Donald Trump’s Involvement in Hush Money Scheme Revealed
Former lawyer Michael Cohen’s recent testimony shed light on Donald Trump’s direct involvement in a scheme to suppress damaging stories during his 2016 campaign. Here are the key points from Cohen’s testimony:
Trump’s Central Role
- Cohen stated that all actions in the hush money plot required Trump’s approval.
- Trump was kept informed about efforts to bury stories that could harm his campaign.
Specific Incidents
- Trump expressed the need to prevent the release of adult film actor Stormy Daniels’ story.
- Cohen informed Trump about a Playboy model’s claims and was instructed to ensure the story didn’t surface.
Directives from Trump
Cohen testified that his actions were carried out at the direction and for the benefit of Donald Trump.
Legal Proceedings
- Trump has denied any sexual encounters with the women involved.
- Cohen’s testimony directly linked Trump to the hush money payments.
‘Catch and Kill’ Practice
Cohen’s testimony highlighted the practice of “catch and kill” in the tabloid industry, where stories are purchased to prevent their publication.
Reimbursements and Charges
- The reimbursements Cohen received form the basis of felony charges against Trump for falsifying business records.
- Prosecutors allege that the payments were falsely categorized as legal expenses to conceal their true purpose.
Trump’s Concerns
Cohen described Trump’s focus on the potential impact of these stories on his campaign, rather than protecting his family from scandal.
