Michael Cohen, former fixer for Donald Trump, admitted to stealing money from Trump's company, characterizing it as a form of "self-help" during his testimony on Monday. This revelation, made under questioning from Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche, raises questions about Cohen's credibility as a key witness in Trump's hush money trial.
Cohen confessed to the theft, acknowledging that he included reimbursement to a technology company in his bonus package from the Trump Organization and then pocketed most of the money. When Blanche directly asked if he had stolen from the organization, Cohen simply answered, "Yes, sir."
The specifics of the theft involved Cohen paying approximately $20,000 of the $50,000 owed to the tech company in cash, delivering it in a brown paper bag at his office. He retained the remaining sum for himself. The Trump Organization reimbursed Cohen a total of $100,000 for this payment.
During his testimony, Cohen explained that he felt justified in stealing the money because he was upset about his annual bonus being reduced after he had fronted $130,000 of his own money to silence porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. He described it as a form of "self-help."
As Cohen is the final and pivotal witness for New York prosecutors in their case against Trump, his credibility is crucial. However, his status as a convicted felon and admitted liar complicates his reliability as a witness. While prosecutors have supported his testimony with documentary evidence, Trump's legal team has worked to undermine Cohen's credibility through cross-examination.
The trial is expected to conclude Cohen's testimony on Monday, after which Trump's defense will present their evidence and witnesses. It remains uncertain whether Trump himself will take the witness stand. While he initially expressed a willingness to testify, his lawyer indicated last week that it was no longer certain.
Regardless of whether Trump testifies, the trial is progressing toward its closing arguments, expected to take place next week, followed by jury deliberations. The trial marks the first time a former U.S. president faces a criminal trial and has garnered significant attention amidst Trump's aspirations for political resurgence and his multiple legal challenges.
