Michael Cohen admits to secretly recording Trump before 2016 election.
Former President Trump’s former attorney, Michael Cohen, made shocking revelations during his witness testimony on Monday. According to Cohen’s testimony, he secretly recorded Trump on his iPhone on September 6, 2016, just weeks before the general election. The recording pertained to a payment from former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker to Playboy model Karen McDougal. Pecker had paid McDougal $150,000 to buy her story of an alleged affair with Trump and silence her ahead of the election.
Pecker insisted that Trump repay him, prompting Cohen to secretly record Trump on September 6 as evidence of Trump’s intention to pay Pecker back. Cohen stated that besides reassuring Pecker that he would be reimbursed, he also made the recording to ensure Pecker’s loyalty to Trump. The recording was played in court, revealing Cohen instructing Trump to establish a company for transferring information about Pecker.
Cohen argued during his testimony that Trump was aware of the payment to McDougal and agreed to pay $150,000. Trump’s comment in the recording about the amount reinforced Cohen’s claims. The recording captured Trump asking, “So what do we got to pay for this? One-fifty?” demonstrating his knowledge of the financial transaction.
The case against Trump involves allegations of falsifying business records. Prosecutors claim that Cohen paid Stormy Daniels $130,000 to silence her regarding an alleged sexual encounter with Trump. The prosecution argues that the Trump Organization reimbursed Cohen and falsely categorized the transactions as legal expenses, intending to commit or conceal additional crimes.
Trump has maintained his innocence in the case. Daniels testified about her encounter with Trump at a golf tournament in Lake Tahoe in 2006, where she claimed they had sex in his hotel room. Trump has denied these allegations. Daniels also recounted transitioning from exotic dancing to adult film acting.
Legal experts questioned the relevance of Daniels’ testimony and criticized its admission into the record. The Trump legal team attempted to secure a mistrial twice, but Judge Juan Merchan denied their requests. Senator JD Vance, a Republican from Ohio, criticized Cohen’s revelations about Trump being secretly recorded, calling it unprofessional conduct.
Vance, along with Senator Tommy Tuberville and other Republicans, held a press conference denouncing Cohen’s actions. They labeled Cohen as untrustworthy and emphasized his criminal convictions. Cohen, who has been critical of Trump since parting ways as his attorney, faced backlash for his behavior.
Despite the controversy surrounding Cohen, the legal proceedings continue. Judge Merchan instructed New York prosecutors to advise Cohen to refrain from making public comments about the case and Trump. Unlike Trump, Cohen is not under a gag order, allowing him to speak publicly about the ongoing trial.
The courtroom drama surrounding Trump’s alleged financial misconduct and Cohen’s intricate involvement has captivated spectators. As the trial unfolds, the intricate web of relationships and transactions between the key players unravels, shedding light on the complex world of high-stakes politics and legal battles.
