Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen continues testimony in 'hush money' trial: 'I compromised my moral compass'

Continuing his testimony in the "hush money" trial against former US President Donald Trump, Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen said, "I regret doing things I shouldn't have done, like lying for Trump and bullying people for a cause."

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Trump's former lawyer Michael Cohen continues testimony in 'hush money' trial: 'I compromised my moral compass'

The trial of former US President Donald Trump, who is accused of paying "hush money" to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election, continued at the Manhattan Criminal Court in New York.

In today's hearing, the court continued the cross-examination of Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer, who was also known as his right-hand man at the time.

Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche reminded Cohen that he had described himself as a "fixer" in two books he wrote about his client, and asked, "Were you fixing the things you broke?" Cohen replied, "No."

Responding to questions about the two books he wrote about Trump, Cohen stated that he earned 3.4 million dollars from the publications.

When asked by Blanche, "Would it be fair to say that fame motivated you?", Cohen replied, "No. I don't think that's true."

On the other hand, Cohen confirmed that he earns money from broadcasts he makes on the social media platform TikTok, stating that he talks about Trump 6 days a week in these broadcasts.

'I HAD KNEELED TO THE CULT OF TRUMP'

Stating that he had great admiration for Trump during the time he worked with him, Cohen said, "Back then, I had kneeled to the cult of Donald Trump. I wasn't lying, that's how I felt."

Answering "True" to the question of whether he had previously described Trump's family as his second family, Cohen also admitted that the phrase "I would even take a bullet for Trump" belonged to him. Stating that he also served as a lawyer for Trump's family members in addition to Trump, Cohen noted that his positive opinions about Trump changed in 2018.

When asked if he wanted Trump to be convicted in this case, Cohen replied, "of course."

'I COMPROMISED MY MORAL COMPASS'

Cohen was also asked if he regretted his past relationship with Trump. "I regret doing things I shouldn't have done, like lying for Trump and bullying people for a cause," said Cohen, emphasizing that he did not regret working for the Trump Organization.

Cohen said, "As I have stated before, we had some very interesting and wonderful times. However, I compromised my moral compass to maintain my loyalty and do the things Trump wanted me to do, and I and my family paid the price for it."

SUPPORT FOR TRUMP FROM JOHNSON

US House Speaker Republican Mike Johnson, who watched part of the hearing, expressed his support for Trump in a statement he made after leaving the court. Arguing that the case is "political," Johnson said, "There are 6 months left until the elections. This is the reason why they are bringing these charges across the country now." Noting that he listened to the testimony given by Michael Cohen in court, Johnson described Cohen as "someone who is here out of a sense of personal revenge."

COULD FACE PRISON TIME

In the case, which is also known in the public eye as the "hush money" trial, Trump is accused of paying "hush money" to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election and falsifying official records to cover up the payment. It is stated that Trump could face up to 4 years in prison at the end of the trial, which is significant because Trump is the first former US President to be tried in a criminal case in US history.

News Source: AA