![Michael Cohen](https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/05/16/gettyimages-2153223115-8072582d2925592982aefb21c21d993b418e1306.jpg?s=1100&c=100&f=jpeg)
Michael Cohen, former personal lawyer to former President Donald Trump, and attorney Danya Perry leave his apartment building on his way to Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City on Thursday.
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Spencer Platt/Getty Images
NEW YORK — Michael Cohen is back on the stand to testify against his former boss Donald Trump in a New York criminal trial, and he is faced with his own criminal history. Still, prosecutors, who are nearing the end of their case, allege Trump committed 34 felony counts of falsified business records — and Cohen is central to proving it.
Cohen testified earlier this week to his longtime relationship and falling out with the former president. In testimony, he detailed how he negotiated a settlement with adult film star Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged affair with Trump in the months leading up to the 2016 election. A $130,000 settlement was paid for by Cohen, which he said was at the direction of Trump, and later reimbursed by Trump. Those reimbursements constitute the 34 falsified documents.
![Michael Cohen on trial](https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/05/14/ap24135437562900_sq-f10faf7cc747b39489661b45688b735513fa8f9b.jpg?s=100&c=100&f=jpeg)
Trump lawyer Todd Blanche began cross-examination Tuesday, questioning Cohen’s motivations against Trump and about his recent profiting off of merchandise promoting Trump being put in jail. Picking up on Thursday morning, Blanche walked through Cohen’s history of perjury, including lying to Congress and federal investigators.
![Congress members at Trump's trial](https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/05/16/gettyimages-2152644609-e06f33abd6cda242bc13b2ca926897bf732f59c5.jpg?s=1100&c=100&f=jpeg)
More guests come to support Trump
Trump’s special guest appearances have ramped up for the week of Cohen’s testimony, with groups of congressional members coming in to watch, especially those from his new home state of Florida and from the House Congressional Freedom Caucus.
![Trump's supporters at trial](https://media.npr.org/assets/img/2024/05/14/gettyimages-2152361841_sq-333e9fa9363e56ddd8c847b8625e57529620f0fc.jpg?s=100&c=100&f=jpeg)
Earlier in the week, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, a vice president hopeful, and former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy flanked the former president.
Trump has pleaded not guilty, and he has denied allegations of extramarital affairs.
Several former and current Trump employees, both from his flagship company and his administration, testified to the process in which Trump received personal invoices and paid personal checks — including those used to pay Cohen back.
Trump’s defense may begin their case as soon as next week.