Laughter filled the courtroom during former President Donald Trump’s criminal hush money trial on Thursday when an exchange between Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, and Judge Juan Merchan led to a moment of levity. The incident occurred within the first 15 minutes of Blanche’s second day cross-examining Michael Cohen, Trump’s former fixer.
Blanche’s early minutes of the session were marked by apologies and objections, with prosecutors successfully challenging his wording twice. The defense attorney was visibly grappling with how to frame his questions about Cohen’s communications with Detective Jeremy Rosenberg concerning a New York Times article related to the indictment, told NBC News.
The situation reached a comedic peak when Blanche, after shifting focus to a CNN interview in which Cohen likened himself to David battling Trump as “Goliath on his back,” sought permission to approach the bench. Judge Merchan’s swift and firm “No” in response not only halted Blanche’s request but also provoked laughter among those present in the courtroom.
“I’m sorry I don’t understand your question,” Cohen told Blanche. “It’s confusing.” “Did Detective Rosenberg tell you they told the New York Times about the indictment before they told you?” Blanche demanded. At this point, Merchan interjected with his own clarification question: “When you say they, who are you referring to?”
“The cross cannot be worse than last session, so Blanche has set the bar low for today,” said former prosecutor Andrew Weissmann. “Right now: not a lot to do to clean up any points, if anything, on redirect by the state.”
Cohen was in Manhattan Criminal Court for his second day of cross-examination in the ongoing trial concerning charges that Trump falsified business records to conceal payments made ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Cohen claims he assisted Trump in funneling funds to adult film star Stormy Daniels and was later reimbursed, an affair Trump denies and to which he has pleaded not guilty to charges brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
The atmosphere in the courtroom was tense, with concerns that Cohen, known for his volatile temperament, might “fly off the handle.” However, his demeanor during the previous session had earned him praise from legal experts. Trump’s legal team, particularly Blanche, faced intense pressure to undermine the credibility of the prosecution’s key witness. Former prosecutor Andrew Weissmann commented on the situation, noting, “The cross cannot be worse than last session, so Blanche has set the bar low for today. Right now: not a lot to do to clean up any points, if anything, on redirect by the state.”
Sitting behind Trump, who was dressed in a blue blazer and red tie, was his son Eric and Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL), alongside other supporters including Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO), none of whom adopted Trump’s distinctive style that several allies had mimicked earlier in the week.
