Donald Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen teased surprising evidence in the Manhattan hush-money trial against the former president that is scheduled to begin Monday.
On April 15, Trump is set to become the first former president in the history of the United States to stand trial in a criminal case. Following an investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office, Trump was indicted in March 2023 on charges of falsifying business records relating to a hush-money payment made to the adult-film actress Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign. Trump, the presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee, has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has said the case is politically motivated.
Ahead of the trial, Cohen, who is expected to be a star witness for Bragg in court, sat for an interview with Politico. While Cohen remained mostly tight-lipped, he teased that the public would be shocked at what’s to come.
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During the interview, which was published on April 12, Politico’s Ryan Lizza asked Cohen, “Is this a stronger case when it comes to corroboration than people understand on the outside?”
“If it wasn’t, Alvin Bragg and his team of prosecutors would never have brought this case,” Cohen responded.
When asked if he thought the public would be surprised by some of the corroborating evidence, Cohen said, “I do.”
“In other words: We don’t know everything that’s going to be presented?” Lizza probed.
“In fact, most people don’t really know anything. They only know what the headlines have been. And as you know very, very well, headlines do not necessarily tell the story,” Cohen said.
Newsweek reached out to Trump’s spokesperson and Cohen for comment via email and text message, respectively.
Cohen spent time in prison after pleading guilty to eight criminal charges, including campaign-finance violations related to an alleged hush-money scheme involving Daniels. He has since emerged as a fierce Trump critic, often appearing on MSNBC for his perspective as a former member of Trump’s inner circle.
He also testified against the former president in his civil fraud trial. In that case, New York Judge Arthur Engoron found Trump liable for financial fraud in a lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James. In February, Engoron ordered Trump to pay $355 million, plus interest, and barred him from doing business in New York for three years.
The former president has maintained he did not engage in any wrongdoing and has appealed Engoron’s judgment.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Elaine Hadley is a dedicated journalist covering the ever-evolving landscape of U.S. news. With a keen interest in politics and a commitment to uncovering the truth, she provides insightful commentary and in-depth analysis on domestic issues. When not reporting, Elaine enjoys exploring the diverse cultures and landscapes of the United States.
