'Just stop': Donald Trump slammed after he asks why Michael Cohen's call recording was 'cut off' during hush money trial

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Friday, May 3, to express his discontent over a recording played during his ongoing hush money trial involving his former attorney Michael Cohen.

Trump's frustration stemmed from what he deemed an incomplete portrayal of the conversation, suggesting a pivotal portion was omitted.

Contentious recording sparks dispute

The contentious recording, captured in September 2016, features a conversation between Trump and Cohen regarding a hush money agreement with former Playboy model Karen McDougal, aimed at suppressing allegations of an extramarital affair.

In the audio, Trump can be heard inquiring about the financial terms, suggesting a figure of $150,000 and deliberating over the mode of payment, with a preference for cash.

During the trial, Doug Daus, a forensic analyst, testified that the recording abruptly ends due to an incoming call received by Cohen. However, Trump's legal team contested the validity of this interruption, highlighting the absence of concrete evidence substantiating the claim.

Taking to Truth Social, Trump said the tape, “while good for my case, was cut off at the end, in the early stages of something very positive that I was in the midst of saying. Why was it cut off???”

Cohen, expected to testify for the prosecution, has evolved into a vocal critic of Trump since his tenure as his attorney. Trump's supporters have consistently discredited Cohen's credibility, portraying him as an unreliable witness.

The trial revolves around Trump facing 34 felony charges related to falsifying business records, with the central focus on a $130,000 payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, allegedly aimed at concealing their purported affair during the 2016 presidential campaign, The Hill reported.

Internet slams Donald Trump

Despite Trump's complaints, his critics on social media condemned him for what they saw as constant grievances and efforts to manipulate the narrative to his advantage.

"Just stop. The only people buying your tired act still are the hardcore cult members. Everyone else, literally everyone else, is sick of hearing a grown privileged man crying about people being mean to him," one posted on X.

"Should we believe you that the tape was interrupted or was it simply over? We know only too well how you deal with the truth," another offered.

"I dunno....did you require a diaper change at that juncture? Or hey....maybe you just fell asleep again & missed it? So nice to see your family all on your side in the courtroom, proof of how much they love you," someone else added.

"Well then, you have a chance to play the part that was cut off during the defense portion of the trial. Maybe right before you take the stand and testify," a comment read.

"The purpose of the court case is to determine if you can be proved guilty for of a felony crime. It’s not to stroke your ego," another wrote.

Legal maneuvering and soliciting donations

In a separate development, Trump's attorney, Todd Blanche, vehemently defended his client against accusations of breaching a gag order, refuting claims that Trump's presidential campaign sought to leverage the trial for fundraising purposes.

Blanche argued that Trump's right to respond to perceived attacks, particularly from Cohen, warranted leniency regarding the gag order. “Nobody’s forcing him, but he’s running for president. He has to be able to go speak,” Blanche said.

This came after Trump, in a bid to rally support and solicit donations, issued a message to his followers saying he had “been FULLY GAGGED” and “stuck in court all day." 

The message included a survey asking whether “you support President Trump more or less after every single witch hunt, raid, indictment, and arrest," NBC News reported.

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