Day 16 of Trump New York hush money trial. | CNN Politics

Michael Cohen testifies in Trump hush money trial

By CNN's Kara Scannell, Lauren Del Valle and Jeremy Herb in the courthouse
Updated 7:01 PM EDT, Mon May 13, 2024
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What we covered here

Our live coverage has wrapped up, but we’ll be back Tuesday morning. Scroll through the posts below to read more about what happened in court today.

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Key takeaways from Michael Cohen's first day of testimony

From CNN's  Jeremy Herb, Lauren del Valle and Kara Scannell

Michael Cohen implicated his former boss Donald Trump in the hush money scheme to pay Stormy Daniels just days before the 2016 election, saying he doled out $130,000 at Trump’s direction and was promised reimbursement.

Cohen’s testimony ties together the prosecution’s allegations that Trump broke the law by falsifying business records to reimburse Cohen and conceal the hush money payment that Cohen said he made at Trump’s direction. Trump has pleaded not guilty and denies having an affair with Daniels.

Here are some of the key takeaways from Cohen’s first day on the stand:

  • Cohen ties Trump to the Daniels hush money payment: Through roughly five hours of testimony Monday, Cohen walked jurors through how he worked with former National Enquirer editor David Pecker on Trump’s behalf during the 2016 campaign to kill negative stories; how he kept Trump apprised of his hush money negotiations with Keith Davidson, the attorney for Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal; and how Trump approved and was aware of how Cohen would be falsely repaid in 2017 for the Daniels payment as legal services.
  • Cohen ties the hush money reimbursement to Trump, too: Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records – 11 invoices, 12 vouchers and 11 checks – records that prosecutors say stem from the monthly reimbursements Cohen received in 2017 for the hush money payment he made to Daniels. On Monday, jurors heard through Cohen for the first-time evidence directly connecting Trump to those reimbursements.
  • Cohen describes being Trump’s protector: As Cohen described each media story he killed and nondisclosure agreement he locked down ahead of the 2016 election, it was always in the name of protecting Trump. When it came to the settlement agreement with Daniels, Cohen said he kept control of a document revealing the identities of “David Dennison” and “Peggy Peterson” so that he could protect Trump. And he testified that he used the Essential Consultants LLC to facilitate the payment to Daniels “to protect him and to isolate him from the transaction.” Hoffinger asked Cohen whether he would sometimes bully people. Cohen confirmed he would.

Michael Cohen took the stand as a key witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial. Here's what he said

From CNN's Elise Hammond
Michael Cohen answers questions from prosecutor Susan Hoffinger on Monday.
Michael Cohen answers questions from prosecutor Susan Hoffinger on Monday.
Jane Rosenberg

Michael Cohen took the stand on Monday in Donald Trump’s hush money trial in New York.

When he was Trump’s personal attorney, Cohen made the $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. He landed in federal prison over that transaction for breaking campaign finance laws. 

Through previous witnesses’ testimony, jurors have already heard plenty about Cohen. They have painted an unflattering portrait of an aggressive, impulsive and unlikeable attorney. The former “fixer,” now a critical witness, testified about the payment and Trump’s alleged involvement.

Here’s a look at what Cohen said on the stand today:

  • Relationship with Trump: Cohen said he worked directly for Trump, not the general counsel’s office at the Trump Organization. He said working with the press was a “portion” of his job and would sometimes call news outlets and ask them to redact or take articles down. Cohen testified that it was required for him to keep Trump updated about his work.
  • On the presidential run: Cohen said Trump was worried about stories about his personal life coming out as he weighed a run for president, with Trump saying, “Just be prepared there’s going to be a lot of women coming forward,” according to Cohen. He testified that he didn’t have a formal role in the 2016 campaign, but he used his press contacts to be a surrogate.
  • The doorman story: Cohen said he learned about the doorman story circulating about Trump having fathered “a love child” and testified Trump told him to “handle it.” He confirmed that the strategy was to take the story “off the market” for $30,000, and Trump was grateful it wouldn’t be published. Cohen said he went to Trump to tell him the agreement was completed, as well as to get credit for executing it. 
  • Karen McDougal: He said Trump told him to make sure the story about former Playboy model Karen McDougal didn’t get released, which he believed meant acquiring it. Cohen recounted a call with Pecker and Trump about the story. When Cohen told Trump the cost of controlling the McDougal story, Cohen testified Trump said, “No problem, I’ll take care of it.” Later, David Pecker, former CEO of the National Enquirer’s parent company, spoke to Cohen and insisted on being reimbursed.
  • “Access Hollywood” tape: When he learned about the video, released by the Washington Post, Cohen said he wanted to “ensure” things were being taken care of properly and that Trump would be protected. He testified that it was Melania Trump’s idea to say the language in the video “was locker room talk.” Cohen recalled thinking the tape would impact women voters.
  • Stormy Daniels: When he initially told Trump about the Stormy Daniels story, Cohen testified that Trump said, “Women are going to hate me” and that it would be “a disaster for the campaign.” Cohen said his former boss told him to work with Pecker to “take care of it.” As the agreement unfolded, Cohen said he kept Trump informed on the deal with Daniels.
  • Timing of Daniel’s payment: Trump wanted the situation with Daniels to be under wraps until after the election “because if I win, it will have no relevance because I’m president. And if I lose, I don’t even care,” Trump said, according to Cohen.
  • Making the payment: Cohen said he spoke with Trump twice to get his sign-off before making the payment to Daniels using a company he created, Essential Consultants LLC. He said he would have never gone forward to the bank without Trump’s approval. He testified he also let Trump know he signed the agreement with Daniels.
  • Repayment to Cohen: Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg told Cohen he would be paid $420,000 for Daniel’s payment over 12 months. He testified that the payment series set up for future legal services was actually a reimbursement.

Trump rails against judge and says there's no crime in remarks outside of Manhattan courthouse

From CNN's Maureen Chowdhury
Former President Donald Trump speaks to the press on Monday afternoon.
Former President Donald Trump speaks to the press on Monday afternoon.
Seth Wenig/Pool/AFP/Getty Images

Donald Trump slammed Judge Juan Merchan and called the hush money trial a “scam” as he left the Manhattan courthouse on Monday.

“This is a scam, I think it’s it’s terrible thing that’s happening to democracy in this country,” Trump said. He then called the case a “rigged deal” and Merchan “conflicted.” 

He went on to read comments made by his allies regarding the case.

“There’s no fraud here, there’s no crime here,” Trump said.

Trump's motorcade leaves the courthouse

Donald Trump’s motorcade has left the courthouse. His car slowed down so he could wave and flash a thumbs up to supporters gathered outside.

Testimony in Trump’s trial continues tomorrow.

Afternoon sketches show Michael Cohen on the stand as his former boss sits nearby in court

From CNN Digital's Photo Desk
Michael Cohen is questioned by prosecutor Susan Hoffinger on Monday as former President Donald Trump and Judge Juan Merchan look on.
Michael Cohen is questioned by prosecutor Susan Hoffinger on Monday as former President Donald Trump and Judge Juan Merchan look on.
Jane Rosenberg

Sketch artists Christine Cornell and Jane Rosenberg have been providing us with courtroom perspectives throughout the trial as cameras are not allowed inside during proceedings.

Here are some of their latest sketches from Michael Cohen’s testimony Monday afternoon:

Prosecutors began questioning Cohen about Stormy Daniels on Monday afternoon.
Prosecutors began questioning Cohen about Stormy Daniels on Monday afternoon.
Jane Rosenberg
During his testimony, Cohen recounted his conversation with Trump about the Stormy Daniels story and payment that is at the center of the case. "He expressed to me, just do it," Cohen said. "Meet up with Allen Weisselberg and figure this whole thing out."
During his testimony, Cohen recounted his conversation with Trump about the Stormy Daniels story and payment that is at the center of the case. "He expressed to me, just do it," Cohen said. "Meet up with Allen Weisselberg and figure this whole thing out."
Christine Cornell
Cohen was once one of Trump’s closest allies, famously pledging years ago that he would “take a bullet” for his then-boss.
Cohen was once one of Trump’s closest allies, famously pledging years ago that he would “take a bullet” for his then-boss.
Jane Rosenberg

More sketches from Cohen’s testimony can be seen here.

The final moments today in the courtroom: Trump stacks his papers and Cohen nods toward jurors

As Judge Juan Merchan gives his daily instructions to the jury, Donald Trump is stacking up his papers and whispering with attorney Todd Blanche.

His hands are folded on the table and he then flips through the papers one more time.

Michael Cohen, for his part, pans the courtroom and then looks down at his hands as Merchan is speaking.

Cohen gives a small smile and nods toward the jurors as Merchan dismisses them for the day.

The key points of Michael Cohen's testimony about how he was reimbursed for the hush money deal

From CNN's Eric Levenson
Michael Cohen is questioned by prosecutor Susan Hoffinger on Monday. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is in the foreground.
Michael Cohen is questioned by prosecutor Susan Hoffinger on Monday. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is in the foreground.
Christine Cornell

Michael Cohen finished the day’s testimony by explaining how he, former Trump Org. CFO Allen Weisselberg and Donald Trump agreed to reimburse him for the $130,000 hush money payment to Stormy Daniels.

After Trump won the election, Cohen pitched Trump on a set up in which he would serve as Trump’s personal attorney for free but would be paid by companies hoping for insights on Trump.

In early January, Cohen went to Weisselberg about being reimbursed for the $130,000 payment, and Weisselberg agreed, Cohen testified. He showed Weisselberg the wire transfer document, and Weisselberg took handwritten notes calculating what Trump owed Cohen based on their conversations.

According to Cohen, they agreed that Trump would pay him $420,000 in all: $130,000 to reimburse him for the payment to Daniels, $50,000 to reimburse him for unrelated tech services, $180,000 to account for estimated taxes and a $60,000 bonus. The payments would be made over 12 months “as like a legal service rendered since I was then going to be given the title of personal attorney to the president,” Cohen testified.

They presented the plan to Trump, and he approved it, Cohen said. The payments were designed to look like future legal services, but they were actually reimbursement for the Daniels’ deal, he testified.

Cohen never actually put together a retainer agreement for any future work he’d do for Trump, “because I knew there was going to be no compensation,” he testified.

Court is breaking for the day

The court is breaking for the day and the jury is leaving the courtroom.

Donald Trump’s ex-attorney Michael Cohen is expected to continue to be questioned by prosecutor Susan Hoffinger tomorrow.

Cohen says he was proud to accept title as Trump's personal attorney but didn't expect to be paid

Michael Cohen says he wanted to be Donald Trump’s personal attorney for the title and didn’t expect to be paid.

Cohen said he would be paid by companies he signed consulting agreements with.

He says he never put together a retainer agreement for any future work for Trump. “No ma’am,” he says, in response to prosecutor Susan Hoffinger. “Because I knew there was going to be no compensation.”

Cohen says this was not related to the $420,000 payment he was receiving from the Trump organization.

Cohen says Weisselberg told him to send monthly invoices and "we'll get you a check"

Michael Cohen says Allen Weisselberg told him the repayments would begin in February.

“What he stated to me is, ‘Each month just send an invoice to us. And just mark down for legal services rendered pursuant to the agreement, and we’ll get you a check out,’” Cohen says Weisselberg told him.

According to Cohen, Weisselberg explained that with moving Trump to Washington, DC, “it’s going to just take a little bit of time to get things moving” and encouraged him to “just be patient.”

Cohen texted operator of medallion company: "And just between us, I will be personal counsel to Pres Trump."

On Jan. 17, 2017, Cohen texted the operator of his yellow cab medallion business.

“Thank you. I leave tomorrow for D.C. And just between us, I will be personal counsel to Pres Trump.”

Cohen says he doesn’t remember exactly when Donald Trump told him he’d be his personal counsel.

But Cohen pins it around this text and his appearance on Sean Hannity announcing his position on January 18.

He got a text on January 18, 2017, from a contact about the announcement:

Cohen says payment series for future legal services was actually reimbursement

Michael Cohen is testifying that a payment series set up for future legal services was actually a reimbursement of the money he used in the Stormy Daniels deal.

Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked if Weisselberg told Trump that Cohen was going to receive $420,000 over the course of 12 months. “Yes,” Cohen said.

Cohen said his impression was that Trump and Weisselberg had already discussed this.

Hoffinger asked if Trump was there when Weisselberg said those monthly payments to Cohen were going to be like a retainer for legal services.

Trump gave Cohen the title of personal attorney to the president around the same time, Cohen says.

Hoffinger then asked whether this was payment for future legal services. “That was what it was designed to be,” Cohen said. “What was it actually?” Hoffinger asked. “Reimbursement of my money,” Cohen said.

Cohen recalls Weisselberg telling him $420,000 would be paid over 12 months for "legal services rendered"

Michael Cohen says he thought he’d get the $420,000 back in one lump sum.

But during the conversation in Donald Trump’s office, Allen (Weisselberg) turned around and said to me while we were talking about this, ‘We’re going to pay you over 12 months,’” Cohen says.

It would be recorded “as like a legal service rendered since I was then going to be given the title of personal attorney to the president,” Cohen says.

Cohen says he and Weisselberg went to Trump's office to speak to him about reimbursement payment

Michael Cohen was asked about former Trump Org. CFO Allen Weisselberg’s understanding about taxes.

Cohen said Weisselberg is not a CPA but he has been Trump’s chief financial office for decades. “He certainly knows more than I do,” Cohen said.

After the meeting, Cohen said he and Weisselberg went to Trump’s office to speak to him about it.

Jury shown First Republic wire transfer document with Weisselberg's handwriting

The jury is shown the First Republic wire transfer document with Allen Weisselberg’s handwriting.

Cohen confirms he provided the First Republic Bank statement. The jury again sees the copy that Weisselberg took handwritten notes on calculating what Trump owed Cohen based on their conversations. 

Cohen said he was in the room when Weisselberg wrote on the document.

Cohen says he followed up with Weisselberg about Daniels reimbursement in the new year

After the new year, Michael Cohen said he went to former Trump Org. CFO Allen Weisselberg about getting repaid for the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels.

“He said to me ‘let’s do it,’” Cohen said.

Weisselberg asked for a copy of the statement reflecting the $130,000 transfer, Cohen said.

Trump said he'd "take care" of the bonus when he returned from New Year's vacation, Cohen testifies

Michael Cohen said Donald Trump called him right before New Year’s while he was on vacation with his family.

On the call, Trump told him next year he should come to Mar-A-Lago an said “don’t worry about that other thing, I’m going to take care of it when I get back,” Cohen said referencing his bonus.

Trump looked in Cohen’s direction briefly as he recounted his phone conversation with Trump before New Year’s.

Cohen says he also told David Pecker about his unhappiness with his bonus

Michael Cohen says he also spoke with David Pecker about his unhappiness with the bonus.

“Can you believe this after all of this and laying out $130,000 to protect him, this is the best that I get?” Cohen recalls telling Pecker.

“I couldn’t believe it. It wasn’t even so much about the number as much as it was about the disrespect that came with it. I was just personally insulted,” Cohen says.

Scenes from inside the courtroom

Trump now reviews a sheet of paper in front of him. He’s got a big black marker in his hand that he pulled from his inside jacket pocket.

The overflow room audibly laughed at Michael Cohen’s line about being unusually angry over his bonus.