In Manhattan court on Monday, Michael Cohen, former President Trump’s personal attorney, revealed that he utilized his own finances to silence former adult film actress Stormy Daniels with a $130,000 payment in 2016.
Cohen disclosed in the NY v. Trump case that he took out a line of credit on his home as the 2016 election neared its climax to facilitate the payment to Daniels, purportedly to secure a non-disclosure agreement regarding her alleged affair with Trump in 2006. Trump has vehemently denied any such affair.
According to Cohen’s testimony, he informed Trump in October 2016 that Daniels needed to be paid to prevent her from making damaging claims before Election Day. Cohen discussed funding options with Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg, who initially declined to foot the bill. Cohen testified that he eventually offered to cover the expense himself due to the urgency of the situation.
Cohen admitted he did not consult his wife about the payment, opting instead to utilize a home equity line of credit to avoid raising suspicions. He recounted informing Trump that he would be using personal funds for the payment, to which Trump reportedly responded affirmatively.
Cohen stressed that he wouldn’t have proceeded with the payment without Trump’s approval, emphasizing that “everything required Mr. Trump’s signoff.” He also acknowledged misrepresenting the purpose of a bank account opened to transfer the funds to Daniels’ attorney, labeling it as a “management consulting” account to obscure its true intent.
The payment, disguised as a “retainer,” was wired to Daniels’ attorney on October 27, 2016. NY v. Trump centers on allegations of falsifying business records, with prosecutors asserting that Cohen was reimbursed by the Trump Organization and that the payments were fraudulently recorded as legal expenses. Trump has pleaded not guilty to these charges.
Trump has derided the case as a politically motivated scheme orchestrated by the Biden administration ahead of the 2024 election. He has also touted recent polling data showing him leading in several battleground states, including Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan, Georgia, and Nevada. Additionally, Trump highlighted a recent rally in New Jersey, claiming a turnout of “over 100,000 people,” though mainstream media coverage was purportedly lacking.
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