The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial, Michael Cohen, is set to take the stand Monday, potentially shaping the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president. Cohen, Trump's former lawyer and fixer, is a key witness for the Manhattan district attorney, expected to testify about arranging hush money payments during Trump's first presidential campaign.
Cohen's testimony includes details about payments made to porn actor Stormy Daniels to prevent her from disclosing a past encounter with Trump. The reimbursements Cohen received form the basis of the charges against Trump, alleging falsifying business records to conceal the payments' true purpose.
Defense lawyers plan to cross-examine Cohen, labeling him as an “admitted liar” with an “obsession to get President Trump.” Cohen's intimate knowledge of Trump's activities could increase legal exposure for Trump if deemed credible by jurors.
The deteriorating relationship between Cohen and Trump, once close, is evident as Cohen turned against Trump, pleading guilty to federal charges related to the payments and lying to Congress. Prosecutors aim to present Cohen's past crimes openly to counter defense strategies.
Witnesses like former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker and former Trump adviser Hope Hicks have testified about Cohen's role in suppressing damaging stories during Trump's 2016 campaign. An audio recording of Trump and Cohen discussing a plan to purchase rights to a story involving a Playboy model was also presented.
Trump, at a recent rally, criticized the case, wrongly attributing it to President Joe Biden. However, the case was filed by local prosecutors in Manhattan, independent of the White House or Justice Department. The Justice Department clarified that the White House had no involvement in the criminal cases against Trump.
