Donald Trump’s former personal “fixer,” Michael Cohen, testified on Monday that the former president predicted “a lot of women” would come forward with allegations once he announced his candidacy for president in 2016.
Cohen’s testimony marked the first day of proceedings in Trump’s trial, where he faces accusations of falsifying business records related to hush money payments made to an adult film actress. Cohen’s statements directly implicated Trump, suggesting that the payments were strategically planned in anticipation of potential scandals, told Raw Story.
Trump’s defenders argue that the hush money payments were made to protect his family and not to influence the 2016 presidential campaign. The prosecution, however, aims to demonstrate that these payments violated federal campaign finance laws by serving to benefit Trump’s candidacy.
During his testimony, Cohen recounted a conversation with Trump in which the latter acknowledged the likelihood of multiple women coming forward with claims. “You know, when this comes out,” Trump allegedly said, referring to his presidential run, “there are going to be a lot of women coming forward.”
This alleged admission from Trump seems to undermine his defense’s argument. By anticipating numerous allegations and arranging hush money payments, Trump’s actions could be interpreted as an effort to shield his campaign from damaging revelations.
Cohen’s testimony is a critical element of the prosecution’s case. It aims to link Trump’s directives directly to the payments, challenging the narrative that these transactions were purely personal and unrelated to his political ambitions. As the trial progresses, the prosecution must establish that the hush money payments constituted a deliberate attempt to circumvent campaign finance laws, thereby reinforcing the charges against Trump.
This trial not only scrutinizes the legality of Trump’s actions but also sheds light on the broader implications of using financial settlements to influence public perception during an election. Cohen’s revelations provide a window into the behind-the-scenes strategies employed during Trump’s 2016 campaign and raise questions about the ethical boundaries of political conduct.