Trump blasts ‘conflicted’ judge after first day of Michael Cohen testimony

Getty Images

Vivek Ramaswamy, the multimillionaire former biotech executive and former presidential candidate, will join former President Donald Trump Tuesday in court. 

He will spend the entire day with Trump as the former president's criminal trial continues, a spokesperson for Ramaswamy confirmed to Fox News Digital.

"The best proof that the Trump trial is a sham: if DJT had done the exact *opposite* of the alleged crime, they’d still be prosecuting him & have an even stronger case," Ramaswamy said in a statement. 

Michael Cohen, who served as former President Trump's personal attorney, testified in Manhattan court that he used his own funds to pay a former pornographic actress $130,000 to quiet her claims of an alleged affair with Trump. 

Cohen took the stand in the NY v. Trump case Monday, where he told the court that as the 2016 election came down to the wire, he took out a line of credit on his home in order to pay Stormy Daniels $130,000 in order to execute a non-disclosure agreement and obtain rights to her claims of the affair. Daniels alleges she had an affair with Trump in 2006 during a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe, though Trump has repeatedly denied the allegations. 

In October 2016, according to Cohen's testimony, he told Trump that Daniels must be paid in order to quiet her claims ahead of Election Day the following month. He testified that he spoke with Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg about how to fund the payment, with Weisselberg saying he was not in a position to initially foot the bill. 

"I ultimately said, ‘OK, I’ll pay it,’" Cohen testified, noting the urgency behind the matter as the election was just days away. Cohen described to the court that Daniels' claims would have been "catastrophic to Mr. Trump and the campaign" if he did not take control of the situation and iron out the NDA and payment to Daniels. 

Fox News legal editor Kerri Urbahn unpacked Michael Cohen's testimony regarding former president Trump's payment to Stormy Daniels on "The Story."

"He has clearly practiced a lot for today," Urbahn said of Cohen's testimony so far. "It seems rehearsed, it's smooth, it's calm."

But Urbahn also pointed out that none of the testimony Cohen has given so far was unexpected, noting that Trump's defense team will likely have a detailed cross-examination prepared for Cohen.

"We'll hear what happens on cross, I think it's going to be very when that starts happening," Urbahn said.

Cohen, the prosecution's key witness, spent most of Monday at the stand testifying, detailing his work on an alleged cover up scheme in the leadup to the 2016 presidential election.

But Cohen is also likely to face questions about his credibility, most notably after his 2018 felony conviction for campaign finance violations, tax evasion, and making false statements to a federally-insured bank.

Former lawyer Michael Cohen expressed disappointment during his Monday afternoon testimony that he was not given any consideration for the position of Chief of Staff in the new Trump White House.

Cohen testified that he "didn't want that role" of Chief of Staff but had "wanted my name included... to at least be considered."

"It was more about my ego," he said.

After turning down an offer to be assistant general counsel in the White House, Cohen said he personally pitched former President Donald Trump on the possibility of being named the personal attorney to the president.

"I thought that he would need it because there were still outstanding matters we were dealing with, and every president has a personal attorney," Cohen said.

Cohen said that he presented the idea to Trump, who a day or two before the inauguration officially made Cohen the title of personal attorney to the president.

Constitutional law attorney Jonathan Turley says it is not a crime to get a non-disclosure agreement on "America Reports."

"Cohen is still discussing an arrangement that he came up with, he negotiated," Turley said. "It's not a crime to have an NDA. It's not a crime to try to get a story to go away." 

Turley laid out that there were possibly several reasons Trump would have went along with the idea of getting a nondisclosure agreement with adult film star Stormy Daniels, including a desire to prevent embarrassment to his wife and family and to preserve his reputation for his television show.

"There's very likely a mix of different motives," Turley said. "But what you need for a crime is is the intent to commit the crime, and that's what we're still lightyears away."

Cohen, who is the prosecution's most important witness, has spent most of the day Monday on the witness stand, with the prosecution sayin his direct testimony will likely have to carry into Tuesday.

Former lawyer Michigan Cohen testified Monday that the pseudonym "DD" was used to reference former President Donald Trump in the nondisclosure agreement paperwork, with Cohen arguing the fake name was needed because "the purpose was to make sure his name did not appear anywhere."

Cohen said that adult film star Stormy Daniels was given the pseudonym "PP" in the documents, and signed as "Stephanie Clifford," while Cohen and Essential Consultants signed in place for DD.

Cohen said he called Trump shortly after the deal was done to let him know the situation with Daniels was "completely under control and locked down," a call that lasted just over five minutes. Cohen said he made the call to Trump because it was important he be kept up to date on the developments.

Cohen also acknowledged that the purpose for the wire transfer from the bank account to Daniels' lawyer, Keith Davidson, was marked as "retainer," though that descriptor was not truthful, Cohen said.

Former lawyer said he used a home equity line of credit (HELOC) to pay adult film star Stormy Daniels because his wife would have noticed a $130,000 withdrawal from their personal bank account.

Cohen, who said he agree to make the payment himself due to the "urgency" in getting the deal done, reasoned that his wife was the "CEO of the household" and would have noticed the withdrawal.

The former lawyer testified that he instead opted for the HELOC because it was paperless, and that he would be able to pay off the balance after being reimbursed for the payment by the Trump Organization.

Cohen testified further that former President Donald Trump was aware of how the payment was going to be made to Daniels and that he got Trump's approval before finalizing the transaction. Cohen explained that he told Trump the exact situation because not only would it require his approval, but Cohen also wanted to be sure he would get his money back.

Former lawyer Michael Cohen acknowledged that he didn't use a truthful description for the First Republic Bank account he opened while attempting to buy the story rights from adult film star Stormy Daniels.

Cohen wrote "management consulting & marketing" as the description for the account, Cohen testified Monday.

Asked by the prosecution why he did not use a true description, Cohen said that he was not sure if the bank would have opened the account if had would have said it was being used to pay off a nondisclosure agreement for an adult film star.

Cohen also said that he realized during the process that the name he had picked for the LLC, Resolution Consultants, was the same name as a company he already knew of , so he changed the name to Essential Consultants LLC.

The acknowledgement came shortly after Cohen retook the stand following a break for lunch. Cohen, the prosecution's star witness, is still under direct examination.

Former lawyer Michael Cohen is back on the stand Monday afternoon for more testimony in the NY v. Trump trial.

During Monday morning's testimony, Cohen laid out his roughly decade of experience working for former President Donald Trump, with the bulk of that experience coming before Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.

Cohen admitted to lying and bullying people for Trump's benefit, arguing that he was doing what was "needed" for his former boss. The former lawyer, who is a central part of the prosecution's case against Trump, admitted that he enjoyed his time working for the Trump organization and most of the tasks he was asked to carry out.

He also admitted to at one time secretly recording a conversation between himself and Trump, arguing that he only did so to help Trump.

But Cohen has also faced questions about his credibility, with some analysts pointing to his previous felony conviction to argue that the former lawyer is a risky witness for the prosecution.

Cohen is still under direct examination to start the afternoon.

Getty Images

Former President Trump is facing an unprecedented trial in Manhattan where he faces 34 felony counts for falsifying New York business records. 

Amid court proceedings, which entered their fifth week Monday, Trump has repeatedly complained that the trial has not only taken him off the campaign trail, but also away from his family. 

One of Trump’s family members, his son, Eric Trump, has attended the trial. Eric Trump attended on April 30, where father and son were seen speaking in the court before proceedings kicked off that day. 

Trump’s youngest son, Barron Trump, became a focal point of the trial when it first began, with Trump urging the court to let him leave Manhattan on May 17 to attend his son’s high school graduation in Florida. Presiding Judge Juan Merchan finally agreed to Trump attending the ceremony, despite initially resisting the request, citing the importance of being present each day for court. 

The former president has also posted repeatedly on social media or spoken to the media about his family amid the trial, including lamenting that he couldn’t be with his wife, Melania Trump, on April 26 to celebrate her birthday. 

“I want to start by wishing my wife, Melania, a very happy birthday,” Trump said last month outside the courtroom. 

“It would be nice to be with her,” he added. 

Trump has also posted a photo of him with three of his grandchildren during the trial. 

The former president has pleaded not guilty to all charges in the case, while slamming the trial as a “scam” promoted by the Biden administration ahead of the 2024 election.

Former President Donald Trump's New York trial broke for lunch during former lawyer Michael Cohen's testimony, which picked back up in the afternoon.

Cohen, who is a central witness in the prosecution's case against the former president, went into detail about the alleged attempt to cover up an alleged affair Trump had with adult film star Stormy Daniels, with Cohen claiming that Trump became upset at Cohen's ability to keep the story under wraps.

Cohen said Monday that Trump "was really angry with me... 'I thought you had this under control, I thought you took are of this.'"

Cohen said that he explained to Trump that he had taken care of the situation as far back as 2011, but as the story resurfaced Trump directed Cohen to "just take care of it," calling the situation a total disaster and reasoning that it would hurt the campaign's chances with women voters.

Former President Trump's former attorney secretly recorded the president ahead of the 2016 election, according to Cohen's witness testimony Monday. 

Cohen testified during Trump's 16th day in court that he secretly recorded Trump on his iPhone on Sept. 6, 2016 - just weeks before the general election - regarding a payment to former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker. According to the testimony, Pecker had paid former Playboy model Karen McDougal $150,000 to purchase her story that she had an affair with Trump and to subsequently quiet her claims ahead of the election. 

Pecker had pressed Cohen that Trump needed to pay him back, with Cohen secretly recording Trump on Sept. 6 of the election year as proof Trump planned to pay Pecker, according to the testimony. Cohen added that in addition to easing Pecker's mind that he would be repaid, he also made the recording in order to keep Pecker "loyal" to Trump.

The recording was played for the jury, which included Cohen telling Trump he needed to "open up a company for the transfer of all of that info regarding our friend David," referring to Pecker. 

"So what do we got to pay for this? One-fifty?" Trump is heard saying. 

Multiple Republican senators who showed up in support of former President Donald Trump spoke out in his favor during a break in the trial.

Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, took aim at former lawyer Michael Cohen during his remarks outside the court building, questioning Cohen's credibility.

"This guy is a convict and felon who admitted in his testimony that he secretly recorded his former employer, that he only did it once, allegedly, and that this was supposed to help Donald Trump. Does any reasonable, sensible person believe anything that Michael Cohen says? I don't think that they should," Vance said.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., also took aim at Cohen, arguing that the former lawyer is a "serial liar."

"This this guy worked for President Trump. I mean, how can you be convinced by somebody that is a serial liar? I mean, there should be no reason that anybody should listen to this guy," Tuberville said.

Former President Trump has the edge in five of the six key battleground states where he was narrowly edged by President Biden four years ago, according to new polls.

The surveys, released Monday by the New York Times, Siena College and the Philadelphia Inquirer, suggest that discontent over the economy and the Israeli-Hamas war in Gaza, and a deterioration in support for Biden by younger, Black and Hispanic voters, "threaten to unravel the president's Democratic coalition.

"Biden topped Trump by razor-thin margins in the 2020 election in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin to win the White House.

However, according to the new polls, with just under six months to go until Election Day, Trump leads Biden among registered voters 49%-42% in Arizona, 49%-39% in Georgia, 49%-42% in Michigan, 50%-38% in Nevada, and edges the president 47%-44% in Pennsylvania, with Biden narrowly on top in Wisconsin 47%-45%.

The 2024 rematch between the Democratic president and his Republican predecessor was closer among the narrower pool of likely voters. Trump held the advantage in five states - Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin - with Biden edging ahead in Michigan.

Former federal prosecutor Francey Hakes joined 'Fox & Friends' to discuss why it is 'dangerous' to call Cohen to the witness stand as he is set to testify in the former president's criminal trial in Manhattan.

"Convicted felons have very little creditability to the jury, especially depending on what it is they have been convicted of," Hakes said. "Of course Michael Cohen is literally a convicted liar, so it's a huge risk for the prosecution."

Cohen, a longtime attorney for Trump, is the central witness in the criminal case against the former president, with prosecutors arguing he worked closely with Trump to facilitate hush money payments to former adult actress Stormy Daniels.

But Cohen's credibility has long been questioned, especially in light of a 2018 conviction for campaign finance violations, making false statements to Congress and tax evasion.

Nevertheless, Hakes argued that it was necessary for the prosecution to use Cohen as a witness, saying that he would be the only person with the evidence needed to convict Trump.

Former lawyer Michael Cohen testified Monday that he previous recorded a conversation between himself and former President Donald Trump.

Cohen testified that he recorded a conversation on his iPhone regarding payment to former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker, who claims he paid for the rights to a story about an affair between Trump and former Playboy model Karen McDougal, an affair Trump has denied.

According Cohen's testimony, Pecker was anxious to be paid back for buying the rights to the story, spurring Cohen to record the private conversation with Trump as proof Trump planned on paying Pecker back.

Cohen said he held the iPhone in his hand while recording the conversation across the desk from Trump, who was unaware he was being recorded.

Cohen confirmed his voice, Trump's, and longtime Trump executive assistant Rhona Graff in the recording.

Cohen said he refers to Pecker as "our friend David" during the conversation, arguing that he didn't need to use Pecker's full name because Trump would know who he was referring to.

Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Former President Donald Trump was joined by a bevy of high-profile supporters Monday morning outside the Manhattan courtroom, where the NY v. Trump trial will hear from key witness Michael Cohen. 

As Trump spoke to the media early Monday morning, Republican supporters such as Ohio Sen. JD Vance, New York Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville, his son Eric Trump, and others were seen standing behind the 45th president for what is anticipated to be an action-packed day in court. 

Trump's comments ahead of court Monday focused on his argument the case is a "baseless, politically motivated prosecution" promoted by the Biden administration, while highlighting a recent poll showing him leading Biden in key battleground states. 

"The New York Times just came out with a poll that shows us leading everywhere by a lot. This is the cover story. And I think you'll find it very interesting, but I'm sure you've all read it. Leading in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan, Georgia and Nevada. Nevada, we are leading actually by 12 points, which is generally a Democrat state," Trump said. 

Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Former lawyer Michael Cohen testified Monday that he would often lie to others for former President Donald Trump because it "was needed in order to accomplish the task."

The former lawyer also said he would also often bull people because "the only thing on my mind was to accomplish the task, to keep him happy," Cohen said, referring to Trump.

Cohen, who noted that he called Trump "boss" or "Mr. Trump" during his time working for the organization said that he enjoyed his time working for Trump, saying that the organization "was fantastic... working for him of those 10 years was an amazing experience... there were great times, there were less than great times, but for the most part, I enjoyed the responsibilities given to me."

The former Trump lawyer added that Trump also liked to be frequently informed on tasks Cohen was carrying out, especially if that matter was troubling for Trump.

Cohen's credibility has been questioned by Trump allies, with top GOP lawmakers Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio and Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., arguing that the former lawyer is a "convicted liar."

Cohen pleaded guilting in 2018 to campaign finance violations, making false statements to Congress and tax evasion. He was sentenced to three years in prison.

Former lawyer Michael Cohen testified Monday that he spoke to former President Donald Trump "every single day, and multiple times a day" before the 2016 election.

Cohen, who is a central witness in the prosecution's case against Trump, noted that he could reach Trump via multiple cell phone numbers or even by stopping by his office, but added that Trump never used email and would often make comments about people "getting in trouble" or "gone down as a direct result of using emails."

The former lawyer added that he was also frequently meet Trump in his office at variously points through the day, saying that he did not have to make an appointment with Trump because of Trump's open door policy.

Former lawyer Michael Cohen took the witness stand Monday morning in the New York criminal case against former President Trump.

Cohen's testimony is central to the case against Trump, as he is alleged to have been the go-between for Trump's alleged hush money payments to pornography actress Stormy Daniels. Prosecutors with Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's office argue Trump falsified his business records in relation to the payments.

Cohen appeared visibly nervous as he took the stand. Prosecutors began by asking him about his family history and other innocuous topics. He also recounted how he came to work for Trump, revealing that he ultimately had a salary of some $525k per year at the time of the 2016 election.

Prosecutors have been building toward Cohen's testimony for weeks, also calling Daniels to the stand last week.

Trump was joined by a large group of powerful supporters as he entered the courtroom on Monday. Among his retinue were Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-NY, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., and Trump's son,  Eric Trump.

Donald Trump (Getty Images)

Former President Trump boasted of his leads over President Biden in several swing states before entering the courtroom for his New York criminal trial on Monday.

Trump touted the polling from the New York Times, and also complained that the trial against him prevents him from going on the campaign trail. He is legally required to attend all of the court proceedings in the case.

Trump leads Biden in five of the six swing states survey's in the Times' poll. While Biden holds a 2-point lead in Wisconsin, Trump holds leads of 3 points or more in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan, Nevada and Georgia.

Trump went on to complain about his trial, once again referring to it as a partisan "witch hunt."

Michael Cohen is expected to take the stand during Monday's proceedings.

Fox News contributor Joe Concha responded to media hype surrounding former lawyer Michael Cohen's testimony in Trump's New York trial and Bill Maher's insistence that Stormy Daniels is a 'bad witness.'

Cohen is expected to testify later Monday. He has been put forward as a "star witness" for the prosecution, while lawyers for Trump point to Cohen's history of lying in court.

"Michael Cohen, who has been acting as one of the sorriest figures you could possibly imagine, and wearing Superman t-shirts on TikTok and selling merchandise around jailing his former boss--Apparently this is the star witness for [Manhattan DA] Alvin Bragg," Concha said.

"This will be a train wreck, considering that Cohen is as credible as Michael Avenatti. If this comes to the  point where they're relying on Cohen, who has already gone to jail, who has already admitted to lying countless times...when he's on the witness stand, we're looking at either a hung jury or even an acquittal, even in Manhattan," he added.

Former President Trump’s ex-primary rivals have appeared, for the most part, to rally around the presumptive 2024 Republican nominee in the wake of his trial kicking off in New York City.

One of his most vocal backers since the trial began has been Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., who has generated buzz as a potential Trump running mate in the months since he dropped out of the race.

Scott blasted a New York judge's decision to impose a hefty fine on Trump for violating a gag order, calling the move "disgusting” in an interview with Fox News Digital last week.

Meanwhile, Vivek Ramaswamy, an early dropout who’s since become a fierce Trump supporter, said on TikTok just as the trial was kicking off, “This is a politicized persecution disguised as a prosecution.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has said relatively little, but he reportedly met with Trump in Miami late last month – a signal that their chilly relationship could be thawing.

There’s been relative silence, however, from former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley’s corner. The last GOP primary rival of Trump’s to drop out previously told NBC News that his cases should be “dealt with” before the November election, but has said little about his legal troubles since the case started.

Former President Trump is wrapped up in court proceedings for the majority of the business week, leaving him with limited time to hit the campaign trail.

Despite typically spending his time in court for four days of the week, Trump traveled to the battleground states of Michigan and Wisconsin earlier this month to campaign. 

"Biden came in and unleashed mayhem on our economy, just like he unleashed mayhem on our border," Trump said from Waukesha last week. "They have people flowing in from the poorest and the heaviest-crime countries all over the world."

Trump has also held events in New York City amid the trial, including meeting with firefighters and delivering them pizzas, as well an event in April, when he visited a convenience store now known as the “Jose Alba bodega.” Alba became a recognizable name in 2022, after he killed a man who attacked him at the store. District Attorney Alvin Bragg charged Alba with second-degree murder, before ultimately dropping the charge amid widespread outrage that Alba was acting in self-defense and should not be charged. 

The 45th president is anticipated to continue holding rallies and local events amid the trial, and even floated holding an event at Madison Square Garden. 

"We're going to be doing a rally at Madison Square Garden, we believe," Trump said last month outside of the courtroom. "We think we're signing Madison Square Garden to do. We're going to have a big rally honoring the police, and honoring the firemen, and everybody. Honoring a lot of people, including teachers, by the way."

Trump’s trial is anticipated to last at least six weeks.

Michael Cohen (Getty Images)

Former lawyer Michael Cohen ignored questions from the press as he departed his home Monday morning, just hours before he is expected to testify in the New York v. Trump trial.

Cohen walked from his home to a waiting SUV. Reporters could be heard asking him a number of questions.

"What do you have to say to Trump?" Fox News' Seth Andrews asked. "Are you going to tell teh truth today?"

Cohen ignored the questions, looking straight forward and ignoring the press.

Cohen entered the back of the SUV, which then departed and appeared to run a red light.

The former lawyer is expected to testify in the New York v. Trump trial later Monday. He is the star witness for the prosecution, headed by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

In addition to his hush money trial case, former President Trump has three other criminal trials awaiting him. While the hush money trial continues, largely seen as the weakest of the four, the other three are currently hanging in limbo.

In Florida, Trump is charged with mishandling classified documents. Judge Aileen Cannon has indefinitely postponed the trial pending the resolution of several pre-trial motions. Cannon, a Trump-appointed judge, has been accused of showing favoritism towards him. It is unlikely that the classified document case goes to trial before the November election.

In Georgia, Trump, alongside 18 associates, is charged with allegedly attempting to subvert the 2020 election in Georgia. Trump’s lawyers have tried to get District Attorney Fani Willis removed from the case over potential ethics concerns. The county judge, Scott McAfee, ruled that Willis could remain on the case but a local appeals court has taken up the Trump team’s appeal of that decision. The trial was set for Aug. 5, but, as concerns around Willis continue, the case remains in limbo.

Federally, Trump was indicted as part of the special counsel’s criminal investigation into the alleged attempt to overturn the 2020 election. The Trump team has claimed presidential immunity from these crimes and, in a win for Trump, the Supreme Court has agreed to consider his immunity claims. The high court heard oral arguments on April 25 and discussed the merits of Trump’s claim at length, suggesting they may ask the lower court to revisit its decision.

Former President Donald Trump’s youngest son Barron is making his entrance into the political arena amid the NY v. Trump trial in Manhattan. 

Barron, who turned 18 in March, was selected by the Republican Party of Florida on Wednesday to serve as an at-large delegate for the state. 

“We have a great delegation of grassroots leaders, elected officials and even Trump family members,” Florida GOP chairman Evan Power said, according to NBC News. “Florida is continuing to have a great convention team, but more importantly we are preparing to win Florida and win it big.”

Barron’s older brothers, Eric and Donald Jr., as well as his sister, Tiffany, will also serve as Florida at-large delegates at the Republican National Convention.

The announcement comes just roughly a week ahead of Barron graduating from his high school in southern Florida. His graduation became a point of contention amid his father’s trial in New York, with the 45th president saying last month the judge presiding over the case would likely prevent him skipping court to travel to Florida for the ceremony. 

Judge Juan Merchan ultimately granted Trump’s request to attend the ceremony on May 17. 

The NY v. Trump case revolves around the alleged falsification of business records. Prosecutors say Trump’s former attorney, Michael Cohen, paid Daniels $130,000 to quiet her claims of the alleged extramarital sexual encounter. Prosecutors allege the Trump Organization reimbursed Cohen and fraudulently logged the payments as legal expenses, and they are working to prove that Trump falsified records with the intent to commit or conceal a second crime, which is a felony.

Fox News' Emma Colton contributed to this report

On Friday, the 15th day of the criminal trial N.Y. v. Trump, lawyers for the former president motioned for a mistrial.

Trump defense attorney Todd Blanche first requested a mistrial on Tuesday after Daniels’ first day on the stand but was denied. Merchan did, however, admit she was a difficult witness to control and said much of her testimony was "unnecessary" and "irrelevant" to the charges.

Trump attorneys on Thursday again requested a mistrial.

Blanche said that the prosecution asked Daniels "a whole host of questions" that never should have been asked, pointing to questions about the porn actress’ childhood and her alleged interaction with Trump. Blanche argued they were "things that are irrelevant to the facts of this case."

Blanche reminded that the case is not about sex, and again stressed that Daniels’ testimony was "extraordinarily prejudicial for the jury to hear."

Blanche continued that many of the questions asked by the prosecution were "prejudicial."

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News’ Brooke Singman.

Former Trump attorney Michael Cohen is expected to take the stand Monday morning to testify in the criminal trial of former President Trump. 

Cohen is said to be the star witness for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and his team as they try to prove the former president falsified business records related to a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.

Bragg charged Trump  with 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges and maintains his innocence. 

Cohen, who once famously said he would "take a bullet" for Trump, his former longtime boss and friend, will testify against him about his role in arranging the hush money payment to Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election in an effort to keep her allegations of a sexual encounter with Trump in the early 2000s from becoming public. 

Trump, for years, has denied the encounter with Daniels ever happened.

Trump later made several payments of $35,000 to Cohen, who was serving as his personal attorney at the time. The payments totaled $420,000. 

The payments from Trump to Cohen are the basis for Bragg’s indictment of Trump. Bragg is trying to prove that the payments were reimbursements to Cohen for the hush money payment to Daniels. 

But Trump defense attorneys maintain that the $35,000 payments were "not a payback," but were, instead, legal payments. 

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Trump said, "If falsifying a business record is because a bookkeeper wrote down ‘legal expense’ in paying a legal fee, that’s not falsifying.

"They call it a legal expense, and that’s what it was," Trump told Fox News Digital. "It was a legal expense. It was legal fees paid to a lawyer. That’s called a legal expense." 

This is an excerpt from an article by Fox News' Brooke Singman