Trump’s lawyer testifies he paid Stormy Daniels with his money.

Michael Cohen, the former personal attorney for President Trump, testified in a Manhattan court that he used his own funds to pay $130,000 to a former pornographic actress to silence her claims of an alleged affair with the president. Cohen’s testimony shed light on the events that transpired during the 2016 election leading up to the payment to Stormy Daniels for a non-disclosure agreement.

As the 2016 election approached, Cohen testified that he took out a line of credit on his home to secure the funds needed to pay Daniels. The urgency behind the payment stemmed from the looming Election Day and the potential fallout if Daniels’ claims were not addressed. Daniels alleged that she had an affair with Trump in 2006, a claim that the president vehemently denied.

Cohen recounted how he informed Trump about the necessity of the payment to Daniels, stressing the potential damage to Trump’s reputation and campaign if the matter was not resolved before the election. Despite initial reluctance from the Trump Organization CFO to foot the bill, Cohen ultimately decided to use his personal funds to cover the payment in order to protect his boss and the campaign.

Throughout his testimony, Cohen emphasized that he would not have proceeded with the payment without Trump’s approval, highlighting the need for the president’s signoff on the matter. He also mentioned his attempt to recoup the funds, as Weisselberg assured him that they would ensure he was paid back for fronting the payment to Daniels.

Cohen detailed how he set up a bank account with a misleading description to transfer the funds to Daniels’ attorney, Keith Davidson, disguising the purpose of the account to avoid scrutiny from the bank. The $130,000 payment was marked as a “retainer,” although its true intent was to execute the NDA and secure exclusive rights to Daniels’ claims.

The NY v. Trump case centers on allegations of falsifying business records, with prosecutors contending that Cohen’s payment to Daniels was reimbursed by the Trump Organization and falsely recorded as legal expenses. The prosecution aims to prove that Trump engaged in fraudulent practices to conceal or commit additional crimes related to the payment.

Trump has denied the charges against him, decrying the case as a political ploy orchestrated by the Biden administration ahead of the 2024 election. He has maintained his innocence and claimed to be leading in battleground states, citing a recent poll from The New York Times that purportedly shows him ahead in crucial swing states.

Following his court appearance, Trump boasted about the massive rally he held in New Jersey over the weekend, where he claimed over 100,000 attendees gathered to support him. Despite criticism from the mainstream media, Trump asserted that his strong showing in New Jersey and other states indicated widespread popularity and support for his leadership.

As the NY v. Trump trial continues to unfold, the public remains divided on the implications of Cohen’s testimony and the broader implications for the former president. The showdown in court is poised to shape the narrative surrounding Trump’s time in office and his legal battles as he navigates the challenges of post-presidential life.