Michael cohen the fixer who turned on trump
Michael Cohen, also known as "The Fixer," was a longtime lawyer and fixer for Donald Trump, serving as his personal attorney and executive vice president of the Trump Organization. Cohen was born in 1964 in New York City and grew up in a Jewish family. He graduated from Fordham University and later earned a law degree from New York Law School.
Cohen began working for Trump in the early 2000s, initially serving as a lawyer for Trump's real estate ventures. Over time, he became a trusted advisor and confidant to Trump, handling various legal and business matters for the Trump Organization. Cohen was known for his ability to get things done, earning him the nickname "The Fixer."
In 2017, Cohen became embroiled in the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Cohen's role in the investigation was significant, as he had been involved in several transactions and dealings with Russia during Trump's presidential campaign.
In August 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to eight counts of fraud, including campaign finance violations, tax evasion, and lying to Congress. As part of his plea deal, Cohen agreed to cooperate with the government's investigation and provide information about his dealings with Trump and others.
Cohen's cooperation with the government led to significant revelations about Trump's behavior and potential wrongdoing. In February 2019, Cohen testified before the House Oversight Committee, making explosive allegations about Trump's behavior, including:
- Trump's knowledge of the Trump Tower meeting between his campaign officials and Russian operatives in 2016.
- Trump's involvement in hush-money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal to silence them about alleged extramarital affairs.
- Trump's attempts to intimidate and silence Cohen, including threatening to sue him and his family.
Cohen's testimony was widely seen as a major blow to Trump's presidency, and it led to increased scrutiny of Trump's behavior and potential wrongdoing. In August 2019, Trump pardoned Cohen, who was serving a three-year prison sentence, citing "tremendous disrespect" shown to Cohen by the government.
After his release from prison, Cohen has continued to speak out about his experiences and the Trump administration's actions. He has also written a memoir, "Disloyal: A Memoir," which details his time working for Trump and his subsequent cooperation with the government.
Overall, Michael Cohen's story is one of a complex and controversial figure who played a significant role in the Trump presidency and its aftermath. His cooperation with the government and subsequent testimony have had far-reaching implications for Trump's reputation and the country's understanding of the 2016 election.