Michael Cohen reveals his dismay over being disregarded as White House Chief of Staff was an 'ego' issue

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Michael Cohen, former lawyer to Donald Trump in his testimony on Monday, May 13, expressed his disappointment over not being considered for the role of White House Chief of Staff.

Cohen, who testified against Trump in his criminal hush money trial, revealed that his disappointment was more about his ego than anything else.

Michael Cohen did not consider himself 'competent' for a job as Chief of White House Staff

Even though Cohen was disappointed in not being appointed as a staff, he still wished his name was considered for the work he did for Trump. 

“I didn’t want the role, I didn’t believe that the role was right for me or that I was even competent to be Chief of Staff. I just wanted my name to have been included," Cohen testified.

"I wanted to at least be considered. It was more about my ego than anything," he explained.

After Trump’s election, Cohen found himself without a job and was not asked to continue working for the Trump Organization.

“No, because my service was no longer necessary. I was special counsel to Mr Trump and he was now president-elect,” he testified. Despite this, Cohen had aspirations of continuing to work closely with Trump.

Michael Cohen’s pitch to be Donald Trump’s 'personal' attorney

Cohen had pitched the idea of serving as Trump’s “personal attorney” while in the White House, but his real desire was to be a “consultant” so he could stay in New York.

He believed that being a personal attorney to the president “opens up a tremendous amount of doors for people who are trying to understand the mind of Trump.”

"So my thought was that way I could continue to protect him, to do the things he needed with these other matters. And he would be protected," Cohen said, per CNN.

He explained his pitch to be Donald Trump’s personal attorney, stating, “Mr Trump was an enigma. He was a businessman no one knew what his position was.”

Cohen thought he could monetize the position and knowledge of Trump. He said, “Because of my close proximity to him for a decade, I did understand him.”

Michael Cohen didn't expect any compensation as Donald Trump's personal attorney

Cohen brought in an attorney who helped him pitch the idea to Trump. He presented Trump with a three-page memo on why he needed a personal attorney and why Cohen was the best.

They then met for about an hour about it, Cohen said and a day or two before Trump left for the inauguration in January 2017.

Cohen said Trump officially made him his personal counsel. “He gave me this title. I was proud to accept that title, which I wanted, so I knew there would be no compensation for any other work," he stated.

Internet reacts to Michael Cohen's testimony over White House job wish

The Internet has mixed reactions over Cohen's testimony on not being considered as White House Chief of Staff.

"I don’t believe Cohen would have been happy to receive that news," wrote one on X.

One more wrote, "My take on Trump’s trial today, Michael Cohen was hurt cause didn’t give him a job at the White House but look at everyone that has gone to jail, bankrupt, lost law licenses for Trump it’s about him not about anyone!"

"Of course Michael Cohen lied for Trump, it was his job to lie for Trump, he went to prison for it. If he hadn’t committed crimes for Trump there would be no trial now. His testimony has been corroborated by several other witnesses and document evidence," wrote one more. 

"It's kinda crazy that throughout the entire day it's only been a couple objections from the defense and it's only minor objections. Michael Cohen has been doing an incredible job as a witness!" observed another individual.

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