By Aaron Miller-
Trump attorney Michael Cohen (pictured)disclosed in court that then-candidate Donald Trump was willing to pay $150,000 to silence a story about a purported love child, further adding to the intricate web of scandals surrounding the former president.
Cohen’s testimony provided a glimpse into the inner workings of the Trump campaign and its efforts to suppress damaging information.
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Cohen first turned against Trump in 2019, after describing Trump as a conman who ordered him to pay porn actress Stormy Daniels
In response to a question by a prosecutor whether he had lied and bullied people on behalf of Trump, the 57-year-old told the Manhattan court: “Yes… It was what was needed in order to accomplish the task.”
According to Cohen, discussions regarding the alleged love child surfaced in fall 2015, prompting Cohen to seek guidance from Trump himself. “He told me to make sure that the story doesn’t get out – you handle it,” Cohen recounted during his testimony.
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The plan to bury the story reportedly involved a coordinated effort between Cohen, American Media Inc publisher David Pecker, and Dylan Howard of the National Enquirer.
Cohen testified that updates on the situation were relayed “immediately” to Trump, who, according to Cohen, expressed gratitude for their efforts.
During a critical moment in Cohen’s testimony, he recounted a conversation between Trump and Pecker in 2016, during which Pecker indicated that it would cost $150,000 to control the story.
Without hesitation, Trump allegedly responded, “No problem, I’ll take care of it,” indicating his willingness to foot the bill to ensure the story never saw the light of day.
Cohen’s testimony didn’t end there. He also detailed Trump’s involvement in hushing another scandal involving adult film actress Stormy Daniels, revealing Trump’s direct instructions to “just take care of it” weeks before the election.
Cohen testified that every payment, including the $130,000 to Daniels, required Trump’s sign-off, emphasizing the former president’s hands-on approach to managing potentially damaging revelations.
Trump’s purported concerns about the impact of these scandals on his marriage and his presidential campaign were also laid bare during Cohen’s testimony.
Trump reportedly expressed frustration and anxiety, particularly after the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape surfaced, in which he made derogatory remarks about women.
Throughout his testimony, Cohen painted a picture of a candidate willing to go to great lengths to protect his image and preserve his chances in the presidential race.
The revelations showed the lengths to which Trump and his inner circle allegedly went to shield him from damaging allegations, raising serious questions about ethics and legality.
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