Cohen says he paid Stormy Daniels to influence the 2016 election ‘on behalf of Trump’
The prosecution asks Michael Cohen: Why in fact did you pay that money to Stormy Daniels?
To ensure that the story would not come out, would not affect Mr Trump’s chances of becoming President of the United States.
If not for the campaign, Mr Cohen, would you have paid that money? “No, ma’am.”
“At who’s direction, and on who’s behalf, did you commit that crime?” Cohen said:
On behalf of Mr. Trump.
He’s talking about his admission to an AMI-related charge, the Karen McDougal payment. Why did he do it?
In order to ensure that the possibility of Mr Trump succeeding in the election, that this would not be a hindrance.
This was “at the direction of Donald J Trump.” And for who’s benefit?
For the benefit of Donald J Trump.
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Trump attorney Todd Blanche is asking Michael Cohen about how he gave two phones to the district attorney’s office.
“Two different phones, two different days?” Cohen says: “That’s correct.”
Does he remember going on TV two days later on Don Lemon, telling him that he had been in contact with the district attorney and turning over your phones? Does he remember the district attorney’s office being frustrated that you’d done that? Cohen says: “No, sure.”
Did Cohen leak to CNN that he gave his phones to prosecutors? Cohen says: “I don’t recall.”
Blanche presses: If it was leaked by CNN, not by you, who else could have?
Clearly, [Cohen’s former attorney] Lanny Davis, could be others, I don’t know.
Who else knew? “People in the district attorney’s office.”
Sam Levine
We’re about 15 minutes into Trump attorney Todd Blanche’s cross-examination and prosecutor Susan Hoffinger has had at least half a dozen objections sustained.
There’s no rhythm here and it’s not clear where Blanche is going.
Trump attorney Todd Blanche immediately raises Michael Cohen’s commentary of the trial at the start of his cross-examination as a way of seeding the idea that Cohen hates Donald Trump.Blanche says:
On April 1 after the trial started, you referred to president Trump as a dictator douche bag didn’t you?
Cohen responds:
Sounds like something I’d said.
Blanche asks whether Cohen said he’d like to see Trump in a cage, “like a fucking animal. Do you recall saying that? Cohen responds:
I recall saying that.
Blanche is asking whether prosecutors have asked him to stop commenting publicly about the case. “They might have, yes.”
Is it fair to say that the prosecutors have told him repeatedly to stop talking about the case.