Michael Cohen, a key witness in former President Trump’s criminal trial, testified in court with high-profile GOP allies showing support for Trump. House Speaker Mike Johnson, along with other Republican politicians and entrepreneurs, attended the trial to back Trump. They emphasized that they were there to support their friend, President Trump, and were not part of any coordinated campaign effort. The trial revolves around allegations that Trump falsified business records related to a payment made to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Trump has pleaded not guilty and denies any wrongdoing.
Cohen testified that he was reimbursed $420,000 for the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels, with the former Trump Organization CFO suggesting he “gross up” the payments. He claimed that Trump was aware of the reimbursement plan. Trump, due to a gag order, has been unable to comment on witnesses or court staff. The Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court recently denied Trump’s appeal of the gag order, arguing that it infringed on his First Amendment rights. Cohen was presented with 11 checks totaling $420,000 by the prosecution, confirming receipt and deposit of the funds.
During cross-examination, Cohen admitted to previously lying to Congress and the country about Trump and hiding information from the public during the 2016 election. In 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations, making false statements to Congress, and tax evasion, resulting in a three-year prison sentence. Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, questioned Cohen’s credibility due to his past negative statements about Trump made online and in the media. Cohen agreed that he had made numerous appearances discussing Trump and admitted to admiration for him, but denied being obsessed.
Cohen also disclosed meeting with former New York prosecutor Mark Pomerantz in 2021, who later resigned when Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg took over the investigation into Trump. Cohen hoped that his cooperation with the DA’s office would lead to a reduction in his sentence but did not receive public acknowledgment for his assistance. Blanche intends to continue his cross-examination of Cohen in court on Thursday after Cohen’s testimony. The prosecution has indicated that Cohen will be their final witness. The trial has attracted significant attention from Trump’s allies, who believe that Cohen’s history of dishonesty undermines his testimony and view the case as politically motivated rather than seeking justice.
