Michael Cohen, a central figure in the legal proceedings against former President Donald Trump, has admitted to having a financial interest in the trial’s outcome.
Speaking during the trial, Cohen mentioned that he discusses the case on his podcast and on TikTok, which generates revenue for him.
He stated that the result of the trial—whether Trump is found guilty or not—would not influence his conversations about it, even though he believes that if Trump is found not guilty, it will improve his material because it will provide him with more content to discuss in the future.
Cohen also testified that he helped pitch a TV show about his life called “The Fixer,” is considering a run for Congress, and may write a third book.
He stated, “Whether Mr.
Trump is ultimately determined innocent or guilty is not going to affect whether I speak about it or not.” “It’s better if he’s not (found guilty), for me, because it gives me more to talk about in the future.
Throughout the trial, Cohen has faced doubts about his credibility as defense attorneys have pointed out his prior thefts from the Trump Organization and his allegiance-based lying.
Attorney Todd Blanche pressed Cohen on whether it would benefit him financially if Trump is found guilty.
Cohen responded by saying, “It’s better if he’s not, for me, because it gives me more to talk about in the future.
During the trial, Blanche confirmed with Cohen that he had a desire for revenge against Trump and had once said, “revenge is best served cold.” Cohen confirmed that he meant it when he said it on his podcast and again in court.
At another point during the trial, Cohen confessed to stealing $60,000 from Trump, claiming it was a form of “self-help” after Trump slashed his bonus to $50,000 from the previous $150,000 he had received.
Cohen also testified that he lied to a CNBC poll of well-known business titans, claiming at a pivotal mid-January 2017 meeting at Trump Tower that he needed to be reimbursed $50,000 for fronting money to a tech company called Red Finch that created fictitious online accounts to help his billionaire boss rise the rankings.
Cohen acknowledged, though, that he only gave the company $20,000, giving the CEO of Red Finch cash in a brown paper bag after Trump “refused” to provide the company with the entire sum because he had only moved up to ninth in the poll.
The hush money payout to Daniels was combined with the abovementioned amount, effectively doubling it.
The $130,000 reimbursement from the Trump Organization to Cohen was considered a tax-free reimbursement for him.
When asked if he had paid back the Trump Organization the money he stole from them, Cohen replied, “No.
Cohen claimed that although he reported the theft to “multiple” Manhattan District Attorney’s Office prosecutors, he was never charged.