In a dramatic courtroom showdown in Manhattan, Michael Cohen, former attorney to Donald Trump, took the stand to testify against his former boss, detailing his years of service and the alleged unethical practices he engaged in at Trump’s behest.
Cohen, once a loyal confidant who famously stated he would “take a bullet” for Trump, calmly recounted his tenure working for the former president. He described his initial eagerness to please Trump, stating, “The only thing that was on my mind was to accomplish the task, to make him happy.”
His testimony centered around charges of falsifying business records, specifically relating to a hush-money payment Cohen claims he made to adult-film star Stormy Daniels on behalf of Trump. Throughout the proceedings, Trump, who has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and Cohen exchanged fiery insults on social media, but in the courtroom, they avoided direct interaction.
Cohen, the son of a Holocaust survivor, reluctantly pursued a career in law, eventually finding himself in Trump’s employ in 2007 as special counsel, a position he held for a decade. He described the role as coveted and detailed Trump’s meticulous oversight of all matters concerning him, asserting that “Everything required Mr. Trump’s sign-off.”
However, Cohen also revealed the darker side of his tenure, alleging that unethical practices were sometimes required, including lying on Trump’s behalf. He admitted to facilitating catch-and-kill schemes, purchasing women’s stories of alleged sexual encounters with Trump to prevent their publication, all in an effort to protect Trump’s image, particularly during his presidential campaign in 2015.
These revelations, along with Cohen’s guilty plea to federal charges in 2018 related to lying to Congress and campaign finance violations, ultimately led to his incarceration. Emerging from three years of prison and house arrest, Cohen has become a vocal critic of the former president.
As Cohen’s testimony unfolds, it offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of Trump’s inner circle and raises questions about the extent of Trump’s involvement in the alleged illicit activities. The trial continues to captivate attention as one of the most consequential legal battles involving a former U.S. president.