In a significant development, Michael Cohen, one of Donald Trump’s closest legal advisers before his presidency, took the stand in his criminal trial in New York. Here’s a breakdown of the trial proceedings and key revelations.

Cohen’s Testimony: Inside Look at Trump’s “Fixer”

Michael Cohen provided jurors with insights into his decade-long tenure as Trump’s attorney and self-proclaimed “fixer.” He disclosed his role in handling discussions regarding “hush money” payments made to women alleging affairs with Trump before the 2016 election.

Charges Against Trump

Trump is facing 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records, vehemently denying allegations of sexual encounters with the women involved in the payments.

Cohen’s Central Role

Cohen emerges as a pivotal figure in the prosecution’s case against Trump, particularly concerning payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels. He personally paid Daniels $130,000 just before the election, with subsequent payments falsely labeled as legal fees.

Trump’s Alleged Intentions

During his testimony, Cohen revealed Trump’s desire to postpone the agreement with Daniels until after the election, citing potential irrelevance if he won and indifference if he lost.

Challenges to Cohen’s Credibility

Defense attorneys are anticipated to aggressively question Cohen’s credibility, citing his 2018 guilty plea to federal charges related to the Daniels payment and previous admissions of lying to Congress.

Previous Testimony

Cohen’s testimony in a prior Trump civil case, where he admitted to perjury on multiple occasions, further underscores challenges to his credibility.

Michael Cohen’s testimony in Donald Trump’s trial sheds light on the inner workings of Trump’s pre-presidential legal affairs, particularly regarding hush money payments. As the trial progresses, Cohen’s credibility remains a focal point, shaping the narrative surrounding Trump’s legal battles.