQUIRER," THE

02:05

"NATIONAL ENQUIRER" IN TURN

02:07

CONTACTED MICHAEL COHEN WHO THEN

02:09

PAID HER $130,000 JUST TWO WEEKS

02:11

BEFORE THE 2016 ELECTION.

02:13

THE D.A.'S OFFICE FROM DISTRICT

02:15

ATTORNEY ALVIN BRAGG'S TEAM HAVE

02:17

OUTLINED HERE OVER THE COURSE OF

02:19

45 MINUTES IN OPENING STATEMENTS

02:21

THAT THEY INTEND TO SHOW THAT

02:23

THERE IS A CONSPIRACY, THAT

02:26

DONALD TRUMP DIRECTED THE

02:28

PAYMENTS IN 2016 WEEKS BEFORE

02:30

THE ELECTION TO STORMY DANIELS,

02:32

AND THAT HE WOULD THEN IN TURN

02:33

IN 2017 REIMBURSE MICHAEL COHEN

02:37

FOR THOSE PAYMENTS.

02:38

THE WHAT DID DONALD TRUMP KNOW

02:39

AND DIDN'T KNOW IS AT THE HEART

02:40

OF THIS CASE.

02:41

BACK IN 2016 WHEN THIS CASE

02:43

BECAME PUBLIC, HE INITIALLY

02:45

DENIED THAT HE WAS AWARE OF THE

02:48

STORMY DANIELS PAYMENT OF

02:50

$130,000, BUT WHAT YOU ARE HEARD

02:52

FROM HIS DEFENSE TEAM WHEN THEY

02:57

TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT

02:59

FORWARD THEIR OPENING STATEMENTS

03:00

OVER 35 MINUTES, HIS DEFENSE

03:03

LAWYER OUTLINED THAT DONALD

03:05

TRUMP WAS A SYMPATHETIC FIGURE

03:08

IN THIS, THAT HE DID NOT COMMIT

03:11

ANY CRIME, THAT HE COMPENSATED

03:16

MICHAEL COHEN AS HIS PERSONAL

03:18

LAWYER, THAT IT WAS NOT A

03:19

REPAYMENT TO COVER UP THE STORMY

03:20

DANIELS' STORY BEFORE THE 2016

03:21

ELECTION, BUT HE WAS SIMPLY

03:23

PAYING HIM AS HIS PERSONAL

03:23

LAWYER.

03:24

HE TOLD THE JURY -- THIS WAS

03:26

DONALD TRUMP'S ATTORNEY -- THAT

03:27

THEY SHOULD IGNORE THE TESTIMONY

03:31

FROM THE LIKES OF STORMY DANIELS

03:34

WHEN SHE TAKES THE STAND SAYING

03:35

YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR SALACIOUS

03:36

MATERIAL ABOUT ALLEGED AFFAIRS

03:37

AND AN ATTEMPTED HUSH MONEY

03:39

PAYMENT, BUT NONE OF THAT

03:41

MATTERS BECAUSE AT THE HEART OF

03:43

THIS IS OVER FINANCIAL RECORDS

03:44

AND THAT DONALD TRUMP WAS NOT

03:47

THE ONE THAT ULTIMATELY WAS

03:49

RESPONSIBLE FOR THOSE ACTS.

03:51

AND SO THIS IS GOING TO BE AN

03:55

INTENSE FIVE TO SEVEN-WEEK TRIAL

03:56

HERE.

03:57

TOMORROW THEY WILL RETURN TO

03:59

COURT FOR SEVERAL HOURS BEFORE

04:01

WE LOOK AT OTHER WITNESSES

04:03

INCLUDING STORMY DANIELS AND OF

04:04

COURSE, MICHAEL COHEN WHOM THE

04:05

DEFENSE TEAM FOR DONALD TRUMP

04:07

ALREADY WAS QUESTIONING THE

04:08

CREDIBILITY OF SAYING THAT

04:09

MICHAEL COHEN'S TRUE INTENT HERE

04:11

IS JUST TO GET DONALD TRUMP AND

04:14

GET HIM INTO JAIL AFTER THOSE

04:16

TWO, BEING THE FORMER LAWYER,

04:18

FORMER FIXER, THE TWO OF THEM

04:20

PARTED WAYS AS ALL OF THIS CAME

04:22

TO LIGHT IN 2018.

04:23

FOR DONALD TRUMP AND HIS PART

04:24

INSIDE OF THAT COURTROOM FOR

04:26

LONG PERIODS OF TIME, HE KEPT

04:27

HIS EYES SHUT, BUT AT OTHER

04:29

MOMENTS, HE WAS LOOKING AT HIS

04:30

DEFENSE LAWYER TODD BLANCHE AS

04:32

HE BEGAN TO MAKE HIS CASE TO THE

04:33

JURY.

04:34

AND HE ALSO TURNED AROUND AND

04:36

LOOKED AT THE GALLERY, LOOKED AT

04:37

THOSE WHO WERE IN THE ROOM.

04:39

HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE EYE CONTACT

04:42

WITH DAVID PECKER, THAT

04:44

"NATIONAL ENQUIRER" PUBLISHER

04:45

WHO WAS A LONG-TIME, ONE-TIME

04:48

FRIEND OF HIS.

04:49

THIS FOR HIM IS GOING TO BE A

04:51

LONG HAUL HERE, BUT ONE THAT

04:54

COULD ULTIMATELY LEAD TO HIM AND

04:55

HIS LEGAL FATE EITHER BEING

04:57

FOUND GUILTY OR INNOCENT OR THE

05:01

VERY REAL POTENTIAL OF A HUNG

05:02

JURY.

05:03

THE FIRST WITNESS TAKE THE STAND

05:06

IN WHAT IS A MONUMENTAL DAY FOR

05:08

DONALD TRUMP, THE FORMER

05:10

PRESIDENT'S CRIMINAL TRIAL.

05:11

>> DID YOU HEAR ANYTHING FROM

05:12

THE OTHER SIDE THAT SUGGESTS

05:14

SOMETHING NEW IN HOW THEY WANT

05:15

TO FRAME THIS CASE FOR THE JURY?

05:17

>> Reporter: THE QUESTION WAS

05:19

ABOUT THE EVIDENCE AND TESTIMONY

05:20

THAT THE PROSECUTION WAS GOING

05:21

TO BE ABLE TO BRING FORWARD

05:24

BECAUSE IF YOU JUST TAKE DAVID

05:26

PECKER, THAT MAN WHO WAS AT

05:28

TRUMP TOWER WITH MICHAEL COHEN,

05:30

WITH DONALD TRUMP, THE QUESTION

05:32

WAS WHAT KIND OF TESTIMONY AND

05:33

EVIDENCE WOULD HE BE ABLE TO

05:34

PROVIDE?

05:35

BECAUSE HE HAS NEVER DONE A

05:37

PUBLIC INTERVIEW.

05:38

HE HAS NEVER PUBLICLY DISCUSSED

05:40

THIS, BUT WHAT THE PROSECUTION

05:41

OUTLINED IS THAT THEY HAVE

05:44

CORROBORATING EVIDENCE THROUGH

05:45

EMAILS AND TEXT MESSAGES AND

05:46

PHONE CALLS.

05:47

THEY EVEN HAVE GOING BACK TO

05:51

OCTOBER 26th OF 2016 A PHONE

05:53

CALL, TWO PHONE CALLS THAT TOOK

05:55

PLACE BETWEEN DONALD TRUMP AND

05:56

MICHAEL COHEN IN WHICH THEY

05:57

ALLEGE THAT MICHAEL COHEN JUST

05:58

AFTER THOSE PHONE CALLS WENT TO

06:00

A BANK, SET UP A BANK ACCOUNT IN

06:03

THE FOLLOWING DAY, WIRED

06:05

$130,000 TO STORMY DANIELS.

06:07

SO THE PROSECUTION IS MAKING THE

06:08

CASE THAT THIS IS MORE THAN JUST

06:12

THE TESTIMONY OF MICHAEL COHEN

06:14

BURKS WE HAVE

06:15

BUT WE HAVE THE RECORDS.

06:16

THE QUESTION IS DO THEY HAVE

06:17

ENOUGH TO MAKE DONALD TRUMP THE

06:19

TRUE CRIMINAL DEFENDANT HERE AS

06:21

HIS DEFENSE TEAM HAS MADE THE

06:23

CASE, LESTER, THAT THIS WAS A

06:24

MATTER OF FINANCING AND THAT

06:26

THOSE IN THE TRUMP ORGANIZATION

06:29

WHO WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR KEEPING

06:31

THOSE FINANCIAL RECORDS, IT WAS

06:33

INCUMBENT ON THEM ON HOW THOSE

06:36

RECORDS WERE ACTUALLY MAINTAINED

06:38

AND THAT LEGAL EXPENSES CHRKS IS

06:39

IS AT THE HEART OF THE FINANCIAL

06:41

FRAUD ALLEGATIONS THAT ARE BEING

06:42

MADE AGAINST DONALD TRUMP HERE,

06:44

THAT THOSE DENOTATIONS OF LEGAL

06:45

EXPENSES WERE FAIR AND JUST

06:47

BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT DONALD

06:48

TRUMP THOUGHT THAT HE WAS

06:50

ACTUALLY USING MICHAEL COHEN FOR

06:52

AND THAT THE IDEA OF REPAYING

06:54

HIM FOR A HUSH MONEY PAYMENT WAS

06:55

NOT AT THE FOREFRONT OF DONALD

06:57

TRUMP'S MIND WHILE HE WAS

06:58

SITTING IN THE OVAL OFFICE

06:59

THROUGHOUT THE YEAR OF 2017.

07:00

>> ALL RIGHT, VAUGHN, I'M GOING

07:01

TO ASK YOU TO STAND BY.

07:04

LET ME BRING IN FOR MORE, OUR

07:06

SENIOR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT

07:07

HALLIE JACKSON, AND NBC NEWS

07:08

LEGAL ANALYST, DANNY CEVALLOS.

07:12

GOOD TO HAVE YOU BOTH HERE.

07:15

HALL

07:16

HALLIE, FIRST OFF, FRAME WHAT WE

07:17

HAVE HEARD TODAY.

07:17

>> THE PROSECUTION IS

07:18

ESSENTIALLY LOOKING TO LAY OUT

07:19

THE CASE, AND YOU HEARD THIS

07:19

COME UP A COUPLE OF TIMES IN THE

07:21

OPENING STATEMENTS TODAY, THAT

07:22

THIS GOES BEYOND SIMPLY WHAT WE

07:24

ALL SHORTHAND IT AS THE HUSH

07:26

MONEY TRIAL, THAT THIS WAS ABOUT

07:27

ELECTION INTERFERENCE.

07:28

THEY DID SOMETHING INTERESTING,

07:29

THEY TOOK THIS PHRASE THAT IN

07:31

MANY WAYS THE FORMER PRESIDENT

07:32

HAS CO-OPTED, THIS IDEA OF

07:34

ELECTION FRAUD AND THEY TRIED TO

07:35

FLIP IT AND USE IT AGAINST

07:36

DONALD TRUMP IN THESE OPENING

07:37

STATEMENTS, DESCRIBING WHAT HE

07:40

DID AS ILLEGAL ELECTION FRAUD,

07:42

THAT HE TRIED TO COVER UP ALONG

07:43

WITH MICHAEL COHEN AND DAVID

07:45

PECKER THIS, YOU KNOW, MONEY TO

07:47

COVER UP AN ALLEGED SEX SCANDAL.

07:49

WHAT THE DEFENSE DID WAS TRY TO

07:50

TAKE THAT BACK.

07:51

YOU HEARD THIS VERY INTERESTING

07:52

LINE FROM TODD BLANCHE, THE LEAD

07:54

ATTORNEY THERE FOR THE FORMER

07:55

PRESIDENT WHO SAID SPOILER

07:57

ALERT, THERE'S NOTHING WRONG

07:58

WITH TRYING TO INFLUENCE AN

07:59

ELECTION.

07:59

IT'S CALLED DEMOCRACY.

08:01

KIND OF AN EXTRAORDINARY LINE TO

08:02

HEAR FROM THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S

08:04

TEAM, AND SO THE DEFENSE CAME

08:06

BACK, BLANCHE SAID THAT, BUT

08:08

ALSO TRIED TO MAKE DONALD TRUMP

08:09

SEEM SUPER RELATABLE.

08:10

THAT WAS STRIKING AT SEVERAL

08:11

MOMENTS FOR THE DEFENSE'S

08:13

OPENING STATEMENTS TALKING

08:14

ABOUT, SURE, HE'S THE FORMER

08:15

PRESIDENT, BUT HEY, HE'S JUST

08:16

LIKE US.

08:17

HE'S A FATHER.

08:18

HE'S A HUSBAND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE

08:19

ALL NEW YORKERS HERE.

08:20

WE ALL GET IT.

08:21

TRYING TO ESTABLISH THAT

08:22

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE

08:23

JURY IN HOPES THAT THAT COULD

08:25

SERVE THE DEFENSE TEAM OVER THE

08:26

COURSE OF THE NEXT SIX WEEKS

08:27

THERE.

08:27

WHAT I'M GOING TO BE WATCHING

08:29

FOR, YOU ASKED ABOUT WHAT COULD

08:30

BE NEW HERE, AND YOU HEARD

08:34

VAUGHN ALLUDE TO SOME OF THIS,

08:36

THE PROSECUTION HAS RECEIPTS.

08:37

THEY'RE ALLUDING TO A TAPE WITH

08:38

THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S VOICE ON

08:39

IT.

08:40

THEY'RE ALLUDING TO A PHOTOGRAPH

08:43

FROM THE OVAL OFFICE OF DONALD

08:45

TRUMP WITH MICHAEL COHEN.

08:47

THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO PROVE

08:48

THAT MICHAEL COHEN, STORMY

08:49

DANIELS, THAT THE PAPER

08:50

DOCUMENTS, THE EVIDENCE, THE

08:51

PAPER TRAIL PROVES THEIR CASE.

08:53

>> SO DANNY, THEY'RE GOING TO

08:54

SAY, THE DEFENSE IS GOING TO SAY

08:57

THERE'S NO CRIME HERE?

08:58

>> THEY'RE GOING TO DO THAN

08:59

THAT.

09:00

THEY ACTUALLY OPENED WITH HE'S

09:01

INNOCENT.

09:02

WHICH IS AN INTERESTING CHOICE

09:03

OF WORDS.

09:05

INNOCENCE IS NOT DETERMINED AT

09:07

CRIMINAL TRIAL, GUILTY OR NOT

09:08

GUILTY.

09:09

SOMETIMES IF YOU FEEL THAT YOUR

09:11

CASE IS PARTICULARLY STRONG, YOU

09:12

MAY TRY TO ESSENTIALLY ARGUE

09:13

INNOCENCE TO THE JURY.

09:15

MY CLIENT IS SO NOT GUILTY THAT

09:17

HE'S INNOCENT, AND THEY

09:18

ESSENTIALLY OPENED WITH THAT.

09:19

WE ALREADY GOT A PREVIEW AND

09:21

THERE WERE NO SURPRISES.

09:22

THEY'RE GOING TO POINT TO

09:23

MICHAEL COHEN AS SOMEBODY WHO IS

09:25

NOT CREDIBLE.

09:26

THEY'RE GOING TO POINT TO STORMY

09:27

DANIELS AS SOMEONE WHO IS NOT

09:30

CREDIBLE, ALTHOUGH YOU COULD

09:30

ARGUE THAT STORMY DANIELS IS

09:32

ALMOST NOT NECESSARY AS A

09:33

WITNESS IN THIS CASE.

09:35

HER INVOLVEMENT IS KIND OF

09:37

TANGENTIAL

09:37

TANGENTIAL.

09:38

THE AFFAIR ITSELF IS NOT

09:39

CRITICAL TO WHETHER OR NOT IT

09:41

ACTUALLY HAPPENED FOR THIS CASE.

09:43

SO REALLY WHAT WE GOOD PREVIEW

09:45

OF IS EXACTLY WHAT WE EXPECTED

09:46

FROM THE PROSECUTION.

09:46

THEY GOT OUT IN FRONT OF WHAT

09:48

THEY CONSIDER THEIR MICHAEL

09:50

COHEN ISSUE, THAT HE MIGHT HAVE

09:53

CREDIBILITY RNS. ISSUES.

09:54

IN THE SPECTRUM OF COOPERATING

09:56

WITNESSES, MICHAEL COHEN, WHO IS

09:58

NOT TECHNICALLY A COOPERATING

10:01

WITNESS, HE'S PROBABLY ON THE

10:02

LOW END OF LACK OF CREDIBILITY.

10:04

MOST COOPERATES WITNESSES ARE

10:05

BROUGHT IN FROM THE PRISON IN

10:07

SHACKLES, AND THEY HAVE TONS OF

10:09

ISSUES WITH CREDIBILITY AND

10:10

CRIMINALITY.

10:10

BUT AS THE PROSECUTION WILL SAY,

10:12

AS THEY ALWAYS SAY, IT'S A

10:14

STANDARD LINE, WE DIDN'T CHOOSE

10:16

THIS WITNESS.

10:17

THE DEFENDANT CHOSE THIS

10:18

WITNESS.

10:19

BUT, YOU KNOW, AS THIS -- THE

10:21

OPENINGS COME TO A CLOSE, I

10:23

THINK ALL EYES ARE ON THE STAR

10:25

WITNESS, AND I DON'T THINK I

10:27

MEAN MICHAEL COHEN ANYMORE.

10:28

I THINK DAVID PECKER IS GOING TO

10:30

BE A CRITICAL WITNESS BECAUSE,

10:32

NUMBER ONE, HE CORROBORATES

10:33

MICHAEL COHEN.

10:34

HE ESTABLISHES THE ALLEGED

10:36

CONSPIRACY, AND HE CORROBORATES

10:37

A LOT OF DIFFERENT DOCUMENTS

10:41

THAT ARE GOING TO SUPPORT

10:43

WITNESSES LIKE MICHAEL COHEN.

10:44

THE GOVERNMENT, THE PROSECUTION

10:45

HAS A WAY OF MAKING MICHAEL

10:47

COHEN'S LACK OF CREDIBILITY A

10:49

MINIMAL ISSUE, AND IT LOOKS LIKE

10:50

THEY'RE GOING RIGHT IN THAT

10:51

DIRECTION.

10:52

>> THE PROSECUTION MADE AN

10:54

EFFORT TO POINT THUTOUT THAT DAV

10:55

PECKER HAD BROUGHT A LAWYER TO

10:57

THE COURTROOM WITH HIM.

10:58

IS THERE SOME STRATEGY IN THAT?

11:00

>> NOT NECESSARILY.

11:01

WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IS IF YOU'RE

11:02

THE STATE AND YOU HAVE A

11:04

COOPERATING WITNESS, YOU DON'T

11:05

WANT TO LOOK LIKE YOU'RE TOO

11:06

HAND IF HAND WITH THAT WITNESS.

11:08

I'LL GIVE YOU SOME OF THE

11:09

STANDARD LINES AS A DEFENSE

11:11

ATTORNEY THAT YOU'RE GOING TO

11:12

HIT THAT COOPERATING WITNESS

11:14

WITH, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY FRAME

11:15

THEM AS DOING ANYTHING THEY CAN

11:17

TO PLEASE THEIR CAPTORS AND

11:19

THEIR CAPTORS ARE THE GOVERNMENT

11:20

WHO HAVE OFFERED THEM A DEAL.

11:22

THEY'VE GOTTEN HAND IN HAND WITH

11:23

THE DEVIL.

11:24

THEY'RE TOO COZY WITH

11:25

PROSECUTORS.

11:26

THIS IS A COMMON THEME WHEN

11:30

YOU'RE ATTACKING CORROBORATING

11:32

WITNESSES OR PEOPLE TESTIFYING

11:34

FOR THE GOVERNMENT.

11:35

TORD NAR

11:36

THE STATE WILL HAVE PREPARED

11:37

THEIR WITNESSES FOR THIS.

11:39

THEY'LL HAVE AN ANSWER FOR THAT

11:41

IN CROSS EXAMINATION, THAT'S

11:42

PROBABLY WHAT YOU'LL SEE.

11:42

>> I WANT TO GO BACK TO VAUGHN

11:43

FOR A MOMENT.

11:45

WE KNOW THE FORMER PRESIDENT HAD

11:48

MENTION ADD COUPLE OFED A COUPLE

11:49

HE WOULD TESTIFY.

11:50

I ASSUME THAT DECISION

11:52

OFFICIALLY IS STILL WEEKS AWAY,

11:53

BUT WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THAT?

11:55

>> Reporter: RIGHT, DONALD

11:57

TRUMP'S CREDIBILITY, LESTER, IS

11:58

GOING TO BE CRITICAL HERE FOR

12:00

THIS JURY WHEN THEY'RE

12:01

DETERMINING THE EXTENT TO WHICH

12:02

HE IS GUILTY OR INNOCENT HERE.

12:04

AND YOU SAID TWO TIMES NOW

12:06

ALREADY IN THE LAST WEEK HE HAS

12:08

MADE CLEAR THAT HE WOULD TESTIFY

12:11

IN HIS OWN DEFENSE, BUT THERE

12:13

ARE NUMEROUS QUESTIONS THAT

12:14

DONALD TRUMP HAS NEVER PUBLICLY

12:16

OR PRIVATELY, INCLUDING INSIDE

12:18

OF A COURTROOM, ANSWERED WHEN IT

12:20

COMES TO THE SPECIFICS OF THIS

12:21

CASE.

12:22

AND ONE OF THOSE COMES DOWN TO

12:25

THE FACT THAT IN JANUARY OF

12:27

2018, THAT IS WHEN THE WALL

12:29

STREET JOURNAL FIRST REPORTED

12:31

ABOUT THE MICHAEL COHEN AND

12:34

STORMY DANIELS $130,000

12:35

ARRANGEMENT, MORE THAN A YEAR

12:38

INTO HIS PRESIDENCY, JANUARY OF

12:40

2018, WHEN DONALD TRUMP WAS

12:42

FIRST ASKED ABOUT IT IN APRIL OF

12:45

2018 ON AIR FORCE ONE, HALLIE

12:46

WAS COVERING HIS WHITE HOUSE AT

12:47

THE TIME.

12:48

DONALD TRUMP WAS ASKED

12:50

SPECIFICALLY, DID YOU KNOW ABOUT

12:52

THE $130,000 PAYMENT TO STORMY

12:55

DANIELS.

12:56

DONALD TRUMP REPLIED NO.

12:57

HE THEN WENT ON TO SAY, QUOTE,

12:59

YOU'LL HAVE TO ASK MICHAEL

12:59

COHEN.

13:00

MICHAEL IS MY ATTORNEY.

13:01

YOU'LL HAVE TO ASK MICHAEL, AND

13:03

SO DONALD TRUMP WILL HAVE TO

13:04

WEIGH KNOWING THAT HE WILL GET

13:06

THESE QUESTIONS AND DEPENDING ON

13:07

WHAT THE PROSECUTION HAS IN

13:08

TERMS OF EVIDENCE AND TESTIMONY

13:10

FROM THE LIKES OF DAVID PECKER,

13:11

THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE ABLE

13:13

TO REPLAY THOSE VERY COMMENTS

13:15

FROM DONALD TRUMP IN 2018 AND

13:17

PUT THEM SIDE BY SIDE TO

13:19

COMMENTS THAT HE MADE IN 2016.

13:21

ONE OTHER NOTE ON HIS

13:23

CREDIBILITY, THERE IS A MAJOR

13:24

DECISION EARLIER THIS MORNING AS

13:25

WELL BY THE JUDGE.

13:27

JUDGE MERCHAN MADE THE

13:28

DETERMINATION THAT THE

13:30

PROSECUTION WILL BE ABLE TO

13:31

INTRODUCE TO THE JURY PREVIOUS

13:34

TRIAL DETERMINATIONS AGAINST

13:35

DONALD TRUMP, NAMELY TWO OF

13:38

THOSE BEING IN JUST THE LAST

13:41

YEAR, THE E. JEAN CARROLL

13:43

DEFAMATION CASE AS WELL AS THE

13:45

CIVIL FRAUD TRIAL IN WHICH JUDGE

13:47

ENGORON JUST THIS YEAR FOUND

13:47

THAT HE AND THE TRUMP

13:49

ORGANIZATION HAD ENGAGED

13:51

REPEATEDLY IN FINANCIAL FRAUD.

13:52

THOSE CASES WHICH THE JUDGE IS

13:53

GOING TO ALLOW THE PROSECUTION

13:55

TO BRING FORWARD IN FRONT OF THE

13:57

JURY WILL ALLOW THEM TO TELL THE

14:00

JURY THAT DONALD TRUMP'S

14:02

CREDIBILITY AND HIS PENCHANT FOR

14:04

LYING AND NOT BEING WHOLLY

14:07

TRUTHFUL ARE GOING TO BE KEY TO

14:09

UNDERSTANDING THAT DONALD

14:11

TRUMP'S DEFENSE AND HIS LEGAL

14:13

TEAM'S DEFENSE ARE NOT ALL THAT

14:16

CREDIBLE WHEN YOU LOOK AT HIM IN

14:18

THE ENTIRETY OF THE LAST DECADE

14:20

THAT STARTED IN AUGUST 2015,

14:22

WHEN THAT TRUMP TOWER MEETING

14:24

WHICH DONALD TRUMP HAS NOT

14:26

PUBLICLY COMMENTED ON, ALL THE

14:27

WAY INTO 2017 WHEN DAVID PECKER,

14:30

THE "NATIONAL ENQUIRER"

14:31

PUBLISHER WAS INVITED TO THE

14:33

WHITE HOUSE FOR A DINNER THAT

14:35

THE D.A.'S OFFICE SAYS WAS

14:36

ARRANGED FOR DONALD TRUMP, THE

14:38

THEN PRESIDENT, TO THANK DAVID

14:41

PECKER FOR HIS EFFORTS TO SQUASH

14:43

THOSE SALACIOUS STORIES FROM

14:45

KAREN McDOUGAL AND STORMY

14:45

DANIELS.

14:46

>> WE'RE SEEING FORMER PRESIDENT

14:48

TRUMP, THERE HE IS, OUTSIDE THE

14:50

COURTHOUSE OR OUTSIDE THE

14:51

COURTROOM.

14:52

HE'S PREPARING TO LEAVE AS HE

14:55

OFTEN DOES.

14:56

HE ADDRESSES THE CAMERAS

14:57

GATHERED THERE.

14:57

DANNY, LET ME BRING YOU BACK

14:58

INTO THE CONVERSATION.

14:59

THERE IS ANOTHER MATTER THAT THE

15:00

FORMER PRESIDENT FACED.

15:01

THAT'S THE QUESTION OF THE GAG

15:02

ORDER AND WHETHER HE HAS

15:03

RECENTLY VIOLATED THAT.

15:04

THAT'S GOING TO COME BACK UP

15:05

TOMORROW, CORRECT?

15:08

>> YES, AND LAST WEEK I SUSPECT

15:11

THAT JUSTICE MERCHAN SAID IT FOR

15:13

MORE THAN A WEEK OUT BECAUSE OF

15:14

A COUPLE DIFFERENT REASONS.

15:15

NUMBER ONE, HE HAD HUNDREDS, IF

15:17

NOT THOUSANDS, OF POTENTIAL

15:17

JURORS TO GET THROUGH, AND HE

15:19

WANTED TO GET THE PARTY STARTED.

15:21

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, BACK

15:23

THEN, MONDAY MORNING -- MONDAY

15:24

MORNING LAST WEEK WAS MIRED IN

15:27

ARGUMENTS AND MOTIONS AND I

15:28

SUSPECT THE JUSTICE WANTED TO

15:30

JUST PUSH IT OFF TO NEXT WEEK SO

15:31

THEY COULD GET THROUGH JURY

15:33

SELECTION, AND THEN ALSO, THERE

15:34

WAS ALWAYS THE POSSIBILITY THAT

15:36

BY THAT NEXT WEEK, BY TOMORROW

15:38

THERE WOULD BE MORE VIOLATIONS

15:39

OF THE GAG ORDER, AND THEY COULD

15:41

PROBABLY JUST BE CONSOLIDATED.

15:43

BUT AT THE TIME, IT WAS

15:44

APPROXIMATELY SEVEN CLAIMED

15:45

VIOLATIONS.

15:45

THAT HEARING WILL GO ON

15:47

TOMORROW, AND HERE'S WHAT I

15:47

SUSPECT.

15:48

LOOK FOR THE PEOPLE, THE

15:50

PROSECUTORS, TO ASK FOR MINIMAL

15:52

PENALTIES AT THE OUTSET.

15:53

A LOT OF FOLKS SAY A THOUSAND

15:57

DOLLARS, WHAT DOES THAT MATTER

15:58

TO DONALD TRUMP?

15:59

WELL, THESE VIOLATIONS AND THE

16:00

PUNISHMENTS ARE INCREMENTAL.

16:01

REALLY WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS

16:02

SETTING A FLOOR.

16:03

SURE, START HIM OUT WITH A

16:04

THOUSAND DOLLARS, $5,000, IT

16:06

DOESN'T MATTER, BUT THIS

16:08

SPECTRUM, THIS PATH STARTS FROM

16:10

ADMONITIONS.

16:10

IT GOES TO FINES, AND

16:12

EVENTUALLY, AT THE END OF THE

16:14

ROAD IS INCARCERATION FOR

16:16

SOMEBODY WHO VIOLATES OR IS HELD

16:20

IN CONTEMPT BY THE COURT.

16:22

NOW, THAT WOULD BE A MONUMENTAL

16:23

DECISION AND A DIFFICULT

16:24

DECISION BY THE JUDGE, BUT I

16:26

THINK THE STATE IS SHOWING THAT

16:28

THEY WANT TO MOVE IN INCREMENTS

16:29

BUT THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO

16:30

MOVE IF THERE ARE VIOLATIONS OF

16:31

THE GAG ORDER.

16:33

>> HALLIE, HOW IS THIS AFFECTING

16:35

THE RACE FOR PRESIDENT?

16:35

THE FORMER PRESIDENT LIKES TO

16:37

MENTION THAT HE WOULD OTHERWISE

16:39

BE OUT CAMPAIGNING RIGHT NOW.

16:40

>> WE'RE SEEING SOME OF THE

16:41

RUBBER MEET THE ROAD ON THAT

16:42

FRONT.

16:42

COURT IS NOT IN SESSION ON

16:44

WEDNESDAY.

16:45

HE COULD DO CAMPAIGN EVENTS ON

16:48

THOSE DAYS OR THE WEEKEND.

16:49

THIS PAST WEEKEND HE WAS

16:50

SUPPOSED TO HAVE A CAMPAIGN

16:50

RALLY.

16:51

IT WAS ESSENTIALLY A WASHOUT,

16:53

RAINED OUT, IT HAD TO BE

16:54

CANCELED BECAUSE OF WEATHER.

16:56

WHICH IS AN INDICATION SOMETIMES

16:57

THINGS JUST POP UP.

16:58

IT'S NOT ALWAYS IN YOUR CONTROL

16:59

WHEN YOU'RE A PRESIDENTIAL

17:00

CANDIDATE.

17:01

TO GET REAL INSIGHT ON HOW THIS

17:03

CASE WILL AFFECT HIM IN THE

17:05

GENERAL ELECTION.

17:06

REMEMBER, IN THE PRIMARY, ALL OF

17:08

HIS LEGAL ISSUES WERE A BOON TO

17:09

HIM.

17:10

IT RALLIED HIS REPUBLICAN BASE

17:11

AROUND HIM AND HELPED HIM GET

17:14

THAT PRESUMPTIVE GOP NOMINATION

17:16

ALL BUT LOCKED UP HERE.

17:17

WHAT HAPPENS IN A GENERAL

17:18

ELECTION.

17:18

WE MAY NOT KNOW FOR A BIT YET.

17:21

WE CAN LOOK AT NUMBERS OUT PR

17:22

OUR NBC NEWS POLLING SHOWING

17:24

THAT ABOUT 50% OF PEOPLE, AND

17:26

THIS IS POLLING IN JUST THE LAST

17:27

24 HOURS, BELIEVE THAT THE

17:28

FORMER PRESIDENT IS BEING

17:30

TREATED FAIRLY BY THE SAME

17:32

STANDARD OF LAW AS YOU OR ME OR

17:34

ANYBODY ELSE.

17:34

43% DISAGREE.

17:35

THEY BELIEVE THAT DONALD TRUMP

17:37

IS BEING TREATED UNFAIRLY,

17:38

SEEMING TO ECHO WHAT HE HAS BEEN

17:40

SAYING ALL ALONG THAT HE IS IN

17:42

MANY WAYS THE VICTIM OF

17:45

POLITICAL PERSECUTION.

17:46

THE CONVERSATION YOU WERE JUST

17:48

HAVING WITH DANNY ABOUT THAT GAG

17:49

ORDER, THE FORMER PRESIDENT

17:51

SEIZED THAT THROUGH THE LENS

17:52

THROUGH WHICH HE SEES SO MANY OF

17:53

HIS LEAGUE PROBLEMS AS AN ISSUE

17:56

OF UNFAIRNESS AGAINST HIM.

17:57

HE HAS SAID THIS ON TRUTH

17:59

SOCIAL, THIS ISN'T FAIR, THEY

18:01

CAN TALK ABOUT ME BUT I CAN'T

18:02

TALK ABOUT THEM.

18:04

HE HAS RALDILED AGAINST THAT AGA

18:06

AND AGAIN.

18:07

KEEP IN MIND, IT'S A PARTIAL GAG

18:07

ORDER.

18:08

HE DOES HAVE THE ABILITY TO

18:09

SPEAK AGAINST THE JUDGE OR MAKE

18:11

COMMENTS IN A CAMPAIGN RALLY

18:13

SETTING RELATED TO THAT, BUT THE

18:15

POLITICAL IMPOLITICAL OCCASIONS

18:17

I THINK ARE GOING TO BE REALLY

18:19

TOLD, WHEN WE DO GET A VERDICT

18:21

AND WE GET POLLING IN THE FIELD

18:22

AFTER THAT.

18:23

>> WE SAW FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP

18:25

ADDRESSING THE CAMERAS A MOMENT

18:26

AGO.

18:27

ANY IDEA WHAT HE SAID?

18:29

>> Reporter: YEAH, HE'S STILL

18:31

ADDRESSING THE CAMERAS IN

18:33

REALTIME, AND HE I SHOULD NOTE

18:35

OVER THE LAST WEEK THROUGH JURY

18:37

SELECTION WOULD OFTEN GIVE ABOUT

18:39

FIVE, 15 SECONDS OF QUICK

18:40

REMARKS OR COMMENTS TO THE

18:42

PRESS, BUT THIS IS HIS MOST

18:43

PROLONGED COMMENTARY WE HAVE

18:45

SEEN YET.

18:46

AND LARGE AMOUNT OF IT HAS SO

18:48

FAR BEEN FOCUSED ON MICHAEL

18:51

COHEN, OF COURSE WHO WAS HIS

18:52

LONG-TIME PERSONAL LAWYER, AND

18:53

HE IS UNDERCUTTING MICHAEL

18:54

COHEN'S REPUTATION.

18:56

WE SHOULD NOTE THAT, IN FACT, IT

18:59

WAS CAMPAIGN FINANCES VIOLATIONS

19:01

THAT WERE PART OF WHAT LED TO A

19:03

GUILTY PLEA FROM MICHAEL COHEN

19:05

BACK IN 2018 WHILE DONALD TRUMP

19:07

WAS SERVING AS PRESIDENT, AND IT

19:10

WAS A LONG-STANDING DOJ POLICY

19:12

TO NOT PROSECUTE A SITTING

19:13

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

19:15

BUT THAT IS WHEN MICHAEL COHEN

19:18

FOR THE ACTS THAT HAVE BEEN

19:20

AELGEDAELG

19:21

ALLEGED AS PART OF THE ACTUAL

19:24

HUSH MONEY SCHEME, LED TO

19:26

MICHAEL COHEN SERVING PRISON

19:26

TIME.

19:27

AND MICHAEL COHEN HAS BEEN VERY

19:30

PUBLIC AND VOCAL IN THE YEARS

19:32

SINCE ABOUT HIS FRUSTRATIONS AS

19:33

TO WHY PROSECUTORS AFTER DONALD

19:35

TRUMP LEFT THE WHITE HOUSE, GO

19:36

AFTER DONALD TRUMP FOR THE

19:37

ALLEGED CRIMES, AND NOW WHAT YOU

19:38

ARE HEARING IS MICHAEL COHEN

19:40

WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT HE IS

19:42

GOING TO BE A WITNESS, YOU'RE

19:45

HEARING DONALD TRUMP CALL INTO

19:46

QUESTION HIS CREDIBILITY AND

19:47

SOMEBODY WHO ONLY HAS THE INTENT

19:49

OF UNDERCUTTING HIM NOW THROUGH

19:50

THIS PROCESS.

19:51

>> VAUGHN, THANKS VERY MUCH, SO

19:54

THE OPENING STATEMENTS ARE DONE.

19:55

THE FIRST WITNESS ON THE STAND

19:56

TODAY, THAT CONCLUDES THIS NBC

19:59

NEWS SPECIAL REPORT. MUCH MORE ON OUR STREAMING

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Donald TrumpCriminal TrialHush MoneyElection InterferenceStormy DanielsMichael CohenDavid PeckerNational EnquirerLegal ProceedingsPolitical ControversyNBC News
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