Tangent
Cohen is filling in for former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is taking the summer off from hosting his weekly radio show on the Trump-friendly WABC. The station’s owner, Trump friend and billionaire John Catsimatidis, told Tthe New York Post he checked with the White House before giving Cohen the spot and they “had no objection.” Catsimatidis said he would likely give Cohen a permanent five-day show.
Read more Army Unit’s GTA VI Vacation Offer Among ‘Routine’ Reenlistment Incentives, Spokesperson Says
Crucial Quote
Cohen told Tthe New York Post he reached out to Trump after he heard the president “expressed empathy” over criticism Cohen said he received after claiming his testimony was coerced. “As a direct result, I wrote to him in a text thanking him for expressing his sentiment and that it would be nice for us to have an opportunity to reestablish our long lost friendship. To which he responded, ‘That would be nice. Let’s do it,’” Cohen said.
Key Background
Cohen admitted in federal court that he arranged payments ahead of the 2016 presidential election to porn star Stormy Daniels in exchange for her silence about an affair she allegedly had with Trump. Trump has denied the affair and any knowledge of the payments, but Cohen testified they were made at Trump’s discretion. Trump was convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records for labeling the reimbursements to Cohen as legal expenses, making him the first ever former president in history to be convicted of a crime. Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations in connection with the payments. Cohen subsequently testified in Trump’s 2024 civil fraud trial about the methods Trump allegedly used to inflate his net worth and value of his assets. Trump and his businesses were found liable for civil fraud in the case and ordered to pay a judgement that ballooned to more than $500 million with fines and penalties. The judgement was thrown out by an appeals court that found it was “excessive,” but upheld the ruling that he engaged in fraud.
Read more Cocktails, Bomb Shelters, Very Strong Stone: Trump Raves About Ballroom As Crews Race To Build It
further reading
Michael Cohen Admitted He ‘Stole’ $30,000 From Trump Org—But Legal Experts Say He Probably Won’t Face Charges (Forbes)
Here’s Why Key Trump Witness Michael Cohen Was Sentenced To Prison (Forbes)
Michael Cohen Testifies: Ex-Fixer’s Testimony Undercut By A 14-Year-Old Prank Caller As Trump Lawyers Attack Credibility (Forbes)