12:30 Report — Trump lawyers’ last shot at Michael Cohen; Iran president dies

View Online  12:30 REPORT It's Monday (again). Welcome back! Here's the deal today: Trump's ex-fixer Michael Cohen is on the stand today in the hush money trial.  Cohen just admitted to stealing money from the Trump Organization. The president of Iran died in a helicopter crash. Vulnerable Democrats are worried President Biden is weighing them down, and they're slowly distancing themselves from him. A Roll Call photographer captured a great photo of ducks using their duck ramp in Washington.   I'm Cate Martel with a quick recap of the morning and what's coming up. Send tips, commentary, feedback and cookie recipes to cmartel@thehill.com. Did someone forward this newsletter to you? Sign up here.   🍎In Manhattan Any final thoughts, Mike?: ©  GIPHY/PBS NewsHour Former President Trump's lawyers are getting their final shot at cross-examining star witness Michael Cohen today in the hush money trial.   Cohen made some news: He admitted that he stole from the Trump Organization. Trump's attorney got Cohen to admit that he lied about the amount he needed to be reimbursed.   Where the trial stands: Prosecutors could rest their case early this week. Then it's the defense's turn, though it's unclear whether the defense plans to put up a case and whether Trump could testify. The trial is scheduled for today, tomorrow and Thursday before breaking for the long weekend.   Timing tidbit: "Before he took the stand, Justice Juan Merchan said the trial will continue into next week, telling attorneys from both sides to prepare to begin closing arguments next Tuesday, after Memorial Day." (CBS News) 🗨️Today's live blog from the courtroom ➤  WE MAY GET AN ANSWER TO A MAJOR HYPOTHETICAL SOON: Will Trump run for president as a convicted felon? The New York Times's Shane Goldmacher breaks down the political ramifications of the upcoming hush money trial ruling.   Excerpt: "There is little doubt that Mr. Trump's base is unlikely to abandon him now. Less clear is how swing voters or some of the traditional Democratic constituencies — younger, Black and Hispanic voters — who have expressed diminished support for Mr. Biden lately, and even flirted with Mr. Trump, would process a guilty verdict." ➤  MORE READS ON THE TRIAL: 'How does Trump's trial end? It may hinge on how jurors feel about sex and privacy': NPR   'Did Trump's lawyers catch Michael Cohen in a 'lie'? Let's take a look.': The Washington Post   'A Trump Conviction Doesn't Hang on Michael Cohen': Op-ed in The New York Times   'Trump Lawyers Take Last Swing at Cohen': The Wall Street Journal 🚁 News this Morning The president of Iran has died:  Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian and other officials died in a helicopter crash Sunday.   What we know: The helicopter crashed in a foggy region, and it took hours to find the officials' bodies. Iranian state media says a "technical failure" caused the crash, according to The Washington Post.   📹 'Drone video shows apparent crash site of Iranian president's helicopter': CNN   Who has taken over?: First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will succeed Raisi as acting president. There will be a presidential election held within 50 days, according to The New York Times.   Read more: 'What to Know About Mohammad Mokhber, Iran's Acting President': The New York Times ➤  SOME ANALYSIS:  The New York Times's Steven Erlanger explains how Raisi's death "threatens new instability for Iran."   The Wall Street Journal's Sune Engel Rasmussen writes that "after Raisi's death, Iran wrestles with two succession challenges."   'The Middle East is roiling — the death of Iran's president could push it over the edge': Read the op-ed from Tara D. Sonenshine, a senior fellow at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. 🚨 On The Campaign Trail Hey Joe, can you stand over there? Just a step further. Another step. Another step. Keep going …: ©  GIPHY/ODE Willie's Funky Bunch The Hill's Alexander Bolton reports that vulnerable Senate Democrats are worried President Biden's "ailing brand" may weigh them down — and are starting to distance themselves from him since recent polling showed him trailing in several key swing states.   How are they distancing themselves?: They're breaking with some of Biden's stances, like border security and the Israel-Hamas war.   Has Biden already weighed them down?: Polling shows vulnerable Democrats are still competitive in the polls.   A Democratic senator told The Hill (but didn't want to be named): "If you go out there and do a focus group, the focus groups all say, 'He's 200 years old. You got to be kidding me.' And the worst part about it is for unaffiliated voters or people that haven't made up their mind, they look at this and say: 'You have to be kidding us. These are our choices?' And they indict us for not taking it seriously." 👀   Read more: 'Alarmed Democrats flee Biden's ailing brand in battleground states' ➤  THE SEVEN STATES MOST LIKELY TO FLIP IN THE BIDEN-TRUMP RACE: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin   Julia Mueller's explainer of why each of those states made the list, via The Hill No pressure. Not trying to rush you, but how long are you planning to stay?: ©  GIPHY/CBC You know what? Forget I asked!   Over the weekend, former President Trump suggested that he could be a three-term president if he wins the November election.   How this came up: Trump asked the National Rifle Association crowd whether he would be a two- or three-term president if he secures a win in the 2024 presidential election. Read the quote   Keep in mind: In an interview with NBC News last year, Trump said he would *not* pursue a third term in office if he is elected again. Serving a third term is barred under the 22nd Amendment of the Constitution.  🐝 Internet Buzz 🐶 Celebrate: Today is National Rescue Dog Day!   🦆 I couldn't click this link fast enough: Roll Call's Bill Clark posted that he "finally caught ducks actually using the duck ramps at the Capitol Reflecting Pool." I think I'd like to have my own flock of ducks and a duck ramp. 📸 Photo   🤖 'See How Easily A.I. Chatbots Can Be Taught to Spew Disinformation': The New York Times customized its own chatbots to have liberal and conservative viewpoints. See the chatbots' answers to political questions   🍫 Chrissy, wake up! I don't like this!: The Wall Street Journal reports that "chocolate prices have soared" and that "a new law threatens to keep them high." 🗓 On The Agenda The House is out. The Senate is in. President Biden and Vice President Harris are in Washington. (all times Eastern) 1:50 p.m.: Biden returns to the White House. 5:15 p.m.: Biden and second gentleman Doug Emhoff speak at a Jewish Heritage Month celebration at the White House. 💻 Livestream 5:30 p.m.: A Senate confirmation vote. 📆 Today's agenda 👋 And Finally … Because you made it this far, I'd like for you to see this puppy train for "American Ninja Warrior." Stay Engaged Send comments, story ideas and events for our radar to cmartel@thehill.com. A friend forward this to you? Subscribe here.   View past issues of 12:30 Report here and check out other newsletters from The Hill here. See you next time! Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  Sign Up for Other Newsletters 1625 K Street NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20006 © 1998 - 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.