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Heated Cross-Examination as Cohen Testifies in Trump Trial

Michael Cohen, Former President Donald Trump Credit | Getty Images

United States: As the historic criminal case against former President Donald Trump draws to a close, Michael Cohen took the witness stand in Manhattan criminal court on Thursday to continue his confrontation with the former president’s defense lawyer. 

Cohen’s Testimony

This Monday, prosecutors informed Judge Juan Merchan that Cohen—a.k.a. Trump’s former personal attorney—is their last witness in the frequently contentious trial, which got underway on April 15. 

Trump made another appearance accompanied by a number of well-known allies. Reps. Bob Good of Virginia, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, and Matt Gaetz of Florida were among the Republicans in his delegation on Thursday. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson and other possible Trump running mates, including as Ohio Senator JD Vance, North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, and billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy, have attended in the past. 

Following his deposition, Cohen was questioned by Todd Blanche, the attorney for Trump, over remarks the former Trump supporter had made about his former employer on the “Mea Culpa” podcast, including expressing a wish for him to wind up “in prison.”

He declared on the program, “You better believe I want this man to rot in his cell and pay for what he has done to me and my family.” Blanche questioned Cohen about any instances in which he had claimed on his program that he had contributed to Trump’s indictment. 

Blanche’s Cross-Examination

“Yes, I did take some credit,” he answered. 

On Tuesday, Blanche’s cross-examination of Cohen got off to a heated start.

“After the trial started in this case, you went on TikTok and called me a ‘crying little s—,’ didn’t you?” He inquired.

Cohen answered, “That sounds like something I would say.”

After that, Blanche barraged Cohen with inquiries meant to demonstrate his record of dishonesty as well as his deep animosity toward his former employer. Blanche questioned Cohen about his comments on April 23 TikTok regarding Trump’s need to be kept in a “cage, like an animal.”

Cohen recalled adding, “I think I did.” 

Former President Donald Trump, Michael Cohen. Credit | AP

Former President Donald Trump, Michael Cohen. Credit | AP

Key Witness in Trump Case

In the first criminal trial of a former president, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s case against Trump features Cohen, 57, as a key witness. In the final days of the 2016 presidential campaign, Stormy Daniels claimed to have had a sexual experience with Trump ten years prior, which she claimed to have had after they met at a celebrity golf tournament. Cohen was the one to pay Daniels $130,000 to keep her quiet about the incident. Trump disputes her assertion.

Prosecutors claim that in an effort to conceal their true purpose, then-President Trump paid Cohen back in a series of installments that were fraudulently declared as legal costs. 

Cohen’s Testimony Continues

Cohen stated in his testimony this week that Trump had given him instructions to address Daniels’ allegations because he was concerned they would be a “total disaster” for his campaign. Cohen claimed that once Trump promised to reimburse him, he instructed him to settle the specifics with Allen Weisselberg, the then-chief financial officer of the Trump Organization.

Following the public disclosure of his payment to Daniels in 2018, Cohen claimed that Trump had urged him to accept full responsibility for the hush money arrangement, which he duly did.

When asked why he had done them and other things during the 2016 election to stifle damaging Trump news, Cohen replied that he had done so “at the direction of” and “for the benefit of Donald J. Trump.” 

The only witness who may link Trump directly to the purported conspiracy of fabricating corporate papers is Cohen.

In his opening remarks, Blanche informed the jury that Cohen had received payments from Trump for legal services and that Cohen “cannot be trusted” because to his history of lying and vendetta against his former employer.

Although Cohen has admitted to lying in the past, including to Congress, for which he entered a guilty plea in 2018, he insists that his motivation at the time was his intense desire “to protect Mr. Trump.” 

Expert Testimony and Witness Uncertainty

In court on Tuesday, Blanche stated that he expected to spend the majority of Thursday, if not all of it, answering questions. According to a person with intimate knowledge of what to expect during cross-examination, the defense will grill Cohen on Thursday mostly about his prior testimony given under oath and his repeated fabrications about events in 2016 and 2017.

If Blanche is right and the court is closed on Friday so that Trump may attend his son’s high school graduation, Cohen will probably take the stand again on Monday for further questions from the prosecution and Blanche herself before the prosecution adjourns. 

At this moment, it’s uncertain if Trump will present a defense. This week, Blanche informed the judge that if he felt it was necessary, he might provide some expert testimony. According to court documents, the expert is Bradley A. Smith, a former head of the Federal Election Commission who is qualified to testify about the FEC and its operations, laws that the agency is in charge of upholding, and relevant concepts and terminology.

Trump is the other potential witness. Prior to the start of the trial, Trump declared he would “absolutely” testify in the case, but he has since amended that he would only do so if required. On Tuesday, Blanche informed the judge that he was unsure if his client would accept the side. 

 

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Trump Hints at Potential Ban on the Abortion Pill in Future Policy 

Donald Trump. Credit | Getty Images

United States: Former President Donald Trump, speaking at his Mar-a-Lago resort on Thursday, said he might consider stopping access to mifepristone, a drug used in medication abortions.  

Possible FDA Action 

When asked by NBC News, Trump mentioned that there are options to change how these drugs are handled, and he didn’t rule out taking action like asking the Food and Drug Administration to remove mifepristone 

“There are many things on a humane basis that you can do outside of that,” Trump added, saying that “you also have to give a vote” to people about abortion. 

Shift in Position 

As reported by NBC news, Trump’s comments Thursday appeared to be a shift from his position in June, when the former president as said in the CNN debate: “I will not block it.” 

Donald Trump. Credit | Getty Images
Donald Trump. Credit | Getty Images

In the response to clarifying the questions that have been asked on the Trump’s position, Karoline Leavitt and the Trump’s campaign’s national press secretary told the NBC news about this. 

As the president Trump said that he wants everybody to vote and, on the issue, reiterating his long-held position of supporting rights and of states to. Make the decisions on abortion. 

Leavitt later clarified that, “As a President Trump had said the numerous times during the press conference and the questions being asked were difficult to hear and his position on the mifepristone remains the same and the Supreme Court unanimously decided on the issue and the matter which is settled. 

Policy and Future Announcements 

The idea of directing the FDA to revoke access to mifepristone is a rare core policy plan in the project 2025 also a 900-plus page document written by conservative groups and organized by the Heritage Foundation that lays out a governing plan for the next GOP presidential administration. 

Recently at a press conference on Thursday Trump was also asked  how he planned all these thing to vote in Florida’s ballot initiative and this fall to expand abortion the access and the former president a Florida resident didn’t say how would vote but hereby also teased a future announcement on that and added that abortion isn’t is a big factor anymore. 

Criticism from Opponents 

However, Harris-Walz campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez also critized the Tumps’ comments in a particular statement this Thursday. 

“Already, women across the country are suffering because of the nightmare Donald Trump unleashed by overturning Roe v. Wade,” she said. 

 “That reality — women forced to the brink of death before receiving the care they need, doctors facing the threat of jail time for doing their jobs, and survivors of rape and incest made to flee their states for basic health care. 

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Kamala Harris Shows How Black Sororities Influence Politics 

Kamala Harris Shows How Black Sororities Influence Politics. Credit | Getty Images

United States:  On July 10, just before Joe Biden withdrew from the presidential race, Kamala Harris attended a veritably important event for Alpha Kappa Alpha(AKA) in the Harward University, a major Black sorority she joined in council. 

AKA, innovated in 1908 at Howard University, supports Black women and is one of the most influential sororities in America. Harris’s aunt was also a member in 1950. notorious women like Coretta Scott King, Toni Morrison, and Maya Angelou were part of AKA. In a 2021 Vogue cover, Harris was shown in AKA’s colours and wearing its hand plum choker. 

Harris’s Continued Involvement with Black Sororities 

As reported by The Guardian, since Biden stepped down and became the presumptive nominee, Harris has spoken at more sorority events, including one for Sigma Gamma Rho. There, she addressed comments from Donald Trump questioning her race. Harris feels a strong connection to these events, saying, “When I look out at everyone here, I see family.” 

Kamala Harris Shows How Black Sororities Influence Politics. Credit | Reuters
Kamala Harris Shows How Black Sororities Influence Politics. Credit | Reuters

The Influence of Black Greek Letter Organizations 

Black Greek letter organizations, like AKA, have a huge impact on politics. In 2020, when Biden chose Harris as his vice-presidential pick, AKA members raised a lot of money and helped get voters to the polls through creative campaigns. They used their networks to support voter registration and education, which was crucial for Biden’s election. These organizations, together known as the Divine Nine, have over four million members and significant funds. 

Harris’s Journey and Black Greek Organizations 

Lawrence Ross, an expert on the Divine Nine, explains that these organizations are more than just college groups. They continue to support members throughout their lives and focus on important issues like voter education. Harris’s involvement with AKA is a key part of her identity, like how Barack Obama’s connection with his church shaped his identity. Both Harris and Obama made choices that tied them to a distinctly American form of Black culture. 

The Role of Divine Nine in U.S. History 

Ross points out that the Divine Nine played a very vital and major role in the civil rights movement. Important figures are like Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Jesse Jackson were members of these organizations. Harris’s sorority sisters remember her as ambitious and cool, balancing her serious approach to education with a relaxed side. 

Excitement for Harris’s Historic Role 

Harris’s sorority sisters are excited about her being a major political figure and see it as a historic moment. They are committed to supporting her and making sure her impact is recognized, especially in this important election. According to Ross, the Divine Nine’s involvement has been vital for advancing Black civil rights and continues to be influential today. 

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Harris Begins Campaign with Walz as Running Mate 

Tim Walz. Credit | Getty Images

United States: Vice President Kamala Harris is set to appear publicly with her new running mate, Tim Walz, at a rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday. This event will mark or will be identified as the start of a five-day campaign tour across seven key battleground states. 

Tim Walz’s Political Background 

As reported by the telegraph, Tim Walz, who has been chosen as Harris’s running mate, has a notable political history. Elected to a Republican-leaning district in 2006, Walz served nearly 12 years before becoming governor of Minnesota. As governor, he advocated for progressive policies including free school meals, climate change action, and LGBT rights. 

Selection Over Josh Shapiro 

Walz was chosen for the vice-presidential spot over Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania. Some Democrats were concerned that Shapiro’s strong pro-Israel stance might be problematic for the campaign

Vice President Kamala Harris. Credit | Getty Images
Vice President Kamala Harris. Credit | Getty Images

Walz’s Reaction to the Selection 

Tim Walz described his new role as “the honour of a lifetime” in a post on X. He expressed his excitement to join Kamala Harris in the campaign. 

Democrats Highlight Walz’s Gun Ownership 

Democrats have emphasized or focused on that Walz is a “gun holder” and a “supporter of the Second Amendment of the constitution.” According to a press release, Walz is an avid pheasant hunter who has backed universal background checks for gun purchases as governor. He believes that more needs to be done to address gun violence

Poll Shows Many Unfamiliar with Walz 

A recent NPR/PBS/Marist polls shows that most Americans do not know Tim Walz well or they don’t have any specific idea about him. The survey, conducted from August 1-4, found that 71% of U.S. adults had never heard of Walz or were unsure about him. Hereby almost 17% viewed him favourably or can say in the favour, while 12% had an unfavourable opinion. 

Harris Praises Walz’s Leadership 

Kamala Harris has praised Walz’s “principled leadership” and his proven track record in Minnesota. In a message to supporters, Harris expressed confidence that Walz will bring strong leadership to their campaign and to the vice presidency. She also asked for immediate support to help defeat Donald Trump and JD Vance, emphasizing how much their backing means to both her and Walz. 

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