The war in gaza as israel prepares to invade rafah. And trump famously doesnt like spending money. But what happens when his Campaign Starts cutting corners . Why republicans are sounding the alarm as the 11th hour gets underway on this friday night. Good evening, im katie phang in for stephanie ruhle. We are now 179 days from the election, and 15 days into the trump hush money trial. With Stormy Daniels done testifying, day 15 is mostly about records. But things will get heated again next week. Today prosecutors are revealing their star witness, Michael Cohen, will take The Stand On Monday and faceoff against his former boss. My colleague has more. Reporter Tonight Nbc News learning from multiple sources, prosecutors recall their star witness on monday. He called himself Donald Trumps fixer. And now a vocal trump critic. Cohen unleashing on his old boss and book and on social media. Spotted online this week wearing a tshirt depicting mr. Trump behind bars. The judge today Directing Prosecutors to inform cohen that the judge is asking him to refrain from making any statements about the case or mr. Trump, but not placing a gag order on cohen. Mr. Trump remains under barring him. It is a disgracious. Its not a case, there is no crime. There is no crime that they failed to show. Reporter cohen, a critical witness for the prosecution as the jury has now read his text messages, heard his voice, and seen evidence that he paid Stormy Daniels 130,000 just days before the 2016 election, so she couldnt derail the campaign. The defense says her story of sex with mr. Trump was false, a shakedown for money, brokered by cohen, making his testimony and credibility on the stand essential. Mr. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges of illegally disguising his Reimbursement Checks to cohen, his former attorney as Legal Expenses to cover his tracks. The faceoff likely to be one of the dramatics of the trial. Cohen comes with baggage including previous convictions for Campaign Finance violations and lying under oath. Meanwhile today, the jury hearing more from those that sat outside the oval office confirming mr. Trump met with cohen at the white house in 2017, where prosecutors say they devised their reimbursement scheme, but testified the former president signed checks without reviewing them first. Contrary to what mr. Trump said in his book and other witnesses set at trial. And with that, the leadoff panel, former Assistant Attorney at the manhattan d. A. s office and also the legal analyst. Nbc legal analyst and Criminal Defense Attorney and hays brown. My thanks to all of you for getting us started this hour. And katherine, lets talk about the fact that today did not include the Marquee Names or testimony, but you know as former prosecutors and trial lawyers, its the details that matter. We got that through records. We had custodians of records that were coming from at t and verizon and some time that was taken in front of the jury to get these entered into evidence. Do you think they will be able to appreciate the nuances about having these records in once they go into the jury room where they are able to see the evidence . Yeah, they will understand it on monday when it is true and when he testifies about phone calls that he made and phone calls that he received, text messages, so they will understand why that boring stuff was really important and it is the most important part of this case are the records, the checks and the entry because those are the 34 counts of falsifying Business Records to donald trump is charged with. So as you said, the details are important. Porn star, thats very interesting. But thats not what this case is about. Hays, to katherines point, the highlight of the day and let me geek out a little bit. Whats your summary that was entered into evidence . That summary was kind of for those that have been critical about the detours perhaps that you would call it taken with Stormy Daniels that the summary allowed to be entered into evidence that the jury will have in had its possession, linked to 34 individual Felony Counts to the specific invoices general ledger entries, and checks that were signed by donald trump, that were issued by the Trump Organization in terms of excuse me, the donald trump account and the personal account. Do you think that the distilling of the information made sense for the prosecution to do at this time, coming on the heels of something as big as Stormy Daniels testimony . Yeah, absolutely. I think that it was important for the overarcking narrative to establish with Stormy Daniels why these payments exist in the first place. And then use this evidence to lay out the ground work. Here is the connection and the connection points between the scandalous testimony that you just heard and all of this boring, but necessary stuff to show what exactly this crime was. You would show that clip in the beginning of the hour of trump claiming there was no crime and no crime. This is the crime of him falsifying to cover up these payments. I feel the fact that it was necessary for him to cover his tracks is something that the jury understands. They understand the idea of having to hide the evidence of the crime. It this is then the prosecution laying out. Here is how all of this fits together. Its really important that they did this at this stage before Michael Cohen testifies to really wrap it all up. Danny, i need you to put your Criminal Defense hat on. That is exactly what you do. I want to put you in this particular spot in terms of the questions. Last night former federal prosecutor who writes for politico, we got into a back and forth about his estimate that he does not think that the prosecution has even kind of crossed the finish line yet when it comes to be able to approve the felony in this case. He says it is all great and stellar, but the fact that trump was trying to hide all of this in order to make sure its not going to damage his campaign is not what this case is all about. Would you agree . That they have not met the elements of the felonies that have been charged . And i think katherine and are are in agreement. The notion that there were records that were falsified. And have they shown knowledge trumps knowledge. They dont have it quite yet, but michael cone will go the give represent station, saying donald trump ordered to do this. But what aggravates it too a felony that the government has not told us what crime theyre using as that crime to bump it up to a felony. It might be election law or tax violations. But either way the Argument Trump is trying in may. If the jury believes that or if the jury is just convicted. Taking a step back is not like a robbery case. Something they could write their mind theory. It has never been applied before. Certainly this application to bump it in as a felony, that might be a hard sell to the jury. Katherine, i want to stand on this because their expectation is always important. Especially as lawyers, its it key, but we have a responsibility when we do these shows and talk about how that is the real thing of what happens in the courtroom. There were motions to dismiss that were filed by donald trump. But at the stage of the motion to dismiss, the Legal Standard was easier for the prosecution. Now when the prosecution rests their case, which we anticipate according to the prosecution, could be at the end of next week. The defense will file for the case. And talk about why that is going to be a different legal analysis that judge is going to have to do once they file for a motion of acquittal. Well, grand jury when i know in other states, they are few if they have known that a felony was there, period . Trial standard is i cant remember the last time we were in manhattan when a judge granted the defenses motion. I do agree some of our lawyers were saying which crime has fate that donald trump intended to conceal. They had not explicitly presented that evidence to the jury yet, and there are two more witnesses. So hays, one of the witnesses were not going to be hearing from isage weisselberg. The guy has pled guilty. But the issue that presented his Severance Agreement would be admissible. He gets paid out three different payments, but hes not allowed to disparage the Trump Organization and donald trump. Theres a back of forth about whether or not it would make sense to subpoena him from rutgers, to be considering the existence of the agreement. But he seems to have been, its been a big part of the introduction. What kind of helped close that loop for the prosecution. I think so. I think what theyre intending to show, the reason i cant trust what he has to say. I believe the daily beast framed it as him being another Hush Money Payment Recipient that hes basically getting this pay out staying silent about what he knows about the crimes. Neither the prosecution nor defense is interesting. The pact that they even loaded the idea of it and neither side really seemed to have put that into motion at all. He is also serving reichers because he pled guilty to perjury. Considering the fact he has also got credibility issues for lying, under oath to congress. Why they would hesitate to put someone else on the stand, what instead, lean on this Severance Document instead. Yeah, but you know, danny, you and i have had to deal with putting Flip Code Defendants on. Lets look at that lens, right . I think that Michael Cohen is on the flip code defendant, cooperating with the prosecution. I mean hes going to be subpoenaed to show up. But the point is he knows what happened in that room; right . In those rooms. Hes saying this is what donald trump agreed to do with david pecker and me with Allen Weisselbergs knowledge. How do you if youre Michael Cohens lawyer, danny. How do you council him going into his testimony on monday, knowing that the judge has set it as well to the prosecution. To please not talk about this case outside in public. Here is the advice i would give them and the same advice i would have given to Stormy Daniels. Just answer the question thats asked. A lot of folks think she, but instead fighting back on every single leading question. That played well to many outside the courtroom. When there is every single question on cross, they dont help anyone. They dont help the side they are trying to some degree that could have happened to story. If Stormy Daniels did that, i suspect Michael Cohen will do it a lot more. And that i know this is your time in the sun and just listen to the question and answer the questions asked and it is what it is and you have Credibility Problems where it is built up the rest of their case and it is not all on your back and just answer the questions asked. Stormy daniels to their Point Last Night after testifying real men respond to testimony by being sworn in and taking the stand in court. Oh, wait, nevermind. Putting aside whether or not youll support the fact they tweeted that out and that we have to fast forward this analysis a little bit, right . And they rest their case next week. All eyes will turn to the defense as we know constitutionally that they have no obligation to do anything or have that burden of proof. But you and i both know too that it is very hard to ignore all the allegations that have been made and personal in nature that it actually does almost look to donald trump to have to take the stand to explain away a lot of those things hes been accused of. It is just not going to happen. I cant imagine. And if it were to happen, then hell be convicted. Defendants often are their worst enemies, you know, sometimes you listen to the peoples case, and they rest and youre like well, they didnt really prove this, so were not going to do a thing or say a thing and hope they do the right thing. So hes going to speak publicly. He cant trash witnesses or jurors. But what he does outside the courtroom, that is their way of testifying. And danny, this last question will go to you, danny. You actively practiced Criminal Defense. Youve got clients that are probably chopping at the bit like donald trump to take the stand. The problem you have though is this. Donald trump from day one in the public court of the opinion told the world that he is going to testify. Its not ill think about it. If its on a thursday, maybe ill do it. Its im going to testify. I have nothing to hide. Im going to tell the truth. We have also seen trumps lawyers havent done a fantastic job of saying no to him because there have been representations made during the course of even this trial that make you scratch your head as a lawyer. Does donald trump take a stand, danny . Let me take out my list that people dont remember he was saying im going to testify. Kicking this football. And then when he does, no one will do anything. Im the only one saying it and i will be a legend if he does. If he doesnt ever want to, then forget that i said it. I dont believe hell end up testifying and here is why. Psychologically youll get all kinds of whitecollar individuals who say they are telling the story. As the case goes on, they get a reality check. They will be subjected to the crucible of crossexamination, the rules are slanted against the witness, and in favor of the attorney and really nothing good could come of it. The only reason that i hold out is because we as that right to do it and who knows what leks in the mind of donald trump. Maybe hell have Rick Scouting The Stand for him and testify as his surrogate. Danny cervallis, i appreciate as always. When we come back, with the legal bills adding up for donald trump. His team is looking for ways to trim the fat inside a leaner campaign. And later forget mtg and mike johnson. Well talk about the biggest feud of the week. Maybe somebody can explain it to me. The 11th hour just getting underway on this friday night. psst psst ahhh with flonase, allergies dont have to be scary. Spray Flonase Sensimist daily for nondrowsy long lasting relief in a scent free, gentle mist. Flonase all good. Also, try our Allergy Headache and nighttime pills. A slow network is no network for business. Flonase all good. Thats why more choose Comcast Business. And now, were introducing ultimate speed for business our fastest plans yet. Were up to 12 times faster than verizon, at t, and tmobile. And existing customers could even get up to triple the speeds. At no additional cost. Its ultimate speed for ultimate business. Dont miss out on our fastest speed plans yet switch to Comcast Business and get started for 49. 99 a month. Plus, ask how to get up to an 800 prepaid card. Call today with less than six months until the election, some republicans in key swing states are concerned about the Trump Campaigns ground game or lack thereof. According to new reporting from the washington post. The campaign is reportedly much leaner than it was four years ago with less real estate, fewer employees, and greater dependency on outside groups. While those are worried, they insist it is all about quality over quantity. Joining me now is msnbc political analyst and democratic former maryland congresswoman, donna edwards. My thanks to both of you for joining me. Republicans in the key states, they are clearly worried, saying there is no strategy being shared or no Ground Operations to speak of. In response to the trump team saying it is all a part of the plan, reminding people saying just trust the plan. So what do you think though, susan, about this strategy for our president ial campaign that could be decided by literally just tens of thousands of voters in just a small handful of states . Well, the Campaign Says we are running a leaner operation, well be better off. It means they dont have that Campaign Cash to spend. Well stop, thats what they are basically saying. We know that they are not going to be playing their traditional role because it is now controlled by donald trump. The traditional role being do we get out to vote, working on the organization with the ground, working with the senate candidates, the congressional candidates, building the ground swell of enthusiasm around the republican candidates. The trump people saying we will do it and they are not very good at it. But the other thing is when they start saying we are going to leave it to outside groups, they are meant to basically bash the opponent. You need your own people to run Ground Operations. So if they are relying on the outside groups, they were lost. You know, this kind of has the kind of energy. For example, earlier this week, trumps 18yearold son, barron trump, who flies below the radar when it comes to any public exposure, was named a delegate for the state of florida. But today his mother, melania, came out saying barron is declining to be a delegate because of prior commitments. I mean lets put aside barron and melania because they dont get involved in this necessarily. But donna, what does it tell you though when it comes to competency to run the rnc and additional detail, that there is always this constant instinct