Trump’s defense team fails to rattle Michael Cohen during cross-examination in hush money trial

MSNBC2 minutes read

Michael Cohen testified about Donald Trump's criminal scheme to hide hush money payments before the 2016 election, describing Trump as a mob boss and detailing his loyalty and eventual break from Trump after over a decade of service. Cohen recounted being assured payment for Stormy Daniels' hush money in the Oval Office, leading to felony charges against Trump, and mentioned pressure from Trump's team to stay loyal despite ultimately pleading guilty in August 2018.

Insights

  • Michael Cohen testified about Trump's criminal scheme to conceal hush money payments before the 2016 election, portraying Trump as a mob boss who used various tactics to ensure loyalty and silence.
  • Cohen's detailed account of his prison sentence, break from Trump, and the pressure he faced from Trump's team to remain loyal and silent sheds light on the complex and manipulative dynamics within Trump's inner circle, culminating in Cohen's decision to plead guilty and distance himself from Trump.

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Recent questions

  • What did Michael Cohen testify about?

    Cohen testified about Trump's alleged criminal scheme.

  • How did Michael Cohen describe his relationship with Trump?

    Cohen described Trump as operating like a mob boss.

  • What led to Michael Cohen's prison sentence?

    Cohen's involvement in hush money payments led to his prison sentence.

  • How did Michael Cohen describe the FBI raid in 2018?

    Cohen mentioned the FBI raid and Trump's reassurance.

  • Why did Michael Cohen ultimately plead guilty?

    Cohen pleaded guilty, stating he would no longer lie for Trump.

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Summary

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Cohen Testifies: Trump's Criminal Scheme Exposed

  • Michael Cohen, former fixer for Donald Trump, testified about Trump's alleged criminal scheme to hide hush money payments before the 2016 election.
  • Cohen described Trump as operating like a mob boss, using back channels to ensure Cohen's loyalty and silence.
  • Cohen detailed his prison sentence and eventual break from Trump, whom he served for over a decade.
  • Cohen faced cross-examination, answering questions from Trump's attorney Todd Blanche.
  • Cohen recounted meeting Trump in the Oval Office and being assured of payment for Stormy Daniels' hush money.
  • Cohen described being reimbursed for the payments through multiple checks and invoices, forming the basis of felony charges against Trump.
  • Cohen mentioned the FBI raid in 2018 and Trump's reassurance that everything would be okay, despite Cohen's concerns.
  • Cohen revealed pressure from Trump's team to stay loyal and not cooperate, including through a back channel linked to Rudy Giuliani.
  • Cohen ultimately pleaded guilty in August 2018, stating he would no longer lie for Trump and expressing regret for his actions.
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