Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg faces a significant challenge in the “hush money” trial involving President Donald Trump, as doubts surrounding the credibility of key witness Michael Cohen continue to grow.
Cohen, a former personal attorney to Trump who has a tainted history of perjury, has been labeled as the star witness by the Democrats in this politically charged case. Recent reports have highlighted Cohen’s pre-trial commentary and his social media activity, including posting anti-Trump content on TikTok to solicit donations from his supporters. The emergence of Cohen’s questionable past may cast uncertainty on his testimony and impact the jury’s perception of the case.
As a pivotal figure in Bragg’s prosecution, Cohen’s involvement in the alleged conspiracy to conceal hush money payments to Stormy Daniels is crucial. While the defense maintains Trump’s innocence regarding any affair with Daniels or involvement in payments to her, the prosecution has acknowledged Cohen’s checkered past during the trial’s opening statement.
However, Bragg’s team urged the jury to approach the case with an unbiased perspective. During the trial, individuals have shared their encounters with Cohen in the past.
The witnesses have portrayed Cohen negatively, labeling him as deceitful, unpleasant, and challenging to collaborate with. Keith Davidson, the attorney for Stormy Daniels involved in the “hush money” negotiations with Cohen, mentioned that Cohen was unpredictable during phone conversations and avoided discussing payments.
“It was excuses,” said Davidson.
“It was contradictions.”
Davidson said he told Cohen:
“I don’t really believe a word that you are saying.”
Davidson further attested that Cohen expressed deep indignation and resentment over his failure to secure a position within the Trump administration. This testimony aligns with the defense’s account, portraying Cohen as intensely fixated on Trump and financially entangled in his eventual downfall.
“You cannot make a serious decision about President Trump under the lying words of Michael Cohen,” Trump’s defense lawyer told the jury.
Cohen has provided the defense team with ample material to utilize by consistently offering commentary on the case from the periphery. This includes his active presence on a TikTok channel, where he has garnered donations from viewers. The ex-lawyer of Trump has been openly supporting a conviction while employing offensive language to criticize Trump.
