Former fixer’s version of events is central to the prosecution’s case against Trump

  • Michael Cohen testified about his time as Donald Trump’s fixer
  • He admitted to directing a hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels
  • Cohen testified that Trump was involved in a plan to prevent negative stories about him from being published
  • He played a secretly recorded conversation with Trump discussing hush-money payments
  • Cohen testified that he was reimbursed for the payment in monthly installments
  • He admitted to lying to protect Trump in the past

Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s former fixer, testified in court about his involvement in directing a hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. Cohen admitted to lying about the payment and testified that Trump was involved in a plan to prevent negative stories about him from being published. He played a secretly recorded conversation with Trump discussing hush-money payments. Cohen also testified that he was reimbursed for the payment in monthly installments. He admitted to lying to protect Trump in the past. These key moments from Cohen’s testimony are crucial to the prosecution’s case against Trump.

Factuality Level: 3
Factuality Justification: The article provides a detailed account of Michael Cohen’s testimony, including his statements about hush-money payments, his relationship with Trump, and his change in loyalty. However, the article lacks balance by primarily focusing on Cohen’s testimony without providing Trump’s perspective or counterarguments. It also includes some sensationalized language and unnecessary details about Cohen’s merchandise sales and past monikers for Trump, which are tangential to the main topic.
Noise Level: 3
Noise Justification: The article provides a detailed account of Michael Cohen’s testimony, including key points and interactions during the trial. It includes relevant information about the hush-money payment, Trump’s involvement, and Cohen’s motivations. The article stays on topic and supports its claims with examples and quotes from the trial.
Financial Relevance: No
Financial Markets Impacted: No
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Rating Justification:
Private Companies: Trump Organization
Key People: Michael Cohen (Former fixer for Donald Trump), Donald Trump (Former President), Stormy Daniels (Porn star), Allen Weisselberg (Trump Organization finance chief), David Pecker (Tabloid publisher), Karen McDougal (Former Playboy Playmate)

Reported publicly: www.wsj.com