Trial reveals Michael Cohen lied and bullied for former president, admits being deeply involved in Trump ‘cult’ | US News
During his testimony in the ex-president’s trial, Michael Cohen revealed that he was deeply involved in the “cult of Donald Trump.”
Despite attempts by Trump’s defense to portray Cohen as bitter and fame-seeking, he denied being fixated on his former boss but acknowledged once having “admired him tremendously.”
Cohen is testifying about hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels in an effort to conceal an alleged 2006 sexual encounter.
Trump trial – Day 17 as it happened
While such payments are not illegal, Trump is accused of falsifying business records to cover it up – a charge he refutes.
He stated in court on Tuesday that his loyalty was the reason he continued to lie about the payment when it became public knowledge.
In 2016, he had described Trump as kind, humble, honest, and genuine.
When asked if he believed what he was saying at the time, he responded by admitting his deep involvement in the “cult of Donald Trump,” clarifying that his previous statements were genuine.
Although he confessed to missing Trump at times after he became president, the defense highlighted the numerous media appearances where Cohen mentioned him.
Michael Cohen (right) was once a fiercely loyal confidant of the ex-president. Pic: AP
Mr Cohen’s credibility came under scrutiny due to his previous admission of perjury.
The 57-year-old had been imprisoned in 2018 after pleading guilty to charges related to the hush money payment and other unrelated offenses.
He mentioned that after an FBI raid on his home in the same year, Trump reassured him through a message, saying, “I am the president of the United States, everything is going to be okay, stay tough.”
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Trump denies any involvement with Stormy Daniels and claims that Cohen acted independently in making the payment.
However, Cohen refuted this claim during earlier testimony, stating that “everything required Trump’s sign-off.”
Mr Trump, who denies the charges, faces several other trials. Pic: Reuters
‘I violated my moral compass’
Concluding his testimony on Tuesday, Mr Cohen acknowledged that he had “violated my moral compass” while working for Donald Trump.
He expressed regret for his actions, admitting to lying and bullying individuals to achieve Trump’s goals.
He shared, “I don’t regret working for the Trump Organization – as I expressed before, [those were] some very interesting, great times.”
He added, “But to maintain loyalty and fulfill his requests, I violated my moral compass, and my family suffered the consequences. That is my failure.”
Earlier in the trial, he testified about setting up a shell company to make the $130,000 hush money payment using his own funds.
Stormy Daniels has also testified in the case. AP/DeeCee Carter/MediaPunch /IPX
Prosecutors allege that Trump later refunded the money and disguised it as a legal retainer fee.
He is facing 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection with these accusations.
If found guilty, Trump, who is running against Joe Biden for the presidency in November, is unlikely to receive a prison sentence.
His other legal issues are currently plagued by delays, including allegations of retaining classified documents after leaving office and attempting to overturn the 2020 election results. He denies these accusations.
