Today, Michael Cohen is back on the witness stand for further cross-examination in Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial. Last week, the defense scrutinized Cohen over inconsistencies in his testimony, but the focus now shifts to a crucial document that could be the linchpin in the case.
The document in question includes handwritten notes detailing money owed by Trump to Cohen. Cohen asserts that part of this payment is reimbursement for the hush money given to Stormy Daniels. Cohen's former attorney emphasizes the significance of this document, suggesting it could be the smoking gun in the trial.
During the trial, questions arose about whether Cohen had misled the jury. The prosecution faces the task of addressing these concerns and clarifying the situation. The key issue at hand is determining whether Trump reimbursed Cohen, as opposed to paying legal fees, for the hush money transaction.
The former attorney points out that if the payments were indeed reimbursements, it would constitute a crime. He highlights the involvement of Allen Weisselberg, Trump's CFO, who allegedly wrote down figures indicating payments to Cohen. These numbers, when analyzed, do not align with legal fees but rather suggest reimbursements for illicit activities.
Regarding a phone call where Cohen informed Trump about Stormy Daniels, discrepancies emerged when text messages indicated Cohen was concerned about a prank call. While the phone call may not directly relate to the incriminating document, it could be crucial in establishing Trump's knowledge of the situation.
The former attorney stresses the importance of proving Trump's awareness of the illegal acts outlined in the document. He points to Weisselberg's proximity to Trump and the series of payments made to Cohen as evidence of potential wrongdoing.
In addressing Cohen's credibility, the former attorney suggests that memory lapses do not necessarily equate to intentional deception. He cites instances where Cohen's actions align with known facts, indicating potential forgetfulness rather than deliberate falsehoods.
As the trial progresses, the focus remains on the document detailing Trump's payments to Cohen and the implications of these transactions. The prosecution's challenge lies in connecting the dots to establish Trump's involvement in the alleged crimes.
