The Trump trial is hurtling to a close. Michael Cohen is set to finish today. Trump's team set they will finish with Cohen today. Then the prosecution will ask more question on redirect, but he is their last witness.
Trump's legal team said last week they are deciding if Trump testifies and may not put up any other witnesses.
But this morning said with the holiday weekend coming up, they will not get to summations until after the holiday
Justice Merchan: Looks like evidence will end this week, with summations next Tuesday.
OK, as I was typing this up, I just saw this.
Holy Moly, they saved the best for last. Cohen admitted stealing from the Trump Organization
Trump's lawyer Blanche: You said $130,000 for Daniels, $50,000 for RedFinch for polling? Yes Trump's lawyer Blanche: But you only paid RedFinch $20,000. How'd you get it for him? Cohen: I took it out of TD Bank over several days. Blanche: In a duffel bag? Cohen: No. In a brown paper bag Blanche: You were square with him? Cohen: He would have liked the 30k Trump's lawyer Blanche: But Allen Weisselberg grossed up to $100,000 - so you stole from the Trump Organization, right? Cohen: I did. Blanche Have you been prosecuted for larceny or even made to pay it back? Cohen: No sir.
https://x.com/innercitypress/status/1792559287543144621
Thanks for the updates!
No problem.
Before the Did you steal money from the Trump Org question, the best punch Trump's lawyers threw was a question about a phone call Cohen said he had with Trump. He said he called Keith Schiller and Schiller handed the phone to Trump. It was a super short call and Trump's lawyers showed texts from Cohen to Schiller suggesting he only spoke to Schiller about another subject.
I think Cohen said this was the call he told Trump he took care of the Stormy Daniels thing. IIRC.
Prosecutors will ask about that after lunch and they are arguing now about introducing photos from CNN of Trump and Schiller.
Actually CSPAN. Judge would not let them show the video because the CSPAN expert from weeks ago didn't talk about this video
But the judge lets a picture in. Trump is with Schiller so it was possible Cohen called Schiller and spoke to Trump.
https://twitter.com/innercitypress/status/1792633595586052156?t=4pgUeOZFWZAZR4p2uGT8JA&s=19
Trump's lawyers bring up Robert Costello.
This Robert Costello https://www.foxnews.com/video/6353117602112
I wonder if they will call him as a witness.
https://x.com/innercitypress/status/1792573931754328290 Trump's lawyer Blanche: You asked Mr. Costello to ask Mr. Giuliani to find out how it ended up at SDNY and how in Main Justice approved it, right? Cohen: Yes. Blanche: Now B-1008... Would it surprise you you had 75 calls with Mr. Costello? Cohen: He reached out
Prosecutors ask about Costello
Prosecutor Hoffinger: You didn't hire Mr. Costello, right? Cohen: I did not. I did not trust him; he kept invoking Mr. Giuliani and I felt anything I told him would go to Rudy then President Trump. Hoffinger: Is this your waiver of attorney-client in 2019? Yes. https://x.com/innercitypress/status/1792594256789385658
Trump's lawyers are done with Cohen. Ended up asking him about his income during his last years with Trump and since.
So the prosecutors can now redirect.
They ask about the money he stole
Prosecutor Hoffinger: Red Finch, what was the work? Cohen: To create an algorithm to have Mr. Trump raise in a poll of businessmen on CNBC - into the top 10. Red Finch acquired IP addresses until Mr. Trump was Number 9. Hoffinger: Then Mr. Trump wouldn't pay? Yes. Prosecutor Hoffinger: The extra $30,000 - why'd you keep it? Cohen: I was angry because of the reduction of the bonus. It was almost like self-help. I had laid out money to Red Finch.