Trump Trial Watch

The fifth week of former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial has concluded, but star witness Michael Cohen’s testimony will go into yet another week.

On Thursday, Trump attorney Todd Blanche attacked Cohen over his history of lying under oath. He also tried to poke holes in Cohen’s recollection of a 2016 call during which he claimed Trump green-lit the payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

Pointing to text messages that Cohen exchanged with former Trump bodyguard Keith Schiller moments before that call, Blanche argued that the conversation had not been about the Daniels matter, but rather harassing phone calls Cohen was receiving at the time.

Cohen will return to the stand for re-direct examination on Monday.

Court will be out tomorrow so that Trump can attend his son Barron’s high school graduation in Florida. In the evening, he is set to appear in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he is headlining the state GOP’s annual Lincoln Reagan fundraising dinner.

Court snapshot: Trump was joined by more Republican friends today, including Representative Lauren Boebert. The congresswoman sat in the front row, paying close attention to Cohen’s testimony. She diligently took handwritten notes and shuffled around in her seat for a better view of the witness. Boebert did not return to the room after morning recess.

Katherine Fung is a Newsweek reporter based in New York City who focuses on U.S. and world politics. Get in touch with Katherine via email here.

FROM THE COURTROOM

Highlights of today’s proceedings

Trial Recap: Defense Grills Cohen

Trump attorney Todd Blanche turned questioning to Michael Cohen recording his phone conversations with various people without their knowledge. Cohen recalled having phone conversations with about 40 reporters. He was also asked who else he recorded aside from reporters, he listed former CNN President Jeff Zucker and former President Donald Trump. Get the latest.

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SPOTLIGHT

Six Bombshell Moments From the Hush Money Trial So Far

Donald Trump's hush money trial has already brought a number of revelations and potentially significant moments. The former president has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in relation to money he arranged for his then-lawyer Michael Cohen to pay adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep an alleged affair she had with Trump a secret in the run-up to the 2016 election. Below, Newsweek has highlighted some of the key moments from the hush money trial so far.

LEGAL BRIEFS

News from Trump's court cases

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ON THE DOCKET

What’s up next

Trump Lawyers Ask Court To Step in Over Gag Order

Donald Trump's lawyers are asking New York's highest court to intervene in the former president's fight over a hush money trial gag order that has landed him with $10,000 fines and threats of jail time. Get the latest.

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