Donald Trump’s former fixer and lawyer, Michael Cohen, is expected to take the stand in the hush money trial, testifying about the hush money agreement he negotiated with Stormy Daniels in 2016 and how Trump repaid him the following year. Cohen’s testimony is crucial to the prosecution’s charges that Trump illegally falsified business records by concealing the reimbursement of Cohen to keep the payments hidden before the 2016 election. In the lead up to Cohen’s testimony, prosecutors introduced text messages and phone records as evidence for the jury, with the possibility of resting their case by the end of the following week.
Cohen’s forthcoming testimony implicating Trump brings with it the baggage of Cohen’s own legal troubles, including federal charges of campaign finance violations, tax crimes, and lying to Congress. Cohen’s credibility with the jury will play a critical role in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s case, making it high stakes for the prosecution when Cohen takes the stand. Trump’s attorney has requested the court to order Cohen to stop discussing the trial and Trump publicly, citing a TikTok video Cohen posted wearing a shirt with Trump behind bars.
Despite the request to have Cohen refrain from speaking about the trial, the judge cannot gag witnesses in the case, though he directed the prosecutors to communicate to Cohen to stop making statements about the case or Trump. Meanwhile, Trump exchanged smiles with his former White House assistant after she wrapped up her testimony, with the assistant testifying to Trump’s multitasking habits and distanced him from then-Trump Org. CFO Allen Weisselberg. Prosecutors introduced key text and call records into evidence to support their case against Trump with the anticipation of resting by the end of the following week.
The trial day also saw prosecutors introducing records that included a summary of charges against Trump, invoices, vouchers, and checks related to the business records that were allegedly falsified. Text messages between Stormy Daniels’ manager and National Enquirer editor provided insight into the negotiation and payment details of the hush money agreement, corroborating witnesses’ testimonies and potentially strengthening Cohen’s credibility when he testifies. The prosecution expects to call two more witnesses before resting their case, after which Trump’s defense will present their case.
The defense’s presentation is uncertain, hinging on whether Trump himself will take the stand. The judge introduced a potential curveball when Trump’s lawyers objected to allowing Weisselberg’s settlement agreement into evidence, arguing that it was prejudicial. Prosecutors defended the inclusion of the agreement to explain Weisselberg’s absence and revealed their expectation of him invoking his Fifth Amendment rights. The judge suggested considering having Weisselberg testify without the jury present to determine his stance, a move that could extend the trial duration unexpectedly. Despite various legal maneuvers and testimonies, the trial continues to unfold, with key witnesses yet to take the stand.
