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National Enquirer ex-publisher David Pecker finished testifying Friday after being on the stand essentially all week as the first witness in in Donald Trump’s criminal trial over the ex-president’s alleged “hush-money” payments to porn star Stormy Daniels.

Former Trump assistant Rhona Graff testified very briefly today before Gary Farro, a banker for Trump’s former “fixer” lawyer Michael Cohen, took the stand.

This live blog has ended.

What we covered

'I'm ready, willing and able' to debate Biden: 'We'll even do it at the White House'

By Kaydi Pelletier

"I'm ready, willing and able" to debate President Biden, Trump said for a second time Friday, on his way out of court as he spoke to reporters in the hallway.

Earlier the former president even offered to debate him tonight at the courthouse, since they're both in New York City, but leaving court Trump said "we haven't heard anything" from Biden's side about the challenge.

"You tell me where. We'll even do it at the White House. That'd be very comfortable for me, actually," he added.

Court is done for the day; Trump hush money trial off Monday

By Kyle Schnitzer

Donald Trump's hush money trial has ended for the day.

Court is off Monday. Trump will be back at Manhattan Supreme Court Tuesday.

‘Important matter’: Jurors seeing Michael Cohen’s emails about creating LLC

By Kyle Schnitzer

The jury is being shown emails from Gary Farro’s assistant informing the banker that Michael Cohen had called him on October 11, 2016.

Another email showed Cohen getting antsy, when just two days later, the assistant told Farro: “Please return Michael Cohen’s call when you are available today regarding an important matter.”

Farro is talking about when Cohen told him he wanted to open a new LLC account.

"Need an account opened for Mike Cohen immediately. He wants no address on the checks. Calling you now to discuss," Farro wrote in an October 13, 2016 email.

Having no address addressed on checks is not unusual, according to the banker, who added it’s usually asked as a privacy measure.

Witness was assigned to Cohen because he could handle 'challenging' individuals

By Kyle Schnitzer

Gary Farro said he was given Michael Cohen as a client due to his "ability to handle individuals that may be a little challenging."

"Frankly, I didn't find him that difficult," Farro said of Cohen.

Witness says he was Michael Cohen's banker

By Kyle Schnitzer

Gary Farro testified that he used to be the banker for Michael Cohen at First Republic Bank.

"Michael did a lot of his own business and I didn't find him difficult," Farro said, adding that he worked with Cohen from 2015 to around 2019.

Farro used to be the director at First Republic Bank.

Gary Farro begins testimony as next witness in Trump hush money trial

By Kyle Schnitzer

The next witness is Gary Farro, a former senior managing director at First Republic Bank. How he relates to the alleged crimes here is not immediately clear.

Trump back in courtroom after 10-minute break

By Ben Kochman

After a 10-minute break, Donald Trump is back at the defense table. A new witness will be called shortly.

Sketch of former U.S. President Donald Trump in court, listening to David Pecker being questioned at a trial in Manhattan, New York City
The court has resumed after breaking for lunch. REUTERS

Ex-Trump assistant Rhona Graff done testifying

By Kyle Schnitzer

Two brief meetings with prosecutors and defense attorneys end with Rhona Graff leaving the stand.

Trump thought about having porn star Stormy Daniels on 'Celebrity Apprentice, ' assistant says

By Kyle Schnitzer

Former Donald Trump assistant Rhona Graff said she recalls Trump saying that Stormy Daniels “may have been an interesting candidate" for "Celebrity Apprentice."

Donald Trump in a suit and tie during his criminal trial over hush money payments
Trump talked about the prospect of having Stormy Daniels on the his show, "Celebrity Apprentice." Reuters

Trump attorney Susan Necheles asked Graff whether she heard Trump say she would be an interesting addition to the show. Graff said she didn't hear it directly from Trump, but "it was part of the office chatter."

Trump had ‘rockstar status’ during the height of ‘The Apprentice’: ex-assistant

By Kyle Schnitzer

Donald Trump's former assistant said the former president was at "rockstar status" during the height of his popular reality TV show "The Apprentice."

Rhona Graff has been spending the past five minutes during cross-examination gushing about her former boss.

When asked about her experience at the Trump Organization, Graff said it was "exciting" during her 34-year tenure.

"I never had the same day twice. It was a very stimulating, exciting, fascinating place to be," she testified.

Former Trump assistant now under cross-examination

By Kyle Schnitzer

Rhona Graff is being quizzed by Donald Trump attorney Susan Necheles under cross-examination.

Ex-Trump assistant says she saw Stormy Daniels at Trump Tower before Trump ran for office

By Kyle Schnitzer

Rhona Graff, Donald Trump's former assistant, testified that she recalled seeing Stormy Daniels in the reception area of Trump Tower before Trump ran for office.

Graff also told prosectors that she knew that Daniels was an "adult film actress" when she was at Trump Tower.

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