Former lawyer and close confidant to Donald Trump, Michael Cohen, is set to be a key witness against him in the New York Attorney General's civil fraud case. This dramatic confrontation would be the first face-to-face interaction for Trump and Cohen in five years, culminating a long journey from loyalty to enmity.
When Cohen's name is called to testify, he will be addressing a visibly irate Donald Trump. An excerpt from Cohen's social media post paints a picture of the spectacle that is expected in court: “It appears that I will be reunited with my old client @realDonaldTrump when I testify this Tuesday, October 24th at the @NewYorkStateAG civil fraud trial. See you there!”
The trial, which has put Trump's business practices in New York state under scrutiny, features Cohen's testimony as one of its key points of interest. While Trump has largely faded into the background of the proceedings so far, a summons could soon bring him into the spotlight.
This impending clash seems to have shaken Trump from his passivity, inspiring his attendance at the trial. He was present last week, presumably anticipating Cohen's testimony which was postponed due to health issues. Further attention was brought on Trump for a monetary penalty imposed by Judge Arthur Engoron and threats of potential incarceration over a gag order violation.
The focus of Cohen's testimony is expected to pivot around his dealings with Allen Weisselberg, former Trump Organization CFO, and Trump, concerning Trump’s financial condition. Cohen claims there were discussions about Trump’s net worth prior to the submission of financial statements. However, Weisselberg, in his earlier testimony, contradicted these claims.
Cohen's controversial testimony to the House Oversight Committee in 2019 sparked an inquiry against Trump about the alleged manipulation of the value of their assets to gain loans, insurance, and tax benefits. The testimony is also pivotal to the criminal case against Trump by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg about falsifying records on payoffs to conceal affairs.
Tuesday’s proceedings, however, will be centred around Trump’s financial declaration rather than the cover-up payments. Cohen is expected to testify first, followed by Bill Kelly, chief counsel of Mazars, Trump’s former accounting firm.
As the trial enters its fourth week, twelve witnesses have been summoned by the attorney general’s office, including six from Trump's organization. Trump’s legal team has so far questioned only half of the witnesses, keeping their options open for the defense case.
Eric Trump's alleged involvement in the low balling of property values, contrary to his declarations on financial documents, is another contentious point. Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump, may also be summoned for testimony, generating more intense scrutiny towards the Trump family's business practices. The trial, which is set to extend through late December, is only expected to escalate in the weeks to come.
