Trump's 'Liberation Day' Tariffs: Fair trade or global trade war?

CNN·Trump·2024 Stormy Daniels wraps up testimony in Trump hush money trial By CNN's Kara Scannell, Lauren Del Valle and Jeremy Herb in the courthouse Updated 6:18 p.m. ET, May 9, 2024 What we're covering here The jury in Donald Trump's hush money trial heard from several witnesses during testimony today. Court is set to resume at 9:30 a.m. ET tomorrow. Madeleine Westerhout, Trump's personal assistant when he was in the White House, testified about how Trump preferred to work. She'll be back on the stand when court resumes tomorrow. Earlier today, adult film actress Stormy Daniels, a central figure in the criminal case against Trump, took the stand for a second day of testimony. Trump attorney Susan Necheles hammered down on Daniels in cross-examination to establish some of the ways she gained publicity and money from her story going public. The hush money payment — and how it was reimbursed to Cohen — is at the heart of the charges against Trump, who has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records and has denied the affair. Cameras are not allowed inside the courtroom during proceedings. CNN reporters will be providing the latest real-time updates from the courthouse. 20 min ago Here are the witnesses who have testified so far in the Trump hush money trial From CNN staff Defense attorney Susan Necheles cross-examines adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the trial on May 9. Defense attorney Susan Necheles cross-examines adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the trial on May 9. Jane Rosenberg Donald Trump's longtime assistant, the former banker of Trump's attorney Michael Cohen and adult film actress Stormy Daniels are among witnesses who have taken the stand so far in the hush money trial. As of Thursday, here's everybody we've heard from so far: David Pecker — the former CEO of American Media Inc., the National Enquirer's parent company — was the first witness called to testify. After more than 10 hours of testimony across four days, he offered illuminating details into how the infamous tabloid operated and conducted so-called “catch and kill” operations. Rhona Graff, Trump's longtime assistant at the Trump Organization, was called to testify briefly on April 26. Gary Farro, the former banker of Cohen, walked the jury through Cohen’s bank activity around the payment to Daniels. Keith Davidson testifies during direct examination on May 2. Keith Davidson testifies during direct examination on May 2. Jane Rosenberg Keith Davidson, the former lawyer for model and actress Karen McDougal as well as for Daniels, was on the stand for nearly 6 hours over two days. Douglas Daus works for the Manhattan District Attorney's High Technology Analysis Unit, and was assigned to analyze two iPhones that belonged to Cohen in the investigation related to Trump. They were obtained via a search warrant. Daus testified about the "unusual" amount of contacts and other things he found on Cohen's phone. Hope Hicks, Trump's longtime former aide, testified for a little less than three hours about her role as Trump’s 2016 campaign press secretary, the aftermath of the “Access Hollywood” tape release and Cohen's payment to Danie s. Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo questions former longtime Trump Organization controller Jeffrey McConney on May 6. Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo questions former longtime Trump Organization controller Jeffrey McConney on May 6. Jane Rosenberg Jeffrey McConney, a former Trump Organization controller, testified about how Cohen's payments were listed in Trump's financial documents. Deborah Tarasoff, the accounts payable supervisor in the accounting department at the Trump Organization, explained how checks were cut to Cohen in 2017 and she testified that invoices over $10,000 had to be approved by Trump or one of his sons. Sally Franklin, the senior vice president and executive managing editor for Penguin Random House publishing group, testified for 46 minutes. Prosecutors used her testimony to enter excerpts from Trump’s books into evidence. Stormy Daniels, who's at the center of the hush money case, was on the stand for 6 hours and 10 minutes over two days of testimony. Daniels walked the jury through details about her alleged sexual encounter with Trump in 2006 and the $130,000 hush money payment from Trump's ex-attorney Michael Cohen shortly before the 2016 election. Trump attorney Susan Necheles hammered down on Daniels in cross-examination to establish some of the ways she gained publicity and money from her story going public. Rebecca Manochio, a junior bookkeeper at the Trump Organization, testified for about 35 minutes. The prosecution used Manochio to submit invoices, documents and emails as evidence. Tracey Menziez, the senior VP of production and creative operations for Harper Collins, testified in the Trump hush money criminal trial on May 9. Tracey Menziez, the senior VP of production and creative operations for Harper Collins, testified in the Trump hush money criminal trial on May 9. Jane Rosenberg Tracey Menzies, the senior vice president of production and creative operations at Harper Collins, spoke about one of the books Donald Trump co-authored, “Think Big: Make It Happen in Business and Life,” by Trump and Bill Zanker and read excerpts from the book. Madeleine Westerhout, a former personal assistant to Trump at the White House, detailed how the president preferred to work, his attention to detail and the reaction to the "Access Hollywood" tape. 36 min ago Stormy Daniels finished her testimony in Trump’s hush money trial. Here’s what to know From CNN's Elise Hammond Stormy Daniels is cross examined by the defense on Thursday, May 9. Stormy Daniels is cross examined by the defense on Thursday, May 9. Jane Rosenberg Donald Trump’s lawyers finished their cross-examination of Stormy Daniels on Thursday and spent most of the time trying to undermine her credibility by pointing out inconsistencies in her story. In her more than 6 hours of testimony over two days, Daniels described her first meeting with Trump, the details of their alleged sexual encounter in 2006 and how the hush money payment unfolded years later. The defense tried to establish some of the ways the porn star gained publicity and money from her story going public. The other witnesses on Thursday were a junior bookkeeper at the Trump Organization, an employee of Harper Collins and Trump’s former personal assistant at the White House. Here’s what happened in court on Thursday: Stormy Daniels on cross-examination: Trump lawyer Susan Necheles pointed out that in a January 2018 statement, Daniels denied a sexual encounter with Trump. Later that same month, Daniels put out a second statement denying the relationship. She said she was pushed to sign the statement by Michael Cohen via attorney Keith Davidson. Necheles asked Daniels if she eventually wanted to publicly announce she had sex with Trump. "No. Nobody would ever want to publicly say that. I wanted to publicly defend myself," Daniels testified. Necheles sought to establish examples of how Daniels benefitted from the story. A "60 Minutes" interview and appearances on CNN and "The View" brought Daniels publicity, Necheles said. Daniels argued her then-lawyer Michael Avenatti arranged her appearances. Necheles challenged Daniels on her story, saying it "has changed a lot over the years," citing Daniels’ description of the floors in Trump’s hotel room. The Trump attorney also asked if Daniels fabricated the story about the encounter with Trump, which Daniels denied. On redirect: Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger went through Daniels' motivation for entering the non-disclosure agreement, including her fear for safety. While Daniels has made money with the Trump story, it has also cost her, Hoffinger said. Daniels said now she's had to hire security and move her daughter to a safe place to live, in addition to the money she owes Trump in attorney's fees. Hoffinger asked, "Have you been telling lies about Mr. Trump or the truth about Mr. Trump?" Daniels responded, “The truth.” Rebecca Manochio: Manochio, who still works at the Trump Organization as a junior bookkeeper, said when Trump was in the White House, she would FedEx checks once a week, often 10 to 20 at a time. The checks were mailed back to the Trump Organization, signed by Trump, usually within a few days. When she received the checks back from Washington, she would give them to Deb Tarasoff, who works in the accounting department and testified earlier in the trial. Prosecutors used Manochio to submit documents into evidence that showed Trump's personal checks were facilitated in Washington, DC, by Trump Organization bodyguard Keith Schiller and then by Trump personal aid John McEntee once Schiller left. This is important because the crux of this case comes down to how the former president's team handled a hush money payment to Daniels. On cross-examination, Manochio said she didn’t interact directly with Trump and she only sent him personal checks for his signature. She also testified that she also sent personal checks to Ivanka Trump. Tracey Menzies Menzies is the senior vice president of production and creative operations at Harper Collins. Testifying as a custodian of records for the publishing company, Menzies said. Prosecutors read excerpts from the book "Think Big: Make it Happen in Business and Life" for the jury. Several of them were about Trump’s value of loyalty in his business. Other excerpts were about revenge. Madeleine Westerhout As the former director of Oval Office Operations, Westerhout was one of the chief gatekeepers to the president as his personal assistant. When the 2016 “Access Hollywood” tape came out, Westerhout said she remembered it “rattling RNC leadership.” She testified that she recalled conversations about how to replace Trump on the presidential ticket, “if it came to that.” Later, she told the defense on cross-examination that Trump was not as concerned about the tape as those around him. From Westerhout’s experience working with Trump, she said the former president was “attentive to things that were brought to his attention." She also testified about Trump’s preferences — including that he did not use a computer or have an email address and preferred hard copies of documents. She said she recalls that Trump was “very upset” by the Stormy Daniels story potentially coming out. Westerhout testified that Trump spoke to Cohen around that time. Judge makes other rulings: Judge Juan Merchan denied the defense's motion for a mistrial. He said he disagrees with the Trump team's assertion that Daniels gave a new account in her testimony this week. He also denied a motion to modify the gag order to allow Trump to talk about Daniels. 1 hr 25 min ago Trump attacks judge in hush money trial after leaving court From CNN's Elise Hammond Former President Donald Trump attacked the judge presiding over his hush money trial in New York after court adjourned on Thursday. In the hallway, he called Judge Juan Merchan “totally corrupt” and “conflicted.” “Take a look at his conflict, it’s a disgrace to the city of New York, to the state of New York and to the country,” Trump said. It comes after Stormy Daniels finished her testimony. She was on the stand for more than 6 hours over two days, describing her first meeting with Trump and their sexual encounter in 2006. Remember: The former president is not allowed to talk about Daniels because of a gag order that has been imposed. However, it does not prevent Trump from attacking Merchan or Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. 1 hr 34 min ago Court is adjourned After issuing his ruling, Judge Juan Merchan dismissed the court until tomorrow morning. "I’ll see you tomorrow at 9:30," he said. 1 hr 19 min ago Judge Merchan denies defense motion for a mistrial Judge Juan Merchan has denied the defense's motion for a mistrial. Merchan says he disagrees with the Trump team's assertion that Stormy Daniels gave a new account in her testimony this week. Before the ruling, Mechan says the jurors have to decide who they believe in the case of the encounter between Donald Trump and Daniels. He notes that the people do not have to prove the encounter happened but because the defense has called her credibility into question, prosecutors have to make an effort to show her story is credible to prove their case. "The more specificity Ms. Daniels can provide about the encounter, the more the jury can weigh whether the encounter did occur and if so whether they choose to credit Ms. Daniels’ story," Merchan says. There were "many times Ms. Necheles could have objected but didn't," the judge says. "For some unexplained reason that I still don't understand" there was no objection to certain testimony cited in the motion for a mistrial and again today, Merchan says. "Why on earth she wouldn't object to the mention of a condom, I don’t understand," Merchan says of Trump attorney Susan Necheles. 1 hr 35 min ago Trump leans back in his chair as judge knocks his legal team Trump is leaning back and stretching as the judge knocks the defense for not objecting to more of Stormy Daniels' testimony. Merchan has mentioned several portions of the proceedings he thinks Trump's lawyers could have objected to as he explains his ruling. 1 hr 40 min ago Prosecutor says "very salacious details" were omitted that he's willing to file under seal if necessary Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass says there were "very salacious details" that were purposely omitted from Stormy Daniels' account, saying he's willing to make a sealed filing with those details if necessary. Steinglass says the prosecution specifically chose not to ask questions in a way that would elicit some of those details, so as not to embarrass Trump. For example, Steinglass notes that the judge sustained an objection to a question to Daniels about whether she "felt anything different" at the time of the alleged sexual encounter with Trump. The prosecutor says Daniels would have testified that she felt the skin of a 60-year-old man, and that that was different for her as a 27-year-old woman at the time. Steinglass says that would've been corroborative of her allegations. "We feel that we have very faithfully adhered to your honor's ruling," the prosecutor says, in summary. 1 hr 43 min ago Steinglass says the prosecution was never intending to call Karen McDougal as a witness Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass confirms Karen McDougal — the model and actress who has said she was also paid to keep quiet about an affair with Trump — will not be called to take the stand. "She was on our witness list, but we have never indicated an actual intention to call her," he says. 1 hr 48 min ago Prosecutor argues details of encounter "were the motivation" for Trump to keep story quiet Details about the alleged sexual encounter between Stormy Daniels and Donald Trump "were the motivation" for Trump to keep the story quiet in 2016, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass argues. "The details are essential to give the jury the tools they need to analyze her credibility," Steinglass says, arguing that Trump attorney Susan Necheles was "cherry-picking" the details she thought were inconsistent and ignoring where Daniels has been consistent. 1 hr 49 min ago Daniels was only asked about 8 questions about the sexual encounter with Trump, prosecutor says Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass says there were about eight questions about the actual sexual encounter between Donald Trump and Stormy Daniels. He argues the prosecution did not go into detail about the sexual encounter. "There’s no opportunity for long explanations about it," he says, and the questions were mostly yes or no responses. 1 hr 48 min ago Prosecutor says Daniels' details of her experience with Trump make her story "more credible" Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass says Stormy Daniels' testimony detailing the conversation and experience with Donald Trump before and after the alleged sexual encounter is corroborative. "Those are the kinds of details that make her account more credible." Trump is leaning back in his chair with his eyes closed. 1 hr 55 min ago Trump attorney "left a very misleading impression" that Daniels' story had changed, prosecutor says Addressing the defense's allegations of inconsistencies in Stormy Daniels' story, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass is arguing that Trump lawyer Susan Necheles "certainly probed them in her very thorough though somewhat misleading questioning." "The fact of the matter is, Ms. Necheles left a very misleading impression" that Daniels' story had become "radically different" from what she said in the "60 Minutes" interview with Anderson Cooper in 2018. 1 hr 56 min ago Prosecutors says defense allegations are "flat out untrue" Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass responds to the defense team's motion for a mistrial by saying most of the allegations from Trump's lawyers are "flat out untrue." "Starting with the fact that it’s a new account — this is not a new account," Steinglass says. "The claim of ambush is just nonsense,” Steinglass adds. “The claim of changing her story is also extraordinarily untrue." "There may be details stated in one form but not in another form," Steinglass says, but he says that's not unexpected. 1 hr 58 min ago Judge pushes back at defense arguments about anecdotes provided by Daniels in testimony Judge Juan Merchan pushes back at the defense's arguments about anecdotes provided by Stormy Daniels during her testimony. He is saying he sustained objections to many of the accounts that Trump attorney Todd Blanche now cites in his mistrial motion. 1 hr 59 min ago No need to hear details of alleged sexual encounter, Trump attorney argues Trump attorney Todd Blanche is saying that Judge Juan Merchan said they did not need to know the details of the alleged sexual encounter between Stormy Daniels and Donald Trump, but "the people still asked." "There was no basis for the government to ask that question," Blanche argues. "The government wouldn't stop," Blanche says. "We didn't know these questions were coming." "We were sitting here hearing that for the first time on the witness stand yesterday," Blanche says. 1 hr 59 min ago Blanche also argues that Daniels' remark about an "imbalance of power" wasn't relevant to the case Reading another line of testimony, Todd Blanche notes that Stormy Daniels said "there was an imbalance of power for sure" when referring to her allegation of a sexual encounter with Donald Trump. Blanche says the jury has heard about a power dynamic and "none of that information goes to the motive of anybody in this case, including President Trump." 1 hr 59 min ago Trump's defense is arguing that the prosecution has been asking prejudicial questions Trump attorney Todd Blanche is continuing to suggest that prosecutors asked questions they shouldn't have during Stormy Daniels' testimony, such as what Daniels' reaction was to seeing Trump when she left his bathroom before their alleged sexual encounter. "It's not relevant and it shouldn’t have been asked," Blanche says. "That is a description that is extremely prejudicial," the Trump attorney argues, referring to questions intended to sway the jury's emotions against a defendant. The descriptions didn't have anything to do with an arrangement involving Michael Cohen and the National Enquirer, which is the core issue at hand, Blanche argues. Blanche argues that prosecutors "didn't abide by the court’s rules" in their line of questioning. He also points to the question about what their relative heights were. "How is that relevant to that case? That is so prejudicial," he argues. 2 hr 6 min ago Trump team worked during day off on argument for new motion for mistrial Donald Trump's legal team worked during the off day yesterday on their argument for a new motion for a mistrial, which attorney Todd Blanche is making now, CNN's Kaitlin Collins reports. 2 hr 6 min ago Trump attorney cites spanking anecdote in arguing for a mistrial Trump attorney Todd Blanche cites the spanking anecdote from Stormy Daniels in arguing for a mistrial. "How that's relevant to why we're here especially when you weigh it with the prejudicial nature." He adds, again referring to the spanking anecdote: "It almost defies belief that we’re here about a records case and the government is asking about an incident that happened in 2006," Blanche says. "This is not a case about sex" and not about whether the sexual encounter happened – something Blanche notes Trump continues to deny. 2 hr 9 min ago Trump lawyer alleges Daniels has changed her story Trump attorney Todd Blanche argues that Stormy Daniels has changed her story by suggesting that this "completely made-up encounter with President Trump may not have been consensual." The questioning by prosecutor Susan Hoffinger got "way beyond the mere fact that it happened," Blanche says. 1 hr 55 min ago Trump attorney again seeks a mistrial, citing Daniels' testimony After the judge denied the motion to modify the gag order, we are moving to the defense's mistrial motion. Todd Blanche renews Donald Trump's motion for a mistrial saying now that the jury has heard Stormy Daniels' testimony there's no way this trial should go forward. 2 hr 12 min ago Judge denies motion to modify gag order to allow Trump to speak about Daniels Judge Juan Merchan denies the defense's motion to modify the gag order so Trump can talk about Stormy Daniels. 2 hr 4 min ago Merchan says gag order was in place because of "very real, very threatening attacks on potential witnesses" Judge Juan Merchan explains the reason for the gag order in the first place. "The reason why the gag order is in place to begin with is precisely because of the nature of these attacks, the vitriol," he says. "These were very real, very threatening attacks on potential witnesses." 2 hr 10 min ago Merchan says modifying the gag order now could impact the "integrity of the proceedings" Judge Juan Merchan appears to be pushing back on the Trump team's argument in favor of the former president being allowed to speak publicly about Stormy Daniels' testimony. "My concern is not just the protection of Ms. Daniels, or a witness who has already testified," Merchan says. "My concern is protecting the integrity of the proceedings." The judge said witnesses who have not yet testified would watch Trump's comments about Daniels if they were permitted, and that could influence their own testimony. 2 hr 13 min ago Trump attorney argues that Daniels was able to offer a "completely different version of events" Trump attorney Todd Blanche responds to the prosecution's argument about the gag order exception by saying "everything you’ve just heard is different in kind from our request." "You have Ms. Daniels, who came in yesterday and today and was allowed to talk about a completely different version of events," Blanche argues. Judge Juan Merchan stops him and asks what he's specifically referring to. Blanche reads Daniels' testimony about the room spinning when she was with Trump in his hotel room. "Help me understand how that’s an alternate set of facts," Merchan says. "One is about consent and one is not," Blanche says. "I don’t see what you’re referring to as a new set of facts, as a new theory of the case,” Merchan says, addressing the gag order. 2 hr 15 min ago Prosecutor citing Trump's own words in his book in today's arguments Prosecutor Chris Conroy is citing Trump's own words from his book shown in court earlier today that Trump believes in intimidating enemies. "When you are wronged go after those people because it is a good feeling and because other people will see you doing it. Getting even is not always a personal thing. It’s just part of doing business." 2 hr 16 min ago Modifying gag order mid-trial would signal "risk" to future witnesses, prosecutor says Prosecutor Chris Conroy says there have been "very real consequences for witnesses." He said there have been custodial witnesses who've expressed fear about their safety. "The fact that witnesses are brave enough to come in here under subpoena … shouldn’t expose them to this defendant’s barrage of threats that will put them and potentially their families in danger," Conroy says. Modifying the gag order mid-trial would "signal to future witnesses that they could be at risk as well," he argues. 2 hr 17 min ago Trump is scribbling notes to his team as they argue for an exception to the gag order Trump has now scribbled two notes on green paper and handed them to his attorney Todd Blanche, as prosecutors argue against amending the gag order to exclude Stormy Daniels. Trump's team is trying to arrange an exception that would allow him to respond publicly to Daniels' at-times explicit testimony. 2 hr 18 min ago Prosecutor says "you could see the fear in her eyes" after Daniels' address was accidentally shown Prosecutor Chris Conroy, during the discussion about the exception to the gag order, noted a time when Stormy Daniels' home address was displayed accidentally on a screen during her testimony. "You could see the fear in her eyes." As Conroy is speaking, Trump is writing a note on a Post-it. He passed it to Blanche when he finished. 2 hr 21 min ago Defense "almost lives in an alternate reality," prosecutor says Speaking for the prosecution, Chris Conroy is saying that "it seems as though the other side almost lives in an alternate reality." "If somebody wants to respond to something said in this room, that can happen in this room. It’s not supposed to happen out there," Conroy says. Conroy says there are people saying things "with the defendant in mind. I'm not in the position to say at his direction or anything close to that." 2 hr 20 min ago Attorney says Trump should be able to respond to accusations about "what happened that night" In making his argument, Todd Blanche says Donald Trump will be "asked repeatedly over the next week or two about these new accusations of consent and of what happened that night." "He is not allowed to say, 'I did not do that,'" for voters who are seeing this coverage, the attorney argues. 2 hr 21 min ago Defense attorney asks that Trump "be allowed to respond publicly" to Stormy Daniels' testimony "We ask that President Trump be allowed to respond publicly to what happened in court the past day and a half," defense attorney Todd Blanche says to Judge Juan Merchan. He's specifically asking for Trump to be permitted to comment on Stormy Daniels' testimony and her story, in part to respond to media coverage. "The press reporting over the past 24 hours about the current version of the story that we believe is completely false," Blanche says. "It is significant." It's Trump now "having to not respond to this new version of events that now deals very deeply with a very different issue than a sexual event that took place in 2006," Blanche adds. Remember: Judge Merchan has repeatedly found Trump in contempt of court for violating a gag order blocking the defendant from speaking out about potential witnesses, and most people in or associated with the court or the New York district attorney’s office. On Monday, Merchan fined Trump $1,000 for the latest violation and ordered he pay the fine by close of business Friday. Last week, the judge fined Trump $9,000 for nine previous violations of the judge’s gag order. 1 hr 23 min ago Madeleine Westerhout handed Trump his personal checks and revealed his regular contacts. Here’s what she said From CNN's Christina Zdanowicz Madeleine Westerhout, one of the chief gatekeepers to the president as his personal assistant at the White House, explained how she handled Trump’s personal checks, who he was talking to most and how he felt about the “Access Hollywood” tape. She has wrapped her testimony for today. Here are the highlights of her testimony: Who was Trump talking to most? Westerhout asked for a list of the contacts Trump most regularly spoke to. Among the 24 names given to the jury, prosecutors zeroed in on ex-National Enquirer publisher David Pecker and former Trump attorney Michael Cohen, who are both big players in the alleged hush money scheme in this trial. Tennis great Serena Williams, football legend Tom Brady and conservative TV host Sean Hannity are some of the others on the list. Trump’s personal expenses: Checks were sent from the Trump Organization to a White House employee and Westerhout would put them in a manila folder for Trump to sign, she testified. The checks for Trump’s personal expenses came in about twice a month, ranging from one check to a stack “maybe half an inch thick,” Westerhout said. After Trump signed them and put them in the folder, she said she would place them in a pre-labeled FedEx envelope to send back to the Trump Organization. February 2017 meeting with Michael Cohen: The jury viewed a February 5, 2017, email from Westerhout to Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen. In the email, Westerhout asked Cohen for details he needs to provide to get clearance from Secret Service into the White House. Some background on this: Prosecutors allege Cohen and Trump worked out the reimbursement at a February meeting in the Oval Office. Stormy Daniels story: "I remember he was very upset by it," Westerhout said of the story coming out. Trump and Cohen spoke around the time of the article, she added. “Access Hollywood” tape: Westerhout said Trump was not as concerned about the "Access Hollywood" tape in 2016 as those around him. Defense attorney Susan Necheles got at the idea that the tape, which prosecutors say was key to the motivation that Trump wanted to keep Daniels quiet, did not concern Trump like it did those around him. She got emotional about leaving the White House: Westerhout broke down in tears as she described the circumstances of her departure from the White House. She said some things she shouldn't have and said she was "very regretful of my youthful indiscretion." Westerhout abruptly left the White House in 2019 after sharing intimate details about the president's family with reporters. Why she wrote a book: Westerhout said she wrote "Off the Record: My Dream Job at the White House, How I Lost It, and What I Learned” because she felt Trump was not treated fairly. “I thought it was real important to share with the American people the man that I got to know," she said. 2 hr 23 min ago McDougal will not be testifying, defense attorney says he's been told Karen McDougal will not be testifying, according to defense attorney Todd Blanche. 'The People informed me they no longer intend to call Ms. McDougal," he says. 2 hr 33 min ago Westerhout testified for more than an hour and will be back Friday morning Madeleine Westerhout testified for 1 hour and 13 minutes. She will be back on the stand on Friday. 2 hr 34 min ago Security has removed 2 members of the public from the courtroom Two members of the public were removed from the courtroom by security. 2 hr 36 min ago Short break before discussion of defense motions The jury has left. There's now a 10-minute break before a discussion of the defense's motions. 2 hr 36 min ago Westerhout smiles at Trump as she walks out Madeleine Westerhout smiled at Donald Trump as she walked out of the room. 2 hr 38 min ago Jury dismissed for the day The jury is being dismissed for the day. There will still be motions from Trump's side to go through after the jury leaves. 2 hr 37 min ago Former aide recounts Trump's warm interactions with the first lady in the White House When asked, former Trump assistant Madeleine Westerhout testifies that Trump is very close to his family and his wife. She'd see Trump talking on the phone with his wife when he was in the Oval Office, Westerhout says. She also recalls hearing him say, "Honey come over to the window." The former assistant explained there was a window in the residence where Melania Trump could wave to the president in the Oval Office. They'd stand by the window and wave to each other, Westerhout said, smiling. 2 hr 41 min ago "He was a really good boss," Westerhout says of Donald Trump Madeleine Westerhout, under cross-examination, says she enjoyed working for Donald Trump. "He never once made me feel that I didn’t deserve that job and that I didn’t belong there. Especially in an office filled with older men he never made me feel like I didn’t belong there. He was a really good boss. "Westerhout says. "I found him very enjoyable to work for." 2 hr 37 min ago Defense attorney confirms Trump was not the RNC's preferred choice in 2016 Trump attorney Susan Necheles confirmed with Madeleine Westerhout that Trump wasn't the Republican National Committee's preferred choice in 2016. "Oh no," she said with a small laugh. "Always some event that everybody said that’s it," Necheles said while clapping her hands, "He’s not going to win." Westerhout agreed, saying, "Yes." 2 hr 40 min ago Westerhout says Trump was not as concerned about the "Access Hollywood" tape as those around him Defense attorney Susan Necheles is asking about the "Access Hollywood" tape and notes there was consternation. "There was always some event that everybody said that’s it, he’s not gonna win?" she asks. "Yeah," Madeleine Westerhout says. "And everybody around would be freaking out?" Necheles asks. "Yeah." "Not President Trump?" she followed up. "No," Westerhout says. Necheles was getting at the idea that the Access Hollywood tape, which prosecutors say was key to the motivation that Trump wanted to keep the Stormy Daniels story quiet, did not concern Trump like it did those around him. 2 hr 44 min ago Westerhout says she didn't have anything negative to say about Trump even after she left White House Madeleine Westerhout, who has grown emotional while recounting the events leading up to her leaving the White House, said she wrote a flattering book because she still felt positively toward Trump. "I didn't have anything negative to say, so why would I write it," she testifies. "President Trump forgave you, right?" Necheles asks. "He did," Westerhout says. 2 hr 40 min ago "I wanted to tell that story." Westerhout says she wrote a book because she felt Trump is not treated fairly Madeleine Westerhout is talking about her book, "Off the Record: My Dream Job at the White House, How I Lost It, and What I Learned." “I thought it was real important to share with the American people the man that I got to know," she says, tearing up again. "I don’t think he’s treated fairly and I wanted to tell that story.” Westerhout’s book was published by Center Street, an imprint that specializes in conservative media. Other authors include Kristi Noem, Newt Gingrich and Ben Carson. 2 hr 44 min ago Westerhout tears up as she describes her departure from the White House Madeline Westerhout broke down in tears as she described the circumstances of her departure from the White House. She noted that she said some things she shouldn't have and said she was "very regretful of my youthful indiscretion." "I’ve grown a lot since then," she said as she started tearing up. Judge Juan Merchan handed her a tissue. Westerhout abruptly left the White House in 2019 after sharing intimate details about the president's family with reporters. She's continuing to fight back tears as Donald Trump attorney Susan Necheles takes the stand for her cross-examination. 2 hr 50 min ago Westerhout recalls Trump's relationship with Melania Madeleine Westerhout recalled Trump's relationship with Melania Trump. "There was really no one else that could put him in his place too. He was my boss but she was definitely the one in charge. I just remember that… thinking that their relationship was really special. They laughed a lot when she came into the Oval Office," she added. 2 hr 52 min ago Trump and Cohen spoke around the time of the Stormy Daniels article, Westerhout testifies Madeleine Westerhout recalls that Donald Trump and Michael Cohen spoke around the time of the Stormy Daniels story. 2 hr 54 min ago "I remember he was very upset by it," Westerhout testifies about the Stormy Daniels story Prosecutor Rebecca Mangold asks Madeleine Westerhout if she recalls the Stormy Daniels story coming out. "I remember he was very upset by it," Westerhout says of the story. 2 hr 49 min ago Westerhout addresses Trump, saying "sorry sir," when speaking about buying a $650 frame Another email is being displayed in court. This one is between Madeleine Westerhout and longtime Trump assistant Rhona Graff about buying a picture frame for a family photo. “Please note that the frames are on the pricey side.. about $650 minus %15 discount. (Does) DJT wans to spend that much?” Graff emailed Westerhout. "We may have made the executive decision without his approval," she says, adding, "sorry sir" — directed at Trump — and shrugging her shoulders. She says "I don’t recall any other instances like this" where Trump weighed in on expenses at this price point. It was for a photo of his mother, Westerhout recalls. 2 hr 57 min ago Westerhout reads handwritten note from Graff about an invoice for Winged Foot Golf Club Prosecutor Rebecca Mangold has Madeleine Westerhout read a handwritten note Rhona Graff wrote on an invoice for the Winged Foot Golf Club asking if he wanted her to look into suspending the membership for 4 to 8 years. Written in black sharpie: "Pay--" At the bottom, "ASAP," which is underlined in sharpie next to Trump's "short signature," Westerhout says. This was included in the stack of checks so he individually approved the invoice, Mangold confirms with Westerhout. Winged Foot is a golf course in Westchester County, New York. 3 hr 5 min ago Prosecutors are questioning Westerhout about the handling of Trump's personal expenses Prosecutor Rebecca Mangold is asking about Madeleine Westerhout's understanding of how Donald Trump's personal expenses were handled. "Checks were sent from the Trump Organization to an employee at the White House and I brought them in for the president to sign," Westerhout testifies. She says she would take a manila folder with a stack of checks to Trump when she received them. "I didn't really dig around in the folder but I believe there were invoices attached to some of the checks sometimes," she adds. She says it was "consistent" that the checks were regularly sent, adding, "maybe twice a month." Asked how many checks she would receive at a time, Westerhout says, "Sometimes there was one, sometimes there was a stack, maybe half an inch thick. I never counted them." "I can't speak to the ones I didn't see him sign," she says. Westerhout said after Trump signed the checks, "he would give the folder back to me" and she would put them in a pre-labeled FedEx envelope to send back to the Trump Organization. 3 hr 8 min ago Analysis: Oxford comma testimony shows how involved Trump was in affairs connected to him, CNN anchor says From CNN's Maureen Chowdhury Madeleine Westerhout testified that Donald Trump liked using oxford commas while describing how she would often take diction from the former president. This is actually important to show that Trump was actually quite involved in matters that involved his name, CNN anchor Audie Cornish said. "I joked earlier about fonts and now we're talking about the oxford comma, but there's an actual point to this, which is to say he was always involved if his name was on it," Cornish said. Details like this adds to the prosecutions argument that Trump would had to known about the details surrounding the alleged hush money payments. 3 hr 5 min ago Westerhout asked Graff for a photo of Weisserberg in January 2017 as he was boarding Air Force One Madeleine Westerhout emailed Rhona Graff in January 2017 asking her to send a photo to Allen Weisselberg, who was the chief financial officer for the Trump Organization. "He sent to his family and wanted Allen to see it as well. First time boarding Air Force One!", Westerhout wrote in the email, referring to Donald Trump. 3 hr 6 min ago Jury sees texts between Trump aides about call with ex-National Enquirer publisher The jury is now seeing a text thread between Madeleine Westerhout and longtime aide Hope Hicks from March 2017. "Hey - the president wants to know if you called David Pecker again?" Westerhout wrote. The former Trump assistant says she doesn't remember the events surrounding the text, and adds it wasn't unusual for her to send a message like this to Hicks. Remember: Hicks testified earlier in the trial, and this exchange came up during her testimony as well. Pecker is a key figure for his role in helping "catch and kill" the story from Stormy Daniels about Trump. 2 hr 54 min ago Trump’s personal assistant at the White House Madeleine Westerhout is on the stand. Here’s what she's said so far From CNN's Christina Zdanowicz Madeleine Westerhout, the former director of Oval Office Operations, was one of the chief gatekeepers to the president as his personal assistant. She and Trump exchanged smiles throughout her testimony. Here are the highlights of her testimony so far: Who is she? Westerhout was the Trump White House’s real-world equivalent of Sue in “Veep” or Mrs. Landingham in “The West Wing.” From her desk directly outside the Oval Office, she observed almost every coming and going over more than two and a half years. These days, she said she's now a chief of staff to a chairman of a geopolitical consulting firm. Her responsibilities: After Trump was elected, Westerhout said she worked out of Trump Tower and was responsible for helping schedule interviews for high-level staff. The media dubbed her "The Greeter Girl." She and Rhona Graff worked together closely. Trump talked to “a lot” of people: When asked how many people Trump would usually speak with in a day, Westerhout said “a lot.” She added that she took calls for Trump as early as 6 a.m. until late at night after she went to sleep. How Trump preferred to work: Westerhout testified Trump’s preferences for how he worked in the White House. Here’s what she said: Trump preferred hard copies of documents. Trump did not use a computer or have an email address to her knowledge. If Trump was in the Oval Office, calls screened for the president. He went through documents in the dining room, preferring to keep the Resolute Desk “pristine.” Trump liked to sign things in Sharpie or felt-tip pens. Trump typically liked to read things before signing them. Trump liked to use the Oxford comma. Trump’s attention to detail: From Westerhout’s experience working with Trump, she said the former president liked to keep things organized. Trump "had a lot of papers" and often brought a lot of things back and forth between the residence, Air Force One and Marine One, she added. He was “attentive to things that were brought to his attention," she said. Tweets: Trump wrote and posted his own tweets, Westerhout said. "My recollection there were certain words he would like to capitalize, words like 'country,' and he liked to use exclamation points," Westerhout said. Trump would review hard copies of the post drafts and make handwritten edits, Westerhout said, saying she would fix and reprint them with his edits. Reaction to the “Access Hollywood” tape: When the 2016 tape came out, Westerhout said she remembered it “rattling RNC leadership.” She testified that she recalled conversations about how to replace Trump on the presidential ticket, “if it came to that.” CNN’s Betsy Klein and Kaitlan Collins contributed to this post. 3 hr 12 min ago Jurors shown email from Westerhout to Cohen confirming February 2017 meeting The jury is now being shown an email dated February 5, 2017. It's from Madeline Westerhout to Michael Cohen, and it's about a meeting. "We’re confirmed for 4:30 pm on Wednesday," the email reads. In the email, Westerhout asked Cohen for details he needs to provide to get clearance from Secret Service into the White House, including his social security number, date of birth and city and state of residence. "Mr. Cohen was coming in to meet with the president," she says about why she sent that email, though she also said she doesn't remember the meeting specifically. Some background on this: Prosecutors allege Cohen and Trump worked out the reimbursement at a February meeting in the Oval office. 3 hr 15 min ago Trump attorney whispering to him One of Trump's attorneys, Susan Necheles, is whispering to him. He is leaning over and looking forward at the screen in front of him. 3 hr 13 min ago Prosecutor focuses on David Pecker and Michael Cohen among names of regular Trump contacts As the court reviews a list of Trump's most regular contacts that was sent to former assistant Madeleine Westerhout during the transition to the White House, prosecutor Rebecca Mangold has zeroed in on two key names. Ex-National Enquirer publisher David Pecker and former Trump attorney Michael Cohen both appear on the list, and are pivotal players in the alleged hush money scheme as laid out by the prosecution. Mangold asks Westerhout whether Cohen and Trump had a close relationship. "At that time, yes," she says. 3 hr 13 min ago Serena Williams, Tom Brady and Sean Hannity among Trump contacts, list shows Jurors are being shown the contact list Rhona Graff provided to Madeleine Westerhout, with the phone numbers redacted. Here's who is on the list: David Pecker, Bill O’Reilly, Charles Kushner, Matt Calamari, Jack Nicklaus, Tiffany Trump, Joe Scarborough, Nelson Peltz, Phil Ruffin, Lou Rinaldi, Jeanine Pirro, Ike Perlmutter, Robert Trump, Maryanne Trump Barry, Allen Weisselberg, Steve Wynn, Serena Williams, Ari Emanuel, David Friedman, Jerry Falwell, Sean Hannity, Tom Barrack, Tom Brady, Pam Bondi. 3 hr 18 min ago Westerhout asked Graff for a list of contacts Trump spoke most frequently to The jury is being shown an email. On January 24, 2017, Madeleine Westerhout asked Rhona Graff to send her contacts of those Donald Trump most frequently spoke to. Westerhout emailed Graff on January 24, 2017: "Could you have the girls put together a list for me of people that he frequently spoke to? I don't want to have t bug you all the time - even though I will still call often :)." 3 hr 23 min ago Trump passes note to lawyer Donald Trump just wrote a note and passed it to one of his attorneys, Susan Necheles, as his former assistant is testifying. 3 hr 26 min ago Former aide says Trump wrote his own tweets, favoring exclamation points and capitalizing certain words Prosecutor Rebecca Mangold asks ex-Trump assistant Madeleine Westerhout whether the former president used social media while in the White House. "He did, yes," Westerhout says, adding that he posted tweets himself. Former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino also had access to Trump's Twitter account, she testifies. She does not believe anyone else had access. Scavino might post an event video recap without Trump seeing it, but Westerhout said, "The president did like to see the tweets that went out." "My recollection there were certain words he would like to capitalize, words like 'country,' and he liked to use exclamation points," Westerhout says. Trump would review hard copies of the post drafts and make handwritten edits, Westerhout continues. She'd fix them and reprint it with his edits. 3 hr 23 min ago Westerhout says she and Rhona Graff coordinated his schedule, contacts, mail and golf schedule Rhona Graff was Madeleine Westerhout's point of contact at Trump Tower when she had any questions. "Especially the first few months I think Rhona and spoke at least weekly, sometimes daily. That trickled off as I grew into the role and the contacts shifted over more to the White House side," she said. She said they coordinated his contacts, his calendar, his golf schedule and his personal mail, among other things. 3 hr 26 min ago Trump liked to use Oxford comma, Westerhout says "It's my understanding that he liked to use the Oxford comma," Madeleine Westerhout says. Trump smiled at that comment. 3 hr 27 min ago Trump was "attentive to things that were brought to his attention," Westerhout says "My understanding is that he was attentive to things that were brought to his attention" even during busy periods, Madeleine Westerhout said. 3 hr 30 min ago Analysis: Prosecutors are trying to establish a chain of command with Westerhout, CNN legal analyst says From CNN's Maureen Chowdhury Madeleine Westerhout, a former personal assistant to Donald Trump at the White House, is helping prosecutors establish a chain of command for the alleged hush money payments, CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig said. "So, this is the chain of command, the chain of custody, and this actually links up nicely with Ms. (Rebecca) Manochio's testimony earlier. You have the checks being cut in New York at Trump Tower —$35,000 a month —made out to Michael Cohen, labeled as attorneys fees or attorney retainer, which is sort of the heart of the crime here, FedEx down to the White House to Madeleine Westerhout and obtains the signatures and sent back up," Honig explained. While these details may seem mundane, the details are critical in order for the prosecution to lay this our clearly, Honig notes. "This goes, really to the heart of the crime," Honig said. "Knowledge issues are going to be on Michael Cohen, but the who, what, when, how were the payments made -- that's what they're establishing now." 3 hr 29 min ago Westerhout says Trump typically liked to read things before signing them Madeleine Westerhout confirmed that in her experience Donald Trump typically liked to read things before signing them. 3 hr 29 min ago Trump paid attention to details and "kept things organized," Westerhout says Asked if Donald Trump paid attention to details, former assistant Madeleine Westerhout says, "In my experience, yes." "To my understanding, the president knew where things were and he kept things organized," she says, adding that he "had a lot of papers" and often brought a lot of things back and forth between the residence, Air Force One and Marine One. 3 hr 28 min ago Trump liked to sign things in Sharpie or felt-tip pens, Westerhout says Trump preferred to sign things himself, Madeleine Westerhout testifies. "He liked to use Sharpies or, I believe, a Pentel felt-tip pen," she says. 3 hr 30 min ago Westerhout says Trump spent his time going over documents in the dining room Madeleine Westerhout is providing details about working for the former president. She says they kept the resolute desk "pristine" for meetings and Trump spent his time going over documents in the dining room. "It was really his working office," Westerhout says. 3 hr 32 min ago Former aide says Trump did not use a computer and preferred hard copy documents Trump preferred hard copy documents, his former close aide Madeleine Westerhout testifies. She says Trump did not use a computer or have an email address to her knowledge. 3 hr 32 min ago Westerhout describes how calls were screened in the Oval Office Madeleine Westerhout says that when calls were screened for the president, they would typically come to her if Donald Trump was in the Oval Office. If he was in the Oval Office the calls would come to her first, she says. 3 hr 34 min ago Jurors are paying attention to Westerhout's testimony Jurors are paying attention this testimony. Their eyes are bouncing from the prosecutor to to Madeleine Westerhout as she answers questions. 3 hr 34 min ago Westerhout testifies about how she would take calls from early morning to late at night Madeleine Westerhout says he would take calls as early as 6 a.m. and would be taking calls "late into the night" after she had gone to bed. 3 hr 33 min ago Trump would speak to "a lot" of people each day, Westerhout says Asked how many people Trump would typically speak to in a day, Madeleine Westerhout says, "a lot." Donald Trump threw his head back slightly with a smile at the comment. 3 hr 34 min ago Westerhout recounts how closely she worked with Trump for her 2 and a half years in the White House Madeleine Westerhout's title was special assistant to the president and executive assistant to the president, she testifies. Her focus was the president. Prosecutor Rebecca Mangold asks whether that was her only focus. "I tried to have it be my only focus," she says, with a bit of a laugh. Westerhout has glanced in the direction of the defense table a couple times as she's testified. She worked in the White House until August 2019, for about 2 and a half years. "At some point, I switched to the desk that was further away, but it had a line of sight to the Resolute desk. That was more helpful for the president and I to communicate," she said. Trump she said, "liked speaking to people in person or on the phone." 3 hr 39 min ago Westerhout says no one else sat as close to Trump as she did Madeleine Westerhout testifies that in the first few months of the Trump presidency, no one else sat closer to Trump. Westerhout adds that Hope Hicks also sat in the area with her during her time working in the White House. 3 hr 40 min ago Jury sees map of West Wing A map of the first floor of the West Wing is being shown to the jury. Madeleine Westerhout's office was in the "outer Oval Office," which is where the president's secretaries or assistants sat, she says. 3 hr 40 min ago Westerhout recalls being excited about being offered a job outside Oval Office Madeleine Westerhout recalls her then-boss asked her if she wanted a job sitting outside the Oval Office. With a big smile looking at the jury Westerhout said, "Yes I do. That sounds like a really cool job." Donald Trump is sitting back in his chair watching Westerhout and smiles again as she describes being offered the job. "I knew I was going to sit outside the Oval Office and I didn’t really care what my title was," she testifies. 3 hr 42 min ago Trump cranes his neck to watch his onetime close aide testify Trump is craning his neck to look at Madeleine Westerhout as she testifies. Westerhout, who sat the closest to Trump in the White House through much of his presidency, adjusted her language at one point, first referring to him as "President Trump" and then correcting herself to say "Mr. Trump." 3 hr 44 min ago Westerhout says she was responsible for helping schedule interviews for high-level staff After Trump was elected, Madeleine Westerhout worked out of Trump Tower and helped schedule interviews for high-level staff roles for the administration. She was nicknamed by the media "The Greeter Girl." Westerhout said she worked "seamlessly" with Rhona Graff who still maintained Trump's schedule. Graff was "integral" in helping the Republican National Committee team schedule interviews for Trump during the transition, Westerhout says. 3 hr 45 min ago Westerhout recalls there were conversations about if Trump could be replaced on ticket after "Access" tape Madeleine Westerhout is asked if there were discussions about replacing Donald Trump on the presidential ticket after the "Access Hollywood" tape. "It’s my recollection there were conversations about how to, if it was needed, how it would be possible to replace him as the candidate if it came to that," she says. 3 hr 48 min ago Trump's former assistant is asked about the "Access Hollywood" tape Madeleine Westerhout is being asked about the "Access Hollywood" tape. "At the time I recall it rattling RNC leadership," she says. 3 hr 49 min ago Trump is looking toward Westerhout as she testifies Trump is leaning forward with his hands on the table looking toward Madeleine Westerhout as she testifies. 3 hr 48 min ago Westerhout is now chief of staff to a chairman of a consulting firm Madeleine Westerhout says she's now a chief of staff to a chairman of a geopolitical consulting firm. She was compelled to appear by subpoena, and says her lawyer is "graciously taking this case pro bono." 3 hr 48 min ago Madeleine Westerhout says she is nervous to testify as she starts describing her work in the White House Madeleine Westerhout is smiling and speaking toward the jury as she's describing that she worked for former President Donald Trump at the White House. "I am now, yes," she says when asked if she was nervous to testify, letting out a small giggle. Trump gave a big smile, lifting his chin and looking at Westerhout when she said she was nervous. Westerhout looked at Trump and smiled after she spelled her name. More context: She left her role at the White House after she revealed details about his children at an off-the-record dinner with reporters in Bedminster, New Jersey. From her desk directly outside the Oval Office, she observed almost every coming and going over more than two and a half years. 3 hr 51 min ago The next witness is Madeleine Westerhout, who was Trump's personal assistant at the White House Madeleine Westerhout, the former director of Oval Office Operations, is the next witness in the trial. She was one of the chief gatekeepers to the president as his personal assistant – the Trump White House’s real-world equivalent of Sue in “Veep” or Mrs. Landingham in “The West Wing.” From her desk directly outside the Oval Office, she observed almost every coming and going over more than two and a half years. 3 hr 43 min ago HarperCollins VP Tracey Menzies read Trump’s book excerpts on the stand. Here’s what she said From CNN's Christina Zdanowicz Tracey Menzies, a vice president at HarperCollins, gave short testimony and spoke about one of the books Donald Trump co-authored. Who is she? Tracey Menzies is a vice president of creative operations and production at HarperCollins, a publishing company. She testified as a custodian of records for Harper Collins, which was subpoenaed. What did she bring up to the stand? Menzies is holding a book, “Think Big: Make It Happen in Business and Life,” by Donald Trump and Bill Zanker. Menzies said Trump narrated part of the audio book. "Donald Trump’s words, or at least the writing, is in a serif font, and Zanker’s is in a non-serif," she said. She read excerpts from Trump’s book: Here are some of the themes from the book excerpts Menzies read on the stand. Read the full quotes from Trump's book here. Trump hires the best people, but he doesn’t trust them. He values loyalty above all else. Trump Organization rewards loyalty and made it part of the culture. Trump talked about revenge and getting even. 3 hr 53 min ago Menzies is off the witness stand Cross-examination of Tracey Menzies is over and she is off the stand. She testified for about 14 minutes. 3 hr 54 min ago Trump looks forward at screen as attorney asks about the people thanked in his book Donald Trump leaned forward to look at the screen when his attorney Todd Blanche asked Tracey Menzies to show the names of those thanked in this book. 3 hr 53 min ago Menzies says she did not pick the excerpts read in court today Trump attorney Todd Blanche is asking Tracey Menzies to confirm generally book covers are designed and developed for sales. She confirms they are designed "to help sell the book, but they're also done very closely with the author." Blanche follows up and asks whether she picked the excerpts to read or if the prosecution did. "I did not pick them," Menzies says. 3 hr 55 min ago Menzies says she was not part of publishing Trump's book Trump attorney Todd Blanche is asking Tracey Menzies whether was part of publishing this book. "No, I was not," she says. She is looking at excerpts on six pages. 3 hr 57 min ago Prosecutors finish questioning Menzies Prosecutors have wrapped up their direct questioning of Tracey Menzies. The defense team is now starting the cross-examination. 3 hr 54 min ago Trump talks revenge in excerpts read for the jury Prosecutors are using Harper Collins custodian of records Tracey Menzies' testimony to present the jury with more excerpts from the book "Think Big: Make it Happen in Business and Life." The portions read by Menzies for the court include: "My motto is: Always get even. When somebody screws you, screw them back in spades." "When you are wronged, go after those people, because it is a good feeling and because other people will see you doing it. Getting even is not always a personal thing. It’s just part of doing business." 3 hr 56 min ago In book excerpts, Trump talks about the importance of loyalty in his organization The jury is now seeing excerpts from the book "Think Big: Make it Happen in Business and Life." Tracey Menzies is reading an excerpt being shown to the jury: "I used to say, 'Go out and get the best people, and trust them.' Over the years I have seen too many shenanigans, and now I say, “Get the best people, and don’t trust them.' Do not trust them because if you don’t know what you are doing, they are going to rob you blind." "As a matter of fact, I value loyalty above everything else—more than brains, more than drive, and more than energy." "I just can’t stomach disloyalty. I put the people who are loyal to me on a high pedestal and take care of them very well. I got out of my way for the people who were loyal to me in bad times," reads an excerpt. "I think the reason we have so many loyal people is that we reward loyalty and everybody knows this. It has become part of the corporate culture of the Trump Organization. People like Allen Weisselberg and Matt Calamari are great and have proven themselves over many years." 3 hr 59 min ago Menzies says different sections of book are written by Trump and co-author Like with Trump's other books, prosecutor Rebecca Mangold is asking about the prominence of Donald Trump's name on the cover of the book "Think Big: Make it Happen in Business and Life." Tracey Menzies notes Trump's name is larger than his co-author, Bill Zanker. Different sections of the book are written by the different authors, Menzies says. "Donald Trump’s words, or at least the writing, is in a serif font, and Zanker’s is in a non-serif," she says. 3 hr 56 min ago Meanwhile, an investor in Trump Media insider trading case is found guilty From CNN's Matt Egan An investor in the shell company that merged with Trump Media was found guilty Thursday of insider trading, according to federal prosecutors. Bruce Garelick, who served as a director at the shell company, was accused of using secret knowledge of the impending deal with Trump Media to trade and tip off others. Those trades paid off as shares of the shell company, Digital World Acquisition Corporation (DWAC), spiked in October 2021 on news of the blockbuster deal to bring Truth Social owner Trump Media public. Garelick was among three men who were arrested and charged last June in the insider trading case. The other two, Florida venture capitalist Michael Shvartsman and his brother Gerald Shvartsman, pleaded guilty last month to participating in the insider trading scheme. Prosecutors have not alleged that former President Donald Trump, the chairman and leading shareholder of Trump Media, had any involvement in the scheme. 4 hr 5 min ago Menzies holds up copy of Trump's book "Think Big: Make it Happen in Business and Life" Tracey Menzies holds up a copy of Trump's book "Think Big: Make it Happen in Business and Life" so the courtroom can see it. She says Trump narrated a part of the audio book. 4 hr 6 min ago Menzies is testifying as a custodian of records for Harper Collins Prosecutor Rebecca Mangold is questioning Tracey Menzies of Harper Collins. Donald Trump is whispering with his attorney Susan Necheles as Menzies begins testifying. Menzies is testifying as a custodian of records for Harper Collins which was subpoenaed. 4 hr 8 min ago Harper Collins senior vice president of production is called to the stand Tracey Menzies, who works at Harper Collins, is the next witness. She is the senior vice president of production and creative operations. She has a book with her on the witness stand. 4 hr 9 min ago Now we're waiting for the next witness Now that Rebecca Manochio has finished her testimony, we're waiting for the next witness in the Donald Trump hush money trial. "It will just be a minute," Judge Juan Merchan says. Trump is leaning back in his chair, staring straight ahead. 3 hr 17 min ago Trump Organization bookkeeper is done testifying Rebecca Manochio, a bookkeeper who works at Trump Organization, testifies about how she handled Donald Trump’s personal checks through the organization and how the process worked. Rebecca Manochio, a bookkeeper who works at Trump Organization, testifies about how she handled Donald Trump’s personal checks through the organization and how the process worked. Jane Rosenberg Rebecca Manochio, a junior bookkeeper at the Trump Organization, is done testifying after a brief period of cross-examination from the defense. The prosecution used Manochio to submit invoices, documents and emails as evidence. Trump appeared to smile at Manochio as she walked past him out of the courtroom. She testified for about 35 minutes. 4 hr 11 min ago Ivanka Trump also had checks sent to DC for her signature, bookkeeper says Rebecca Manochio, a junior bookkeeper at the Trump Organization, is testifying about how Trump had personal expense checks sent to him in Washington, DC, when he was president. Similarly, Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump also had her personal expense checks sent down to DC for her to sign while she was involved in the White House before they were sent back, Manochio confirms. 4 hr 11 min ago Bookkeeper explains she only sent personal checks to Trump for his signature Under cross-examination, bookkeeper Rebecca Manochio confirms her understanding that Donald Trump is the only person who could sign his personal checks. She says no business expenses were sent to him the same way. Attorney Susan Necheles asks whether "it was all the checks for all of his personal expenses" sent to Trump. "Correct," Manochio says. "It was no business expenses that were being sent to him?" Necheles asks. "Correct," she said. "These were all personal bills that had to be paid promptly, right?” Necheles asks. "Yes," Manochio says. 4 hr 15 min ago Bookkeeper says she didn't interact directly with Trump The defense asks Trump Organization bookkeeper Rebecca Manochio, "You didn't really interact with President Trump, right?" "No," Manochio responds. 4 hr 17 min ago Cross-examination is underway Donald Trump's attorney Susan Necheles is at the podium to begin cross-examination of Trump Organization bookkeeper Rebecca Manochio. 4 hr 19 min ago Trump is back in the courtroom Donald Trump is back in the courtroom. He didn't speak on his way in but did a fist bump. The former president is scanning the rows. He just met the eye of two sketch artists and smiled in their direction. Trump is also holding a large stack of articles, and he showed them to his attorneys as they wait for the jury to enter. Trump's legal team is all smiles. Prosecutors are also back. They're entering the courtroom. Judge Juan Merchan is on the bench. 4 hr 27 min ago Follow the paper trail: See how the prosecution is attempting to link charges in the hush money trial From CNN’s Way Mullery New York prosecutors introduced documents into evidence this week that they say establish Donald Trump’s knowledge of “falsifying business records” to cover up his repayments to his former attorney, Michael Cohen, who paid Stormy Daniels “hush money” in 2016. CNN has transcribed some of the handwritten notes in the exhibits, and what prosecutors say they hope to establish for the jury. Click here to see some of the documents that have been submitted as evidence. 4 hr 19 min ago Trump Organization bookkeeper Rebecca Manochio took the stand. Here’s what she said From CNN's Christina Zdanowicz Witness Rebecca Manochio, a junior bookkeeper at the Trump Organization, testifies on Thursday. Witness Rebecca Manochio, a junior bookkeeper at the Trump Organization, testifies on Thursday. Christine Cornell Rebecca Manochio, a bookkeeper who works at Trump Organization, is testifying about how she handled Donald Trump’s personal checks through the organization and how the process worked. She was on the stand until a court lunch break. Here are the highlights so far: Who is she? Trump Organization junior bookkeeper Manochio says she has worked at the company for 11 years. "I worked at a supermarket and then I got a job at the Trump Organization" in 2013, she said Her responsibilities: Manochio said she worked as an assistant to former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg for eight years and sat outside his office. She said she attached invoices to checks for Weisselberg to sign. She also worked for former executive Jeffrey McConney, who was controller at the time — he already testified about how Michael Cohen's payments were listed in Trump's financial documents. How Trump paid personal expenses: Trump’s personal expenses were handled by the Trump Organization, and he paid his expenses by check. When Trump was in the White House, Manochio says she would FedEx checks to Trump once a week. Sending the checks to the White House: Manochio testified that she often sent 10 to 20 unsigned checks to Washington and they came back signed by Trump, typically in a few days. If a check was missing, she would as if Madeline Westerhout at the White House if she had it. When the checks came back to Manochio with the backup invoices attached, she would send them to Deborah Tarasoff in the organization’s accounting department, she said. Getting emails and invoices into evidence: The prosecution is using this bookkeeper's testimony to get emails and invoices into evidence, focusing on a series of correspondence regarding Trump's personal checks from 2017. Several invoices show packages shipped from Manochio to Keith Schiller, the Trump Organization's former head of security. Why it matters: The documents outline how Trump's personal checks were dealt with around the time of the hush money payments. Documents show they were facilitated in Washington, DC, by the bodyguard Schiller and then by the personal aide John McEntee, once Schiller left. 5 hr 40 min ago Court is breaking for lunch Court is now in a lunch break for about an hour. Cross-examination of bookkeeper Rebecca Manochio will start after lunch. 5 hr 35 min ago Judge says 3 issues raised by defense will be taken up after jury leaves at end of day One of Donald Trump's attorneys, Todd Blanche, is raising three issues with the judge: renewed motion for a mistrial to preclude Karen McDougal from testifying an issue having to do with the gag order related to Stormy Daniels. Judge Juan Merchan says the trial will break at 4 p.m. ET, and they will take it up then after the jury leaves. 5 hr 41 min ago Prosecutors show another FedEx invoice Prosecutors are now showing Trump Organization bookkeeper Rebecca Manochio another FedEx invoice. In this one, Manochio sent a package to the personal address of John McEntee, a Trump White House aide. The customer reference code on the invoice changed to "AW" from "DT" when she sent packages to McEntee. Asked why, Manochio says, "I just like to switch it up," with a smile and a laugh. Manochio is testifying about these FedEx receipts because Trump would not stipulate that these were official records kept at the Trump Organization. 5 hr 35 min ago Prosecutors are focusing on documents showing who dealt with Trump's personal checks The prosecution continues to use Trump Organization bookkeeper Rebecca Manochio to introduce documents as evidence, focusing on a series of correspondence regarding Trump's personal checks from 2017. Several invoices show packages shipped from Manochio to Keith Schiller, the Trump Organization's former head of security. "Did you ever send anything to Keith Schiller other than checks to sign?" the prosecution asks the bookkeeper. "No," Manochio says. Prosecutors then show an email from John McEntee, a Trump White House aide, from September 7, 2017. It shows that he asked to get in touch with Manochio because with Schiller leaving the company, he would need Trump's personal checks mailed to him. Why it matters: These documents outline how Trump's personal checks moved around his inner circle — and the crux of this case comes down to how the former president's team handled a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. Documents show they were facilitated in Washington, DC, by the bodyguard Schiller and then by the personal aid McEntee, once Schiller left. There's no claim that only the checks related to then-Trump attorney Michael Cohen went through this channel. 5 hr 54 min ago The prosecution is using this bookkeeper's testimony to get emails and invoices into evidence Bookkeeper Rebecca Manochio is being used now to get Trump Organization emails and FedEx invoices into evidence. The jury is currently being shown a FedEx invoice from May 29, 2017. Manochio is listed as the sender of the invoice. Keith Schiller, who served as the Trump Organization's director of security, is the recipient. The checks were sent to Schiller's home address in Washington, DC, the bookkeeper said. It was sent with FedEx's Priority Overnight service, as "always," Manochio said. Remember: Legal analysts have noted that issues of standard record-keeping are central to this case, so prosecutors will call some witnesses primarily to produce things like documents, ledgers and invoices. 5 hr 50 min ago Bookkeeper testimony isn’t as salacious as Stormy Daniels' — but it is more important, legal analysts say From CNN's Elise Hammond A junior bookkeeper at the Trump Organization is testifying about Donald Trump’s finances when he was in the White House — something that is central to the charges the former president faces of falsifying business records. “This witness is way more important than Stormy Daniels,” CNN legal analyst Karen Friedman Agnifilo said. Daniels just finished her testimony where she discussed the details of their sexual encounter in 2006 and how the hush money payment unfolded years later. CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig said that while the testimony of the bookkeeper, Rebecca Manochio, isn’t likely to stick in the jury’s head as much as Daniels, what she is saying is more relevant to the charges. “This is really the crux of the charged crime,” Honig said. 5 hr 55 min ago Stormy Daniels has left the stand. Here’s what happened at the end of her testimony From CNN's Christina Zdanowicz Stormy Daniels was on the stand for 6 hours and 10 minutes over two days of testimony. Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger began her redirect of Daniels and focused on the non-disclosure agreement, an Anderson Cooper interview and more. Trump attorney Susan Necheles returned to ask questions to close things out. Here’s what the prosecution asked: The NDA made her feel safer: Hoffinger went through Daniels' motivation for entering into the non-disclosure agreement, including her fear for her safety. Daniels also recalled being told about being safer hiding in plain sight. "Something won’t happen to you if everyone is looking at you," Daniels said. What she didn’t tell 60 Minutes: Hoffinger asked Daniels if she told “every single detail” to Anderson Cooper. Daniels said, “No.” After an objection and a sidebar, the line of questions continued. "In terms of the context, you did tell Anderson Cooper that you had sex with Mr. Trump?" Daniels agreed. The social post’s aim: Daniels said she thought Trump's Truth Social post was aimed at her. "If you go after me, I'm coming after you," it reads. She said she thought it was about her, as it was right after Trump filed a lawsuit against her in Florida. Telling the truth cost her: Prosecutor: While Daniels has made money with Trump story, it has also cost her, Hoffinger said. Daniels said now she's had to hire security and move her daughter to a safe place to live, in addition to the money she owes Trump in attorneys fees. Here’s what the defense asked: Social media exchanges: Daniels defended herself when Trump attorney Susan Necheles asked about the back-and-forth exchanges with strangers on social media. "I was defending myself," Daniels said. "I never attack anybody first. Same with Mr. Trump. I didn’t say anything negative about him until he said it about me," Daniels said. 5 hr 59 min ago Bookkeeper testifies about process of signing and sending back checks Bookeeper Rebecca Manochio is testifying that she often sent 10 to 20 checks at a time. Manochio says she sent the checks unsigned and they came back from Washington signed by Donald Trump, typically within a few days. The checks were sent back to her at the Trump Organization, Manochio says. If she didn't get a check back, Manochio said she would reach out to Madeline Westerhout at the White House. "She would just look for it and see if she had it," Manochio says of Westerhout when a check was missing. When the signed checks came back to her, the backup invoices were still attached to them, she says. When she received the checks back from Washington, she would give them to Deb Tarasoff, Manochio says. Tarasoff, who worked in the Trump Organization accounting department, testified on Monday. 6 hr 5 min ago Bookkeeper says Trump paid his personal expenses by check Trump organization Rebecca Manochio is testifying that Trump's personal expenses were handled by the Trump Organization and he paid his expenses by check. When Trump was in the White House, Manochio says she would FedEx checks to Trump once a week. 6 hr 4 min ago Manochio says she was Weisselberg's assistant for 8 years Rebecca Manochio is testifying about her responsibilities while working for former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg. She worked as an assistant to Weisselberg for eight years and sat outside his office. Weisselberg and Trump would interact "every" day, Manochio says. Manochio says she attached invoices to checks for Weisselberg to sign. She also worked for former executive Jeffrey McConney who was controller at the time. When asked what a controller is, Manochio said she didn't know. Earlier in the trial, McConney was called to the stand and testified about how Michael Cohen's payments were listed in Trump's financial documents. 6 hr 7 min ago Trump watches as one of his organization's bookkeepers begins to testify Trump Organization bookkeeper Rebecca Manochio says she has worked at the company for 11 years. "I worked at a supermarket and then I got a job at the Trump Organization" in 2013, she says. She was compelled to testify via subpoena, and is answering questions from prosecutor Rebecca Mangold. Trump is turned toward Manochio and is watching her while she testifies. 6 hr 9 min ago Next witness: Rebecca Manochio The next witness to testify is Rebecca Manochio, who works at the Trump Organization as a junior bookkeeper. Prosecutor Rebecca Mangold is questioning Manochio. 6 hr 12 min ago Daniels testified for over 6 hours in total Stormy Daniels was on the stand for 6 hours and 10 minutes over two days of testimony. 5 hr 58 min ago Analysis: Daniels testimony did not make or break case, CNN legal expert says From CNN's Maureen Chowdhury Prosecutors do not seem phased by the defense's cross-examination of Stormy Daniels, CNN Chief Legal Correspondent Paula Reid said. "It's clear that the prosecutors didn't think what happened on cross-examination this morning damages the actual part of this case, Reid said. "Stormy Daniels, her testimony's is important. She's a main character ... but she can't actually speak to the charges of falsifying business records or really whether Trump did this to influence the election. Though she did undercut the defense that this was done to protect his family." The prosecutors saw what happened on Tuesday and this morning during Daniels testimony and decided "this isn't going to make or break us, let's clean this up quickly and then move on," Reid explained. CNN anchor Kaitlin Collins also said, "It's not clear really at all what today accomplished in terms of this case and this argument and what we heard from Stormy Daniels." Collins added that she's not sure if the line of questioning from the defense today will sway jurors. 6 hr 13 min ago Daniels' testimony is over Stormy Daniels is off the stand. Her testimony is over, and she's now leaving the courtroom. Before she stepped down, Daniels said, "Thank you, sir" to Judge Juan Merchan on the bench above her. 6 hr 14 min ago "I never attack anybody first": Daniels says she was defending herself in social media exchanges Prosecutor Susan Necheles is going back to Stormy Daniels' tweets and written attacks from users. Necheles asks whether that on Twitter, strangers “post nasty things, right?” "You engage in these kind of back-and-forths with these strangers all the time?" Necheles asks. "Sure," Daniels says. "I was defending myself," Daniel says. "I never attack anybody first. Same with Mr. Trump. I didn’t say anything negative about him until he said it about me," Daniels says. 6 hr 20 min ago Trump attorney is back to ask Daniels more questions Trump attorney Susan Necheles is back to ask Stormy Daniels another round of questions. 6 hr 17 min ago Prosecutor: While Daniels has made money with Trump story, it has also cost her Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger is recounting Stormy Daniels' comment on direct examination, saying that while she's made money with her story about Trump, it's also cost her. Daniels says now she's had to hire security and move her daughter to a safe place to live, in addition to the money she owes Trump in attorneys fees. 6 hr 19 min ago Daniels says she's telling the truth about Trump Stormy Daniels testifies that she is telling the truth about Trump. Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asks, "Have you been telling lies about Mr. Trump or the truth about Mr. Trump?" "The truth," Daniels says. 6 hr 19 min ago Daniels says she didn't testify before the grand jury Stormy Daniels said she didn't testify before the grand jury. "You had nothing to do with the charges in this case?" prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asks. "I did not," Daniels says. Hoffinger notes that defense attorney Susan Necheles had suggested Daniels was responsible for Trump's indictment. 6 hr 20 min ago Daniels says she thought Trump's social post about "coming after you" was aimed at her A post from Donald Trump's on Truth Social post is being shown to the jury. "If you go after me, I'm coming after you," it reads. Daniels says she thought it was aimed at her because it was right after Trump filed a lawsuit against her in Florida. 6 hr 15 min ago Prosecution shows that tweet from Stormy Daniels about Trump was in response to a hateful message The prosecution is going back through some of Stormy Daniels' tweets, attempting to show that some of her negative messages about Trump had been in response to those hateful posts. In one tweet, Daniels said of Trump: "I'll dance down the street" when he is "selected" to go to jail. The defense had shown this tweet and highlighted how Daniels appeared to be celebrating the former president's legal trouble. Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger is now showing the tweet Daniels was responding to when she wrote that message. The Twitter user called Daniels a "disgusting degenerate prostitute," and said Trump would be "selected by a landslide in 2024," adding: "Good luck walking down the streets after this!" "These are tame, actually," Daniels says, of more tweets being shown to jurors from random people attacking her. 4 hr 24 min ago Here's how the cross-examination of Stormy Daniels ended From CNN's Christina Zdanowicz This sketch by CNN's Jake Tapper shows Stormy Daniels on the witness stand on Thursday, May 9. At the bottom right is defense attorney Susan Necheles. This sketch by CNN's Jake Tapper shows Stormy Daniels on the witness stand on Thursday, May 9. At the bottom right is defense attorney Susan Necheles. Jake Tapper/CNN Trump attorney Susan Necheles wrapped up her cross-examination of Stormy Daniels after a morning of volleying back and forth. Here’s how it ended: Last time she talked to Trump: Daniels confirmed she last spoke to Trump in 2007. Remember: Trump called Daniels in 2007 to tell her he'd been "overruled" and couldn't get her on "The Apprentice" — after that Daniels said she stopped taking his calls. The one exception, she said, was when he told her he didn't know Jenna Jameson would be on the show. That was the last time she said she spoke to Trump. She doesn’t control what gets published: Throughout today's proceedings, Necheles brought up interviews Stormy Daniels gave about Trump with various publications — including Vogue, In Touch and Slate — over the years. Necheles called out apparent discrepancies in Daniels’ recounting of events. Daniels said she doesn’t control what parts of her quotes are ultimately published. "Sometimes I give too many details," Daniels said, raising her eyebrows. She doesn’t understand the Trump charges: Daniels testified she doesn't "really understand" what Trump is charged with. “There’s a lot of indictments," she said with a shrug, adding that she doesn’t know anything about Trump’s business records. The final question: In Necheles’ final question to Daniels, she asked "you never had an affair with President Trump but realized you could earn money" by claiming you did. Judge Juan Merchan sustained an objection to the question, ending the cross-examination. 6 hr 28 min ago Trump team objects after Daniels questioned about "60 Minutes" interview Donald Trump attorney Susan Necheles is objecting after the prosecution asked, "In terms of the context, you did tell Anderson Cooper that you had sex with Mr. Trump?" Daniels agrees. Lawyers are in another sidebar. Trump is writing on a notepad. 6 hr 32 min ago Trump talking with attorney during sidebar Donald Trump is chatting with Todd Blanche, gesturing with his hands and leaning over to whisper in his attorney's ear, as lawyers are in a sidebar. Trump attorney Susan Necheles objected to admitting something into evidence related to an interview, prompting the sidebar. 6 hr 2 min ago Courtroom sketches show Stormy Daniels on the stand From CNN Digital's Photo Desk This sketch by CNN's Jake Tapper shows Stormy Daniels on the witness stand on Thursday. At the bottom right is defense attorney Susan Necheles. This sketch by CNN's Jake Tapper shows Stormy Daniels on the witness stand on Thursday. At the bottom right is defense attorney Susan Necheles. Jake Tapper/CNN CNN's Jake Tapper is in the courtroom today and has been making sketches of the proceedings. Cameras are not allowed inside the courtroom, so sketch artists have given us a glimpse of what it's like. Here are a few more sketches today from Tapper and sketch artists Christine Cornell and Jane Rosenberg. Daniels on the stand. Daniels on the stand. Jake Tapper/CNN Necheles cross-examines Daniels on Thursday. Necheles cross-examines Daniels on Thursday. Jane Rosenberg This is Daniels' second day on the stand. She began her testimony on Tuesday. This is Daniels' second day on the stand. She began her testimony on Tuesday. Jane Rosenberg Daniels was cross-examined for a total of three hours and six minutes. Daniels was cross-examined for a total of three hours and six minutes. Christine Cornell 6 hr 35 min ago Prosecution revisits prior interviews Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger is focusing on Stormy Daniels' "60 Minutes" interview. "You didn’t tell every single detail to Anderson Cooper, did you?" Hoffinger asks. "No," Daniels says in a soft voice. Hoffinger also shows the InTouch article in 2011 and says it was "lightly edited," noting again that Trump attorney Susan Necheles did not mention that during cross-examination. 6 hr 29 min ago Prosecutor tries to highlight things the defense left out of their cross-examination Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger is going through prior testimony from Stormy Daniels, trying to illustrate that the defense left a lot of information out of their lines of questioning. Hoffinger is showing the jury texts between ex-National Enquirer editor Dylan Howard and Daniels' publicist Gina Rodriguez, which we originally saw Tuesday. "I thought she denounced it previously," Howard said to Rodriguez in the text messages, in reference to her story with Trump. "She never did," Rodriguez writes back. But Hoffinger notes the defense did not show that last text from Rodriguez during cross-examination. 6 hr 38 min ago Daniels confirms she was motivated to enter NDA for her safety Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger is walking through Stormy Daniels' motivation for entering into the non-disclosure agreement, including her fear for her safety. Daniels recalls being told about being safer hiding in plain sight. "Something won’t happen to you if everyone is looking at you," Daniels says, noting it was one of the reasons she signed the NDA. Hoffinger follows up: "You were also happy to take the money?" "We’re all happy to take money. It’s just a bonus," Daniels says 6 hr 42 min ago Prosecution begins redirect Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger is beginning the redirect. "Almost good afternoon, Ms. Daniels. How are you?" she starts off. 6 hr 40 min ago Cross-examination was a half hour longer than the prosecution's direct questioning Stormy Daniels was cross-examined for a total of three hours and six minutes. The direct was two hours and 36 minutes. 6 hr 45 min ago What Trump and Daniels are doing as attorneys are at the bench Donald Trump is talking to his lawyer Emil Bove while attorneys are at the bench. Stormy Daniels looked at her watch, stretched her arm and played with her hair while waiting for re-direct to begin. 6 hr 48 min ago Cross-examination is over The defense's cross-examination is now over. Attorneys are at the bench before re-direct. 4 hr 18 min ago This is the defense attorney's last question to Daniels In her final question to Stormy Daniels, Trump attorney Susan Necheles says "you never had an affair with President Trump but realized you could earn money" by claiming you did. Judge Juan Merchan sustained an objection to the question, and then the cross-examination wrapped up. 6 hr 47 min ago Daniels testifies she doesn't "really understand" what Trump is charged with Trump attorney Susan Necheles asks Stormy Daniels if she knows what Donald Trump is charged with. "I don’t really understand. ... I'm just here to answer the question asked to me," she says. "There’s a lot of indictments," she says with a shrug. Necheles asks Daniels if she knows anything about Trump's business records. "I know nothing about his business records, no, why would I?" Daniels responds. 6 hr 44 min ago Daniels says she doesn't control what parts of her quotes end up in magazines Throughout today's proceedings, Trump attorney Susan Necheles has brought up interviews Stormy Daniels gave about Trump with various publications — including Vogue, In Touch and Slate — over the years. She has singled out apparent discrepancies in Daniels' recounting of events and pressed the witness about them repeatedly. This just came up again, with Necheles challenging Daniels on what exactly she told Vogue in a 2018 interview. Daniels says she doesn't control what parts of her quotes magazines ultimately include in an article based on her interviews. "Sometimes I give too many details," she said, raising her eyebrows. 6 hr 49 min ago Daniels confirms she last spoke to Trump in 2007 Trump attorney Susan Necheles is asking Stormy Daniels: "You last spoke with President Trump in 2007?" "Yes," Daniels says. "And that’s a long time ago, right?" Necheles asks. "Yes, ma'am," Daniels responds. 6 hr 37 min ago "You're trying to trick me,” Stormy Daniels says to Trump attorney. Catch up on her latest testimony From CNN's Christina Zdanowicz The back-and-forth between Trump attorney Susan Necheles and Stormy Daniels continued with Necheles questioning if Daniels fabricated the story about her encounter with Trump. The exchange volleyed up until a late-morning court break. Here’s the latest in Daniels’ testimony: ‘Trying to trick me:’ As one point in the exchange while being questioned about the $100,000 Daniels made from a documentary with NBC, Daniels told Necheles, "You're trying to trick me into saying something that's not entirely true." A tweet fired up the exchange: Necheles asked Daniels if she would be instrumental in putting Donald Trump in jail. The defense referenced a tweet from Daniels, which read: "Exactly! Making me the best person to flush the orange turd down." Daniels responded, "I don't see instrumental or jail anywhere in that; you're putting words in my mouth." Drinking champagne and selling merchandise: Daniels testified she tweeted about Trump’s indictment. When people asked how they could support her, she said she shared a link to her store. The defense highlighted several items from Daniels' website for the jury, including a "Stormy Saint of Indictments" candle and #TeamStormy shirts. Daniels also confirmed she was drinking champagne to celebrate Trump's indictment. Her story was challenged: Necheles challenged Daniels on her story, saying it "has changed a lot over the years," citing Daniels’ description of the floors in Trump’s hotel room. The Trump attorney also asked if Daniels fabricated the story about the encounter with Trump, which Daniels denied. She wasn’t drugged or threatened: Daniels stood by her comments in a 2018 interview with Slate, maintaining she was not abused by Trump. "I was not physically threatened or drugged,” she said. 6 hr 44 min ago Sen. Rick Scott forcefully defends Trump outside Manhattan courthouse From CNN's Aaron Pellish Florida Republican Sen. Rick Scott forcefully defended Donald Trump as he sits for another day in the New York hush money trial. He accused prosecutors of using the trial to hurt Trump politically and downplaying the hush money payment at the center of the case. Asked if Trump requested Scott to accompany him to court today, the Florida senator said “No.” Asked if Scott’s decision to travel with Trump was connected to the gag order, Scott said he joined Trump because he is “fed up.” Trump allies Boris Epshteyn, Alina Habba and John Coale are also in court today with the former president. 6 hr 52 min ago Trump attorney questions Daniels about celebrity golf tournament Defense attorney Susan Necheles is now asking about the celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe where Stormy Daniels and Donald Trump met. Necheles asks Daniels if Trump played well at the tournament. "I don't know what the scores were," she says. "People were recognizing who he was?" Necheles asks. "Yes, but they recognized me where I went that day, too," Daniels says with a shrug. 6 hr 52 min ago Trump attorney picks at Daniels' prior testimony regarding her strip club tour Trump attorney Susan Necheles is returning to the "Make America Horny Again" strip club tour, reminding Stormy Daniels that she testified she hates the name, which is a play on Trump's campaign slogan “Make America Great Again." Necheles asks whether Daniels ever posted about it on social media. "Sometimes they made me retweet them," Daniels says. The jury is seeing two posts about the tour from Daniels' instagram in 2018. Earlier today, Daniels testified that she never posted about the tour. "That's not my personal Instagram, that's my business Instagram," Daniels said of the post. 6 hr 59 min ago Cross-examination continues The jury is back in the courtroom, and the cross-examination of Stormy Daniels is now continuing. Trump attorney Susan Necheles is back asking questions. 7 hr ago Trump does not look at Daniels as she enters Donald Trump did not look at Stormy Daniels walking by. He was talking to one of his attorneys, Todd Blanche. 7 hr 1 min ago Daniels is back on the stand Judge Juan Merchan is back on the bench and Stormy Daniels has returned to the stand. Again, she avoided looking toward the defense table and kept her face turned toward the witness box. 7 hr 1 min ago Analysis: Trump was "seething" about Daniels testimony on Tuesday, CNN anchor says From CNN's Maureen Chowdhury Donald Trump's attorneys seem to be placating the former president during their cross-examination of Stormy Daniels, CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins said. "To speak back to who the attorneys are performing for, that's always the difficulty of being Donald Trump's attorney. It was the same with his impeachment trial, it was the same with his civil fraud trial, it's the same situation here -- of what he wants and what they think is the best strategic decision," she explained. Collins observed that during Daniels testimony on Tuesday, Trump was "about angry as I've ever seen him." She added that Trump likely expressed his displeasure during court breaks. "He goes into a side room with his attorneys and when they were in the middle of her questioning" before they got into examination "he was essentially seething" about what he had to sit there and listen to, Collins said. He wants his attorney to get up there and undermine every little detail about Daniels testimony, Collins added. 7 hr 4 min ago Daniels has testified for 1 hour and 45 minutes so far this morning From CNN's Celina Tebor This sketch by CNN's Jake Tapper shows Stormy Daniels on the witness stand on Thursday, May 9. At the bottom right is defense attorney Susan Necheles. This sketch by CNN's Jake Tapper shows Stormy Daniels on the witness stand on Thursday, May 9. At the bottom right is defense attorney Susan Necheles. Jake Tapper/CNN Stormy Daniels has testified for an hour and 45 minutes so far this morning. On Tuesday, she testified for three hours and 44 minutes, including under direct and cross-examination, according to our calculations. She has testified for roughly five and a half hours over two days so far. 7 hr 15 min ago Court is taking a break The court is taking a 15-minute break now. Stormy Daniels is leaving the witness stand, and does not appear to be looking at Trump's table as she exits. Trump is also leaving, and points to a man in the audience as he goes. 7 hr 15 min ago Daniels clarifies timing around meeting with Trump and Ben Roethlisberger Trump attorney Susan Necheles is now asking Daniels about her meeting with Trump and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at the nightclub, questioning how long the meeting lasted. Daniels has testified it was about 10 minutes, but Necheles says Daniels wrote in her book it was an hour. "Mr. Trump left first," Daniels says now, saying he was there "maybe 10 or 15 minutes." She clarifies she stayed later with Roethlisberger. 7 hr 16 min ago Daniels to Trump attorney: You're trying to make me say that my story changed Defense attorney Susan Necheles is questioning why Stormy Daniels didn't say that Donald Trump stood in front of her in a 2018 Vogue interview. Necheles again says, "Your story has completely changed." With a look of exasperation and a smile, Daniels raises her voice saying, "No!" "You're trying to make me say that it changed but it hasn't changed," she says. 7 hr 17 min ago Trump attorney asks Daniels about her feelings regarding Trump's actions Defense attorney Susan Necheles is asking Stormy Daniels about her testimony on Tuesday when Daniels said Trump's actions made her feel like she had to have sex with him. "My own insecurities made me feel that way," Daniels says. She went on, "He did not put his hands on me. He did not give me any sort of drugs or alcohol and he did not hold a weapon or hold me or threaten me."