Donald J. Trump has always had a close relationship with his lawyer, Michael D. Cohen, who acted as a fixer for him, handling sensitive matters and cleaning up messes. However, Cohen is now set to testify as a key witness in Trump’s criminal trial, where he is expected to reveal secrets that could damage Trump. Cohen has spent time in prison for his involvement in paying hush money to a porn star at Trump’s direction, and is now seeking redemption by testifying against his former boss. Prosecutors have little control over Cohen, who has taunted Trump throughout the trial, and are relying on him to provide crucial evidence.
Cohen’s role in Trump’s life evolved from being an obscure operator to becoming a key player in American politics. Despite his unpredictable behavior, Cohen is expected to provide firsthand accounts of his interactions with Trump, including the hush-money payment and the falsification of records. Trump denies any involvement in falsifying records and claims he never had a sexual encounter with the porn star. Cohen’s testimony could play out like a thriller, as he portrays himself as a consigliere turned state’s evidence, seeking to right the wrongs he committed at Trump’s behest. Trump’s defense team is expected to attack Cohen’s credibility and paint him as a scorned underling seeking revenge.
Cohen’s relationship with Trump was defined by abuse and subservience, but it imploded after the hush-money deal came to light and Cohen vowed to cooperate with prosecutors. Since then, Cohen and Trump have engaged in public combat, with Cohen portraying Trump as a mob boss and Trump calling Cohen a rat. Cohen’s notoriety as a Trump nemesis has taken a personal toll on him, leaving him anguished and fearful for his safety. However, he has pledged to testify truthfully and cooperate with prosecutors.
Despite initially defending Cohen after the FBI raided his properties, Trump distanced himself and stopped paying Cohen’s legal bills when the extent of the investigation became clear. Cohen ultimately pleaded guilty to federal charges and accused Trump of directing the hush-money payment. Even though he was released on furlough during the pandemic, Cohen was sent back to prison after refusing to sign paperwork barring him from publishing a book. His friends say he remains tortured by his past actions and desires to work with Trump again.
During his testimony at Trump’s civil fraud trial, Cohen faced challenges to his credibility from Trump’s defense team. Despite being found credible by the judge, his unpredictability on the stand poses a challenge for prosecutors in Trump’s criminal case. They have sought to corroborate Cohen’s story by introducing evidence supporting his claims, including witness testimony and recordings of Trump praising Cohen’s legal talents. The trial continues to be a high-stakes battle between Trump and Cohen, with the outcome potentially impacting both of their futures.
