Former lawyer and fixer for Donald Trump, Michael Cohen, responded to his ex-client's attacks and claims during closing arguments in his civil fraud trial. Trump had ranted about Cohen's credibility as a witness and suggested that he had recanted his previous testimony. Cohen dismissed Trump's comments as fabrications and attempts to deflect attention from his own legal troubles.
Cohen pointed out that Trump has a long history of making things up and that the former president's erratic behavior indicated his nervousness about the impending consequences of his actions. Cohen emphasized that the truth remains unchanged: Trump owes a substantial debt, and he lacks the resources to fulfill his financial obligations.
Addressing Trump's assertion that Cohen had recanted his testimony, Cohen categorically denied such a claim. He clarified that during his time on the witness stand, he did not retract any of the statements he had previously made. Cohen highlighted a specific question about whether Trump had instructed him to inflate numbers, to which Cohen responded that Trump did not explicitly give such instructions. However, Cohen stressed that Trump's manner of communication often resembled that of a mob boss, with unspoken expectations and implicit understandings.
Cohen further addressed his guilty plea for lying to Congress, acknowledging that he had misled them about the number of times he had spoken to Trump regarding the Trump Tower Moscow project. He explained that he had initially agreed to state the number as three per Trump's request, even though the actual number was ten. Cohen defended this discrepancy as a minor issue of little consequence.
Regarding the citation error involving an AI tool, Cohen admitted to using Google's BARD system due to the absence of legal research tools like Westlaw or LexisNexis. He acknowledged that the AI had produced some incorrect citations but highlighted that his team had promptly discovered the mistake and informed the judge before it became an issue. Cohen confirmed that accurate citations were subsequently submitted to the court.
Cohen concluded his response by asserting that these matters would not have a significant impact on his overall credibility as a witness. He expressed confidence in his eligibility to testify before the Manhattan District Attorney's office or any other trial where his testimony may be required.
As the civil fraud trial against Donald Trump progresses, Cohen's rebuttal provides insight into his perspective on the allegations and his determination to defend his own integrity. However, the ultimate verdict and the implications for Trump's legacy remain uncertain.
