Donald Trump’s hush money trial has wrapped up for the week after a day of heated cross-examination of key witness Michael Cohen by defense attorney Todd Blanche. The former “fixer” for the defendant spent the whole day on the witness stand in Judge Juan Merchan’s Manhattan courtroom.
Much of the questioning revolved around previous occasions in which he had lied under oath. These had been previously brought up by the prosecution with Cohen noting that his lies were to protect Mr Trump, then his boss.
Blanche zeroed in on whether Cohen, who received tens of thousands of calls per year, could specifically remember what was discussed in a 90-second call in 2016.
The witness remained calm and steadfast during his testimony, also walking the jury through the strategy allegedly employed by Mr Trump’s inner circle to delay making the $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels in October 2016 to buy her silence about the sexual encounter she claims he had with the politician in July 2006.
As court ended on Thursday, Judge Merchan asked both sides to prepare for closing arguments on Tuesday.
Alex Woodward is covering the trial from Manhattan Criminal Court.
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