Donald Trump‘s criminal hush money trial is off today at Trump’s request so he can attend his son Barron Trump‘s high school graduation.
Thursday’s proceedings closed week five of the historic trial, with Trump’s former personal attorney Michael Cohen − the case’s key witness − being cross-examined by Trump’s defense lawyers.
The former president is on trial for 34 counts of falsifying business records. Prosecutors are trying to prove he covered up reimbursements to Cohen, who violated campaign finance laws by paying porn star Stormy Daniels $130,000 in 2016 to stay quiet about an alleged 2006 affair with Trump.
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche will resume his hardball questioning Monday morning. Here is what to know after week five has concluded:
Trump trial Thursday recap:Trump lawyer Todd Blanche to Michael Cohen: ‘That was a lie!’
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Trump trial Friday: Scheduled break
Trump requested Friday off from court to go to Barron Trump’s high school graduation. Trump’s youngest son is graduating from Oxbridge Academy in Palm Beach, Florida.
Trump supporters used the graduation request to attack Judge Juan Merchan, incorrectly saying he was not allowing Trump to go to the graduation when it had not yet been decided.
The trial usually takes place Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday starting at 9:30 a.m. local time and running through the business day. There is another day off scheduled for next Friday, May 24 to accommodate a juror’s scheduling conflicts.
The proceedings have been going for five weeks, and the court has estimated it would last a total of six-to-eight weeks. Merchan advised lawyers to be ready to give closing arguments as early as next Tuesday.
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Trump trial transcripts: Read Michael Cohen cross-examination
The court is posting transcripts and evidence from each day’s proceedings online. Here is Thursday morning’s transcript:
Michael Cohen to continue on witness stand Monday
The prosecution has reached its last witness. Cohen delivered crucial testimony for the prosecution early this week, telling the jury not only that Trump instructed him to pay Daniels ahead of the 2016 election, but also that Trump approved a scheme to cloak his reimbursement to Cohen as monthly payments for legal services.
Blanche has been seeking to undermine Cohen’s credibility. The cross-examination has lasted more than a full day so far, and will continue Monday morning, but Blanche said he expects to wrap up early in the day.
Once the prosecution rests its case, Trump’s lawyers will have their opportunity to call witnesses. They have not yet decided if Trump will testify.
