Michael Cohen, once declaring he’d protect Donald Trump at any cost, is now the prosecution’s key figure in the former president’s hush money trial.
However, while Cohen is set to provide jurors with an insider’s account of the core dealings in the case, he presents challenges as a star witness.
His complicated history with Trump, whom he served as personal lawyer until facing federal scrutiny, resulted in Cohen’s own convictions and prison time, though Trump faced no charges while in office.
Expected to testify starting Monday, Cohen will address the jury from the perspective of someone who has admitted his wrongdoing and served time for it. Yet, jurors will also hear that Cohen pleaded guilty to lying to Congress and a bank, and even admitted to falsehoods under oath.
Donald Trump gestures to the media (Via Hannah Quinn/Shutterstock)
Adding to the complexity is Cohen’s new role as a vocal critic of Trump through his podcast, books, and social media.
As the trial commenced, prosecutors emphasized Cohen as just one piece of their evidence against Trump, promising corroboration through other witnesses, documents, and recordings of the ex-president himself.
Meanwhile, Trump’s defense team portrays Cohen as an unreliable witness, highlighting his past lies and criminal record.
Richard Serafini, a former prosecutor and criminal defense lawyer, noted that the defense strategy will likely focus on discrediting Cohen due to his history of lying and his contentious relationship with Trump.
