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Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s star witness took the stand on Monday during the hush money trial of President Trump.
Michael Cohen, who was a lawyer for then-presidential candidate Trump during the 2016 election, is expected to recount “his role in arranging hush money payments on Trump’s behalf during his first presidential campaign,” according to The Hill.
Live updates from the New York Times show that prosecutors are attempting to build up Cohen’s character by having him describe the work environment at the Trump Organization. Additionally, they are pressing Cohen on Trump’s alleged sensitivity to negative reporting. NYT journalists wrote that Cohen’s responses were “very sincere,” such as when he said that working for President Trump was “an amazing experience.”
Prosecutors know that the defense is planning to play hardball with Cohen during the cross-examination. During opening statements, Trump’s team of lawyers labeled Cohen as an “admitted liar,” who had an “obsession to get President Trump.”
Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison after he pleaded guilty to campaign finance charges related to the hush money payments and other crimes. He also admitted that he lied during testimony before Congress, which could influence the jury’s decision on whether to believe anything he says while on the stand.
Just last week, Cohen appeared “in a live TikTok wearing a shirt featuring a figure resembling Trump with his hands cuffed, behind bars,” according to The Hill. Last Friday, the judge warned prosecutors to encourage Cohen to stop behavior that could influence the case.
The defense plans to show the jury that Cohen is seeking vengeance against President Trump. Defense attorney Todd Blanche told the jury during opening statements that Cohen has “talked extensively about his desire to see President Trump go to prison,” according to The Hill.
President Trump spoke to the press before the trial resumed this morning. He told reporters, “This all comes from Biden and the White House.” He remarked on Biden’s mental and physical condition, stating, “The only way they think they can win is if they can do something with Trump.”