Former Trump attorney Michael Cohen is expected to take the stand Monday in the criminal trial of former President Trump, where he is expected to provide crucial testimony on an alleged hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.
Former Trump attorney Michael Cohen is poised to take the stand Monday morning in the criminal trial of former President Trump, serving as a potentially damning witness for the prosecution. Cohen is expected to provide key testimony regarding his role in arranging a $130,000 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has charged Trump with 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, alleging that he misrepresented the nature of these payments as legal fees or reimbursements. However, Trump has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Cohen, who once boasted that he would "take a bullet" for his former boss, is now expected to testify against Trump about his involvement in orchestrating the payment to Daniels. The payment was allegedly intended to keep allegations of a sexual encounter between Trump and Daniels in the early 2000s from becoming public.
Trump has consistently denied the encounter ever took place. Following the alleged incident, Trump made several payments of $35,000 to Cohen, totaling $420,000. Bragg contends that these payments were reimbursements for the hush money payment to Daniels, while Trump's defense attorneys argue they were legitimate legal fees.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Trump downplayed the accusations, stating that the payments were for legal expenses and not an attempt to falsify records. Judge Juan Merchan has imposed a gag order on Trump, prohibiting him from discussing any witnesses.
Cohen, however, is not subject to a gag order. However, Merchan has instructed prosecutors to convey to Cohen a request to refrain from making any further statements about the case or Trump.
Cohen's testimony is highly anticipated, given his close relationship with Trump and his knowledge of the events surrounding the hush money payment. Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to campaign finance violations, making false statements to Congress, and tax evasion, and was sentenced to three years in prison.
House Republicans have referred Cohen to the Justice Department for investigation, alleging that he lied to Congress during his testimony in the Letitia James case against Trump. Cohen admitted to lying under oath in February 2019, potentially jeopardizing his credibility in the current trial.
The outcome of the trial hinges on the testimony of Cohen and other witnesses, as well as the jury's interpretation of the evidence presented. Trump faces significant legal consequences if convicted, potentially including fines and imprisonment.
