Michael Cohen Testifies in Trump Civil Fraud Trial

Key Points:

• Michael Cohen, former personal lawyer to President Donald Trump, testifies in a civil fraud trial.
• Cohen's testimony is crucial for the Manhattan District Attorney's criminal investigation into the Trump Organization.
• Cohen's second day of testimony provides insight into Trump's alleged business practices.

Background:

Michael Cohen served as Donald Trump's personal lawyer for more than a decade. In 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to charges related to campaign finance violations and lying to Congress. He is now cooperating with prosecutors in the ongoing investigation into the Trump Organization.

Testimony:

During his second day of testimony, Cohen detailed Trump's alleged involvement in fraudulent practices, including inflating the value of his assets to secure loans and understating their value to reduce taxes. Cohen also provided evidence of Trump's knowledge and approval of hush-money payments made to Stormy Daniels, an adult film star who alleged an affair with Trump.

Significance:

Cohen's testimony is considered a major development in the Trump Organization investigation. It provides insider information about the company's operations and could potentially lead to criminal charges against Trump. The outcome of the trial will have significant implications for the former President and the future of the Trump Organization.