(RepublicanNews.org) – Michael Cohen, the former attorney for former President Donald Trump who allegedly facilitated the hush money payment to Stormy Daniels, testified in the lawsuit against Trump over the incident and said he supported the former president up until a breaking point, after which he decided to turn against Trump.
On Tuesday, May 14th, Cohen testified in New York City that after ten years working with the former president, pleas from his family, and an FBI raid on his apartment, hotel room, and office, he finally decided to oppose Trump. Cohen said he “violated” his “moral compass” by doing things for Trump out of loyalty and that he and his family “suffered the penalty” for it.
Cohen had a tumultuous and complicated break with the former president that led to the attorney pleading guilty in August 2018 to federal charges related to payments made to the adult film star during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign. Cohen’s insider knowledge of the deals led NYC prosecutors to bring him on as the star witness in the trial, arguing that Trump paid Daniels to keep her quiet about an affair with her in an illegal scheme to influence the election in 2016.
Prosecutors argued that Cohen is out for revenge against his ex-boss, and showed social media posts in court where the attorney said he would like to see Trump in handcuffs and inside of a cell. They also implied Cohen was only out for fame during their cross-examination.
But the real drama played out just outside the courtroom where the former president showed up with surprise guest House Speaker Mike Johnson for a press conference. Trump once again declared the trial illegitimate, and thanked the “highly respected” surrogates supporting him and speaking out for him about what he said they believe is “the greatest scam they’ve ever seen.” Trump is the first ex-president in U.S. history to be put on trial for criminal charges.
Cohen testified that Trump was heavily involved with efforts to get on top of stories during 2016 that could impact his campaign and that the former president promised to reimburse Cohen for facilitating the $130,000 payment to Daniels, which he did from a personal bank account to the sum of almost half a million. Cohen also described how after his life was turned upside down following the 2018 FBI raid, he was briefly reassured by Trump that everything would be okay.
Despite his break with Trump, Cohen said he doesn’t regret working for the Trump Organization even if he does regret things he did for the former president.
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