Michael Cohen is the star witness in former President Trump’s criminal trial where he is charged with falsifying business records related to a payment to Stormy Daniels. Cohen, who once vowed to “take a bullet” for Trump, testified that he arranged the hush-money payment to Daniels in an effort to keep her allegations of a sexual encounter with Trump from becoming public before the 2016 presidential election. Despite previously being a loyal employee, Cohen testified against Trump and detailed his role in the payment and cover-up that ensued.
Cohen described his role as a “fixer” for Trump and how he often lied to keep his boss happy. He recounted a conversation with Trump where he was told to “take care of” Daniels and expressed Trump’s disappointment when the situation with Daniels became public. Cohen worked with Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg to find funds for the payment to Daniels and ultimately used his own personal funds to front the $130,000 payment. Cohen detailed how he falsified the purpose of a bank account to transfer the funds to Daniels and obtained Trump’s approval before proceeding with the payment.
In addition to the payment to Daniels, Cohen also testified about secretly recording conversations with Trump without his permission, including a conversation about a payment to former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker to silence ex-Playboy model Karen McDougal’s claims of an affair with Trump. Cohen played a recording for the jury where Trump discussed the payment to Pecker and acknowledged a $150,000 payment. Cohen explained that he recorded the conversation to ensure Pecker’s loyalty to Trump and to show that Trump agreed to the payment.
During his testimony, Cohen also discussed turning down a role as chief of staff in the White House but having his name included for consideration. He ultimately became Trump’s personal attorney before the inauguration. Cohen testified about his interactions with Trump leading up to his role as personal attorney and his efforts to handle outstanding legal matters for the president. Despite once being a loyal ally to Trump, Cohen has now testified against him and is providing crucial evidence in the ongoing criminal trial against the former president.
Prosecutors led the questioning of Cohen in court, focusing on his role in arranging the payment to Stormy Daniels and his interactions with Trump regarding the cover-up. Cohen detailed his conversations with Weisselberg, his decision to use personal funds for the payment, and his efforts to keep Trump informed throughout the process. He also discussed the necessity of obtaining Trump’s approval for the payment and his collaboration with Weisselberg to ensure that he would be repaid for fronting the funds. Cohen’s testimony sheds light on the inner workings of Trump’s organization and the lengths to which he and his associates went to protect the former president.
