Former President Trump’s criminal trial, in which he faces charges related to the alleged falsification of business records to conceal a payment to Stormy Daniels, is set to resume with Michael Cohen on the stand for a third day of cross-examination by defense attorneys. Cohen, who was Trump’s lawyer and self-described “fixer,” is a key witness in the trial. So far, Cohen has testified that he made a $130,000 payment to Daniels to prevent a negative story from coming out before the 2016 election. He claims he was reimbursed for this payment by Trump and that Trump knew the details of the reimbursement.
During the cross-examination by Trump’s defense attorney, Todd Blanche, Cohen admitted to lying under oath in the past, including about speaking to Trump regarding the Daniels payment. Blanche highlighted Cohen’s history of lying, including about a Trump Tower Moscow project, and pressed him on various inconsistencies in his testimony. Cohen also conceded that he felt some of the federal charges against him in 2018, including tax evasion, were unfair, but he pleaded guilty to protect his family. Blanche brought up a non-disclosure agreement signed by Daniels in 2016, which Cohen confirmed was lawful, although Trump did not sign it.
Blanche’s questioning also led Cohen to admit that he believed he had influenced Trump’s indictment last year and that he had hoped Trump would end up in prison. Cohen confessed that he had ambitions to be considered for a top role in the Trump administration for “ego purposes.” The defense is expected to wrap up cross-examination soon, with less than an hour of redirect questioning of Cohen by the prosecution remaining. The defense is also considering calling other witnesses to the stand as the trial progresses. There is uncertainty about whether Trump will testify in his own defense.
In the trial, it must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump falsified business records to conceal the payment to Daniels in the lead-up to the election. Trump maintains his innocence, stating that he did not violate any laws and calling the trial a scam. Cohen has been portrayed as the “star witness” for the prosecution, providing crucial testimony against Trump. He has detailed how he made the payment to Daniels at Trump’s behest and was reimbursed for it. The defense has worked to undermine Cohen’s credibility by pointing out his history of lying under oath.
Throughout the trial, Cohen has testified about his involvement in the payment to Daniels, including using a home equity line of credit to make the payment and being reimbursed by Trump through false descriptions on checks. He also admitted to sending statements to reporters denying Trump’s involvement in the payment, even though Trump never signed the non-disclosure agreement with Daniels. Cohen’s credibility as a witness has been called into question by the defense, who have highlighted his past lies and inconsistencies in his testimony. The trial continues with Cohen still on the stand for cross-examination.
