Michael Cohen admits Stormy Daniels' $130K payment was legal contract, reveals another potential buyer

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Former Donald Trump attorney Michael Cohen concurred with the defense on Thursday, May 16, that the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels was a legal contract.

While responding to the questions from Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche, Cohen said he learned through Keith Davidson, who represented Daniels, that another outlet was interested in buying Daniels’ story.

Cohen said he was told that ABC offered the same amount that Davidson was trying to get from Cohen, which is $130,000.

Michael Cohen agreed that the payment was not finalized for weeks 

There were a couple of choices, pay, or don’t pay and the story comes out. Cohen agreed that several weeks passed without paying, but ultimately the payment went to Daniels.

While taking a look at the contract which the former president never signed, Cohen confirmed it was a legal contract and that non-disclosure agreements aren't unusual. The contract was signed using pseudonyms.

Michael Cohen admitted making a website for Donald Trump was a pre-election publicity stunt 

Trump's lead lawyer, Todd Blanche also questioned Cohen, focusing specifically on a website Cohen created in 2011 that questioned whether Trump should run for president. Blanche asked if the press considered this a stunt, to which he agreed.

Cohen confirmed he helped get the story out and that the National Enquirer wrote a positive story about his efforts. Blanche continued questioning Cohen on his relationship with reporters and the press.

Blanche asked about Cohen’s steps regarding curbing negative press. Cohen said he would go to Trump’s office, discuss a specific topic, and come up with ways to craft responses to take back to journalists.

Asked if he ever reached out without checking with Trump first, Cohen said it was his "routine" to check with Trump because if a story wasn’t the way Trump wanted it then “it would cause him to blow up at me or me to lose my job.”

Donald Trump says he's stuck in 'icebox' 

The 77-year-old said on Thursday that it was an "interesting day" in court as he issued stern warnings that the US might potentially face Russia and China, which Trump referred to as being stuck in an "icebox."

He also went on to say that he "didn't violate any law" and again called the case brought against him a "sham." Trump also quoted commentary from various news outlets about the case, which he described as a "joke."

Speaking to reporters gathered in the hallway outside the courtroom, Trump said he felt as if he was stuck in an "icebox," making reference to the trial that has prevented him from campaigning throughout the country on most weekdays in recent weeks.

He also warned of potential threats stemming from leaders in China and Russia. Trump's comments came as Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping met with one another at a Beijing summit on Thursday.

"I saw something today that's maybe worse than anything," Trump said. "President Xi of China, I know him very well, and President Putin of Russia, I know him well, they're right now together working together on plans where they get together and do damage. ... That's ultimately what they're thinking about doing."

Trump said President Xi plans to "fully take Taiwan" while he's "sitting here in an icebox."

"I'm sitting here listening to a case that people ... are saying should've never been brought. I've been sitting here almost four weeks and we still have a long way to go," Trump ranted.

Internet is not baffled by Michael Cohen's admission 

Several netizens made their presence known soon after Cohen made the admission regarding payment during the trial. One X user wrote, "That is the simplest and most straightforward explanation of the defense I have heard. It cuts through all of the noise and crap the defense has thrown against the wall." 

"There’s literally audio proof of them talking about the payments though!" added one and another said, "Seems pretty simple."

One user tweeted, "All makes perfect sense. Too bad (at least I’m hoping they are not) the jury is not all MAGA. They would accept that scenario without blinking."

"That the jury won't swallow particularly as Trump won't take the stand. That alone plants seeds of doubt in the jurors minds," wrote another user. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.