Michael Cohen, a long-standing associate of Donald Trump, reportedly felt slighted at not receiving a prominent role in the Trump administration after the 2016 presidential election, as indicated by testimony in Trump's trial concerning hush money payments. Cohen, who has since distanced himself from Trump, is expected to play a crucial role as a prosecution witness.
Cohen is anticipated to discuss his efforts to silence Stormy Daniels, a pornographic actress who threatened to disclose a previous sexual encounter with Trump. As Trump's former personal attorney, Cohen had ambitions for high-ranking positions in the administration, such as attorney general or White House chief of staff.
During the trial, recorded conversations revealed Cohen contemplating his options post-election, including the idea of opposing Trump or writing a revealing book. Ultimately, Cohen became a vocal critic of Trump, admitting guilt to campaign finance violations for paying off Daniels to maintain her silence.
Trump, who vehemently denies any affair with Daniels or involvement in wrongdoing, faces charges of tampering with business records to hide payments to Cohen. The trial's proceedings have attracted considerable attention, with Trump's legal team challenging various aspects of the case, including a gag order that prevents Trump from publicly commenting on the trial.
Despite the sensational nature of the trial, it is regarded as less significant than other criminal cases Trump is embroiled in, such as accusations of attempting to overturn the 2020 election results and mishandling classified information. Trump maintains his innocence in these cases, and it remains uncertain if they will be resolved before the upcoming election.