Hope to see you tomorrow. Thats tonights last word. The 11th hour with Stephanie Ruhle begins right now. Former president Donald Trumps new york Hush Money Trial is off today as the former president attends his youngest sons High School Graduation in florida. For a moment it looked like the House Republicans might lose control of the floor because so many republicans have been going up to see donald trump at his criminal trial. There are things we could say that President Trump is unjustly not allowed to say. The judicial system in our country has been westernized against President Trump. This is a scam, it is a sham, it is a show. That courtroom is depressing. One of the most depressing places i have been in my life. Im sitting here. Michael is the prosecutions star witness. Hes the only one who has testified before the president had advanced knowledge of the plan to pay off daniels. Does any reasonable, sensible person believe anything that Michael Cohen says . The defense says theyl
Brian Williams examines the days top political stories and current politicalcampaign news. Inaugural address, which my old boss had colorful language to describe. George w. Bush called it some crazy bleep. I was thinking about the line about carnage and i was thinking that the real carnage and it was all in motion when he came that day. The real carnage is the people closest to donald trump. The lives that are being destroyed for crimes theyve committed. I mean, you know, its not a night to feel sympathy for Michael Cohen, but the events that are sending him to jail potentially are events put in motion by the things donald trump demanded of the people close to him. It may end up ensnaring his family. But just this idea of wreckage. A source close to Michael Cohen tonight told me that everything donald trump touches is tainted by his toxic brew of lack of ethics and lack of any adherence to the law. I also thought of something that someone who advises this president said to me earlier i
Brian Williams examines the days top political stories and current politicalcampaign news. Brian Williams examines the days top political stories and current politicalcampaign news. No comment on cohen who was released on 500,000 bail. His sentencing, interestingly, is scheduled for december 12th. The judge noted that cohen could serve up to 65 years in prison, though we should hasten to add the prosecutess recommended sentence is something closer to four or six years. Manafort is expected to be sentenced to seven to nine years when its all said and done. He also faces another trial on related charges next month in washington. Meanwhile, both men now join rick gates, michael flynn, George Papadopoulos on the roster of Trump Associates who faced criminal charges. On that, let us bring in our expanded leadoff panel for a consequential tuesday evening. Nicolle wallace returned to the night shift. The veteran of the Bush White House and host of deadline white house. And here in new york mi
Brian Williams examines the days top political stories and current politicalcampaign news. New york. Day 579 of the Trump Administration turns out was the day the president was placed in real legal jeopardy. Here is the story from tomorrows front page of the New York Times. Cohen pleads guilty implicated president. The president s former personal lawyer turned himself into the fbi today and stood in Federal Court and pleaded guilty to eight charges including two related to rush Money Payments to women which he admitted were at the direction of his boss, donald trump, for the purpose of influencing the 2016 election. Cohen pleaded guilty to tax evasion and lying to a financial institution, as well as two Campaign Finance violations. Again, both involving trumps quest for the white house. The payoffs described match the cases of Karen Mac Dougall and stormy daniels. This case is being brought by the feds. Attorney for the Eastern District of virginia. Also happens to be a senior official
Good evening. Im Chris Matthews in washington. Federal prosecutors in new york have accused the president of criminal violation of the federal Campaign Laws. They say trump directed thats the word Michael Cohen to cover up a Campaign Contribution in the form of payments with two women with whom he had sexual relations. This comes from the Southern District of new york, not Robert Mueller, not the socalled 17 democrats the president says are working against him, not the deep state, not from a witch hunt. Its from one of the two Sentencing Memos filed in the case of trumps former lawyer, Michael Cohen, today, which are shedding new light on the president s potential legal exposure. As trumps longtime fixer, cohen pleaded guilty in august to Campaign Finance violations and making hush payments to two women on trumps behalf. And now, tonights Sentencing Memo makes clear that with respect to both payments, cohen acted in coordination with and at the direction of individual
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