Cohen's Testimony in Trump Trial: A Star Witness and a Legal Battle

Former Trump attorney Michael Cohen is set to testify in the criminal trial against former President Trump on Monday. Cohen's testimony will focus on allegations that Trump falsified business records related to a payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.

Michael Cohen, former attorney to Donald Trump, is expected to take the stand Monday morning in the criminal trial against the ex-president. Cohen is a crucial witness for the Manhattan District Attorney's office, which alleges that Trump falsified business records to conceal a hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

Cohen has been mocking former President Trump on TikTok, further fueling the anticipation surrounding his testimony. Trump has denied the encounter with Daniels and maintained his innocence against the charges brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

Bragg has indicted Trump on 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, alleging that the payments made to Cohen were reimbursements for the hush money payment to Daniels. Trump's defense attorneys, however, claim that the $35,000 payments were legal and not a form of payback.

Trump has been gagged by the court, prohibiting him from speaking about any witnesses in the trial. His legal team has argued that the gag order violates his First Amendment rights and filed an appeal. Trump has already been fined $10,000 for violating the gag order, with a threat of jail time if he violates it again.

Cohen, however, is not under any gag order. Judge Juan Merchan has directed the prosecution to instruct Cohen to refrain from making any statements about the case or Trump.

Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations, making false statements to Congress, and tax evasion in 2018. He was sentenced to three years in prison. House Republicans have referred Cohen to the Justice Department for further investigation, alleging that he lied to Congress in his recent testimony in the Letitia James case against Trump.

Cohen admitted to lying under oath in February 2019 during his testimony before the House Intelligence Committee. Trump attorney Alina Habba questioned Cohen about his honesty, to which he responded with a resounding "Yes."

The legal battle surrounding the Trump trial has intensifying, with Republicans calling for an investigation into Bragg's star witness. The outcome of Cohen's testimony could significantly impact the trial's outcome, as he is expected to provide insights into the alleged falsification of business records and Trump's involvement in the Daniels hush money payment.