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From the outset of the trial regarding former President Donald Trump's New York criminal hush money case, prosecutors have steadily presented evidence laying the groundwork for Michael Cohen's anticipated testimony, despite his status as a convicted liar. Cohen, slated to testify soon, could play a pivotal role in linking Trump to the 34 felony charges he faces, including allegations of tampering with the 2016 election by falsifying business records. Cohen has stated that Trump authorized him to pay $130,000 to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged affair, recounting a discussion at the White House about reimbursement. The charges also involve allegedly falsified payments made to Cohen in 2017.
However, Cohen's background as a disbarred attorney who pleaded guilty in 2018 to lying to Congress and other crimes makes him a witness with inherent credibility issues. It is expected that Trump's defense will seek to portray Cohen, who frequently criticizes Trump in the media, as biased. To counter this, prosecutors have laid a foundation to address Cohen's vulnerabilities, including presenting testimony and evidence, including Trump's own statements, to the jury prior to his testimony.
One key aspect of Cohen's expected testimony involves a meeting at Trump Tower in August 2015 with Trump and David Pecker, then head of the National Enquirer's parent company. Prosecutors allege that at this meeting, Pecker agreed to inform Cohen of any negative stories about Trump before publication, allowing the Trump campaign to purchase the stories and prevent their release, a practice known as a "catch-and-kill" scheme.
Another crucial element is a meeting in January 2017 between Cohen and Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg, where they discussed reimbursing Cohen for the hush money payment to Daniels. Weisselberg, currently incarcerated for perjury in a separate case involving Trump, is expected to invoke his constitutional right against self-incrimination if called to testify, leaving Cohen as the main witness regarding this meeting.
Cohen is expected to testify about submitting false invoices to Trump to receive reimbursement, including checks he received from Trump. Prosecutors have already presented evidence of these invoices and checks to the jury. Additionally, they have introduced an image of Cohen at the White House and an email confirming a meeting with Trump, both from 2017.
Despite the challenges posed by Cohen's credibility, prosecutors have diligently prepared to present his testimony in a manner that addresses potential biases and credibility issues, ensuring the jury is equipped to evaluate his statements.