What to know about the hush money trial
- Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker returned to the stand for cross-examination. He was followed by longtime Trump assistant Rhona Graff and then Gary Farro, who served as Michael Cohen's banker.
- Yesterday, Pecker testified about his role in hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal.
- Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records related to the hush money payment made to Daniels. He has pleaded not guilty and denied a relationship with Daniels.
- Here's what you missed from Day 7.
Trump reiterates that he'll debate Biden 'anytime he wants, including tonight'
Speaking to reporters after court adjourned, Trump called this case a "Biden indictment" and accused Biden of trying to use the case to win an election.
He also responded to reports that Biden would be "happy" to debate Trump, saying, "I've invited Biden to debate. He can do it anytime he wants, including tonight."
Later, Trump added, "I'm ready, willing and able, and if he wants, I'll do it on Monday night, Tuesday night or Wednesday night."
Trial done for the day
The trial will resume Tuesday with testimony from Gary Farro.
Prosecutor asks Farro about Cohen bank documents
Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Mangold is questioning Farro about bank paperwork associated with Cohen opening an account for an LLC.
Prosecutors are asking Farro about the meaning of a series of bank-related documents and communications.
Farro said he took on banking clients, like Cohen, 'who might be a little ... challenging'
Farro, the banker, said Cohen was assigned to him in 2015 after a colleague left First Republic Bank.
Cohen had been a client of the bank for at least a couple of years, Farro said. He added that he was told that he was selected to work with Cohen because of his knowledge and his “ability to handle individuals who might be a little ... challenging.”
Farro went on to say that Cohen “did a lot of his own business” and that he didn't find him “difficult.”
Farro says there are other industries the bank won't do business with
Farro testified that there are lines of business that the bank decided it won't do business with, including gambling, adult entertainment and check cashing.
Prosecutors have called banker Gary Farro to testify
Farro explains that he works at Flagstar Bank but worked at First Republic Bank for 15 years, beginning in 2002.
He allegedly helped set up the home equity line of credit through which Cohen paid Daniels. He is the third witness to testify.
Necheles highlights casting as reason for Trump to have Daniels' phone number
Trump attorney Susan Necheles began to suggest that casting for the show "The Celebrity Apprentice" was why the former president had Stormy Daniels' phone number.
“He thought that she would be an interesting addition to 'The Apprentice,'" Necheles said during questioning this afternoon.
"That was the office chatter, yes," Rhona Graff said, noting that she vaguely recalled hearing at the office that Trump had referred to Stormy Daniels as a potentially appealing candidate for the show.
Graff once saw Daniels in the Trump Tower reception area
Hoffinger asked if Graff once saw Stormy Daniels in the Trump Tower reception area.
Graff, a former executive assistant for Trump, said she had a vague recollection of seeing Daniels there. Asked if she knew Daniels was an adult film actress, Graff said she did.
Court takes a 15-minute recess
The court has taken a brief recess.
Graff finishes testifying
After being on the stand for slightly more than 30 minutes, Graff is done testifying.