In a surprising turn of events, Michael Cohen, former personal lawyer to President Donald Trump, testified in the NY v. Trump case that he had indeed sought a job in the Trump administration, despite previously denying any such ambition. This testimony stands in stark contrast to Cohen’s previous sworn statement before Congress in 2019, where he unequivocally stated that he had no desire to work in the White House.
Keith Davidson, an attorney representing former adult film actress Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal, recounted Cohen’s expressions of disappointment and frustration upon learning that he would not be joining the Trump administration after the 2016 election. According to Davidson, Cohen lamented, “Can you f—ing believe I’m not going to Washington after everything I’ve done for that guy? I can’t believe I’m not going to Washington… I’ve saved his a–…”
Cohen’s testimony also revealed that he had hoped to secure the role of White House Chief of Staff or Attorney General. He confided in Davidson that he had been “extremely proud” to serve as Trump’s personal attorney but had aspirations to work within the White House itself.
However, Cohen’s testimony directly contradicts his previous statements before Congress, where he explicitly denied any desire to join the Trump administration. He asserted that he had declined job offers and emphasized the importance of maintaining his status as Trump’s personal attorney to handle sensitive matters.
This discrepancy between Cohen’s current testimony and his prior statements has raised questions about his credibility and the reliability of his testimony in the NY v. Trump case. The prosecution alleges that Trump falsified records with the intent to conceal Cohen’s payment to Daniels, which is a violation of New York law.
The trial is expected to continue, with Cohen’s testimony likely to play a significant role in determining the outcome. The discrepancy between his current and previous statements will undoubtedly be a point of contention and scrutiny throughout the proceedings.
