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We're back from lunch.
Adam Klasfeld:
Trump's lead attorney Todd Blanche begins cross-ex.
"May I inquire?" Blanche asks.
He can — and after having Cohen confirm that they never met, Blanche's first question is a doozy.
Adam Klasfeld:
Trump's lead attorney Todd Blanche begins cross-ex.
"May I inquire?" Blanche asks.
He can — and after having Cohen confirm that they never met, Blanche's first question is a doozy.
02:21 PM - May 14, 2024
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Blanche asks Cohen whether he recently described him as "crying little shit" on TikTok.
Cohen starts to say: "It sounds like something I would say," before prosecutors object.
Judge: "Sustained."
Cohen starts to say: "It sounds like something I would say," before prosecutors object.
Judge: "Sustained."
02:24 PM - May 14, 2024
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Blanche asks whether Cohen said on TikTok, on April 23, that it sounded like David Pecker has corroborated what he's been saying for years.
Cohen agrees.
Cohen agrees.
02:25 PM - May 14, 2024
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Asked whether he's been following the trial on CNN and MSNBC, Cohen responds he's watched the networks, but not specifically for this trial.
Q: Is this trial important to you, Mr. Cohen?
A: Personally, yes.
Q: Is this trial important to you, Mr. Cohen?
A: Personally, yes.
02:26 PM - May 14, 2024
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Blanche asks whether Cohen referred to Trump as a "dictator douchebag."
"It sounds like something I said," Cohen says.
Cohen agrees with Blanche that he also said Trump belongs in a "f***ing cage" like an "animal."
"It sounds like something I said," Cohen says.
Cohen agrees with Blanche that he also said Trump belongs in a "f***ing cage" like an "animal."
02:27 PM - May 14, 2024
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Analysis:
The start of Cohen's cross highlights the pitfalls of a witness mouthing off on social media and broadcast, days before taking the stand.
Cohen agrees the DA's office urged him repeatedly to stop talking about the case.
The start of Cohen's cross highlights the pitfalls of a witness mouthing off on social media and broadcast, days before taking the stand.
Cohen agrees the DA's office urged him repeatedly to stop talking about the case.
02:28 PM - May 14, 2024
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Asked whether Cohen made a promise to his attorneys to stop talking and stop going on TV, prosecutors make an objection.
Sustained.
Blanche tries a couple other methods of making this point, prompting more objections.
Sustained, by Justice Merchan.
Sustained.
Blanche tries a couple other methods of making this point, prompting more objections.
Sustained, by Justice Merchan.
02:33 PM - May 14, 2024
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Q: You continue to talk to the press to this day?
A: About many topics.
Asked whether that includes this case, Cohen agrees that's correct.
A: About many topics.
Asked whether that includes this case, Cohen agrees that's correct.
02:34 PM - May 14, 2024
9/56
Blanche keeps rattling off Cohen's media appearances, which allegedly frustrated the DA's office.
Cohen coolly says he does not recall their frustration about an appearance with Don Lemon.
Cohen coolly says he does not recall their frustration about an appearance with Don Lemon.
02:36 PM - May 14, 2024
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During all of this, Trump's eyes appear to be closed and his head appears to be tilted up.
Cohen says he doesn't recall leaking whether he leaked the fact that he gave his phones to the DA.
Cohen says he doesn't recall leaking whether he leaked the fact that he gave his phones to the DA.
02:39 PM - May 14, 2024
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Anna Bower
So just so I understand, Blanche says, you testified about very specific recollections of conversations with Trump in 2016. But you can't recall things that happened about a year ago?
So just so I understand, Blanche says, you testified about very specific recollections of conversations with Trump in 2016. But you can't recall things that happened about a year ago?
02:44 PM - May 14, 2024
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What have prosecutors said to you about speaking to the press?
They say it's "probably better off" if you don't speak about it.
How many times? I don't recall.
More than 5? I don't think so, no. Fewer than 5 times.
They say it's "probably better off" if you don't speak about it.
How many times? I don't recall.
More than 5? I don't think so, no. Fewer than 5 times.
02:46 PM - May 14, 2024
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You haven't followed that request not to talk about the case? Correct. I'm responding--before Cohen can finish, Blanche cuts him off. He does some witness control: I'm asking you "yes" or "no," he says quickly, before moving on to the next question.
02:46 PM - May 14, 2024
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You're active on Twitter? Correct.
And TikTok? Correct.
You do a nightly live TikTok? Correct. It's more than n hour.
What's the point? Build an audience, create community, vent. I'm having trouble sleeping, so it's an outlet.
And TikTok? Correct.
You do a nightly live TikTok? Correct. It's more than n hour.
What's the point? Build an audience, create community, vent. I'm having trouble sleeping, so it's an outlet.
02:47 PM - May 14, 2024
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The DA's office gave a binder to study before your testimony? It's a binder of publicly available documents.
Cohen says it's things like his plea allocutions statement. They gave it to my attorney, he continues, and I took it home to read.
Cohen says it's things like his plea allocutions statement. They gave it to my attorney, he continues, and I took it home to read.
02:51 PM - May 14, 2024
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BLANCHE: Do you want Trump convicted in this case?
COHEN: I would like to see accountability. It's not for me, it's for the jury and the court.
BLANCHE: Yes or no, you want Trump convicted?
COHEN: Sure.
COHEN: I would like to see accountability. It's not for me, it's for the jury and the court.
BLANCHE: Yes or no, you want Trump convicted?
COHEN: Sure.
02:51 PM - May 14, 2024
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Blanche turns to the Trump-themed merchandise sold on Cohen's podcast site. One is a shirt that says "Convict 45."
and
BLANCHE: You still live in a building with Trump's name on it?
COHEN: I do.
---
(oh my god this is going to drag out with the dumb focus...)
and
BLANCHE: You still live in a building with Trump's name on it?
COHEN: I do.
---
(oh my god this is going to drag out with the dumb focus...)
02:59 PM - May 14, 2024
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You were Trump's personal attorney at Trump Org? Yes.
Never answered to anyone at the Trump Org, just Trump? Correct.
You sometimes represented his family? I have, yes.
Who? Melania, Don Jr., I don't believe I ever repped Eric. I can't recall if I ever represented Ivanka.
Never answered to anyone at the Trump Org, just Trump? Correct.
You sometimes represented his family? I have, yes.
Who? Melania, Don Jr., I don't believe I ever repped Eric. I can't recall if I ever represented Ivanka.
03:02 PM - May 14, 2024
19/56
You admired Trump? Yes, sir.
His success, tenacity? Very much so.
You read Art of the Deal twice? Yes.
You called it a masterpiece? Yes.
You were obsessed w/ Trump? I don't know if I would characterize it as obsessed. I admired him tremendously.
His success, tenacity? Very much so.
You read Art of the Deal twice? Yes.
You called it a masterpiece? Yes.
You were obsessed w/ Trump? I don't know if I would characterize it as obsessed. I admired him tremendously.
03:04 PM - May 14, 2024
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Blanche runs though all the nice things Cohen has said about Trump before their relationship soured.
You've said that Trump speaks from the heart? He just wants to Make America Great Again? That kind of thing.
You've said that Trump speaks from the heart? He just wants to Make America Great Again? That kind of thing.
03:04 PM - May 14, 2024
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BLANCHE: And you weren't lying when you said those nice things about Trump, right?
COHEN: "At that time, I was knee deep into the cult of Donald Trump...I was not lying, that's how I felt."
COHEN: "At that time, I was knee deep into the cult of Donald Trump...I was not lying, that's how I felt."
03:06 PM - May 14, 2024
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Do you recall a Vanity Fair profile that was done in September of 2017? I do.
You participated in that article? Written by Emily Jane Fox.
You said you were the guy who protects the President and the family? I believe so.
You said you'd take a bullet for Trump? Yes.
You participated in that article? Written by Emily Jane Fox.
You said you were the guy who protects the President and the family? I believe so.
You said you'd take a bullet for Trump? Yes.
03:07 PM - May 14, 2024
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You had no intention of writing a book at that time in 2017? I had no intention at that time.
You said there was no money in the world that would get you to disclose anything about the family? OK.
You described the Trumps as a surrogate family? Correct.
You said there was no money in the world that would get you to disclose anything about the family? OK.
You described the Trumps as a surrogate family? Correct.
03:09 PM - May 14, 2024
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You told Hope Hicks in Jun 2017 that you missed Trump and the people you'd been around for years? Yes, I did...I did say I missed President Trump. I said the same things at a fundraiser in Washington, DC.
03:11 PM - May 14, 2024
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BLANCHE: Because of an ongoing investigation, there was a separation of sorts between you and Trump in 2017?
COHEN: Yes.
BLANCHE: And you said it was frustrating bc you couldn't spend as much time with Trump or his kids?
COHEN: "Where was that said?"
COHEN: Yes.
BLANCHE: And you said it was frustrating bc you couldn't spend as much time with Trump or his kids?
COHEN: "Where was that said?"
03:12 PM - May 14, 2024
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BLANCHE: You testified before Congress in the fall of that year. And that's the testimony in which you said you lied? Regarding the Russia project?
COHEN: Correct.
BLANCHE: Were you lying in that testimony when you said you'd always support him?
That was true at the time.
COHEN: Correct.
BLANCHE: Were you lying in that testimony when you said you'd always support him?
That was true at the time.
03:14 PM - May 14, 2024
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BLANCHE: At some point in August of 2018, you decided that you were going to meet with the special counsel's (Mueller's) office and cooperate?
COHEN: I don't remember the specific date when I decided to cooperate.
COHEN: I don't remember the specific date when I decided to cooperate.
03:16 PM - May 14, 2024
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BLANCHE: You first met with Mueller in August of 2018?
COHEN: Yes.
BLANCHE: You gave them a reason why you were going to meet with them?
COHEN: I'm sure I did.
COHEN: Yes.
BLANCHE: You gave them a reason why you were going to meet with them?
COHEN: I'm sure I did.
03:18 PM - May 14, 2024
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BLANCHE: You lied to the special counsel investigators about the Trump Tower Moscow project?
COHEN: "I believe that the information I gave to them was inaccurate."
Cohen's being careful here, trying to parse the difference between a lie and a misrepresentation.
COHEN: "I believe that the information I gave to them was inaccurate."
Cohen's being careful here, trying to parse the difference between a lie and a misrepresentation.
03:21 PM - May 14, 2024
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BLANCHE: But you're not saying that it was a lie?
COHEN: "I'll say it was a lie."
COHEN: "I'll say it was a lie."
03:23 PM - May 14, 2024
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Blanche asks Cohen about his discussions with the special counsel's office regarding the Access Hollywood tape during that Aug. 2018 meeting. Yesterday, Cohen testified about specific calls w/TFG and Hope Hicks about the tape. But he didn't disclose those detail to the special counsel back in 2018.
03:28 PM - May 14, 2024
32/56
You didn't recall much when the special counsel's office asked you about the Access Hollywood tape in 2018?
Cohen says that he was still trying to "protect" Trump then. He was being "deceptive" for that reason.
Cohen says that he was still trying to "protect" Trump then. He was being "deceptive" for that reason.
03:29 PM - May 14, 2024
33/56
You were looking in the fall of 2019 for a way to get your sentence reduced? Yes.
Do you recall a visitor named Anthony Scaramucci? Yes.
(Fun fact: This trial has lasted longer than The Mooch did in the Trump White House!)
Do you recall a visitor named Anthony Scaramucci? Yes.
(Fun fact: This trial has lasted longer than The Mooch did in the Trump White House!)
03:31 PM - May 14, 2024
34/56
afternoon break. this cross is all over the place from what I can see. They're trying to discredit Cohen and it's not very convincing. also my internet keeps freezing augh💀
03:42 PM - May 14, 2024
35/56
Adam Klasfeld
Cohen agrees that he asked prosecutors what the benefit would be for meeting with them, when they first visited him in Otisville.
Cohen agrees that he asked prosecutors what the benefit would be for meeting with them, when they first visited him in Otisville.
03:52 PM - May 14, 2024
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Anna Bower
BLANCHE: One of the first things you asked the Manhattan DA about was what the benefit to you would be?
Cohen says that he did.
BLANCHE: One of the first things you asked the Manhattan DA about was what the benefit to you would be?
Cohen says that he did.
03:56 PM - May 14, 2024
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BLANCHE: Your sentence reduction motion was denied by a federal judge right?
COHEN: It was.
BLANCHE: And then in September of 2020 your first book was launched, "Disloyal"?
COHEN: Correct.
COHEN: It was.
BLANCHE: And then in September of 2020 your first book was launched, "Disloyal"?
COHEN: Correct.
03:58 PM - May 14, 2024
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BLANCHE: And you on one of your early podcasts referred to Trump as a "cheetah dusted cartoon villain"?
COHEN: That sounds like something I said.
COHEN: That sounds like something I said.
04:00 PM - May 14, 2024
39/56
In October of 2020, the last time you had met with the Manhattan DAs office was about a year earlier? Correct.
So you met with them in prison, then your sentence reduction request got denied, then you were on home confinement? Correct.
So you met with them in prison, then your sentence reduction request got denied, then you were on home confinement? Correct.
04:02 PM - May 14, 2024
40/56
Blanche asks Cohen to put headphones on to listen to an Oct. 23, 2020, clip from Cohen's Mea Culpa podcast.
Cohen puts on his headphones. It's giving Sony Walkman circa 1996.
Cohen puts on his headphones. It's giving Sony Walkman circa 1996.
04:04 PM - May 14, 2024
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BLANCHE: You just heard a portion of your podcast. You said in that same podcast that Trump needs to wear handcuffs and do a perp walk? People won't be satisfied until he's in a cell?
COHEN: I don't recall saying that but wouldn't put it past me.
COHEN: I don't recall saying that but wouldn't put it past me.
04:05 PM - May 14, 2024
42/56
You make money off podcasts, correct? Yes, sir.
You are motivated by fame? No, sir, I don't think that's fair to say.
Is it fair to say you're motivated by publicity? I don't know that that's fair to say. I'm motivated by many things.
You are motivated by fame? No, sir, I don't think that's fair to say.
Is it fair to say you're motivated by publicity? I don't know that that's fair to say. I'm motivated by many things.
04:06 PM - May 14, 2024
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Do you recall saying in an interview that you wanted private planes, wealth, glamour, etc.? Yes, those are my words.
You love being on CNN, MSNBC, even Fox? I loved it when I was speaking on behalf of Trump.
Do you love it now? Less, but I still do.
You love being on CNN, MSNBC, even Fox? I loved it when I was speaking on behalf of Trump.
Do you love it now? Less, but I still do.
04:08 PM - May 14, 2024
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You put the money you made from your book -- about 2 million -- into a trust for your family? It went into a bank account.
So after Oct. 30, 2019, you didn't meet with Manhattan prosecutors again until January 11, 2021? Cohen indicates that is correct.
So after Oct. 30, 2019, you didn't meet with Manhattan prosecutors again until January 11, 2021? Cohen indicates that is correct.
04:10 PM - May 14, 2024
45/56
There was someone at the DA's office named Mark Pomerantz at that time? Correct.
You started meeting w/ Pomerantz and others in the office? Yes.
Those meetings were on Zoom? Sounds correct.
You started meeting w/ Pomerantz and others in the office? Yes.
Those meetings were on Zoom? Sounds correct.
04:12 PM - May 14, 2024
46/56
So back to the Feb. 2021 time frame, you were meeting w/ the DA's office but it wasn't about *this* case? That's correct.
04:14 PM - May 14, 2024
47/56
During that 2021 period, you wanted the DA's office to publicly acknowledge that you were cooperating? I would say so.
You were still serving your sentence at that time? Yes, I was still on home confinement.
You were still serving your sentence at that time? Yes, I was still on home confinement.
04:15 PM - May 14, 2024
48/56
What were your restrictions on home confinement? Cohen says that he could go anywhere in Manhattan for three hours a day. He wore an ankle monitor at first, but then he did phone check ins.
04:16 PM - May 14, 2024
49/56
Blanche is trying to suggest that Cohen was motivated to cooperate with the investigation in order to get a sentence reduction so that he could be released earlier from home confinement.
04:19 PM - May 14, 2024
50/56
So during your home confinement, did you meet with the DA at your house or did you go to the DA's offices? Possibly both.
And you were still doing TV at this time? I don't remember if I was doing TV while on home confinement.
And you were still doing TV at this time? I don't remember if I was doing TV while on home confinement.
04:20 PM - May 14, 2024
51/56
What about going on MSNBC on Ali Velshi's show in Jan. 2021?
I don't remember that date, but I've been on Mr. Velshi's show many times
I don't remember that date, but I've been on Mr. Velshi's show many times
04:22 PM - May 14, 2024
52/56
At some point you understood that there was a new DA? Correct.
Have you met DA Bragg? No, sir.
Then in October 2022, you publish your second book, "Revenge." How much money have you made from "Revenge"? I don't know exactly, but I would say about $400,000.
Have you met DA Bragg? No, sir.
Then in October 2022, you publish your second book, "Revenge." How much money have you made from "Revenge"? I don't know exactly, but I would say about $400,000.
04:23 PM - May 14, 2024
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So combined with "Disloyal," you've made about 2.4 million over the last four years? Yes.
In Revenge, you talk about your frustration with "President Trump" not being prosecuted? Yes.
In Revenge, you talk about your frustration with "President Trump" not being prosecuted? Yes.
04:24 PM - May 14, 2024
54/56
BLANCHE: In your book, you called yourself a fixer?
COHEN: Yes.
BLANCHE: But are you fixing things that you broke?
COHEN: No, sir.
COHEN: Yes.
BLANCHE: But are you fixing things that you broke?
COHEN: No, sir.
04:26 PM - May 14, 2024
55/56
Blanche turns to the subject of Cohen turning over his phones in 2023, but he doesn't get far.
Justice Merchan interject: Mr. Blanche, is this a good time to stop?
Blanche agrees to put a pin in it until Thursday.
Merchan gives the usual instructions to the jurors.
Justice Merchan interject: Mr. Blanche, is this a good time to stop?
Blanche agrees to put a pin in it until Thursday.
Merchan gives the usual instructions to the jurors.
04:29 PM - May 14, 2024
56/56
Once the jurors file out, Justice Merchan instructs the parties to approach the bench. An out-of-earshot conference ensues.
---
wow, that was going nowhere
---
wow, that was going nowhere
04:32 PM - May 14, 2024
