Testimony links Trump to crime - The focus wasn't on Melania, but rather on the election campaign.
His former lawyer Michael Cohen (57) played a vital role in the ongoing criminal proceedings. Cohen paid $130,000 to adult film star Stormy Daniels (45) during the final stage of the 2016 election campaign to keep her quiet about her alleged sexual encounter with Trump. The indictment claims that the Republican Party leader, following the transaction, attempted to hide the repayment of the sum and modified business documents.
Cohen held importance for the prosecutors, as they relied on him to steer the case. However, he is deemed controversial owing to his own criminal record. One previous witness went as far as calling him a "jerk".
In the courtroom, the two adversaries sat just a few feet apart. When asked to recognize the defendant, Cohen responded, "He wore a blue and white tie." Trump initially gazed at him, later closing his eyes.
Cohen spoke fondly of his early experience working for Trump, feeling like "part of a big family." Nonetheless, he admitted that he fabricated information and insulted people for Trump to please him. He gathered about 30,000 contacts, earning $500,000 annually.
He then detailed a crucial meeting he had with Trump and David Pecker (72) in 2015, where the magazine proprietor stated he would monitor potential scandal stories apart from publishing favorable articles in gossip journals like the National Enquirer.
His revelations continued with an account of an extramarital affair involving Playboy model Karen McDougal (53). In the aftermath, Cohen inquired Trump about it, to which he responded, "She's truly stunning!" In the end, Pecker paid her $150,000 and covered up the story so that it would not jeopardize Trump's campaign.
Then, Cohen recorded Trump during a meeting; he wanted to establish a company to reimburse the amount to "our friend David" Pecker. When the subject of money came up, Trump responded, "What financing?"
The events took a dramatic turn when a "vault full of Trump dirt" at the National Enquirer was raised. There was a plan to transfer the scandal story rights to a new company. "Use cash," was the only instruction given by Trump. This plan was never executed.
Controversy ensued in early October 2016 during the election campaign when the "Access Hollywood Tape" featuring Trump discussing sexual assault surfaced. Following the release, Cohen alleges that Melania Trump contemplated downplaying the "grab them by the pussy" remarks as guys' locker room banter.
Without a moment's delay, the next bombshell arrived: porn star Stormy Daniels! Cohen recounted the intense negotiations between focused on the Stormy arrangement and disclosed that his client was not concerned about Melania's reaction, but rather insisted on safeguarding the campaign.
An effective achievement for the prosecution: they seek to showcase that Trump's actions were not motivated by a concern for his marriage, but rather to manipulate the election campaign. Trump's son Eric (40) quickly took to social media, insisting that Cohen's statements were "completely rehearsed."
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Source: symclub.org
