May 20, 2024

'Are you staring me down?': Fiery moment between judge, defense witness in Trump hush money trial

WATCH: Defense witness Robert Costello returns to stand after dramatic testimony

In a fiery moment in court on Monday, Judge Juan Merchan reprimanded a key defense witness testifying in former President Donald Trump's hush money trial.

Robert Costello -- an attorney and longtime Trump ally -- took the stand Monday afternoon to testify about a meeting he had with Michael Cohen in April 2018 after the FBI raided Cohen's home and office.

As Merchan sustained a string of objections by the prosecution on procedural matters, Costello could be heard sighing loudly and uttering the words "ridiculous" or "jeez" from the witness stand. Less than 15 minutes into Costello's testimony, the typically even-tempered judge appeared fed up with Costello’s behavior and sent the jury out of the courtroom.

Jane Rosenberg/Reuters
Justice Juan Merchan scolds witness Robert Costello as he momentarily clears the courtroom during former U.S. President Donald Trump's criminal trial in Manhattan state court in New York City, May 20, 2024, in this courtroom sketch.

A furious Merchan then ordered all 60 reporters to clear out of the courtroom, sending the confused crowd into the hallway.

A few minutes later, both jurors and reporters were allowed back inside, and Merchan continued proceedings without addressing things with Costello any further.

Dave Sanders/Pool via Reuters
Reporters return to the courtroom after being made to briefly leave during the ongoing trial of former President Donald Trump at Manhattan Criminal Court, in New York City, May 20, 2024.

In March 2023, Costello testified before the grand jury as an exculpatory witness at the request of Trump's attorneys. He also told reporters last year that Cohen is “on the revenge tour” and cannot provide reliable testimony.

Cohen, in his testimony, accused Costello of spearheading a "pressure campaign" to keep him from flipping on Trump. (Trump has denied any wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty to the charges in the case.)