During his testimony, Michael Cohen revealed that a payment series initially intended for future legal services was, in fact, a reimbursement for the funds he used in the Stormy Daniels deal. Cohen confirmed that Weisselberg informed Trump about the $420,000 payment to be made to Cohen over a span of 12 months. Cohen believed that Trump and Weisselberg had prior discussions regarding this arrangement.
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger inquired whether Trump was present when Weisselberg described the monthly payments to Cohen as akin to a retainer for legal services. Cohen disclosed that Trump had appointed him as his personal attorney around the same time.
When asked if the payments were meant for future legal services, Cohen stated that was the intended purpose. However, Hoffinger pressed further, questioning the actual nature of the payments. Cohen clarified that they were, in reality, a reimbursement of his own funds.
