Michael Cohen, once known as Donald Trump’s loyal personal lawyer and “fixer”, has been making headlines for years. As a trusted confidant of the former president, Cohen was involved in many of Trump’s most significant business and political dealings. From his role in the now infamous “hush money” payments to his involvement in the Trump-Russia investigation, Cohen was a central figure in Trump’s inner circle for over a decade. But who exactly is Michael Cohen, and what was his relationship with Trump?
Cohen was born and raised in Long Island, New York, in a middle-class family. He attended American University and went on to earn his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. After working at several law firms, Cohen joined the Trump Organization in 2006, becoming Trump’s personal lawyer and “fixer”. From that point on, Cohen’s name became synonymous with Trump’s, as he was involved in almost every aspect of the former president’s life.
As Trump’s personal lawyer, Cohen was responsible for handling legal matters for the president and his businesses. He also acted as a spokesperson, fiercely defending Trump on various issues and attacking his opponents. Cohen’s loyalty to Trump was unquestionable, and he was always willing to go to great lengths to protect his boss.
One of the most notable events in Cohen’s career was his involvement in the “hush money” payments made to Stormy Daniels, a pornographic film actress who claimed to have had an affair with Trump in 2006. Cohen admitted to making the payments to Daniels in order to keep her story from going public, stating that he did so at the direction of Trump. This revelation caused a media frenzy and ultimately led to Cohen’s downfall.
In 2018, Cohen’s home and office were raided by the FBI as part of an investigation into the payments to Daniels and other potential financial crimes. Cohen eventually pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including campaign finance violations, tax evasion, and lying to Congress. He was sentenced to three years in prison, but his sentence was later reduced to two years due to his cooperation with authorities.
Cohen’s cooperation with the authorities was a significant turning point in his relationship with Trump. After years of loyalty, Cohen made a shocking statement during his sentencing, saying that he took full responsibility for his actions and that he felt it was his duty to cover up Trump’s “dirty deeds”. This marked the end of Cohen’s role as Trump’s “fixer” and the beginning of his personal and professional downfall.
Despite their falling out, Cohen continued to make headlines during Trump’s presidency. He testified before Congress in 2019, accusing Trump of being a “racist”, a “conman”, and a “cheat”. He also provided evidence to support his claims, including financial statements and emails. His testimony and cooperation with authorities added to the mounting legal troubles for Trump, which eventually led to his second impeachment.
Today, Cohen has completed his prison sentence and is living in home confinement. He has severed ties with Trump and has publicly expressed his remorse for his actions. In a recent interview, he admitted that he was blinded by his loyalty to Trump and that he deeply regrets his involvement in the “hush money” payments. He has also written a book, “Disloyal: A Memoir”, in which he shares his experiences and insights into Trump’s character and behavior.
In the end, Michael Cohen’s story serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of blind loyalty and the consequences of crossing ethical and legal boundaries. As Trump’s personal lawyer and “fixer” for over a decade, Cohen was once a trusted and influential figure in Trump’s inner circle. However, his actions ultimately led to his downfall and left a stain on his reputation. Nevertheless, Cohen’s cooperation with authorities and his willingness to take responsibility for his actions have shown his true character. As he moves forward with his life, it is clear that Cohen has learned from his mistakes and is using his experiences to educate others about the importance of integrity and ethical behavior.