Michael Cohen sledges Donald Trump over ‘nightmare’

Donald Trump has been supported by a slew of Republicans in a New York court as the former US President’s one-time lawyer slammed his former boss from the witness box.

A slew of Republican who descended on the Manhattan court where Donald Trump continues to face trial heard some colourful evidence from the witness box.

The former US President is facing charges relating to a US$130,000 (A$195,000) hush money payment which was made to porn star Stormy Daniels in the lead up to the 2016 election by his former lawyer Michael Cohen.

Anna Paulina Luna, Matt Gaetz, Andy Biggs and Lauren Boebert look on as former US President Donald Trump speaks to the press. Picture: AFP

Mr Trump denies both having a sexual encounter with Ms Daniels and falsifying any business records regarding the payment.

Mr Cohen, a star witness of the prosecution, was back on the stand and things again got fiery.

Mr Trump’s legal team has cast Mr Cohen as a disgruntled ex-employee out for blood at a trial, which is being heard just six months before election day when Trump hopes to retake the White House.

Defence lawyer Todd Blanche kicked his second round of questioning off by emphasising Mr Cohen’s history of lies - a bid to dissuade jurors from believing Mr Cohen’s account that he broke the law at Mr Trump’s behest.

In addition to listing Mr Cohen’s past lies, the defence also played clips of the witness’s podcast episodes that frequently discussed the former president.

Michael Cohen, former personal lawyer to former U.S. President Donald Trump, leaves his apartment building on his way to Manhattan Criminal Court. Picture: AFP.

The former president’s son Eric Trump was also in court. Picture: AFP.

“I truly f***ing hope this man ends up in prison,” Mr Cohen said in one episode.

“You better believe I want this man to go down and rot for what he did to me and my family.”

Mr Cohen has said repeatedly under both direct and cross-examination that he takes “responsibility” for his actions and has faced consequences.

Former US President Donald Trump has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Picture: AFP.

Mr Cohen served jail time in 2018 for his part in the campaign violations saga.

Mr Blanche also questioned Mr Cohen about other unflattering comments he has made regarding his old boss.

“You called him ‘Dumbass Donald,’ is that right?” Blanche asked.

“That’s right,” Cohen said.

Mr Cohen also said he once wanted Mr Trump to pardon him while Mr Trump was president - despite telling Congress that he never asked for one in 2019.

“At that present moment, it was true. I wanted this nightmare to end,” Mr Cohen testified.

In his opening remarks to the House Oversight Committee, Mr Cohen said at the time: “I have never asked for, nor would I accept, a pardon from President Trump.”

Outside Trump Trial: Nearly 100 pink penis shaped balloons with faces of Judge Juan Merchan, Alvin Bragg, Jack Smith and Judge Arthur Engoron taped to them released in front of NYC courthouse.

From @lauraingle pic.twitter.com/T5ufiK5wyW

— Libbey Dean (@LibbeyDean_) May 16, 2024

Mr Trump, the first former US president to be tried criminally, has complained his current campaign for another White House term is being stymied by the court proceedings, which he has to attend every day.

But the former US President was not without support in court with 11 members of the Republican Party present.

Tennessee’s Andy Ogles and Diane Harshbarger, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, Andy Biggs and Eli Crane of Arizona, Anna Luna, Michael Waltz and Matt Gaetz of Florida, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Michael Cloud of Texas and Bob Good of Virginia all supported Mr Trump either in or outside the courtroom.

Meanwhile outside the courtroom, Staten Island artist Scott Lobaido unveiled an eye-catching “art installation”.

Lobaido, a fan of Mr Trump’s, affixed the likenesses of Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg and trial Judge Juan Merchan as well as several others to 100 penis shaped helium balloons.

The artist said his work, titled The D**ks of Hazard, was inspired by “a bunch of useless d**ks” who are “destroying” the Constitution.

Originally published as Michael Cohen sledges Donald Trump over ‘nightmare’