Former president Donald Trump appeared unable to look his former-fixer-now-chief-antagonist Micheal Cohen in the eye as he identified him in court Monday morning.
The ex-lawyer had been asked by prosecutors to identify the former president by his clothing, saying "He’s wearing a blue and white tie." Trump went far to avoid making eye contact with his former fixer—even shutting his eyes at one point while Cohen finished his testimony.
Out of the total 19 witnesses called by prosecutors, Cohen is by far the most important given his close ties to Trump, which can result in a damning disposition. Additionally, the former fixer's appearance in the court this morning could signal the trial is in its home stretch after five eventful weeks.
Donald Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Cohen is set to testify about his hand in arranging the infamous hush-money payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels, among others, on Trump's behalf amid his 2016 presidential campaign. Prosecutors said Daniels received $130,000 on the caveat she not disclose her sexual encounter with Trump in a hotel suite about 10 years ago.
Cohen had a key role in the bribery: He made the payment to Daniels on Trump's direction; met with the former president in the Oval Office in 2017 where he was reimbursed and finally worked with Trump to falsify records to make the payment look like an ordinary business expense.
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The defense has taken every opportunity to attack Cohen and his credibility. Trump has made numerous comments about Cohen's criminal history, he spent about a year in prison over federal crimes that he pleaded guilty to in 2018. However, some charges were in relation to the hush-money scandal.
Cohen pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2018, including tax evasion (AP)Additionally, the former lawyer tends to go on long, unprompted tirades, especially when he is speaking about his former boss—whom he once fervently referred to as "Mr. Trump." Trump's defense has also pointed to the ex-fixer's apparent desire for revenge against his former boss who he believes threw him under the bus in 2018.
Cohen has appeared on a few TV programs and wrote two books centered on his past with the former president. The ex-Trump ally may be the prosecution's star witness but he comes with considerable risks given his checkered past and apparent ill-intent. According to Trump's defense, Cohen is an "admitted liar" who possesses an "obsession to get president Trump."
However, if the jury finds Cohen's testimony sufficient it could spell trouble for the likely Republican presidential candidate. He will be questioned by veteran prosecutor Susan Hoffinger, whose been prepping the ex-fixer for his testimony since last year. Later, Cohen will be cross-examined by Trump's lead attorney Todd Blanche.
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