Former Trump attorney Michael Cohen faced questioning from Trump lawyer Todd Blanche during his testimony at Manhattan Criminal Court, where he was portrayed as “obsessed” with former President Donald Trump. Cohen, the star witness in the hush money case, detailed his previous loyalty to Trump, the payment to Stormy Daniels, and the reimbursement he allegedly received. The defense began their cross-examination of Cohen on Tuesday, challenging his admiration for Trump and his actions while working for him.
Cohen has a long history with Trump dating back to 2006 when they were introduced by Don Jr. Cohen became a self-described “fixer” for Trump, going to great lengths to show allegiance to his boss, including making the hush money payment that is central to the case. When asked if he enjoyed working for Trump, Cohen responded positively and admitted to reading The Art of the Deal twice. Despite later regretting some of his actions, Cohen expressed positive feelings towards his time working for Trump but acknowledged violating his moral compass.
During the cross-examination by Blanche, Cohen’s previous comments praising Trump were brought up, with Cohen attributing them to being “knee-deep into the cult of Donald Trump” at the time. The defense attorney challenged Cohen’s statements about Trump being “generous” and “compassionate,” questioning the truth of those remarks. Cohen admitted to making those statements based on how he felt at the time, indicating his loyalty to Trump and willingness to do what was asked of him.
Blanche confronted Cohen about a comment he made referring to him as a “crying little s***,” which Cohen acknowledged as something he would say. Throughout the cross-examination, Cohen presented an aloof demeanor and gave evasive answers, frustrating Blanche with his use of “probably” before his responses. The two men sparred over semantics as Blanche questioned Cohen’s confidence in his own answers, highlighting the tense atmosphere during the questioning.
Cohen will continue his cross-examination on Thursday as the trial resumes, with Blanche seeking to further challenge his loyalty to Trump and the motivations behind his actions. The testimony from Cohen sheds light on the complex relationship between the former attorney and the former president, revealing the extent of Cohen’s dedication to Trump and the consequences he faced for his loyalty. The trial continues to unfold, offering insights into the inner workings of Trump’s inner circle and the legal battles he faces.
