Trump Defends Innocence, Calls Trial a 'Scam' as Cohen Testimony Continues

Former President Donald Trump has denied violating any laws and dismissed his criminal trial as a "scam" as his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, returned to the witness stand for a third day of cross-examination. Cohen's testimony has shed light on the alleged hush money payment made to pornographic performer Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election.

The criminal trial of former President Donald Trump is set to resume on Monday with Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer, on the stand for the third day of cross-examination by defense attorneys. Cohen, who previously described himself as Trump's "fixer," is expected to take the stand again at 9:30 a.m. Monday in Lower Manhattan.

Cohen, who is said to be Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's "star witness," first took the stand last week, answering questions from New York prosecutors as they seek to build their case against the former president. Prosecutors aim to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump falsified business records 34 times to conceal a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels, a pornographic performer, to silence her about an alleged affair with Trump in 2006.

Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges and maintains his innocence. "I didn't violate any law," Trump said after court on Thursday. "This is a scam."

Trump's defense attorney, Todd Blanche, began his cross-examination of Cohen on Tuesday, which continued through Thursday. Court did not meet Friday so the former president could attend his youngest son Barron Trump's high school graduation in Palm Beach, Florida. Court also does not meet on Wednesdays.

So far, Cohen has testified that he personally made the $130,000 payment to Daniels using a home equity line of credit in an effort to conceal the payment from his wife. Cohen said he did this because Trump told him to "handle it" and prevent a negative story from coming out ahead of the election.

Cohen also testified that he was "reimbursed $420,000" for the $130,000 he paid to Daniels. Cohen said former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg suggested he "gross up" the payments and claimed that Trump knew the details of that reimbursement. The prosecution presented Cohen with 11 checks totaling $420,000, which Cohen confirmed receiving and depositing. The checks had a description of a "retainer," which Cohen said was false.

Cohen also testified about the non-disclosure agreement signed by Daniels in October 2016, acknowledging that the contract was lawful. He admitted that non-disclosure agreements are not unusual. However, Cohen also admitted that he sent statements to reporters declaring that Trump was not a party to the Daniels payment.

Defense attorney Blanche highlighted Cohen's history of lying under oath, including to Congress about a Trump Tower Moscow project and to federal investigators from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's office. Cohen agreed that he lied under oath in the past.

Blanche also led Cohen to admit that he believes he should not have been charged with some federal crimes in 2018, including tax evasion. Cohen stated that he pleaded guilty to protect his wife and family. Blanche also accused Cohen of lying about speaking to Trump on October 24, 2016, about the Daniels payment, which Cohen denied.

Cohen admitted that he "took some credit" for Bragg's indictment of Trump, which led to the historic criminal trial. Blanche suggested that Cohen played a role in the indictment, to which Cohen responded that he took some credit. Cohen also testified that he wanted to be considered for a top role in the Trump administration, such as attorney general or chief of staff, for "ego purposes."

The defense expects to wrap up cross-examination on Monday. Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger said she will have less than an hour on redirect questioning of Cohen. The defense anticipates reaching a decision on other witnesses soon. It is unclear whether Trump will testify in his own defense.