Trump trial live updates: Jury hears secret recording of Trump discussing catch-and-kill payment

Michael Cohen testified that he made a recording to prove to National Enquirer publisher David Pecker that Trump would repay him the $150,000 for Karen McDougal’s catch-and-kill arrangement.

“I also wanted him to remain loyal to Mr. Trump,” Cohen added.

Cohen said he walked into Trump’s office with his phone in his hand, making the recording.

Cohen told the jury that you can hear Trump, himself, and Trump assistant Rhona Graff on the recording.

Asked whether he thought Trump knew he was recording the conversation, Cohen said: “No, ma’am.”

Jurors then heard the recording.

Cohen: Told you about Charleston. I need to open up a company for the transfer of all of that info regarding our friend, David, you know, so that — I’m going to do that right away. I’ve actually come up and I’ve spoken —

Trump: Give it to me and get me a —

Cohen: And, I’ve spoken to Allen Weisselberg about how to set the whole thing up with —

Trump: So, what do we got to pay for this? One-fifty?

Cohen: — funding. Yes. And it’s all the stuff.

Trump: Yes, I was thinking about that.

Cohen: All the stuff. Because — here, you never know where that company, you never know what he’s —

Trump: Maybe he gets hit by a truck

Cohen: Correct. So, I’m all over that. And, I spoke to Allen about it, when it comes time for the financing, which will be —

Trump: Listen, what financing?

Cohen: We’ll have to pay him something.

Trump: (INAUDIBLE) pay with cash.

Cohen: No, no, no, no, no, I got it.

Trump: Check.

Every member of the jury appeared to look down at their monitor to read along with the transcript of the call as it was played. Cohen, as the call played, shook his head “no” over and over again on the witness stand, apparently in disbelief at rehearing it.

At one point he looked over in Trump’s direction and sighed as the recording continued, then looked over to the jury to watch them take it in.

DA Alvin Bragg appeared to close his eyes and dropped his head as the call played.