Michael Cohen, a former legal adviser to Donald Trump, is expected to testify against Trump in a criminal trial where Trump faces 34 alleged felonies. This unprecedented trial has seen 19 witnesses testify over the last three weeks, many of whom were Trump’s employees. Cohen is anticipated to testify that Trump knew and authorized a plan to represent payments as legal fees which were actually reimbursements for hush money paid to Stormy Daniels, an adult film star who claims to have had a sexual encounter with Trump before the 2016 election.
The prosecution’s first witness, David Pecker, described Trump and Cohen’s efforts to keep stories like Daniels’ under wraps, fearing it could impact Trump’s chances with voters. Defense attorneys are expected to challenge Cohen’s credibility, pointing out his guilty plea in 2018 for charges related to the Daniels payment and perjury for lying to Congress. They may also bring up Cohen’s admission to lying under oath in a separate Trump civil case, where Trump was found liable for fraud.
Defense attorneys are likely to question Cohen’s motivations, similar to how they challenged Daniels during her testimony. Cohen has been openly critical of Trump and supportive of cases against him through various platforms including books, podcasts, and social media. Lawyers may also bring up Cohen’s use of foul language when referring to Trump in the past. The defense has indicated they will closely monitor Cohen’s social media activity and are seeking to limit his discussions about the case leading up to his testimony.
A gag order is in place, preventing Trump from speaking about Cohen during the trial, after the judge found that Trump had violated the order multiple times. The trial represents a critical moment in U.S. legal history, as a former president sits at the defense table facing serious criminal charges. Cohen’s testimony is expected to be a significant turning point in the case, shedding light on Trump’s involvement in the alleged illegal activities. Defense attorneys face the challenge of discrediting Cohen’s testimony while navigating the complexities of a high-profile trial with political implications. The outcome of this trial could have far-reaching consequences for Trump, setting a precedent for accountability for high-ranking officials.
