Trump seems to go to sleep along with his mouth open minutes into Michael Cohen’s testy cross-examination | EUROtoday

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With a everlasting scowl, Donald Trump saved his eyes closed and let his mouth drop open whereas his attorneys grilled his former legal professional Michael Cohen throughout his hush cash trial in Manhattan.

Cohen, anticipated to be the ultimate witness for the prosecution, has spent greater than seven hours throughout two days on the witness stand immediately tying the previous president to a scheme to cowl up funds to an grownup movie star earlier than the 2016 presidential election.

But moments after his legal professional Todd Blanche opened cross examination after a lunch recess on Tuesday, Mr Trump sunk again into his chair and closed his eyes.

His head then dropped barely along with his mouth open earlier than snapping awake and jerking his head to the left or proper whereas his eyes remained shut.

Mr Blanche instantly focused Cohen about his information interviews and social media posts concerning the trial and his public criticism of the previous president – in addition to his feedback about Mr Blanche and Mr Trump’s different attorneys.

“Do you remember going on TikTok and calling me a crying little s***?” Mr Blanche requested.

Cohen appeared unfazed: “Sounds like something I would say.”

Mr Blanche additionally requested Cohen whether or not he remembered calling Mr Trump a “dictator douchebag”.

“Sounds like something I would say,” he stated once more.

A courtroom sketch depicts Donald Trump inside a felony courtroom in Manhattan on 14 May. (REUTERS)

Last week, New York Justice Juan Merchan had urged prosecutors to instruct Cohen to cease speaking concerning the case and about Mr Trump, after his attorneys complained that he continues to “speak publicly” at the same time as his testimony was imminent – together with in a TikTok video the place he’s carrying a T-shirt with an image of Mr Trump behind bars.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office informed him that it’s “probably better off if you don’t speak about” the case, Cohen testified on Tuesday.

Mr Trump has repeatedly denied sleeping on the courthouse, the place his felony trial is nearing the top of a fourth week of witness testimony, however he has admitted that he typically retains his eyes closed. Though he often whispers to his attorneys, Mr Trump is essentially unresponsive throughout testimony about him.

“Contrary to the FAKE NEWS MEDIA, I don’t fall asleep during the Crooked D.A.’s Witch Hunt, especially not today,” he wrote on Truth Social throughout a mid-day break within the trial on 2 May.

“I simply close my beautiful blue eyes, sometimes, listen intensely, and take it ALL in!!!” he added.

Donald Trump speaks along with his attorneys throughout his hush cash trial in Manhattan on 14 May. (AP)

In an interview with Telemundo, Mr Trump stated that “for a big portion of trials, you just close your eyes and listen.” He stated he hears all the things “perfectly.”

“No, I don’t fall asleep,” he stated. “I close my eyes sometimes. You know, it’s very bright in that court, actually. It’s also very cold.”

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-asleep-court-trial-cohen-b2545079.html