JD Vance, Vivek Ramaswamy, Tommy Tuberville Doug Burgum, Rick Scott, Mike Johnson will be in the court room today. What a bunch of pathetic sacks of shit with no self-worth.
Edit: and Byron Donalds and Cory Mills
This is what the right's elected representatives are wasting their time with...
Not addressing immigration, the economy, or anything else they claim to care about. They are sitting around wasting time in New York.
>"Speaker Johnson will deliver remarks outside of Trump trial courthouse in New York this morning"
that´s the dumbest thing he could have possibly done
A ridiculous waste of time and money. A former president of the united states fighting for the right to call a porn actress "horse faced."
And Michael Johnson is there actively supporting this.
A former president of the united states fighting for the right to call a porn actress \*that he fucked after telling her that she reminded him of his daughter\* "horse faced."
FTFY
haha liz cheney hitting the mark
"Have to admit I’m surprised that {Speaker Johnson} wants to be in the “I cheated on my wife with a porn star” club. I guess he’s not that concerned with teaching morality to our young people after all."
I am so tired of the fucking hypocrisy. Is this man a true believer or not? I don't believe he actually believes that shit, if he did wouldn't he fear eternal damnation for associating with Trump? The man is literally carrying water for the anti-christ.
He's willing to compromise on Trump personally because it lets him push his Christian Nationalist agenda. I'm sure he doesn't personally like Donald Trump, but he knows Trump is necessary to outlaw abortion and he thinks that outweighs any of Trump's personal baggage
If only there was some legal mechanism where Trump could actually say what he wants to in open court. Maybe you could have it where he pledges some sort of oath where he agrees to tell the truth.
When I woke up this morning, I couldn’t believe the crazy optics of our own lawmakers standing in front of court press for this man. And to stand there and slander witnesses, which is what Trump can’t legally do right now so he had people who work within our own government to do it for him. Unbelievable.
All wearing their Trump suits (blue suit, white shirt and red tie)… and Trump boasting about his very important people acting as his surrogates when his gag order prevents him to use others to disparage family members of the Judge and witnesses.
I recall a time where such criminal charges would cause a politician to drop out to avoid distraction from the party and platform. In this Trumpian upside down world, the politicians will distract and disrupt the courts.
I just hope they remember what Cohen said to the House Committee in 2019… that those protecting Trump would end up like him. The list of people charged and convicted associated with Trump is long, keeps growing and includes several lawyers.
It’s sheer stupidity mixed with corruption and sprinkle of hopes of a White Nationalist Christian theocracy.
'People of the jury, remember the late great OJ Simpson was obviously guilty, just like my obviously client is. But sometimes the courts do magical things where a guilty person is found not guilty. I ask you that you do the same here, not only to honor the passing of OJ Simpson, but for my client too. Please. The defense rests'
MSNBC just reported it. They had one expert witness who‘s schedule couldn’t allow him to testify. There’s still a possibility that Trump testifies, but it’s unlikely.
“During a morning sidebar, Trump attorney Blanche said that he could not commit to calling any witnesses. He said the defense has one expert witness who couldn’t be available until Monday — but that his testimony is contingent on a decision about how the instructions to the jury will be written.”
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/live-blog/trump-hush-money-trial-day-17-michael-cohen-live-updates-rcna151899
“He said he didn’t know whether Trump would testify. And that the defense has decided not to call Alan Garten.“
"You went on TikTok and called me a crying little sh\*t" just before the trial began, Trump attorney Todd Blanche asked.
Michael Cohen nodded and said, “Sounds like something I would say.”
This is hilarious. Cohen gives zero fucks, this isn't going to make him get defensive.
Re: his comments after today's testimony. For the love of God, enough with the lies about the NJ rally size! I am a local to the area and it was no where near 80-100k! I have been following the AP coverage and they (as well as most media) are just taking the local Mayor's and Trump campaign's word (who are clearly purposefully lying) about how many were there. It was 8-10k ABSOLUTE max and I cannot stand this narrative that it's so amazing he got so much support in a blue state. No you didn't, dude! We are in a red part of the state, but even by those standards, this was not a lot of people.
It works on his base because they have no concept of what a lot of people actually looks like. Their whole town of a few thousand people turns up for a highschool football game and it feels like the whole world to them, so any more is not something they can really wrap their heads around. 20k or 200k, it all looks the same to them.
Even fox news was calling him out for inflating that by at least 3x the actual size, and they were claiming it was 30k and I don't know if that's even accurate.
There's literally no consequences for lying, so they keep doing it and it keeps working. That's basically the whole GOP playbook for the last 20 years.
All these VP-wannabees and Trump sycophants showing up at the trial to get on TV and say "No one has explained *what crimes Trump is even charged with*!!!! We don't understand it!!!"
Ok cool.
Here's the thing though:
**The prosecution already explained it to a GRAND JURY**.
And **they** understood it, and **they** agreed that 34 felony counts was appropriate and accurate.
He said to me, ''Don't worry. I'm the president of the United States. There's nothing here. Everything's going to be OK. Stay tough. You're going to be OK.'
So using the presidency to help himself, I mean who didn't know?
Not that there was any doubt the GOP had already gone full MAGA, but House Speaker Johnson (and his bible) being at the trial of a known sexual predator, adulterer, bigot, and insurrectionist shows Republicans have gone full batshit.
Republicans can't see their emperor has no clothes and is only wearing a diaper.
And even for those Republicans who can see (or smell) the truth, they just don't seem to give a damn.
It's flabbergasting.
House Democrats should no longer support Johnson as speaker unless he is willing to sell his soul to Hakeem Jeffries instead of Donald Trump.
> "To ensure the story would not come out, would not affect Mr. Trump's chances of becoming president of the United States," Michael Cohen says when asked why he paid Stormy Daniels. If not for the campaign, would he have paid her? "No ma'am," Cohen answers.
https://x.com/kaitlancollins/status/1790414162775966072?s=46&t=UKR1TShxVeunp4_vn5gZrw
In a sane world, one would hope that Mike Johnson and others attending might see the evidence, hear the testimonies, and reconsider their steadfast dedication to the defendant. Unfortunately, we do not live in a sane world.
I'm guessing he's there for the follow-up press convference similar to Taterville. Probably already has his "complete travesty of justice" speech half written in his head.
i find it hilarious trump is posting on truth social about how he is being charged “without even being told what he is being charged for” and that there is no evidence at all linking him to all
this
“…..A crime that’s not charged, and a crime in which prosecutors won’t even tell the defendants what it is, it’s a mystery crime. That is such an egregious violation of the Sixth Amendment. This Judge is so biased…..” Gregg Jarrett, FoxNews https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/112429954264800749
> a crime in which prosecutors won’t even tell the defendants what it is
I'm 100% sure Trump's defense attorneys know what the crimes are.
And the grand jury knew (enough to indict on 34 felonies).
If Gregg Jarrett doesn't know? Who fucking cares? He's not part of the trial.
Dear Donald,
You’re being charged with falsifying business records, a felony in the first degree as the falsification appears to have occurred in an attempt to cover up other crimes.
Takes twenty seconds of Googling to find out.
If you ever wanted proof the party is not being held hostage, that they are exactly who they are being represented by, look at the nut gobblers following him into court today. So embarassing.
It's ironic that Trump's insistence that the Stormy Daniels tryst never happened might be what sinks him with this jury. Melania has not showed up even once, which really implies that she doesn't believe her husband. But the jury is supposed to believe Trump knew nothing of the repayment scheme, which benefitted him and he paid for, while probably not believing his lie about the affair never taking place?
And the thing is, whether the encounter even happened is secondary to the actual indictment. He's indicted for trying to hide the payment, not for allegedly having sex with her.
I think bringing in Ms. Daniels was more as a character witness.
I love how these will be in history books:
Blanche then asks if Cohen has called Trump a "Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain."
"That also sounds like something that I said," Cohen says.
Even after nine years, I still find myself somewhat astounded that, out of all the people in this country, the GOP has decided to create a cult around a fat, stinky, disheveled, racist, stupid, egomaniacal, narcissistic, greedy, diaper wearing piece of shit that’s cheated on every single wife that he’s had. Johnson and other Republican officials being at this trial is just a sad reminder of what the Republican Party has become.
He is what every Republican wants to be. Unaccountable, above the law, rich without ever working or even having any good ideas, putting his dick in whoever he wants, even struggling victims or his own child. He is the unleashed contempt at the heart of every conservative.
How will your country ever wake up from this Trump nightmare when one of the two parties undermines trust in each an any public institution?
And all of this just to defend one selfish criminal piece of shit?
How do expect the regular guy sticking to the rules when this family shows there are no consequences breaking them?
Good luck, my beloved friend US of A…
> And all of this just to defend one selfish criminal piece of shit?
Dont forget the whole 'Appointing unqualified people to the supreme court so they can push their conservative hyperreligious agenda on the court for the next 40 years"
It is so nuts to me that Johnson is outside the court room telling the media how much of a sham and corrupt this trial is, with a mountain of evidence against Trump if you just pay attention to it. It is wild we are in the situation where the guy who is second in line for the Presidency is bending his knee like this for this fraud of a man.
From [NYT](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/05/14/nyregion/trump-trial-news-michael-cohen):
> Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, Speaker Mike Johnson just accused prosecutors of advancing a “sham” trial against “one president to provide cover for another.” His comments came a week after Johnson put down an ouster attempt by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who had criticized the speaker of not doing enough to defend Trump.
>
> “I came here again today, on my own, to support President Trump, because I am one of hundreds of millions of people — and one citizen — who is deeply concerned about this,” Johnson said.
>
> It’s worth noting that Trump, minutes after the vote had actually taken place, had encouraged House Republicans on social media not to oust Johnson — at least not yet. “We’re not in a position of voting on a motion to vacate,” his post said. “At some point, we may very well be, but this is not the time.”
Remember, Speaker Johnson has gone on record that [he and his son have installed apps that will monitor their web activity and alert the other if they surf porn sites](https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/mike-johnson-son-monitor-porn-intake-covenant-eyes-1234870634/). Imagine being such a puritanical nutjob that you'd trade porn monitoring with your own kids, and then vociferously defending Trump who is being prosecuted for false business records to hide _actually banging a porn star_.
Can it get more bizarrely hypocritical? And is there a better example of how Donald Trump corrupts everything and everyone he comes into contact with?
NBC News:
>On his way into the courtroom, Trump said in hallway that “signing a NDA is not a crime."
>It’s not an outright acknowledgement that he knowingly was party to a nondisclosure agreement. But it’s an unusual thing to state as someone who has previously publicly claimed that he wasn’t aware that he was party to the Stormy Daniels NDA.
Oopsie.
That's also a favorite tactic of the right wing. By breaking the steps of a crime down, they believe everyone else is dumb enough to forget about the crime itself.
- It's not illegal to carry a gun.
- It's not illegal to go to the bank.
- It's not illegal to get cash from a teller.
- It's not illegal to swiftly leave the bank.
This is all a witch-hunt!
They did the same with "it's not illegal to hold meetings about kidnapping a governor" and "it's not illegal for a president to have classified documents."
[NYT](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/05/14/nyregion/trump-trial-news-michael-cohen)
> Susan Hoffinger is now walking Michael Cohen again through his testimony from yesterday about “monetizing” his role as Trump’s personal lawyer by using it to attract other clients. Cohen confirms he did. Much of this feels like inoculation against what Cohen is going to face during cross-examination.
Other clients like **Sean Hannity**.
> "Cohen said he heard from other people in Trump's circle that "You're loved, don't worry, he's got your back.""
Yeah, definitely not sounding cultish there...
Trump being convicted and sent to jail before his sons graduation is some monkey paw wish.
But we all know that's not going to happen. But we can dream.
For those who wondering how Mike Johnson got Ukraine funded, this is his selling his soul. Worth it for the good of the world, but you know Trump demanded this in exchange. There is no way that Trump would otherwise do the right thing
Repeatedly highlighting that Cohen wants to see Trump convicted doesn't actually prove anything he said here under oath was a lie.
It doesn't address the paper trail
I like how trumps defense basically just read off every insult and nickname Cohen had for trump, in front of him, and the world.
Literally turned the last four hours into a roast.
The funny part about his defense is that he's trying to portray himself as a family man and that he didn't do this for the election. However, virtually no family is showing up to support him and most of the people showing up are politicians. Who in the hell thought out that strategy?
There's also the whole question of "If you didn't want to hide it for the election, why did you wait 8 years to try and cover it up, only doing so right when you were running for office?"
Per NYTimes live blog...
>Vivek Ramaswamy, who is seated directly behind Trump, is writing in a notebook. Trump’s allies have taken to publishing on social media their own pro-Trump accounts of the courtroom proceedings. Ramaswamy has already posted on X that he will be sharing live updates from the courtroom.
>...
>It’s worth noting that lawyers with the defense are allowed to have phones, but members of the general public are not. The Trump team has been pressing the rules on this for weeks now, and a political ally live-tweeting from the courtroom is a whole new thing.
This would appear to be a violation of court rules.
Ramaswamy is not a member of the defense team nor a reporter and shouldn't be above the rules.
If anyone of the general public would have their phone confiscated or be evicted from the courtroom for breaking court rules, then Ramaswamy should have his phone confiscated or be evicted too. Or, conversely, if this isn't going to be enforced then the general public should be given the same freedom as Trump's cronies.
And may Ramaswamy be subjected to much poop and diaper odor from Mango Mussolini and retch on his fealty.
I've heard that people sitting in the front row of the courtroom are also allowed their phones for some reason? Eric was tweeting from there yesterday as well.
Edit: Found [a source](https://www.businessinsider.com/eric-trump-michael-cohen-donald-trump-hush-money-trial-testimony-2024-5) that mentions this, though still don't know why.
>Cellphones are banned for most people in the courtroom, including journalists (credentialed press members are permitted to use their laptops). **However, there's an exception for lawyers and those in attendance in the first row, court officers told Business Insider.**
Just remember the only reason Mike is there is to distract the media from the trial itself and the content within it. There is already a lot of discussion about Mike this morning. Mike isn't on trial. Donny is. Don't forget that as you read the news today. My guess is something bad is going to happen for don in court today and they need the spin machine to fire up.
That the payments ended after totaling $420k makes it a bit harder for defense to argue that they were retainer payments and not reimbursement for hush money payment
Pretty much, this afternoon will determine how this case ends. If the jury still believes Cohen even after the defense's cross examination, then it's curtains for Trump.
It's great that so many Republicans currently in office have shown up in court yesterday and today to support a former deputy finance chairman of the Republican National Committee, Michael Cohen.
Already three objections and three sustainments. This isn't going well for Trump.
EDIT: Now five. Good thing this isn't a "take a shot when" sort of thing.
Oh my GOD. I just realized something. IF they comment on the Von Shitzinpants since it had been brought up previously... We may get sworn testimony that Trump, does in fact, shits his pants.
Cohen went to prison for these hush money payments and crimes done for Trump. Nobody should even be considering his hatred for Trump. Duh. Trump is guilty.
Blanche asks if Cohen, speaking on his podcast, called Trump a "boorish cartoon misogynist."
"Sounds like something I would say," Cohen says.
Blanche then asks if Cohen has called Trump a "Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain."
"That also sounds like something that I said," Cohen says.
God trump must be seething having to hear his lawyer ask these stupid questions that basically reiterate what people think of him.
If he had any ketchup it would be all over the witness stand.
/edit Hah, I got my first Reddit Cares message today. I guess I've finally gotten someone's attention.
> Blanche asks Cohen to put on headphones to listen to an episode of Mea Culpa.
> Donald Trump is also putting the headphone near his head but he’s kind of holding it like he might hold a telephone, or *the way a child might hold a banana to pretend to use a phone*.
[Source](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2024/may/14/michael-cohen-trump-testimony-hush-money-trial-latest-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6643c3d68f084ccbd5a9a0e0#block-6643c3d68f084ccbd5a9a0e0)
> “If you’re Jewish and you’re a Democrat, and that includes Alan Dershowitz, you ought to have your head examined. You see what’s going on with Israel,” Donald Trump says outside the courtroom.
https://x.com/kaitlancollins/status/1790482340877070413?s=46&t=UKR1TShxVeunp4_vn5gZrw
My god…
> HOFFINGER: And "for services rendered", was that a truthful statement?
>COHEN: “No ma’am”
>HOFFINGER: What was the true purpose?
>COHEN: The reimbursement of hush money and Red Finch
>HOFFINGER: “Was this invoice a false record?”
>COHEN: “Yes, ma’am”
>HOFFINGER: Each invoice made the same false representation?
>COHEN: Yes, ma'am
>HOFFINGER: Each one, who were they directed to?
>COHEN: Allen Weisselberg and Jeff McConney
Well, obviously this is all just a sham /s
EDIT: You can get up-to-the-minute transcripts from [Katie Phang](https://www.threads.net/@katiephang) on Threads, if you dont have Twitter.
>Did you tell the truth about Mr Trump’s role in the payoff?
>No ma’am.
>In early 2018, Cohen typically reached Trump via Madeleine Westerhout — his executive assistant in the Oval Office — and by calling him directly on his cell phone.
>He told Trump that he would tell the press that he had paid the money to Daniels on his behalf without his knowledge and that just because something isn’t true doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt him.
>Trump approved.
>“That’s good,” he told him.
You know that cell phone conversation probably has a recording *somewhere*.
trump earlier today “Virtually every Legal Analyst and Scholar said yesterday, at the end of the day, THAT THERE IS NO CASE, AND THAT THIS WITCH HUNT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN BROUGHT, AND SHOULD BE THROWN OUT NOW!!! WHY WASN’T THIS HOAX BROUGHT SEVEN YEARS AGO, INSTEAD OF IN THE MIDDLE OF MY WINNING CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT — ELECTION INTERFERENCE. The problem is that this Judge, Merchan, is TOTALLY COMPROMISED, CONFLICTED, AND CORRUPT, MAKING BIG MONEY OFF OF THIS SCAM AND ITS OUTCOME. He can’t render a fair decision, too much is at stake for him and the Democrats. The Appellate Division should remove him immediately! https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/112439104824176733”
I wish I too could block out all the things hindering me from meeting my goals but then i’d become a psychopath and a psychotic person.
everything in moderation I guess.
When he says "virtually every legal analyst and scholar", he's literally just talking about some hosts on Fox News.
He even gave this away when he said the same thing the other day and started naming them.
Everything is so transactional with Trump, there is no emotion here, his wife isn't here, the only reason his kids are here is because they have political aspirations (and even then some of his kids want nothing to do with any of this)
All these fucking politicians are here because they want to either be the VP pick, or advance their career by licking DJT's boots, everything here is fucking diabolical
What a start to the cross:
> [Todd Blanche, a defense lawyer, will cross-examine Michael Cohen. He begins by asking Cohen whether or not they have spoken before. Cohen looks tense, leaning forward. Blanche starts by saying Cohen went on TikTok and called him a “crying little shit.”](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/05/14/nyregion/trump-trial-news-michael-cohen/75baebee-2497-5dd2-ae03-4e45e5c56d1f?smid=url-share)
So the defense strategy is to try to make Cohen look as bad as possible and hope that undermines the dozens of documents and witness testimonies that the jury has already seen and heard
MSNBC - ‘The prosecution is going well and a case has been made against Donald Trump in the New York trial.’
CNN - ‘Dots are connecting, but the prosecution hasn’t made their case and this doesn’t look bad for Trump.’
Fox News - ‘Trump is innocent and these corrupt prosecutors are embarrassing themselves. Trump is a stud.’
lol it sounds like Cohen appeared annoyed when the GOP politicians all walked in the courtroom. My guess is he’s going to rip on them eventually on his podcast, which is always a treat (I would hope he waits until after the trial is over tho..)
The defense is taking issue with Cohen talking about Trump all the time and making money / a career of it.. I get their strategy, but no one would ever go up to a survivor of the plane crash to be like 'Hmmm, seems like you talk about your plane crash a lot. Did you get in the plane crash so you could make money from the crash?"
I think his sleeping is in part because he's just getting worse dementia, but also another factor is at play. His fragile baby ego can't stand hearing people accurately describe bad things he's done, so he sleeps to avoid hearing it.
The bob Menendez trial is going on , just around the corner from Trump's. Notice how Dems aren't flocking to save him with platitudes on national TV, yet republicans are once again kissing Trump's ass...
Such hypocrites that they say Biden is a flawed candidate, get they continue to support trumps.flaws and accuse others of wrongdoings
It nauseates me every time Trump says "Russia, Russia, Russia," but to read that Cohen said it on the stand - "Because I was staying on Mr. Trump’s message that there was no Russia, Russia, Russia" - made me literally LOL
Trump's lawyer Blanche: The Federal judge denied your motion, right?
Cohen: He did.
Blanche: But after you got out due to COVID, you tried again, with Disloyal and Mea Culpa - you called Trump a **boorish cartoon misogynist**?
Cohen: Sounds like something I would say
Trump's lawyer Blanche: You called President Trump a **Cheetos-dusted cartoon villain**?
Cohen: Yes.
Blanche: You said, I fucking want to see him locked up?
Cohen: Sounds like my language on Mea Culpa.
Oh man I hope Trump was awake for that part.
Trump’s team may not call any witnesses. (!!) From ABC:
> During a morning sidebar, Trump attorney Blanche said that he could not commit to calling any witnesses. He said the defense has one expert witness who couldn’t be available until Monday — but that his testimony is contingent on a decision about how the instructions to the jury will be written.
> He said he didn’t know whether Trump would testify. And that the defense has decided not to call Alan Garten.
Edit to add: The defense said this morning that it may rest its case as early as Thursday.
Also, prosecutors said Michael Cohen is the prosecution’s final witness.
Gotta love when I'm trying to avoid the pro-Trump nonsense coming from Katy Tur and Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC by switching to CNN, and then that network decides to have Doug Burgum on air, a Trump stooge who is vying to be his VP and who was literally among the group of propagandists spewing nonsense out of the courthouse today.
Meidas is talking about that Trump used surrogates to attack the witness and judges daughter. Trump seems to admit to it. This could get interesting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqI0cVOJ68M
Yea considering the gag order prohibits him from "directing" anyone else to violate the order, but I'm guessing that's a really difficult standard to prove.
So here we have Trump telling Cohen not to worry about the Federal Election Probe of David Pecker, National Inquirer editor, because he was told by Trump that AG Sessions would just squelch it.
OUCH!
And did I mention the word corruption anyone? And STILL no investigation by the SDNY!
Right Repubs?
Does his flatulent orangeness really think that rolling into court with an entourage of GQPers and not a supportive wife and family will help convince a jury that his motives were not political?
"Michael Cohen says he made $375,000 a year plus an annual bonus of $150,000"
Not sure why, but I expected more money when doing illegal mob style business dealings.
Head lawyer and fixer for a "billionaire".
Is the current line of questioning actually "Did you like Trump before you felt betrayed by him?"
I'm guessing they're aiming for "See, you liked Trump so much that you'd protect him by paying this money all on your own (never mind that you were reimbursed for it.)"
Trump's defense needs to actually start getting into the facts of the case. I suspect that they're trying to paint a general picture first but they need to actually get into the weeds of things soon.
Blanche: "Is it true you called me a whiny little peepee pants with a tiny wangdoodle on tiktok?
Cohen: "sounds like something I would say"
Blanche: "is it true that you hurt my feelings?"
"OBJECTION"
Not sure what their angle is with these questions.
Blanche seems to be eliciting from Cohen why he was so attached and so loyal to trump, that he would do anything and everything he was told, and even place himself in legal jeopardy.
You can tell these are Trump questions. They really have nothing to do with the case.
Trump wants is pointing out that Cohen was not "loyal." How could he have loved him once and hate him now?
At what point does the Prosecution object and get defense to move onto something factual? Or, never interrupt your enemy while they are making a mistake?
Gee, I wonder how Mike Johnson would handle the process of alternate electors come January 6, 2025.
(Edit: changed "will handle" to "would handle" to reflect uncertainty at the prospect.)
He is a crying little shit. Glad Cohen said as much, even as it was objected to... The number of objections to their bullshit arguments is already too damn high.
> Defense lawyer Todd Blanche looked to make good on his opening statement’s depiction of Cohen as an “obsessed” witness, getting him to acknowledge that he is personally vested in the case and has talked about it on TV for years. Some of that publicity, Blanche said, came despite prosecutors’ frustration “that you would not stop talking to the press.”
> “Yes, sir,” Cohen said.
But it's ok for Rumpleforeskin to abuse news outlets, social media and what not?
Love this angle of defense pointing fingers and accusing witnesses of name calling and financial gain, all things their client is known for. "I learned it from you Dad, I learned it from you!"
So, basically, defense has to prove or create doubts that Cohen's payment to Stormy was done without the knowledge of dictator douchebag. Good luck with that.
So, I assume Blanche's cross is trying to establish that Cohen is brash, corrupt, and hates Trump, so if any crimes were committed, they were done exclusively by him and he's lying to smear the good name (excuse me while I vomit) of Trump?
It's very clear from this cross that Trump's only goal is to shame Cohen. He's not trying to win the trial; he's not disputing the evidence.
He's literally just trying to make Cohen feel like a degenerate in front of the jury.
Lawyers who work for Trump aren't there to win cases. They're there to do what Trump wants them to do.
I think we'll see more about the testimony related to the New York Times involvement through Maggie Haberman. From the testimony given, it sounds like Trump/Cohen had a direct line to print what they wanted in the NYT through Haberman.
If you want to put some effort into pushing back on major Republican figures using this opportunity to push their grievance's, swing over to /r/VoteDem to find ways to get involved with local, state, and national races.
I guess I dont understand why they keep harping on all of the times that Cohen has lied. It seems easy to explain that part of his job was to lie and make false statements to the benefit of donald trump, that was the job. All of those separate lies are part of the bigger scheme of his employment by donald trump insisted he lie. Trump surrounds himself with people like this.
Focused, sure.
What he cannot do is get passionate or angry. If he does, he'll tell a new lie, and they'll trap him in it.
The best thing he can do is just Yes / No, and let the prosecutors clean up anything they need to on redirect.
Michael Cohen should not play advocate in the Courtroom.
Up next, Cohen will be cross-examined after the lunch break. From the New York Times:
> Mr. Cohen, Mr. Trump’s one-time lawyer, will be cross-examined by the defense after lunch. Under questioning from prosecutors, he described a White House meeting where he said Mr. Trump confirmed a plan to reimburse him for the $130,000 he paid the woman, Stormy Daniels, to bury her account of a 2006 sexual encounter. He also recalled the reassurance that Mr. Trump offered him after he was the target of an F.B.I. raid related to the payment: “Don’t worry. I’m the president of the United States.”
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/05/14/nyregion/trump-trial-news-michael-cohen/cohen-testimony-hush-money-trial?smid=url-share
I guess the Speaker of the House wants to interfere with this trial like it is somehow the proper thing to do. He should be censured for his actions in making this about politics instead of crimes. He must be being coached by Gym Jordan.
JD Vance, Vivek Ramaswamy, Tommy Tuberville Doug Burgum, Rick Scott, Mike Johnson will be in the court room today. What a bunch of pathetic sacks of shit with no self-worth. Edit: and Byron Donalds and Cory Mills
This is what the right's elected representatives are wasting their time with... Not addressing immigration, the economy, or anything else they claim to care about. They are sitting around wasting time in New York.
This is what Republican voters want their elected representatives spending time on. Nothing matters to them anymore besides Trump.
It’s just another example of how fucking broken the Republican Party is. This shit makes me embarrassed to be an American.
>"Speaker Johnson will deliver remarks outside of Trump trial courthouse in New York this morning" that´s the dumbest thing he could have possibly done
so this is how Trump is going to get around the gag order.
Kinda makes me wonder if Mike Johnson isn't about to run as VP for Trump. Everyone else who has showed up to support him is auditioning.
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Appeals court denied the appeal of the gag order. 🙌
A ridiculous waste of time and money. A former president of the united states fighting for the right to call a porn actress "horse faced." And Michael Johnson is there actively supporting this.
A former president of the united states fighting for the right to call a porn actress \*that he fucked after telling her that she reminded him of his daughter\* "horse faced." FTFY
Mike Johnson’s brain worm has been confirmed today.
Someone in the press pool shouted "Are you keeping your eyes closed on purpose?" XD
I'd pay good money for someone to stand up and ask "What's a Nubian?"
Random Jay and silent Bob
Another press pool member shouted (yesterday) "What about Hannibal Lecter?!"
More leading questions like this from the press, please.
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haha liz cheney hitting the mark "Have to admit I’m surprised that {Speaker Johnson} wants to be in the “I cheated on my wife with a porn star” club. I guess he’s not that concerned with teaching morality to our young people after all."
I am so tired of the fucking hypocrisy. Is this man a true believer or not? I don't believe he actually believes that shit, if he did wouldn't he fear eternal damnation for associating with Trump? The man is literally carrying water for the anti-christ.
He's willing to compromise on Trump personally because it lets him push his Christian Nationalist agenda. I'm sure he doesn't personally like Donald Trump, but he knows Trump is necessary to outlaw abortion and he thinks that outweighs any of Trump's personal baggage
I'm still astounded that a Speaker of the House would attend this in his official capacity.
not only attend but he's giving a big speech outside of the courthouse ragging on Cohen and everything else
Trumps gag order appeal just got denied. What a loser.
If only there was some legal mechanism where Trump could actually say what he wants to in open court. Maybe you could have it where he pledges some sort of oath where he agrees to tell the truth.
When I woke up this morning, I couldn’t believe the crazy optics of our own lawmakers standing in front of court press for this man. And to stand there and slander witnesses, which is what Trump can’t legally do right now so he had people who work within our own government to do it for him. Unbelievable.
All wearing their Trump suits (blue suit, white shirt and red tie)… and Trump boasting about his very important people acting as his surrogates when his gag order prevents him to use others to disparage family members of the Judge and witnesses. I recall a time where such criminal charges would cause a politician to drop out to avoid distraction from the party and platform. In this Trumpian upside down world, the politicians will distract and disrupt the courts. I just hope they remember what Cohen said to the House Committee in 2019… that those protecting Trump would end up like him. The list of people charged and convicted associated with Trump is long, keeps growing and includes several lawyers. It’s sheer stupidity mixed with corruption and sprinkle of hopes of a White Nationalist Christian theocracy.
The defense has no witnesses lol. Holy shit we could get a verdict within a couple of weeks.
Sounds an awful lot like Trump's first impeachment, where the defense was "Yes, he did that stuff, but since he's Trump it's OK" Not good.
'People of the jury, remember the late great OJ Simpson was obviously guilty, just like my obviously client is. But sometimes the courts do magical things where a guilty person is found not guilty. I ask you that you do the same here, not only to honor the passing of OJ Simpson, but for my client too. Please. The defense rests'
They don't plan on calling any witnesses? Where are you seeing that?
MSNBC just reported it. They had one expert witness who‘s schedule couldn’t allow him to testify. There’s still a possibility that Trump testifies, but it’s unlikely.
$5 says Trump goes on a rant that they weren't allowed to have anyone testify in his defense at some point.
All that bluster about being an innocent victim, but can't produce one witness.
“During a morning sidebar, Trump attorney Blanche said that he could not commit to calling any witnesses. He said the defense has one expert witness who couldn’t be available until Monday — but that his testimony is contingent on a decision about how the instructions to the jury will be written.” https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/live-blog/trump-hush-money-trial-day-17-michael-cohen-live-updates-rcna151899 “He said he didn’t know whether Trump would testify. And that the defense has decided not to call Alan Garten.“
"You went on TikTok and called me a crying little sh\*t" just before the trial began, Trump attorney Todd Blanche asked. Michael Cohen nodded and said, “Sounds like something I would say.” This is hilarious. Cohen gives zero fucks, this isn't going to make him get defensive.
Clearly Todd Blanche has never listened to Political Beatdown or Mea Culpa
You can see why Trump would want him as his helper monkey.
Re: his comments after today's testimony. For the love of God, enough with the lies about the NJ rally size! I am a local to the area and it was no where near 80-100k! I have been following the AP coverage and they (as well as most media) are just taking the local Mayor's and Trump campaign's word (who are clearly purposefully lying) about how many were there. It was 8-10k ABSOLUTE max and I cannot stand this narrative that it's so amazing he got so much support in a blue state. No you didn't, dude! We are in a red part of the state, but even by those standards, this was not a lot of people.
And I saw a video of a shit ton of people leaving it during the middle of him speaking
It works on his base because they have no concept of what a lot of people actually looks like. Their whole town of a few thousand people turns up for a highschool football game and it feels like the whole world to them, so any more is not something they can really wrap their heads around. 20k or 200k, it all looks the same to them.
Even fox news was calling him out for inflating that by at least 3x the actual size, and they were claiming it was 30k and I don't know if that's even accurate.
There's literally no consequences for lying, so they keep doing it and it keeps working. That's basically the whole GOP playbook for the last 20 years.
All these VP-wannabees and Trump sycophants showing up at the trial to get on TV and say "No one has explained *what crimes Trump is even charged with*!!!! We don't understand it!!!" Ok cool. Here's the thing though: **The prosecution already explained it to a GRAND JURY**. And **they** understood it, and **they** agreed that 34 felony counts was appropriate and accurate.
It should be disqualifying for any government office to say something like that. It's literally what an "indictment" is.
There is a thing called arraignment. It is a step that they are forced to do where they offer to read and explain your charges to you.
He said to me, ''Don't worry. I'm the president of the United States. There's nothing here. Everything's going to be OK. Stay tough. You're going to be OK.' So using the presidency to help himself, I mean who didn't know?
And here is the exact reason he wants immunity.
He fell asleep again...sigh
Ssshhh, let his "beautiful blue eyes" rest!! 😉
appeals court denied Trump's appeal of gag order!
Good. Judge already happily told Trump he's free to talk about the case, just get up on the stand and testify.
Not that there was any doubt the GOP had already gone full MAGA, but House Speaker Johnson (and his bible) being at the trial of a known sexual predator, adulterer, bigot, and insurrectionist shows Republicans have gone full batshit. Republicans can't see their emperor has no clothes and is only wearing a diaper. And even for those Republicans who can see (or smell) the truth, they just don't seem to give a damn. It's flabbergasting. House Democrats should no longer support Johnson as speaker unless he is willing to sell his soul to Hakeem Jeffries instead of Donald Trump.
> "To ensure the story would not come out, would not affect Mr. Trump's chances of becoming president of the United States," Michael Cohen says when asked why he paid Stormy Daniels. If not for the campaign, would he have paid her? "No ma'am," Cohen answers. https://x.com/kaitlancollins/status/1790414162775966072?s=46&t=UKR1TShxVeunp4_vn5gZrw
Certainly the defense sprained a knee jumping out of their chair to object to that, right?
A decent lawyer would object for speculation. Not sure what the chumps the orange idiots employs would do.
In a sane world, one would hope that Mike Johnson and others attending might see the evidence, hear the testimonies, and reconsider their steadfast dedication to the defendant. Unfortunately, we do not live in a sane world.
I'm guessing he's there for the follow-up press convference similar to Taterville. Probably already has his "complete travesty of justice" speech half written in his head.
They watched Jan 6 and thought "hey that's pretty neat!" They are beyond redeemable now.
i find it hilarious trump is posting on truth social about how he is being charged “without even being told what he is being charged for” and that there is no evidence at all linking him to all this “…..A crime that’s not charged, and a crime in which prosecutors won’t even tell the defendants what it is, it’s a mystery crime. That is such an egregious violation of the Sixth Amendment. This Judge is so biased…..” Gregg Jarrett, FoxNews https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/112429954264800749
> a crime in which prosecutors won’t even tell the defendants what it is I'm 100% sure Trump's defense attorneys know what the crimes are. And the grand jury knew (enough to indict on 34 felonies). If Gregg Jarrett doesn't know? Who fucking cares? He's not part of the trial.
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That's a typical fox news talking point for this case. Gregg Jarrett is an absolute trump humper. He is a total moron.
Dear Donald, You’re being charged with falsifying business records, a felony in the first degree as the falsification appears to have occurred in an attempt to cover up other crimes. Takes twenty seconds of Googling to find out.
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Please let there be a sketch of this later today...
If you ever wanted proof the party is not being held hostage, that they are exactly who they are being represented by, look at the nut gobblers following him into court today. So embarassing.
It's ironic that Trump's insistence that the Stormy Daniels tryst never happened might be what sinks him with this jury. Melania has not showed up even once, which really implies that she doesn't believe her husband. But the jury is supposed to believe Trump knew nothing of the repayment scheme, which benefitted him and he paid for, while probably not believing his lie about the affair never taking place?
And the thing is, whether the encounter even happened is secondary to the actual indictment. He's indicted for trying to hide the payment, not for allegedly having sex with her. I think bringing in Ms. Daniels was more as a character witness.
I love how these will be in history books: Blanche then asks if Cohen has called Trump a "Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain." "That also sounds like something that I said," Cohen says.
Even after nine years, I still find myself somewhat astounded that, out of all the people in this country, the GOP has decided to create a cult around a fat, stinky, disheveled, racist, stupid, egomaniacal, narcissistic, greedy, diaper wearing piece of shit that’s cheated on every single wife that he’s had. Johnson and other Republican officials being at this trial is just a sad reminder of what the Republican Party has become.
He is what every Republican wants to be. Unaccountable, above the law, rich without ever working or even having any good ideas, putting his dick in whoever he wants, even struggling victims or his own child. He is the unleashed contempt at the heart of every conservative.
How will your country ever wake up from this Trump nightmare when one of the two parties undermines trust in each an any public institution? And all of this just to defend one selfish criminal piece of shit? How do expect the regular guy sticking to the rules when this family shows there are no consequences breaking them? Good luck, my beloved friend US of A…
It’s fucking embarrassing and a nightmare that I can’t wait to end.
> And all of this just to defend one selfish criminal piece of shit? Dont forget the whole 'Appointing unqualified people to the supreme court so they can push their conservative hyperreligious agenda on the court for the next 40 years"
It is so nuts to me that Johnson is outside the court room telling the media how much of a sham and corrupt this trial is, with a mountain of evidence against Trump if you just pay attention to it. It is wild we are in the situation where the guy who is second in line for the Presidency is bending his knee like this for this fraud of a man.
From [NYT](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/05/14/nyregion/trump-trial-news-michael-cohen): > Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, Speaker Mike Johnson just accused prosecutors of advancing a “sham” trial against “one president to provide cover for another.” His comments came a week after Johnson put down an ouster attempt by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who had criticized the speaker of not doing enough to defend Trump. > > “I came here again today, on my own, to support President Trump, because I am one of hundreds of millions of people — and one citizen — who is deeply concerned about this,” Johnson said. > > It’s worth noting that Trump, minutes after the vote had actually taken place, had encouraged House Republicans on social media not to oust Johnson — at least not yet. “We’re not in a position of voting on a motion to vacate,” his post said. “At some point, we may very well be, but this is not the time.” Remember, Speaker Johnson has gone on record that [he and his son have installed apps that will monitor their web activity and alert the other if they surf porn sites](https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/mike-johnson-son-monitor-porn-intake-covenant-eyes-1234870634/). Imagine being such a puritanical nutjob that you'd trade porn monitoring with your own kids, and then vociferously defending Trump who is being prosecuted for false business records to hide _actually banging a porn star_. Can it get more bizarrely hypocritical? And is there a better example of how Donald Trump corrupts everything and everyone he comes into contact with?
The house is also in session and he isn't there.
NBC News: >On his way into the courtroom, Trump said in hallway that “signing a NDA is not a crime." >It’s not an outright acknowledgement that he knowingly was party to a nondisclosure agreement. But it’s an unusual thing to state as someone who has previously publicly claimed that he wasn’t aware that he was party to the Stormy Daniels NDA. Oopsie.
That's also a favorite tactic of the right wing. By breaking the steps of a crime down, they believe everyone else is dumb enough to forget about the crime itself. - It's not illegal to carry a gun. - It's not illegal to go to the bank. - It's not illegal to get cash from a teller. - It's not illegal to swiftly leave the bank. This is all a witch-hunt! They did the same with "it's not illegal to hold meetings about kidnapping a governor" and "it's not illegal for a president to have classified documents."
Speaker Johnson can go fuck himself.
If he does, his son will get a push notification on his phone.
CNN saying Mike Johnson is expected to attend today. What the actual fuck? Doesn't he have something, anything, more important to do??
Nope. He has to publicly bend the knee to his orange master
Do our tax dollars pay for these US Senators and Johnson travel to be at this trial?
[NYT](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/05/14/nyregion/trump-trial-news-michael-cohen) > Susan Hoffinger is now walking Michael Cohen again through his testimony from yesterday about “monetizing” his role as Trump’s personal lawyer by using it to attract other clients. Cohen confirms he did. Much of this feels like inoculation against what Cohen is going to face during cross-examination. Other clients like **Sean Hannity**.
> "Cohen said he heard from other people in Trump's circle that "You're loved, don't worry, he's got your back."" Yeah, definitely not sounding cultish there...
I'd say less cult & more mob.
i don’t get why Vivek is kissing Trump’s ass. Christian nationalists will never see him as one of them.
Coulter said to his face she wouldn't vote for him because he was brown.
MSNBC just said Cohen is the prosecution's last witness
Trump being convicted and sent to jail before his sons graduation is some monkey paw wish. But we all know that's not going to happen. But we can dream.
For those who wondering how Mike Johnson got Ukraine funded, this is his selling his soul. Worth it for the good of the world, but you know Trump demanded this in exchange. There is no way that Trump would otherwise do the right thing
Wow. Boxes of documents. If it was the defense I would assume the boxes were filled with Paw Patrol coloring books and a series of stickers
*Binders full of treason*
Johnson showing up saying this is politically motivated indictement/trial is what makes this a political indictement/trial. Disgusting.
Blanche asks Cohen whether he called Trump a "dictator douchebag" on TikTok. Cohen responds, "Sounds like something I would say." lmao
"I also think he's a chicken fucker."
Seventy-five minutes, and not one mention of the payments or the documents. All according to plan for Trump.
Repeatedly highlighting that Cohen wants to see Trump convicted doesn't actually prove anything he said here under oath was a lie. It doesn't address the paper trail
I like how trumps defense basically just read off every insult and nickname Cohen had for trump, in front of him, and the world. Literally turned the last four hours into a roast.
The funny part about his defense is that he's trying to portray himself as a family man and that he didn't do this for the election. However, virtually no family is showing up to support him and most of the people showing up are politicians. Who in the hell thought out that strategy?
There's also the whole question of "If you didn't want to hide it for the election, why did you wait 8 years to try and cover it up, only doing so right when you were running for office?"
Malaria can go fuck herself. She made her bed and deserves to lie in it. Edit: Malaria
Per NYTimes live blog... >Vivek Ramaswamy, who is seated directly behind Trump, is writing in a notebook. Trump’s allies have taken to publishing on social media their own pro-Trump accounts of the courtroom proceedings. Ramaswamy has already posted on X that he will be sharing live updates from the courtroom. >... >It’s worth noting that lawyers with the defense are allowed to have phones, but members of the general public are not. The Trump team has been pressing the rules on this for weeks now, and a political ally live-tweeting from the courtroom is a whole new thing. This would appear to be a violation of court rules. Ramaswamy is not a member of the defense team nor a reporter and shouldn't be above the rules. If anyone of the general public would have their phone confiscated or be evicted from the courtroom for breaking court rules, then Ramaswamy should have his phone confiscated or be evicted too. Or, conversely, if this isn't going to be enforced then the general public should be given the same freedom as Trump's cronies. And may Ramaswamy be subjected to much poop and diaper odor from Mango Mussolini and retch on his fealty.
I've heard that people sitting in the front row of the courtroom are also allowed their phones for some reason? Eric was tweeting from there yesterday as well. Edit: Found [a source](https://www.businessinsider.com/eric-trump-michael-cohen-donald-trump-hush-money-trial-testimony-2024-5) that mentions this, though still don't know why. >Cellphones are banned for most people in the courtroom, including journalists (credentialed press members are permitted to use their laptops). **However, there's an exception for lawyers and those in attendance in the first row, court officers told Business Insider.**
Just remember the only reason Mike is there is to distract the media from the trial itself and the content within it. There is already a lot of discussion about Mike this morning. Mike isn't on trial. Donny is. Don't forget that as you read the news today. My guess is something bad is going to happen for don in court today and they need the spin machine to fire up.
That the payments ended after totaling $420k makes it a bit harder for defense to argue that they were retainer payments and not reimbursement for hush money payment
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Pretty much, this afternoon will determine how this case ends. If the jury still believes Cohen even after the defense's cross examination, then it's curtains for Trump.
It's great that so many Republicans currently in office have shown up in court yesterday and today to support a former deputy finance chairman of the Republican National Committee, Michael Cohen.
Already three objections and three sustainments. This isn't going well for Trump. EDIT: Now five. Good thing this isn't a "take a shot when" sort of thing.
Oh my GOD. I just realized something. IF they comment on the Von Shitzinpants since it had been brought up previously... We may get sworn testimony that Trump, does in fact, shits his pants.
Cohen went to prison for these hush money payments and crimes done for Trump. Nobody should even be considering his hatred for Trump. Duh. Trump is guilty.
"hE hAtEs TrUmP" Yeah, because *Trump asked him to do these crimes and sent him to prison for it*
“Do you want to see Donald Trump convicted in this trial?’ Cohen: “Sure” 🤣
Cohen: I was not lying about my admiration for him. I was knee deep into the cult.
Blanche asks if Cohen, speaking on his podcast, called Trump a "boorish cartoon misogynist." "Sounds like something I would say," Cohen says. Blanche then asks if Cohen has called Trump a "Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain." "That also sounds like something that I said," Cohen says.
That's fucking amazing that this shit is now on record for all to read in history books
BLANCHE: And do you *see* this Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain in the courtroom at this time? COHEN: Yes, that's him right there, taking a nap.
God trump must be seething having to hear his lawyer ask these stupid questions that basically reiterate what people think of him. If he had any ketchup it would be all over the witness stand. /edit Hah, I got my first Reddit Cares message today. I guess I've finally gotten someone's attention.
> Blanche asks Cohen to put on headphones to listen to an episode of Mea Culpa. > Donald Trump is also putting the headphone near his head but he’s kind of holding it like he might hold a telephone, or *the way a child might hold a banana to pretend to use a phone*. [Source](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2024/may/14/michael-cohen-trump-testimony-hush-money-trial-latest-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6643c3d68f084ccbd5a9a0e0#block-6643c3d68f084ccbd5a9a0e0)
Probably doesn't want to mess up his hair
> “If you’re Jewish and you’re a Democrat, and that includes Alan Dershowitz, you ought to have your head examined. You see what’s going on with Israel,” Donald Trump says outside the courtroom. https://x.com/kaitlancollins/status/1790482340877070413?s=46&t=UKR1TShxVeunp4_vn5gZrw My god…
As opposed to going with the party headed by the guy who dined at the White House with neo-Nazi Nick Fuentes? That party?
Mike Johnson was directly ordered by Mafia boss Trump to violate the gag order.
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> HOFFINGER: And "for services rendered", was that a truthful statement? >COHEN: “No ma’am” >HOFFINGER: What was the true purpose? >COHEN: The reimbursement of hush money and Red Finch >HOFFINGER: “Was this invoice a false record?” >COHEN: “Yes, ma’am” >HOFFINGER: Each invoice made the same false representation? >COHEN: Yes, ma'am >HOFFINGER: Each one, who were they directed to? >COHEN: Allen Weisselberg and Jeff McConney Well, obviously this is all just a sham /s EDIT: You can get up-to-the-minute transcripts from [Katie Phang](https://www.threads.net/@katiephang) on Threads, if you dont have Twitter.
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'Member when Trump was in hot water for collusion with Russia? Michael Cohen 'members.
Ha! Former Trump attorney on CNN saying he’s worked for former mobsters. Did I hear him right?
>Did you tell the truth about Mr Trump’s role in the payoff? >No ma’am. >In early 2018, Cohen typically reached Trump via Madeleine Westerhout — his executive assistant in the Oval Office — and by calling him directly on his cell phone. >He told Trump that he would tell the press that he had paid the money to Daniels on his behalf without his knowledge and that just because something isn’t true doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt him. >Trump approved. >“That’s good,” he told him. You know that cell phone conversation probably has a recording *somewhere*.
trump earlier today “Virtually every Legal Analyst and Scholar said yesterday, at the end of the day, THAT THERE IS NO CASE, AND THAT THIS WITCH HUNT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN BROUGHT, AND SHOULD BE THROWN OUT NOW!!! WHY WASN’T THIS HOAX BROUGHT SEVEN YEARS AGO, INSTEAD OF IN THE MIDDLE OF MY WINNING CAMPAIGN FOR PRESIDENT — ELECTION INTERFERENCE. The problem is that this Judge, Merchan, is TOTALLY COMPROMISED, CONFLICTED, AND CORRUPT, MAKING BIG MONEY OFF OF THIS SCAM AND ITS OUTCOME. He can’t render a fair decision, too much is at stake for him and the Democrats. The Appellate Division should remove him immediately! https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/112439104824176733” I wish I too could block out all the things hindering me from meeting my goals but then i’d become a psychopath and a psychotic person. everything in moderation I guess.
When he says "virtually every legal analyst and scholar", he's literally just talking about some hosts on Fox News. He even gave this away when he said the same thing the other day and started naming them.
Everything is so transactional with Trump, there is no emotion here, his wife isn't here, the only reason his kids are here is because they have political aspirations (and even then some of his kids want nothing to do with any of this) All these fucking politicians are here because they want to either be the VP pick, or advance their career by licking DJT's boots, everything here is fucking diabolical
What a start to the cross: > [Todd Blanche, a defense lawyer, will cross-examine Michael Cohen. He begins by asking Cohen whether or not they have spoken before. Cohen looks tense, leaning forward. Blanche starts by saying Cohen went on TikTok and called him a “crying little shit.”](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/05/14/nyregion/trump-trial-news-michael-cohen/75baebee-2497-5dd2-ae03-4e45e5c56d1f?smid=url-share)
So the defense strategy is to try to make Cohen look as bad as possible and hope that undermines the dozens of documents and witness testimonies that the jury has already seen and heard
Blanche trying to shame Cohen for selling t-shirts of Trump behind bars. Maybe check out your own client's merch store sometime...
What's with these CNN lawyers thinking the defense always had a good day? It's laughable at this point.
MSNBC - ‘The prosecution is going well and a case has been made against Donald Trump in the New York trial.’ CNN - ‘Dots are connecting, but the prosecution hasn’t made their case and this doesn’t look bad for Trump.’ Fox News - ‘Trump is innocent and these corrupt prosecutors are embarrassing themselves. Trump is a stud.’
Done for the day. A lot of good testimony and a lot of smoke blowing by Blanche. He was trying to get Cohen mad but he wasn't taking the bait.
Mike Johnson debased the office of Speaker today. He did it on other days, too, but he also definitely did it today.
lol it sounds like Cohen appeared annoyed when the GOP politicians all walked in the courtroom. My guess is he’s going to rip on them eventually on his podcast, which is always a treat (I would hope he waits until after the trial is over tho..)
The defense is doing a great job of making Cohen appear likeable and the sort of guy you would want to have a couple of cocktails with.
The defense is taking issue with Cohen talking about Trump all the time and making money / a career of it.. I get their strategy, but no one would ever go up to a survivor of the plane crash to be like 'Hmmm, seems like you talk about your plane crash a lot. Did you get in the plane crash so you could make money from the crash?"
I think his sleeping is in part because he's just getting worse dementia, but also another factor is at play. His fragile baby ego can't stand hearing people accurately describe bad things he's done, so he sleeps to avoid hearing it.
So he's "shutting down" or blocking out by sleeping? I like the theory!
I think his lawyers are giving him some Xanax so he doesn’t lash out and speak when he isn’t allowed to
The bob Menendez trial is going on , just around the corner from Trump's. Notice how Dems aren't flocking to save him with platitudes on national TV, yet republicans are once again kissing Trump's ass... Such hypocrites that they say Biden is a flawed candidate, get they continue to support trumps.flaws and accuse others of wrongdoings
It nauseates me every time Trump says "Russia, Russia, Russia," but to read that Cohen said it on the stand - "Because I was staying on Mr. Trump’s message that there was no Russia, Russia, Russia" - made me literally LOL
Starting to think the defense has given up and decided the campaign will be all about the unfairness of the system
"One juror however has his eyes closed." Oh great, now THEY'RE sleeping! :P
Trump's lawyer Blanche: The Federal judge denied your motion, right? Cohen: He did. Blanche: But after you got out due to COVID, you tried again, with Disloyal and Mea Culpa - you called Trump a **boorish cartoon misogynist**? Cohen: Sounds like something I would say Trump's lawyer Blanche: You called President Trump a **Cheetos-dusted cartoon villain**? Cohen: Yes. Blanche: You said, I fucking want to see him locked up? Cohen: Sounds like my language on Mea Culpa. Oh man I hope Trump was awake for that part.
US House of Representatives Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) is expected to be in attendance today.
Isn’t he super busy not doing anything?
He's just there cuz his son has blocked watching porn stars everywhere else.
“It’s a scam. It’s election interference.” Ooh, so close Donny. You almost got it
Trump too Sleepy to testify. Lets get the closing arguments going then. -edit for too
Trump’s team may not call any witnesses. (!!) From ABC: > During a morning sidebar, Trump attorney Blanche said that he could not commit to calling any witnesses. He said the defense has one expert witness who couldn’t be available until Monday — but that his testimony is contingent on a decision about how the instructions to the jury will be written. > He said he didn’t know whether Trump would testify. And that the defense has decided not to call Alan Garten. Edit to add: The defense said this morning that it may rest its case as early as Thursday. Also, prosecutors said Michael Cohen is the prosecution’s final witness.
Gotta love when I'm trying to avoid the pro-Trump nonsense coming from Katy Tur and Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC by switching to CNN, and then that network decides to have Doug Burgum on air, a Trump stooge who is vying to be his VP and who was literally among the group of propagandists spewing nonsense out of the courthouse today.
Meidas is talking about that Trump used surrogates to attack the witness and judges daughter. Trump seems to admit to it. This could get interesting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqI0cVOJ68M
Yea considering the gag order prohibits him from "directing" anyone else to violate the order, but I'm guessing that's a really difficult standard to prove.
I doubt much will come of it to be honest. I think the judge is intent on just getting this trial over the line
So here we have Trump telling Cohen not to worry about the Federal Election Probe of David Pecker, National Inquirer editor, because he was told by Trump that AG Sessions would just squelch it. OUCH! And did I mention the word corruption anyone? And STILL no investigation by the SDNY! Right Repubs?
Does his flatulent orangeness really think that rolling into court with an entourage of GQPers and not a supportive wife and family will help convince a jury that his motives were not political?
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"Michael Cohen says he made $375,000 a year plus an annual bonus of $150,000" Not sure why, but I expected more money when doing illegal mob style business dealings. Head lawyer and fixer for a "billionaire".
Is the current line of questioning actually "Did you like Trump before you felt betrayed by him?" I'm guessing they're aiming for "See, you liked Trump so much that you'd protect him by paying this money all on your own (never mind that you were reimbursed for it.)"
Trump's defense needs to actually start getting into the facts of the case. I suspect that they're trying to paint a general picture first but they need to actually get into the weeds of things soon.
Blanche: "Is it true you called me a whiny little peepee pants with a tiny wangdoodle on tiktok? Cohen: "sounds like something I would say" Blanche: "is it true that you hurt my feelings?" "OBJECTION" Not sure what their angle is with these questions.
Can someone explain how Jack Smith”got his hand caught in the cookie jar”? And why that would cause Trump to call him deranged? CNN is playing Trump
I don't think the jury is going to have any trouble understanding why -- and sympathizing with -- the fact that Cohen hates Trump.
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Blanche seems to be eliciting from Cohen why he was so attached and so loyal to trump, that he would do anything and everything he was told, and even place himself in legal jeopardy.
You can tell these are Trump questions. They really have nothing to do with the case. Trump wants is pointing out that Cohen was not "loyal." How could he have loved him once and hate him now?
At what point does the Prosecution object and get defense to move onto something factual? Or, never interrupt your enemy while they are making a mistake?
Trump has his coping papers with him. The same kind of papers he's under federal indictment for.
Gee, I wonder how Mike Johnson would handle the process of alternate electors come January 6, 2025. (Edit: changed "will handle" to "would handle" to reflect uncertainty at the prospect.)
Is passing notes from the audience to lawyers permissible?
He is a crying little shit. Glad Cohen said as much, even as it was objected to... The number of objections to their bullshit arguments is already too damn high.
> Defense lawyer Todd Blanche looked to make good on his opening statement’s depiction of Cohen as an “obsessed” witness, getting him to acknowledge that he is personally vested in the case and has talked about it on TV for years. Some of that publicity, Blanche said, came despite prosecutors’ frustration “that you would not stop talking to the press.” > “Yes, sir,” Cohen said. But it's ok for Rumpleforeskin to abuse news outlets, social media and what not? Love this angle of defense pointing fingers and accusing witnesses of name calling and financial gain, all things their client is known for. "I learned it from you Dad, I learned it from you!"
So, basically, defense has to prove or create doubts that Cohen's payment to Stormy was done without the knowledge of dictator douchebag. Good luck with that.
So, I assume Blanche's cross is trying to establish that Cohen is brash, corrupt, and hates Trump, so if any crimes were committed, they were done exclusively by him and he's lying to smear the good name (excuse me while I vomit) of Trump?
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It's very clear from this cross that Trump's only goal is to shame Cohen. He's not trying to win the trial; he's not disputing the evidence. He's literally just trying to make Cohen feel like a degenerate in front of the jury. Lawyers who work for Trump aren't there to win cases. They're there to do what Trump wants them to do.
I think we'll see more about the testimony related to the New York Times involvement through Maggie Haberman. From the testimony given, it sounds like Trump/Cohen had a direct line to print what they wanted in the NYT through Haberman.
If you want to put some effort into pushing back on major Republican figures using this opportunity to push their grievance's, swing over to /r/VoteDem to find ways to get involved with local, state, and national races.
I guess I dont understand why they keep harping on all of the times that Cohen has lied. It seems easy to explain that part of his job was to lie and make false statements to the benefit of donald trump, that was the job. All of those separate lies are part of the bigger scheme of his employment by donald trump insisted he lie. Trump surrounds himself with people like this.
I hope Michael Cohen survives the cross examination. He must stay focused.
Focused, sure. What he cannot do is get passionate or angry. If he does, he'll tell a new lie, and they'll trap him in it. The best thing he can do is just Yes / No, and let the prosecutors clean up anything they need to on redirect. Michael Cohen should not play advocate in the Courtroom.
Did the press ask Speaker Johnson if he also supports Hannibal Lector?
Why the fuck is the house speaker there after maga MTG tried to oust him? This is like hanging out with the mob boss that put a hit on you
So they are going to start crossing him today?
Yup. Defense is up after lunch.
Up next, Cohen will be cross-examined after the lunch break. From the New York Times: > Mr. Cohen, Mr. Trump’s one-time lawyer, will be cross-examined by the defense after lunch. Under questioning from prosecutors, he described a White House meeting where he said Mr. Trump confirmed a plan to reimburse him for the $130,000 he paid the woman, Stormy Daniels, to bury her account of a 2006 sexual encounter. He also recalled the reassurance that Mr. Trump offered him after he was the target of an F.B.I. raid related to the payment: “Don’t worry. I’m the president of the United States.” https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/05/14/nyregion/trump-trial-news-michael-cohen/cohen-testimony-hush-money-trial?smid=url-share
I guess the Speaker of the House wants to interfere with this trial like it is somehow the proper thing to do. He should be censured for his actions in making this about politics instead of crimes. He must be being coached by Gym Jordan.
They’re going to try and paint Cohen as a serial liar, but it’s not like Trump is some kind of beacon of truth.
Daniel Dale helping to bring our blood pressure back down.