Trump trial live updates: Michael Cohen testimony wraps for the day

Trump's former attorney returns to the stand on Day 18 of the hush money trial.

Last updated: Thursday, May 16, 2024 10:05PM GMT
Trump trial updates: Cross-examination of Cohen continues
Lauren Glassberg has the latest on the trial from Lower Manhattan.

NEW YORK -- Former President Donald Trump is on trial in New York City, where he is facing felony charges related to a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. It marks the first time in history that a former U.S. president has been tried on criminal charges.

Trump last April pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment charging him with falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment his then-attorney Michael Cohen made to Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.

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May 16, 2024, 2:29 PM GMT

Jury hears Cohen slamming Trump on his podcast

Defense attorney Todd Blanche returned to questioning Michael Cohen about his Mea Culpa podcast. The jury heard an excerpt from before Trump's indictment was unsealed, but after news had leaked that he had, in fact, been indicted.

"I want to thank the Manhattan district attorneys office," Cohen said on the podcast.


"He is about to get a taste of what I went through. And I promise you, its not fun," it continued.

Jurors remained stone-faced as Cohen's excited and hyper-energized voiced came through the courtroom speakers.

"What an embarrassment it is to the office of the presidency," Cohen said in the recording, adding that the indictment "filled me with delight and sadness."


"I truly f------ hope that this man ends up in prison," Cohen said in another clip. "You better believe I want this man to go down and rot inside for what he did to me in my family."

Most of the jurors appeared to have no visible reaction to the audio. Cohen, too, remained calm on the stand, answering questions from Blanche about his own words.

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May 16, 2024, 2:25 PM GMT

Defense seeks to admit texts between Cohen, detective

Trump attorney Todd Blanche resumed his cross-examination of Michael Cohen by asking Cohen about detective Jeremy Rosenberg, who took Cohen's phones from him for processing during the DA's investigation.

Cohen said he texted with Rosenberg on his personal and work phones.


Blanche was attempting to get some text messages between Cohen and Rosenberg into evidence. Prosecutors objected by arguing the texts are taken out of context. The parties went into a sidebar to hash it out.

Blanche suggested that Cohen, in the texts, told Rosenberg that he was "going to hold President Trump accountable."


Judge Merchan ultimately sustained the prosecution's objection to admitting the text messages into evidence.

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May 16, 2024, 2:03 PM GMT

Cohen returns to the witness stand

"Let's get the witness please," Merchan said, and Michael Cohen entered the courtroom then took his seat at the witness stand.

Cohen carried a water bottle in his hand as he entered and did not look toward Trump when he passed defense counsel table.

Trump turned away from Cohen to his left and whispered to his attorney Emil Bove as Cohen passed.

As Cohen took his place in the witness box, Judge Merchan reminded him that he is still under oath.

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May 16, 2024, 2:00 PM GMT

Proceedings are underway

"Good morning, Mr. Trump," Judge Juan Merchan said in his usual fashion after taking the bench.

The proceedings immediately began with a private sidebar between the parties and Merchan.

Former President Donald Trump appears at Manhattan criminal court before his trial in New York, Thursday, May 16, 2024.
Former President Donald Trump appears at Manhattan criminal court before his trial in New York, Thursday, May 16, 2024.