Donald Trump’s legal team worked vigorously on Tuesday to discredit the primary witness in the former president’s ongoing trial regarding hush-money payments, Michael Cohen.
During cross-examination, Trump’s attorney portrayed Cohen as harboring a personal grudge against his former employer, with Trump showing little reaction throughout the proceedings.
Cohen, who remained composed during the legal proceedings, expressed his desire for Trump to be found guilty of fraud in the case.
Testifying for the second day, Cohen was called upon by prosecutors to recount the $130,000 hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election, allegedly to suppress her account of an encounter with Trump.
Facing 34 counts of business fraud for allegedly disguising reimbursements to Cohen as legal expenses, Trump maintains his innocence, denying both the charges and any sexual involvement with Daniels.
During cross-examination, Trump’s lawyer, Todd Blanche, bluntly questioned Cohen’s motives, highlighting his previous guilty pleas and portraying him as driven by animosity and a thirst for attention.
Blanche referenced Cohen’s extensive social media activity, podcasts, and media appearances critical of Trump, aiming to undermine Cohen’s credibility.
While Blanche did not address some of the most damaging aspects of Cohen’s testimony, including Trump’s alleged involvement in the reimbursement plan, Cohen remained composed under scrutiny.
Despite Cohen’s contentious nature, Jeffrey Levine, Cohen’s attorney, noted his client’s credible demeanor throughout the proceedings.
Prosecutors took a calculated risk in calling Cohen, considering his criminal record and online activity, but deemed his firsthand involvement in the payment crucial for their case, particularly in establishing potential election interference.
In a pivotal moment, Cohen admitted to making the payment to protect Trump’s presidential prospects, implicating Trump in the process.
Cohen acknowledged straying from his moral compass to fulfill Trump’s wishes, despite initially feeling reassured by Trump’s support during the FBI raid.
However, Cohen ultimately chose to cease his loyalty to Trump, opting against further dishonesty in the face of a federal investigation.
Following the day’s proceedings, Trump expressed satisfaction with his legal team’s performance and criticized the constraints imposed by a gag order.
Several Republican figures, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, attended the trial, indicating the political significance surrounding the case.
As prosecutors hinted at concluding their witness testimony with Cohen, the possibility of Trump taking the stand remains uncertain.
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