Former President Trump’s former attorney, Michael Cohen, testified in Trump’s “hush money” trial on Monday, revealing a recording he made in secret of Trump discussing the September 6, 2016 payment to Stormy Daniels during the lead-up to the that year’s general presidential election.
Cohen took the stand on the sixteenth day of the trial, revealing his surreptious recording which concerns the alleged payment to Daniels at the heart of the matter, as reported by Fox News and other outlets.
The recording involved a conversation about reimbursing former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker, who had paid $150,000 to former Playboy model Karen McDougal to suppress her allegations of an affair with Trump prior to the election.
Cohen testified that Pecker had pressed him to ensure that Trump would pay him back, and as proof of Trump’s plan to pay, Cohen secretly recorded Trump on September 6 of the election year.
Cohen explained that the recording served dual purposes: ensuring Pecker that he would be repaid and maintaining Pecker’s loyalty to Trump. The content of the recording was played for the jury, capturing Cohen discussing with Trump the need to establish a company to manage the transaction.
“So what do we got to pay for this? One-fifty?” Trump is heard asking in the recording.
Cohen confirmed during his testimony that Trump was aware that Pecker had bought the rights to McDougal’s story and consented to reimburse the $150,000, citing prior discussions between Trump and Pecker as the basis for Trump’s knowledge.
“He already knew based upon conversation with David, which is why he mentioned the number 150,” Cohen said.
The courtroom heard how Cohen made the recording discreetly using his iPhone while sitting across from Trump, who was unaware of being recorded at that moment.
The legal proceedings revolve around accusations of falsifying business records. Prosecutors allege that Cohen’s payment of $130,000 to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to silence her claims of an extramarital encounter with Trump was fraudulently recorded as a legal expense by the Trump Organization. The aim is to demonstrate that Trump falsified records to conceal or facilitate a crime.
Trump has entered a not guilty plea in this case.
During her testimony, Stormy Daniels recounted meeting Trump in 2006 at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe and alleged they had an encounter in Trump’s hotel room, which Trump has consistently denied. Daniels also shared insights into her entry into the p*rnography industry following her time as an exotic dancer.
Legal analysts have questioned the relevance of Daniels’ testimony to the core issues of the case. The Trump defense team has unsuccessfully sought a mistrial on two occasions, with both motions denied by Judge Juan Merchan.
Responding to this new development, Republican Ohio Senator JD Vance—who himself has a background in law and is widely considered a contender for Trump’s running mate—publicly criticized Cohen’s actions on X, expressing skepticism about the rationale behind the recording.
“Michael Cohen admitting he secretly recorded his employer. Just totally normal conduct, right? The best part is he said he did it only once and only for Trump’s benefit. A standup guy!” Vance posted, the apparent sarcasm seething through each word.
5) Michael Cohen admitting he secretly recorded his employer. Just totally normal conduct, right?
— J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) May 13, 2024
The best part is he said he did it only once and only for Trump’s benefit. A standup guy!
At an impromptu press conference with Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville in support of the former President, Vance further disparaged Cohen’s credibility, highlighting his criminal record and challenging the believability of his testimony.
“This guy is a convict and felon who admitted in his testimony that he secretly recorded his former employer, that he only did it once, allegedly, and that this was supposed to help Donald Trump. Does any reasonable, sensible person believe anything that Michael Cohen says? I don’t think that they should,” Vance said.
The attorney has recently been an outspoken critic of his former employer. Cohen made a quip about Trump’s potential future in a TikTok video, suggesting a lengthy prison term rather than a presidential term.
“Trump 2024?” Cohen said. “More like Trump 20-24 years.”
Amidst ongoing legal debates, Judge Merchan urged New York prosecutors to ensure Cohen refrains from making public comments about the case and Trump ahead of his testimony, noting that unlike Trump, Cohen is not subjected to a gag order.
