Trump trial now front and center in Congress

WASHINGTON (TND) — There was a break Wednesday in the trial of former President Donald Trump over alleged hush money payments to an adult film star, but the allegations are still front and center in Congress. The House Weaponization of Government Subcommittee became the latest venue to debate over the trial.

Robert Costello’s name came up in testimony from Trump's former attorney and "fixer" Michael Cohen this week. Cohen outlined a scheme linking Donald Trump to the alleged hush money payment of porn actor Stormy Daniels and said Costello became a backchannel to the former President.

Costello, a former attorney advisor to Cohen, told the committee that Cohen was a serial fabricator.

I said 'Michael, the way this works is if you have truthful information about Donald Trump, that’s clearly what they’re looking for, I can have all your legal problems solved by the end of the week.' His response? 'I swear to God, Bob, I don’t have anything on Donald Trump,'" Costello told the committee.

Costello and Republicans on the committee repeatedly tried to undercut Cohen’s credibility.

“This liar should not be able to hold our elections hostage," said Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla.

New York Republican Elise Stefanik said the trial is helping propel Trump in the polls.

“This is why Trump’s polls continue to skyrocket, and it’s why Trump will win in 2024," she said.

Cohen is considered the prosecution’s star witness in the New York trial. Trump supporters point to Cohen’s credibility issues already. He’s served time in prison and pleaded guilty to lying to Congress.

Democrats equated the committee to a show trial while the real one was on break, and accused Costello of tampering.

You know coming down here, outside of that courtroom, while that witness is on the stand to try and impeach his credibility and testimony is jury tampering," said Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y.

"The purpose of this hearing is to try to influence the jury to do things Donald Trump has a gag order to prevent him from doing," added Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schulz, D-Fla.

Costello said he wouldn't be surprised if he's called as a witness for the defense.

“I’m always ready, telling the truth is easy, telling a lie is complicated. I don’t need any preparation," he told The National Desk's Matt Galka.

Cohen is expected to face intense cross-examination Thursday when the trial resumes. He is the prosecution’s last witness.