In a dramatic courtroom scene, former President Donald Trump's one-time confidant and attorney, Michael Cohen, took the stand against him in a civil fraud trial that has captured national attention. Cohen's testimony, which detailed alleged financial misrepresentations by Trump, marked a significant moment in the ongoing legal saga surrounding the former president.
The case, brought forward by New York Attorney General Letitia James, accuses Trump of inflating his net worth by billions of dollars between 2011 and 2021 to obtain benefits such as favorable bank loans and reduced tax bills. The lawsuit is civil, not criminal, which means Trump will not face jail time regardless of the outcome.
Cohen, once a staunch defender of Trump, has since become one of his most vocal critics. On Tuesday, he testified that Trump directed him to modify financial documents to reflect a net worth that Trump had arbitrarily chosen. "I was tasked by Mr. Trump to increase the total assets based upon a number that he arbitrarily elected," Cohen said. He further explained that his responsibility, along with former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg, "was to reverse engineer the various different asset classes, increase those assets in order to achieve the number that Mr. Trump had tasked us."
As Cohen delivered this testimony, observers noted Trump's visible agitation. The former president, seated at the defense table, appeared red-faced, shaking his head in apparent disagreement. Throughout Cohen's testimony, Trump maintained a stern demeanor, often crossing his arms or leaning forward intently. Despite the tension, Cohen did not make eye contact with Trump, focusing instead on the prosecuting attorney.
The trial has seen its share of dramatic moments. During a break in testimony, Trump addressed reporters, commenting on Cohen, "Well I haven't seen him in years, and you know his record, his record is a horrible one." He added confidently, "We're not worried at all about his testimony."
Cohen's appearance in court is the culmination of a long and tumultuous relationship between the two men. Once a close ally and defender of Trump, Cohen's loyalty shifted after he pleaded guilty to federal campaign finance crimes in 2018. Since then, he has publicly labeled Trump a "con man" and has been vocal about his disapproval of the former president's actions.
The trial continues to unfold, with more witnesses expected to testify in the coming days. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for Trump, his business empire, and his political future.
